MLB Player News

Indians catcher Carlos Santana changed his mind about playing Saturday against Chicago, MLB.com reports. Santana took himself out of the lineup.

The backstop participated in batting practice and felt it was too soon to return from his left thumb contusion. Santana is considered day-to-day.

Indians catcher Carlos Santana, who had been out since Monday after hurting his left thumb, was able to return to the starting lineup Saturday against Chicago, as expected. Santana will bat sixth. 

Santana will look to extend his three-game hitting streak. He's hit in six of his seven games this year for a .500 average with two homers, four doubles and five RBI. 

Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo went 0 for 4 with three strikeouts during Chicago's 4-3 win over San Francisco on Friday. It was the second game in a row Rizzo fanned three times -- and third occasion overall -- as his batting average dropped to .167 on the season.

He has now totaled more strikeouts (13) than hits and walks (10) over the first 10 games of the year.

Indians catcher Carlos Santana could return to game action by Saturday, MLB.com reports.

Santana suffered a left thumb bruise catching closer Chris Perez in Monday's game. He has yet to play since, but X-rays on the thumb were negative and if his return doesn't come Saturday, it should within the next few days.

Indians catcher Carlos Santana (wrist) was held out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Yankees, which was postponed by rain, but he's hoping to return for Cleveland's series opener against the White Sox on Friday, MLB.com reports. Santana has not played since Monday due to a sore wrist, but hit in the indoor batting cages Thursday.

"I asked him, 'If you had your choice, when would you play?' He said, 'Tomorrow,'" manager Terry Francona said. "I don't think that's going to happen, but I think that's really good news. That means he's not very far off and that the process is moving along quickly."

Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo had a mixed day at the plate in a loss to the Giants Thursday, hitting his third home run of the season in the third inning but striking out three times as he went 1-for-5.

The two-run homer gives Rizzo nine RBI to go with a .188/.297/.500 line in 37 plate appearances this year.

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.