MLB Player News

I just watched Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo take Alexi Ogando deep -- with a moonshot to right that almost left Wrigley Field. Rizzo entered the game hitting .174 with three home runs, a relative disappointment to his owners. 

But Rizzo has two home runs in his last three games, along with a double and a .300 average (through his second at-bat in Thursday's game). Owned in 98 percent of leagues, Rizzo is started in just 82. With his next seven games coming in hitter-friendly venues (Wrigley Field, Miller Park, and Great American Ballpark), Rizzo owners should move to activate him, while the window is quickly closing for Rizzo pursuers to concoct some smart buy-low offers for the 23-year-old. 

Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman (oblique) is scheduled to play three rehab games for Triple-A Gwinnett this weekend and could rejoin the Braves' lineup Monday in Colorado, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Freeman is scheduled to take batting practice and infield Thursday, then travel to Charlotte to play for Gwinnett. 

"If everything goes well, I’ll fly to Denver on Monday," Freeman said. "That’s the plan, barring no setbacks (with the oblique). But I feel great. Ramped it up even more today in the cage. Hopefully, tomorrow everything will go well on the field."

Marlins second baseman Donovan Solano drove in the Marlins' only run in the team's 6-1 loss to the Nationals Wednesday. It was only the second RBI of the year for Solano, who has also scored just two runs this year while hitting .220/.291/.240 in 55 plate appearances.

Diamondbacks first baseman Paul Goldschmidt continued his recent hot hitting on Wednesday night against the Yankees. He went 1 for 4 with a home run in a 4-3 loss.

The 25-year-old launched a two-run shot off starter CC Sabathia in the first inning for his third long ball.

Goldschmidt has collected at least one hit in four straight games and is 6 for 16 (.375) with three RBI during that stretch.

Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman is almost ready for a rehab assignment, perhaps as soon as Friday, MLB.com reports.

Freeman has been dealing with an oblique injury since April 6. He is eligible to return from the injury on Sunday and is expected to do so.

Though he was never a threat around the bases, Ryan Howard's lack of mobility since returning from a torn Achilles could force the Phillies to sacrifice his bat for speed late in games, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer. Howard is 18 months removed from surgery and has recently admitted to having good days and bad days with his leg.

Phillies manager Charlie Manuel pinch-ran for the 33-year-old twice in the first 13 games. Last season, Manuel pinch-ran for Howard six times in 71 games as he regained strength in the repaired tendon. Manuel admits that replacing Howard's bat for speed late in games has been something that he has considered more often.

"It might be," Manuel said. "I hope I don't have to pinch-run for him much. I hope those situations don't come up much. Sometimes, when you're trying to win the game, the chances of scoring a guy become much better."

Howard is hitting .255 with a home run and five RBI in 51 at-bats. He has reached base in eight of the last 10 games played.

Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman took swings Tuesday for the first time since going on the disabled list with a strained right oblique.

The 23-year-old felt "fine" after the session, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Freeman, who was batting .412 with a home run and seven RBI before getting hurt, is eligible to return Monday at Colorado.

Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard had a strong series in Miami, but has admitted to having good days and bad days with his leg, according to Philly.com.

Howard is now 18 months removed from his surgery, and was never considered a threat on the bases. Howard said there will be days where his legs feel "heavier," but implied that's caused by the normal grind of the season. He was also able to score from second on a single by Michael Young.

Howard's repaired Achilles hasn't prevented him from playing this season, which is a positive. He was removed for a pinch runner Sunday, and that appears to be the only reason for concern going forward. 

Diamondbacks first baseman Paul Goldschmidt came through big for his team in the late stages of Sunday's series finale against the Dodgers.

Goldschmidt slapped a walk-off single in the ninth inning to secure a 1-0 victory. He also singled in the fourth and finished 2 for 4 with an RBI.

"It would have been a strike but I was out front of it," Goldschmidt said. "It fooled me, so I was really lucky it found a hole. When I saw it, I thought it had a chance."

Goldschmidt is hitting .348/.426/.587 with two home runs and 10 RBI through 46 at-bats.

Joey Votto hit his first home run of the season for the Reds on Sunday against Pittsburgh.

Votto reached base four times, including three walks. Votto has walked in an absurd 34 percent of plate appearances, leading to an odd but productive .289/.542/.447 line. 

Votto added his first stolen base of the season in the second inning as well.