MLB Player News

Freeman went 2-for-4 with a home run, a double, three RBI and two runs scored in Saturday's 10-5 win over the Angels.

Freeman has hit safely in all but one of his last 13 games, going 19-for-55 (.345) in that span. He's homered in three straight contests, bringing his total to 17 on the year. The first baseman has added 61 RBI, 72 runs scored, 12 stolen bases, 31 doubles and a .320/.396/.556 slash line over 89 games as one of baseball's most consistent hitters.

Smith isn't in the Nationals' lineup Saturday against Texas, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.

With southpaw Andrew Heaney starting on the mound for Texas, the lefty-hitting Smith will stay put in Washington's dugout to begin the game. Joey Meneses will fill in at first base while Smith sits, moving Jeimer Candelario into the DH spot while Ildemaro Vargas start at third base.

Hall isn't in the Phillies' lineup Saturday against Miami.

Hall is 4-for-19 with a homer and two RBI since returning from Triple-A on July 2. He'll catch a breather Saturday against lefty Braxton Garrett, moving Alec Bohm to first base and allowing Edmundo Sosa to start at third and bat eighth.

Young will sit for the second straight game Saturday against the Yankees.

Young immediately stepped into the large side of a platoon with Trey Mancini at first base after getting called up in late June, but his off day here comes against a righty in Gerrit Cole. Young has gone 1-for-17 at the plate in his last six games after going 4-for-9 with three extra-base hits in his first three appearances, so he could continue to cede time to Mancini going forward.

Goldschmidt went 3-for-5 in Friday's 8-7 loss to the White Sox.

Goldschmidt has four multi-hit efforts over his last nine games, going 12-for-36 (.333) with two home runs and six RBI in that span. The first baseman is up to a .288/.373/.483 slash line with 15 homers, eight stolen bases, 46 RBI, 52 runs scored and 20 doubles through 85 games. He continues to routinely bat second with only the occasional drop to third in the order.

Votto went 3-for-4 with a double, a home run and three RBI in Friday's 7-3 loss to the Brewers.

Votto, who homered for the sixth time in 15 games, had a two-run homer in fifth inning and a run-producing double in the ninth. After missing 10 months due to a shoulder injury and returning June 19, Votto needed about 40 plate appearances to get his timing down. His batting average sat at .143 (5-for-35, five walks, three HBP) on July 2, but the 39-year-old has hit safely in four straight since, going 7-for-15 with four extra-base hits and seven RBI.

Cronenworth went 1-for-4 with a walk and a stolen base in Friday's 7-5 extra-inning loss to the Mets.

Cronenworth is 1-for-2 on the basepaths in July after just one steal (and attempt) in June. The infielder has hit safely in four of six games this month, going 7-for-19 (.368) with four extra-base hits and seven RBI. He's at a .218/.318/.365 slash line with four steals, eight home runs, 33 RBI and 36 runs scored through 86 contests, but he's showing some life at the plate.

Young is not in the starting lineup Friday versus the Yankees.

Young will take a seat as the Cubs face off with left-hander Carlos Rodon on Friday. Righty bat Trey Mancini will replace him at first base and bat sixth in the series opener with New York.

Freeman went 3-for-4 with a home run, a double, a stolen base, three RBI and two runs scored in Thursday's 5-2 win over the Pirates.

Freeman provided an early two-run blast in the first inning and added an RBI single in the seventh. The first baseman remains hot -- he's gone 16-for-46 (.348) over his last 11 homers, though his homer Thursday was his first since June 21. Freeman has 15 long balls, 30 doubles, 12 steals, 57 RBI, 68 runs scored and a .320/.397/.542 slash line through 87 contests this year.

Alonso went 2-for-4 with a home run, three RBI and two runs scored in Thursday's 9-0 win over the Diamondbacks.

Alonso knocked in the Mets' first three runs of the game, and it was more than enough for the win. The first baseman has been a little spotty in July, going 4-for-18 (.222) with two homers and six RBI over five games to begin the month. He's up to 26 long balls, 61 RBI, 50 runs scored, three stolen bases and a .218/.311/.514 slash line through 79 contests overall. Given that a bone bruise in his wrist was expected to keep him out until the first week of July, but he came back early June 18, it's possible playing through the issue has hindered his recovery a bit. He's lost 13 points from his batting average since his return.