MLB Player News

Reds first baseman Joey Votto is hitting .290/.500/.387 through nine games but has no home runs in his first 44 plate appearances. But he says his knee isn't the problem.

"It's not been a factor," Votto told the Cincinnati Enquirer. "I'm very happy with it. I really haven't taken a swing -- or at least a swing I'm comfortable with -- since last July. ... I feel like I'm steadily moving toward where I was before I was injured."

Votto and the Reds open a series against the Pirates in Pittsburgh Friday.

Indians catcher Carlos Santana is not in the starting lineup Thursday.

This marks the second-straight game missed by Santana after he bruised his thumb Monday. Santana was not in the team's starting lineup Wednesday, but the game was postponed. The injury is not considered serious, and Santana could return soon. Yan Gomes will start in his place. 

Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo had a clutch hit Tuesday against the Brewers, recording his first double and tying the game in the seventh inning. Rizzo's double off left-hander Michael Gonzalez raised his average .185 and manager Dale Sveum hopes it's a sign of things to come.

"Hopefully, it's huge," Sveum told ESPN. "He hasn't been hitting with a lot of confidence, let alone off lefties and to do it on a breaking ball was even better. The way he stayed on it and stayed with it. Those things a lot of times springboard you into getting hot." 

One day after posting four hits (and two home runs), Astros left fielder Chris Carter stayed hot, going 3 for 5 with a home run, two runs and two RBI. The three-hit day boosted his average to .270 after a 3-for-22 start.

Marlins second baseman Donovan Solano batted second in Wednesday's loss to the Braves, picking up a single in four plate appearances. It was the eighth time in nine games Solano, who is hitting .290/.371/.323 in 35 plate appearances, reached base safely.

Indians catcher Carlos Santana was held out of the starting lineup for a second straight game Wednesday against the Yankees because of a bruised left thumb. Yan Gomes once again started in Santana's absence.

Astros outfielder Chris Carter belted two home runs, helping Houston defeat Seattle, 16-9, Tuesday. Carter's first home run was a solo shot off Kameron Loe in the second inning and his second home run was another solo blast off Oliver Perez in the ninth inning.

Carter finished with four hits in six at-bats. He came into the game with three hits in his first seven games. He also finished with three RBI. Carter is batting .219 (7 for 32) with 15 strikeouts and just one walk in eight games.

Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard entered Tuesday's game against the Mets on a 4-for-27 slump to start the season. He broke out of his mini-funk in a big way with his first home run of the season.

Howard took starter Dillon Gee deep for a his first extra-base hit of the season -- a solo shot in the third inning. He finished 1 for 4 with a run scored and an RBI in an 8-3 victory.

The 33-year-old upped his average to .161 through his eight games.

Indians shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera uncorked his second home run of the season during Tuesday's contest against the Yankees.

Cabrera took starter Andy Pettitte deep for a solo shot in the sixth inning. It was the only run the Indians could muster. He finished 1 for 3 with a run scored and an RBI in a 14-1 defeat.

Cabrera is hitting .133/.235/.367 with two home runs and three RBI through his first three games.

Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo has been watching video and taking extra cuts in the batting cage in order to break out of his slump, ESPN.com reports.

Although he has two homers with five RBI through seven games, the 23-year-old entered Tuesday's game against the Brewers batting .160 (4 for 25).

“I have to go with the approach I had in Triple-A,” Rizzo said. “I need to take a lot of those fastballs I am seeing to left field. Also must gear up for the changeup and take them up the middle.”