MLB Player News

Walker went 3-for-7 with two home runs, a walk and three RBI between both games of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Dodgers.

Walker has now homered in three consecutive contests and has a .321 average through 16 games in May. Overall this season the 31-year-old is hitting .219/.310/.484 with nine home runs, 18 RBI and 18 runs.

Votto (illness) said Tuesday he believes he could play Friday against the Blue Jays, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

Votto's rehab assignment has moved to High-A Dayton this week, and he's on the cusp of returning from the COVID-19 injured list. The 38-year-old appeared in two games with Triple-A Toledo before shifting to Dayton and went 1-for-4 with three walks, an RBI and a run scored.

Wade is not in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Rockies due to stiffness in the back of his knee, Evan Webeck of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Manager Gabe Kapler hopes Wade will be available to pinch hit Tuesday, so the injury doesn't appear to be a serious concern. It's unclear if the 28-year-old is expected to be back in the lineup for Wednesday's series finale in Colorado.

Smith is not in the lineup for Game 2 of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Cardinals, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Smith went 2-for-4 with a double, an RBI and a run during the Game 1 victory, and he'll take a seat for the nightcap with lefty Steven Matz on the mound for St. Louis. J.D. Davis will bat seventh as the designated hitter.

Wade is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Rockies, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

Wade has a .250/.387/.375 slash line with one home run, five RBI and four runs in nine games since making his season debut May 6, but he is not in the lineup for Tuesday's contest. Darin Ruf, Mike Yastrzemski and Joc Pederson will start from left to right in the outfield.

Voit will sit Tuesday against the Phillies.

Voit has gone 5-for-21 with a pair of homers and nine strikeouts in the five games since his return from a biceps injury, though his last two appearances have featured five of those strikeouts and none of those hits. He'll get a rest Tuesday as Robinson Cano serves as the designated hitter.

Walker went 1-for-3 with a walk and a solo home run in Monday's 5-4 loss to the Dodgers.

Walker led off the top of the second inning with his team-high seventh home run in 35 games to give Arizona the lead early. He managed just 10 long balls over 115 games in 2021, so it looks like his dormant power stroke is back. The first baseman elevated his career average at Dodger Stadium to .322 (19-for-59) with seven homers and 12 RBI. While his overall average is a subdued .207, Walker is batting .325 (13-for-40) over the last 12 games.

Higgins (elbow) has logged 73 plate appearances across 18 games at Triple-A Iowa this season, slashing .377/.479/.508 with a home run and 10 RBI.

Higgins' availability for the start of the 2022 season looked to be in jeopardy after he underwent Tommy John surgery last summer, but he demonstrated enough progress in his throwing program during spring training to make his debut as a catcher back on April 5. He's continued to see most of his action at catcher for Iowa while occasionally dabbling at first base (three starts) and third base (three starts) on his days off from behind the plate.

Votto (illness) will continue his rehab assignment at High-A Dayton on Tuesday.

Votto began his rehab assignment at Triple-A Louisville on Saturday and went 1-for-4 with a run, an RBI, three walks and two strikeouts over two games. The Triple-A club is traveling to Nashville this week, so the 38-year-old will stay closer to home to continue his rehab in Dayton. Manager David Bell is hopeful that Votto will be able to rejoin the Reds for their weekend road trip in Toronto.

Rivas isn't starting Monday's game against the Pirates.

Rivas will take a seat for the second time in the last three games since left-hander Dillon Peters is on the mound for Pittsburgh on Monday. Frank Schwindel will start at first base and bat cleanup.