MLB Player News

Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman is not in the team's starting lineup Thursday against the Indians.

Freeman will be replaced by Joey Terdoslavich at first. Freeman is hitting .308/.386/.472 in 451 at-bats. 

Mets infielder Wilmer Flores will start at second Wednesday against the Phillies. 

Flores has mainly been utilized as David Wright's replacement at third, but will see some time at second going forward. He's hitting .250 in 60 at-bats. 

The Cubs have averaged nearly five runs per game since Anthony Rizzo moved into the second spot in the lineup Wednesday against the Nationals. The plan is to keep Rizzo batting second for the time being.

"He had a big day [Wednesday], and the line drive two nights ago in the gap and I think the at-bats and the aggressiveness is better and the pitch selection," manager Dale Sveum said of Rizzo’s approach, per MLB.com. "Where you hit in the lineup is irrelevant for the most part. Sometimes it does give you a little relaxation where you don’t have to worry about things. Everybody’s different."

Mets rookie third baseman Wilmer Flores received a day off Sunday against the Tigers in part because manager Terry Collins wanted Flores to rest his right ankle, which he sprained Aug. 12. Flores, who had played seven straight games since returning to action Aug. 17, said his ankle feels good and he's receiving treatment daily.

"I just think that one day today might help him out a little bit," Collins said, per MLB.com. "I'm not sure you'll see 100 percent for the rest of this year, just because playing third base, the starting and the stopping takes its toll."

Collins said he plans to play Flores at second base during the team's upcoming series against the Phillies, which starts Monday. Flores has played exclusively at third base since his promotion, but he played primarily at second base in the minors this season.

Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman extended his hitting streak to seven games Saturday against the Cardinals with a solo home run. He is batting .433 (13 for 30) with one double, two home runs and five RBI in his last seven games.

Including his two-homer game July 30, Freeman is batting .380 (35 for 92) with three doubles, five home runs, 15 runs and 20 RBI in his last 23 games.

Reds first baseman Joey Votto connected for his 19th home run Saturday against the Brewers. He finished 2 for 5 with one strikeout.

Votto is batting .301 (22 for 73) with one triple, three doubles, three home runs, 11 RBI, 12 runs and 20 walks in 21 August games.

Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard is unlikely to return this season as he continues to work his way back from knee surgery. Howard began baseball activities Thursday and has already lost 15 to 20 pounds, according to general manager Ruben Amaro.

"With him being healthy and having the whole offseason and spring training ahead of him, I think he can get to that," interim manager Ryne Sandberg said, per MLB.com. "Baseball shape, getting trimmed up into a weight that's a playing weight, along with having his knee behind him. I think he favored that this year, not really having his leg strength all the time with his batting."

Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo will remain in the two-hole Thursday against the Nationals.

Rizzo was moved to the two-spot Wednesday, and responded with a strong game. Rizzo will have another chance to show what he can do at the top of the order. He's hitting .232/.325/.437 in 469 at-bats. 

Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman picked up three hits Wednesday against the Mets.

Freeman hit three singles, finishing the game 3 for 5. He scored one run and knocked in one RBI. Freeman is hitting .314/.390/.479 in 430 at-bats. 

Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo responded well to hitting No. 2 in the order for the first time in his career Wednesday, as he socked a pair of homers in an 11-6 loss to the Nationals. 

Rizzo opened the scoring with a solo homer in the first inning and then added a two-run shot in the fifth. He finished the game 3 for 4 with three RBI, two runs scored and a walk.

Rizzo is hitting just .232 on the season, but he topped the 20-homer plateau with his performance Wednesday. He ranks 10th in the National League in home runs now.