MLB Player News

Diamondbacks first baseman Paul Goldschmidt went 0 for 4 and struck out twice in his team's 6-0 loss to the Dodgers Friday.

It was just the second hitless performance of the season for Goldschmidt, who owns an excellent .340/.404/.580 line with two home runs and eight RBI in 57 at-bats. He's played every inning of the season at first base while batting third in each game for the Diamondbacks.

Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard went 1 for 2 with two walks and two runs in Friday's 6-3 win over the Marlins.

Normally a strikeout machine, Howard has drawn four walks without striking out once over his last two games. The last time the first baseman posted consecutive multiwalk games came all the way back in September 2011. He has hit .216/.356/.351 with one home run, four RBI and a 13:8 K:BB ratio in 37 at-bats.

Reds first baseman Joey Votto has been slotted into the second spot of the starting lineup for Saturday's game against the Rays.

It's the first time since 2008 that Votto has been placed in the No. 2 spot to begin a game, the Cincinnati Enquirer reports. Typical No. 2 hitter Brandon Phillips has slid down one spot into Votto's usual place in the lineup.

Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo continued his strong play Wednesday against the Pirates, with his fourth multi-hit game in a row in a 7-5 win.

Rizzo had a season-high four hits, including his second and third extra-base hits with a pair of double. He drove in just one run, though he did score twice while finishing the game 4 for 5.

Rizzo opened the season with an 0-for-4 game, but has gone hitless just once since. He is hitting .375 with five RBI and five runs scored in eight at-bats. 

Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman couldn't be put away Saturday, going 2 for 2 with one run and three walks in his team's 6-2 win over the Nationals.

Freeman has been an on-base machine in the early-going, recording seven hits in 15 at-bats while also drawing six walks. He's also hit for power, recording one double Saturday to go with two homers from earlier in the week. Freeman is well on his way to posting similar numbers to his breakout 2013 campaign.

Mets infielder Wilmer Flores has been sent back to Triple-A Saturday.

Flores was called up April 2, and only spent a few days in the majors. He'll likely be up again at the first sign of injury. The team activated Jonathon Niese from the disabled list, which is likely why Flores was demoted. 

Diamondbacks first baseman Paul Goldschmidt has been hot to start the season, as he hit safely for the sixth straight game to open the season Thursday against the Giants.

Goldschmidt hit his first home run of the season Thursday, as he went 2 for 4 with a run scored and two driven in. His two-run homer gave the Diamondbacks a 2-1 lead in the first inning, but they would go on to lose, 5-3.

Goldschmidt is hitting .423 through six games, and has extended his hitting streak to 25 games dating back to last season. 

Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard hit his first home run of the season Wednesday.

After striking out against Robbie Ross in the first, Howard was able to take a slider out to center field in the top of the third. Howard struggled in the game otherwise, striking out and lining into a double-play in his final at-bat. Still, it was encouraging to see Howard take a left-hander deep.

Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo hit his first home run of the season in the 12th inning Wednesday to break a 2-2 tie in his team's 16-inning loss to the Pirates.

Rizzo was 0 for 6 in his first two games heading into the 12th inning but came through with a clutch home run in the pressure situation. Unfortunately, the Pirates were able to tie things up in the bottom of the 12th before going on to win in the 16th inning. Rizzo, who finished the game 1 for 5, is looking to improve upon last season's .233/.323/.419 line.

The Mets made a few roster moves Wednesday. They recalled infielder Wilmer Flores and pitcher Kyle Farnsworth from Triple-A Las Vegas, while taking pitcher Ryan Reid off the 40-man roster.