MLB Player News

Diamondbacks first baseman Paul Goldschmidt was the fifth-highest scoring Fantasy batter in the first half (standard Head-to-Head formats). If he wants to stay among the top 5 scorers by season end, then he needs to improve on his career second-half numbers.

I figured I'm not going to win any popularity contests by bringing this up, but it can't be overlooked that Goldschmidt's numbers in his young MLB career have been much better in the first half than second half. 

• First-half slash line (168 games): .308/.555/.939
• Second-half slash line (119 games): .263/.447/.792

Now, it has to be mentioned Goldschmidt made his MLB debut in the second half of 2011. While he hit just .250 in 48 games, he had a pretty decent slugging percentage (.474). Goldschmidt came back in 2012 to hit .271 in the second half, but he hit just eight home runs and slugged .431 in 71 games.

Listen, I'm not telling anyone to give up on Goldschmidt. That's not the intended message. I'm just pointing to the fact Goldschmidt has had a tendency to fade in the second half, which is a trend worth keeping tabs on in 2013.

Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman, who withdrew from the All-Star Game because of a left thumb injury, said he feels better Tuesday, according to MLB.com. He said he's able to bend his thumb with little problem.

Freeman is aiming to be ready to play Friday against the White Sox.

Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman is hoping to be ready by Friday, according to MLB.com.

Freeman appeared at the All-Star Game press conference with a brace on his injured thumb, but said he feels better. He will not participate in the festivities during the break, but hopes he can be back for the Braves' first game. Freeman is hitting .308/.386/.468 in 312 at-bats. 

Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman has been ruled out for the All-Star game, ESPN reports. Freeman jammed his thumb in Saturday's game. The injury will keep him out of Sunday's game as well, but Freeman is expected to return to the club shortly following the All-Star break.

Braves outfielder Freddie Freeman is unavailable Sunday with a thumb injury, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports. Freeman has the thumb in a soft splint. The winner of the National League's final vote is now questionable for Tuesday's All-Star game, so there's a good chance he returns for the Braves shortly after the All-Star break.

Freddie Freeman knocked in four of the Braves' six runs in the club's victory Thursday over Cincinnati.

Freeman finished 3 for 4 with two singles and a double to go with the four RBI. Freeman has now reached base in 16 consecutive games and is hitting .328/.453/.557 with nine extra-base hits and 13 walks over that span. Freeman is hitting .313/.392/.477 on the season.

Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo had a big impact Thursday against the Cardinals, as he drove in each of the team's runs in a 3-0 win.

Rizzo did all of his damage in the first three innings, as he drove in one run with an RBI double in the first inning, then brought two more around with a single in the third. He finished the game 2 for 3 with the three RBI, while walking once.

Rizzo is hitting just .189 in the month of July, though he does have six RBI in his last five games. 

Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman was named to the National League All-Star roster Thursday, as he won the Final Vote for the last spot on the team.

Freeman beat out Yasiel Puig, Hunter Pence, Ian Desmond and Adrian Gonzalez for the roster spot. He is hitting .307 with an .858 OPS in 300 at-bats. He received 19.7 million votes. 

Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard is expected to be back this season after undergoing surgery Wednesday for a debridement of his left medial meniscus. According to general manager Ruben Amaro Jr., Howard's knee was in better shape than expected, which could change the team's outlook.

"After [Phillies physician Michael] Ciccotti went in there and went in with the scope, it was a little better picture than we thought," Amaro said. "I think the player is feeling better about it, we're feeling better about it. As news goes, this is as good as we can get."

The Phillies have yet to decide whether they will be sellers at the trade deadline, and the fact that Howard could return earlier than initially expected might change their plans. His official timeline is six to eight weeks.

"There's a reasonable chance we'll have him back at some point. We still have a lot of question marks about where we're going to go in the next couple of weeks," Amaro said. "Right now, the team is making decisions a little harder on me, which is fine and which is good. I'd rather be in this situation than thinking about 2014 right now."

Howard was hitting .266 with a .784 OPS prior to his injury. 

The Phillies announced first baseman Ryan Howard had successful knee surgery Wednesday morning. He is expected to need 6-8 weeks to recover.