MLB Player News

Reds first baseman Joey Votto had another terrific performance Tuesday against the Marlins, but it was indicative of the somewhat frustrating beginning to his season.

Votto went 3 for 4 in the game to raise his batting average, however he had just one RBI in the Reds' baffling lineup construction. Votto is hitting .322 with a .927 on-base plus slugging percentage, but has just 16 RBI because the Reds have been unable to get on base directly ahead of him. The Reds' No. 2 hitters currently have a .269 on-base percentage.

Votto is hitting .333 with runners in scoring position, but has just 11 RBI in 33 at bats. While leadoff man Chin-Soo Choo is one of the league's better on-base threats, the inability of the No. 2 hitters to do anything often leaves Votto moving Choo into scoring position as the third hitter, rather than driving him. Votto also has yet to hit a home run with a runner in scoring position, a trend that should reverse itself before long, given his history.

Fantasy owners obviously want more production from one of the league's premiere hitters, and they can expect him to improve his power potential moving forward, for certain. Whether he ends up getting more opportunities to succeed with runners in scoring position will depend on the Reds realizing that they aren't putting him or their offense in the best position to succeed right now. 

Marlins second baseman Donovan Solano, on the 15-day disabled list with an intercostal strain, told the Sun Sentinel Tuesday that his injury is improving but he is not ready to start swinging a bat.

Solano has been sidelined since May 7. He had a .278/.333/.324 slash line with one home run and five RBI in 108 at-bats before landing on the DL.

Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman, who entered play Monday mired in a 4-for-23 slump, belted out two hits, including his fifth double, and scored twice in a 10-1 win against the Diamondbacks. Freeman is batting .260 (13 for 50) with one home run, three doubles and seven RBI in 12 May games.

However, Freeman has managed two home runs and a .402 slugging percentage in 25 games after hitting seven home runs and slugging .658 in 76 at-bats during spring training.

Entering Monday against the Braves, Diamondbacks' cleanup hitters combined to hit .214 and post a .307 slugging percentage through 38 games. With No. 3 hitter Paul Goldschmidt putting up impressive numbers, it could lead more teams to pitch around the young slugger.

However, manager Kirk Gibson cautions opposing teams from doing that because Goldschmidt can not only get it done at the plate, but he has deceptive speed on the base paths.

"If they’re going to pitch around him, then one good thing about having Goldy up -- his running game’s pretty good, too," Gibson said, per The Arizona Republic. "So if they’re going to do that, then they might have to deal with him in a different regard."

Goldschmidt, who finally got his first day off Sunday, slugged his 10th home run Monday and is batting .378 (14 for 37) with five home runs and 13 RBI in 12 May games.

"Obviously, he’s a great player and a really tough out," outfielder Cody Ross said. "A lot of times, pitchers are going to pitch around him, so there definitely needs to be some protection coming out of the fourth hole."

The Cubs have reached an agreement with first basemen Anthony Rizzo on a seven-year deal worth $41 million, FOX Sports reports citing major-league sources. According to the report, the deal includes two club options and escalators that could extend the deal through 2021, while increasing the total value to $73 million.

Rizzo is batting .280/.352/.538 with nine home runs and 28 RBI over 143 at-bats.

Phillies first basemen Ryan Howard picked a perfect time to snap out of his recent funk at the plate. Howard, who had been hitless in his previous 18 at-bats, looped a two-run single into right field off reliever Matt Reynolds in the 10th inning of a 4-2 win. He finished 1 for 5.

"When he's going bad, he looks bad, but he can take one swing and get the game over," Philadelphia manager Charlie Manuel said.

Even with his go-ahead single Sunday, Howard has struggled in May with seven hits over his last 41 at-bats (.171) and has struck out 19 times.

After starting the Diamondbacks' first 37 games this season, first baseman Paul Goldschmidt was held out of the lineup for Sunday's series finale against Philadelphia. Goldschmidt ranks among the NL leaders in a host of offensive categories, including a second-place spot with 30 RBI.

Eric Hinske took his spot at first base against the Phillies. He has recorded fewer hits (six) in 27 games this season than Goldschmidt has totaled in his past six outings (eight).

Braves outfield prospect Joey Terdoslavich continues to tear up pitching in the International League. After hitting .318 in 27 games for Triple-A Gwinnett in April, Terdoslavich is batting .395 (15 for 38) with three home runs and eight RBI through 10 May games.

Terdoslavich's slash line through 37 games is .338/.353/.593/.946. He has one triple, seven home runs, 14 doubles, 18 runs and 24 RBI. It's been a nice rebound for Terdoslavich, who hit .180 in 53 games for Gwinnett last season before a demotion to Double-A Mississippi.

Terdoslavich entered the season as the Braves' 15th-best prospect, according to MLB.com.

Cubs first basemen Anthony Rizzo continued his hot hitting Saturday against the Nationals. Rizzo collected three hits in the 8-2 win, including a two-run single in the fifth inning.

He also singled in the fourth and seventh innings, finishing 3 for 5 with two RBI.

Rizzo has hit safely in 10 of the last 11 games and is batting .467 (21 for 45) with one home run, seven doubles and nine RBI over that stretch.

Diamondbacks first baseman Paul Goldschmidt hit two home runs Wednesday, bringing his season total to nine.

Goldschmidt has been on fire this week, clubbing four home runs in three games. Goldschmidt was responsible for all three of the teams runs Wednesday. He hit a two-run shot off Clayton Kershaw in the top of the sixth inning to tie the game, and later put the team ahead with a solo shot in the eighth. Goldschmidt is now hitting .320/.413/.592 in 125 at-bats this season.