MLB Player News

Votto went 2-for-4 with a pair of two-run homers in Monday's 13-1 win over the Pirates.

Votto knocked a two-run shot in the first inning and followed up with another two-run homer in the fourth. He entered Monday's game in a 1-for-10 skid but he's now hit five home runs in the last seven games and 35 on the year. Votto improved his OPS to .950 with 96 RBI.

Cronenworth went 3-for-4 with a triple, two doubles, a walk, two RBI and a run Sunday in San Diego's 4-3 loss to Atlanta.

The Padres' No. 2 and 3 hitters -- Cronenworth and Manny Machado -- combined to reach base eight times Sunday, but the other seven hitters in the lineup did little to move the needle for a San Diego squad that dropped to .500 with its eighth loss in nine games. Though he came through with an excellent day at the dish, Cronenworth had a hand in the team's recent struggles. In his nine games prior to Sunday, he went 4-for-28 while drawing only one walk.

Votto (knee) will start at first base and bat cleanup Monday against the Pirates.

Votto draws back into the starting nine after a sore left knee limited him to a bench role in the final two games of the Reds' weekend series with the Nationals. Though Cincinnati heads into the final week of the regular season with the faintest of playoff hopes, Votto isn't expected to be shut down, provided his knee doesn't act up again. The 38-year-old has turned in a huge second half for the Reds, batting .280 with 22 home runs, 52 RBI, 43 runs and 47 walks in 64 games.

Cron went 2-for-4 with a solo home run and an additional run scored in Sunday's 6-2 loss to the Giants.

Cron slammed a solo shot off Kevin Gausman in the fifth inning -- the only run scored against Gausman on Sunday. After hammering 11 long balls in August, Cron has just three so far in September. The 31-year-old is slashing .276/.369/.529 with 28 home runs, 88 RBI and 67 runs scored in 523 plate appearances this season.

Goldschmidt went 1-for-3 with a solo home run and a walk in Sunday's 4-2 win over the Cubs.

Goldschmidt went deep off Keegan Thompson in the third inning to give the Cardinals the lead. It was his fifth home run in his last six games. The 33-year-old is slashing .294/.366/.517 with 31 long balls, 98 RBI, 100 runs and 12 steals in 661 plate appearances. He has been an essential asset in the Cardinals' historic 16-game winning streak.

Raley was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Sunday.

Raley's latest stint on the big-league roster lasted just five days. He went 2-for-7 with a homer across three appearances. The Dodgers decided they needed an extra arm instead of an extra bat, so Andrew Vasquez was recalled to take his place on the roster.

Votto (knee) is not starting Sunday's game against the Nationals, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

The veteran slugger should still be considered day-to-day, as it's unclear how severe his left knee issue is; it's only been described as "soreness." According to Nightengale, Votto is expected to be available as a pinch hitter Sunday. Asdrubal Cabrera is starting at first base in his absence.

Dalbec went 1-for-4 with a solo homer in Saturday's 5-3 loss to the Yankees.

Dalbec made things interesting in the ninth inning with a one-out homer off New York closer Aroldis Chapman that pulled the Red Sox to within two runs. It was the 24th homer of the year for Dalbec, who is slashing a terrific .290/.371/.694 in 19 September contests.

Lowe went 2-for-4 with a double and a solo homer in Saturday's 3-2 loss to the Orioles.

Lowe made it back-to-back nights with a homer when he took Dillon Tate on a ride out of Camden Yards in the ninth inning. After two middling seasons in Tampa Bay, Lowe broke out this year with the Rangers, knocking in 71 runs (and counting) and playing in nearly every game. Given that he just turned 26 in the middle of the season, the first baseman's career looks like it's on the upswing.

Votto was scratched from Saturday's lineup against the Nationals due to left knee soreness, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

Votto was penciled in to start at first base, per usual, before being scratched due to the knee injury. The severity of the injury remains unclear, and the 38-year-old should be considered day-to-day until the team updates his status. Tyler Stephenson will enter the starting nine in his absence.