MLB Player News

Reds first baseman Joey Votto went 4 for 4 with one run and one RBI in his team's 7-5 win over the Pirates Tuesday. Votto's in the midst of a five-game hitting streak, and he now owns a .327 batting average in 51 at-bats.

Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman clubbed his fourth home run Sunday against the Nationals.

Freeman wasted no time getting to work against Washington. He hit a sacrifice fly in the first inning, and followed that up with a two-run homer in the second. He was later hit by a pitch, and doubled in another run.

Freeman finished 2 for 3, with two runs scored and four RBI.

Bryan Price received a thumbs-up from Joey Votto well before the slugger was planted in the second spot of the lineup for the Reds on Saturday against Tampa Bay, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer.

Price broached the possibility in spring training with Votto, who was in favor of the move. His patience at the plate and propensity to take walks has made him a viable candidate. Votto walked 135 times and scored 101 runs last season while driving in just 73. He has only two RBI this year.

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.