MLB Player News

Indians shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera (quadriceps) was activated off the 15-day disabled list and returned to the starting lineup Wednesday against the Orioles, manager Terry Francona confirmed during an interview with MLB Network Radio.

Cabrera played in his first game Wednesday since June 3 against the Yankees.

"Asdrubal Cabrera is in the lineup tonight," Francona said. "I can't believe how fast he came back from this injury."

Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard reached base once Tuesday against the Padres, in his return from a brief absence due to knee soreness.

Howard was hitless in four at-bats, but walked once in the game. He scored a run, in a 6-2 win.

Howard is hitting .278 on the season with an .832 OPS. 

Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard was back in the starting lineup Tuesday against the Padres, after sitting out the previous game with soreness in his left knee. Howard is battering fourth and player first base, as usual.

Howard has been dealing with soreness in the knee for much of the season, and may require days off moving forward to manage it. 

Indians shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera (quadriceps) said he feels 100 percent and hopes to be activated off the disabled list for either Wednesday's or Thursday's game against the Orioles, according to MLB.com. Cabrera last appeared in a game June 3.

Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard is out of Monday's lineup with left knee soreness, MLB.com reports.

Howard also missed three games in May with soreness in the same knee. Howard is hitting a robust .357/.442/.643 in June without missing a game, so there aren't any indications he's been slogging through this injury the whole month. Most likely, the Phillies are taking extra precautions with the soreness due to last month's issue.

Cleveland shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera, who has a right quad injury, is doing extremely well at the moment, MLB.com reports. Manager Terry Francona believes he'll be activated soon. 

Cabrera has been taking grounders and may not need an injury rehab assignment. The Indians have not yet decided if he'll go on one or not. 

Astros first baseman Chris Carter pounded out four hits Sunday against the Cubs, which included a career-high three doubles. He added two runs and two RBI.

"It was good to see him drive the ball the other way," Astros manager Bo Porter said. "He's been doing that this last week or so and it's coming together."

Carter is batting .342 (13 for 38) with two home runs, seven doubles, seven RBI and eight runs in his last 10 games.

After a prolonged home run drought, Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo has clubbed two long balls in his last three games.

Rizzo has been prone to streaks this year. After belting eight home runs during April, Rizzo only hit two in May. Rizzo went over a month without a home run until finally breaking the streak June 21. He's started to come around lately, with seven hits over his last five games. Rizzo saw his rate stats drop precipitously after his May/June slump, but could come out of it quickly based on what Fantasy owners have seen early in the season.

Rizzo is hitting .253/.340/.469 in 277 at-bats. 

Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo hit his 12th home run during a 3-for-3 day in a 14-6 win over the Astros Sunday. He also hit his 20th double, scored four runs and drove in four.

Rizzo had four RBI in 64 at-bats in June before Sunday. He's hit .253 with 12 home runs and 44 RBI in 277 at-bats this season.

Prior to starting a homestand Monday against the Nationals, Phillies manager Charlie Manuel predicted first baseman Ryan Howard would start hitting for more power, according to MLB.com. Well, Howard hasn't made his manager look like a fool.

Howard homered twice Saturday against the Mets and has homered three times in the first five games of the homestand. Howard is batting .439 (18 for 41) with an .805 slugging percentage, 1.315 OPS, one triple, three home runs, four doubles and 11 RBI in his last 11 games.

Manuel said Howard's surge is because the veteran slugger is being more selective at the plate.

"Usually when you do that, you'll get some timing, and he's doing it consistently in games, especially against right-handers," Manuel said. "And you could see it [Saturday]. He got the ball up in the air because he took good, quick swings at the ball."