MLB Player News

Cubs manager Dale Sveum shifted first baseman Anthony Rizzo to fifth in the team's lineup against the Mets Friday night and put outfielder Nate Schierholtz in the third spot.

Rizzo finished 3 for 4 with a double and two runs scored in a 6-3 win. He is hitting .251 with 10 home runs and 39 RBI in 65 games.

Reds first baseman Joey Votto is out of the lineup for Friday's game against Milwaukee, the Cincinnati Enquirer reports. Votto has started all 67 games and has played 63 full games this season. With the Reds playing 14 innings on Thursday, Votto will get a day to rest.

Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo was the only Cubs starter other than the starting pitcher to not pick up a hit in his team's 6-5 win over the Reds Thursday, going 0 for 5 with two walks.

Rizzo has just one hit in 17 at-bats over his last five games and two hits in 23 at-bats over his last seven, dropping his batting average to .243. His last home run came on May 18.

Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard had a pair of hits in Tuesday's loss to Minnesota.

Howard finished 2 for 4 with an RBI. Even though he clearly hasn't been himself since returning from an Achilles injury last year -- he's hitting just .236/.296/.429 in 131 games -- he's still averaging 108 RBI per 162 games played. 

Indians catcher Carlos Santana will DH Tuesday against the Rangers.

Santana is hitting a solid .283/.386/.483 this year. Yan Gomes will fill in and hit eighth against Derek Holland. Santana should return behind the plate Wednesday against Nick Tepesch. 

Opposing defenses may have to start reconsidering defensive shifts on Indians catcher Carlos Santana. According to the Akron Beacon Journal, Santana is tied for the team lead in bunt hitswith two. A swtich-hitter, teams put the shift on Santana when he's batting lefty, allowing him to bunt down the third-base side and reach first safely. 

"I had to learn bunting," Santana told the Journal. "I practice all the time."

Santana has two bunting guidelines -- only bunt when nobody's on and only against the shift. Manager Terry Francona has said that the strategy is fine with him because Santana isn't risking his swing mechanics to beat the shift. 

Santana is hitting .283, with eight home runs and 17 doubles. He's hitting .275 against right-handed pitchers. 

Indians manager Terry Francona said Monday that injured shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera (right quad) is doing quite well in his recovery, MLB.com reports. 

Cabrera has been working out in a pool and playing catch while seated. Cabrera likely still has 2-3 more weeks of recovery time before he can think about returning to the majors. 

Marlins second baseman Donovan Solano has been activated from the disabled list and optioned to Triple-A New Orleans, according to the Palm Beach Post. 

Solano was on the disabled list with a side injury. He hit just .278/.333/.324 in 108 at-bats. Derek Dietrich will likely move forward as the club's primary second baseman. 

Marlins second baseman Donovan Solano (side) is batting .600 (6 for 10) with one double and one RBI through three rehab games for Class A Jupiter, but manager Mike Redmond said Sunday the team hasn't decided yet when to activate Solano off the disabled list.

"Solano's available, but we still have to evaluate where he's at," Redmond said, per The Miami Herald. "We got a lot of guys that are close and we've talked about having some decisions to make. We have to sit down and figure out where these guys are at. We knew we would be getting guys back. Of course it all works out you get them all back the same week. It's a good situation. We're getting the lineup we thought we'd have when we left in spring training back. That's good."

The Twins recalled infielder Chris Colabello from Triple-A Rochester Sunday for a game against the Nationals. Colabello is serving as the team's 26th man in the doubleheader. 

Colabello had two hits over 15 at-bats earlier in the year for Minnesota. He's expected to be sent back to the minors following Sunday's game.