MLB Player News

Mets infielder Wilmer Flores, who has been rotating between second base, third base and shortstop at Triple-A Las Vegas, is on a 20-game hitting streak. Despite very good numbers (.325/.580/.950) at Las Vegas, manager Terry Collins hinted Sunday it doesn't appear a recall is imminent.

"I don’t want to bring young guys up here and have them sit on the bench," Collins said, per ESPN. "I just don’t think it’s good for their development. If Wilmer Flores comes, I think he’s going to have to play someplace, because I don’t think he gets anything out of sitting on the bench playing once a week. 

"If he was going to be the future utility player down the road, OK, maybe. But this guy’s bat potential is so good, there’s nothing wrong with going and having a big year in Triple-A."

Reds general manager Walt Jocketty told MLB Network Radio Sunday that first baseman Joey Votto (quadriceps) and second baseman Brandon Phillips (thumb) are about 4-5 weeks away from returning.

"We're hopeful that they will be back for the stretch run -- end of August or first week of September," Jocketty said.

A matchup against southpaw Alex Wood has Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard out Sunday in Atlanta.

Howard has just one hit in his last 18 at-bats and owns a disappointing .216 batting average against lefties this season.

The Marlins have made several moves prior to Saturday's game against the Giants, FOX Sports Florida reports. They have optioned first baseman Justin Bour down to Triple-A New Orleans and purchased the contract of outfielder Jordany Valdespin from New Orleans. Miami has also transferred shortstop Rafael Furcal to the 60-day disabled list.

 Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo put on a power display Friday, though it wasn't enough to lift his team in a 5-4 loss to the Diamondbacks.

Rizzo had two hits in the loss, and both left the yard. He opened the scoring with a two-run shot in the fourth inning, and then added a solo homer in the sixth, as he finished the game 2 for 4 with three RBI and two runs scored.

Rizzo is now hitting .278/.382/.516 with an NL-leading 22 home runs in 94 games. 

Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman has posted a .327 batting average in July, but he heads into the All-Star break still looking for his first home run of the month.

Freeman started off the season in good form, knocking six home runs in April, but he managed just seven in the next two months before coming up empty in the first two weeks of July. Even with the lack of power recently, the first baseman has maintained great overall numbers, hitting .295/.384/.495 with 13 home runs and 52 RBI in 366 at-bats.

Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen has been chosen as the leadoff hitter for the NL team in Tuesday's All-Star game.

The batting order following McCutchen will be Dodgers outfielder Yasiel Puig, Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki, Diamondbacks first baseman Paul Goldschmidt, Marlins outfielder Giancarlo Stanton (DH), Brewers third baseman Aramis Ramirez, Phillies second baseman Chase Utley, Brewers catcher Jonathan Lucroy and Brewers outfielder Carlos Gomez.

Cardinals ace Adam Wainwright will be on the hill to start the game for the NL All-Stars.

Reds manager Bryan Price believes first baseman Joey Votto's timetable will come down to weeks, not months, MLB.com reports Saturday.

"It's so far out, and when I say 'far out,' it's more weeks; I'm not talking about months and months and months," Price said. "But with both Brandon [Phillips] and Joey, we're talking more about weeks than days. So I think it would be reckless of me to suggest there's a due date on when either one of them would be back."

Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard belted his 15th home run Thursday against the Brewers.

Howard waited until the ninth inning to unleash his power. With one man on, Howard belted an 88 mph fastball out to center for the two-run shot. Howard previously clubbed a double earlier in the game. He finished 2 for 5, with two runs scored and three RBI. 

Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo won Major League Baseball's final vote, earning a spot on the 2014 All-Star team.

Rizzo was more than a deserving candidate for the spot. He's hitting .280/.387/.512 over 328 at-bats. Rizzo's 20 home runs trails only Giancarlo Stanton in the National League. He's been one of the few offensive bright spots for the Cubs this season. Rizzo will be a reserve to open the game.