MLB Player News

Rizzo said Wednesday that his tight lower back has shown improvement of late, and he hopes to rejoin the Cubs lineup "in a couple days," Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.

Based on his comments, Rizzo appears set to remain on the bench for a third consecutive game Wednesday against the Brewers, but the first baseman is apparently optimistic that he'll ready to go for the Cubs' weekend series with the Reds following Thursday's team off day. Rizzo hasn't appeared in a pinch-hitting capacity either of the past two days, so the Cubs would presumably prefer not to use him in Wednesday's series finale.

Calhoun (hamstring) began a rehab assignment at Triple-A Reno on Monday, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports.

Calhoun, who started in right field, kicked off the rehab in grand style, smacking a pair of home runs in three at-bats before he was removed after five innings. He followed up with a second start Tuesday but was removed after getting hit by a pitch during his second plate appearance. It's unclear if the removal from Tuesday's game was precautionary or necessary.

Hoskins went 1-for-4 with a solo home run during Tuesday's win over the Marlins.

Hoskins was riding an 0-for-18 slump ahead of Tuesday's game, but he turned things around with his 17th long ball of the year, this time a 427-foot shot against Trevor Rogers in the sixth inning. Overall, the 28-year-old is batting .224/.300/.452.

Walker is not in the starting lineup Tuesday against the Cardinals.

Walker will get his first rest since June 20 as Pavin Smith mans first base Tuesday. Walker figures to be a top option off the bench, however.

Rizzo (back) remains on the bench for Tuesday's game against the Brewers.

Rizzo left Sunday's game against the Dodgers with a tight lower back and did not participate in Sunday's contest. He's battled recurring back issues throughout the past few years, so it's difficult to say exactly how much action he'll miss this time around. Patrick Wisdom will handle first base in his absence.

Cron is not in the starting lineup Tuesday against the Pirates.

Cron will yield first-base duties to Joshua Fuentes after going hitless across his past 15 at-bats. He still holds respectable numbers on the campaign, as he's slashing .251/.350/.453 with 10 homers and 29 RBI.

Bell is not starting Tuesday's game against the Rays, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

The switch hitter has hit .281 with three homers and 10 RBI in his last 10 games. Bell has also struck out just 13.9 percent of the time during that span, as opposed to his 26.6 percent strikeout rate over his first 52 games of the season. Ryan Zimmerman will bat fourth and play first base Tuesday.

Flores went 4-for-4 with a double and three singles in Monday's 3-2 loss to the Dodgers.

Flores enjoyed a perfect performance at the plate, although San Francisco's No. 7 through 9 hitters went 1-for-10 with two walks behind him. The 29-year-old continues to play through some hamstring tightness that kept him out of last Wednesday's game. He's seen everyday at-bats at third base with Evan Longoria (shoulder) out. Flores is slashing .269/.335/.440 with seven home runs, 25 RBI, 25 runs scored and a stolen base through 203 plate appearances.

Hiura went 2-for-4 with a home run, a walk, four RBI and two runs in Monday's 14-4 win over the Cubs.

Hiura took Trevor Megill deep in the eighth inning. At that point in the inning, the Brewers were putting on a show and beating up on Megill, who allowed six runs without recording a single out. The 24-year-old has struggled this season, slashing .160/.243/.320 in 142 plate appearances. However, he was recently called up again due to multiple injuries in Milwaukee's infield, and he's responded with three home runs in his last four games.

Wade went 2-for-4 with a solo home run and a strikeout as San Francisco fell 3-2 to the Dodgers on Monday.

Wade singled to lead off the game and homered off Trevor Bauer in the third to get San Francisco on the board. He's now 4-for-10 with two home runs and a walk in four games since being recalled from Triple-A and is making a strong case to remain with the big-league club.