MLB Player News

Higgins went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run in Wednesday's 3-2 win over the Nationals.

Higgins gave the Cubs an unexpected boost from the No. 9 spot in the order, going deep in the fifth inning with a runner on to put Chicago up 2-1. The 29-year-old has actually been swinging the bat pretty well this season, as he now has six home runs and an .884 OPS across 43 games. He could earn himself a little more playing time down the stretch, potentially at first base because Willson Contreras and Yan Gomes are ahead of him at catcher.

Calhoun (heel) will report to Triple-A Round Rock on Wednesday to begin a rehab assignment.

Though Calhoun hadn't resumed baseball activities as of Friday, he's evidently made substantial progress in the last few days, given that he's advanced to a minor-league rehab assignment. Assuming his right heel doesn't cause him any problems while playing for Round Rock, he could be cleared to return from the injured list as soon as this weekend.

Beaty (shoulder) was reinstated from the 60-day IL on Tuesday and was subsequently optioned to Triple-A El Paso, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Beaty restarted his rehab assignment July 27 and is slashing .309/.433/.418 with a home run and seven RBI in 15 games since. He's back to full health, but the Padres don't appear to have room for him on the big-league roster at the moment. Beaty has struggled during his time in the majors this season, batting .108 with no homers and only one RBI over 37 at-bats.

Votto will undergo season-ending surgery Friday to address a torn rotator cuff in his left shoulder, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Votto wasn't in the lineup for Wednesday's game against Philadelphia, and he's apparently dealing with a shoulder injury that will end his season. The 38-year-old struggled to get things going in 2022 and slashed .205/.319/.370 with 11 home runs, 41 RBI and 31 runs over 91 games. Matt Reynolds should see increased playing time at first base until Mike Moustakas (calf) is cleared to return. It's not yet clear whether Votto is expected to be healthy in time for spring training in 2023.

Naylor (ankle) is starting Wednesday against the Tigers.

Naylor sustained an ankle injury during the second game of Monday's doubleheader and wasn't in Tuesday's lineup, but he went 0-for-1 as a pinch hitter. The 25-year-old will serve as the designated hitter and bat fifth Wednesday.

France is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Angels.

France will sit for the day game after he had started in each of the Mariners' last 12 contests following a four-game absence due to a wrist injury. Carlos Santana will step in at first base for France, who went 1-for-4 with a walk and a pair of RBI in Tuesday's 8-2 win.

Cooper is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Padres, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Cooper battled some calf tightness last week, but he returned to the lineup Saturday and is ostensibly healthy again. However, he hasn't started in four of the Marlins' subsequent five contests, as the team has seemingly made finding more playing time for Lewin Diaz at first base a greater priority. Meanwhile, Jesus Aguilar has supplanted Cooper as the Marlins' top designated hitter as a result, though both players are on the bench Wednesday while No. 2 catcher Nick Fortes get a turn at DH after his two-homer performance in Tuesday's 4-3 win.

Pratto isn't starting Wednesday against the Twins.

Pratto started the last two games and went 0-for-5 with two strikeouts. He'll get a breather while Vinnie Pasquantino shifts to first base with Brent Rooker starting in right field.

Votto is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Phillies.

Votto's absence is presumably mostly due to the Reds concluding their series with the Phillies with a day game after a night game, but the 38-year-old could probably benefit from a mental reset in any case. Over his last five games, Votto has gone 0-for-21 with one walk and five strikeouts, dropping his season-long batting average and on-base percentage to .205 and .319, respectively. Matt Reynolds will spell the slumping six-time All-Star at first base Wednesday.

Hall went 1-for-5 with a solo home run in Tuesday's 11-4 win over the Reds.

Hall got the Phillies' scoring started on the night with two outs in the third inning, when he took T.J. Zeuch deep to left field before Nick Castellanos followed him with another solo shot. The rookie designated hitter is getting on base at an underwhelming .298 clip this season, but he's been solid roster filler in traditional 5x5 fantasy leagues with a .264 average, nine home runs, 19 runs and 16 RBI in 131 plate appearances through his first 35 big-league games.