MLB Player News

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

The switch hitter receives a day off after enjoying a 3-for-5 performance Friday with an RBI and a run scored to boot. Hitting .370 in his last seven games, Bell may have turned a corner offensively after struggling at the plate for much of the season thus far.

Votto (thumb) was on the field taking grounders with a glove before Saturday's game, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Votto had only done some running and glove-less fielding work before Saturday, so the news suggests progress in his recovery from a fractured left thumb. Although he's certainly not the offensive force he once was, Votto remains a legitimate contributor for the Reds and will presumably be their everyday first baseman once healthy.

Cooper went 2-for-5 with a two-run home run in Friday's 6-5 extra-innings loss to the Mets.

His seventh-inning blast off Miguel Castro tied the game at 3-3 and was the final offense generated by either team until a wild 12th inning. Cooper has a six-game hitting streak going and has reached base in eight straight, slashing .360/.429/.760 over the latter stretch with two of his four homers on the year.

Cronenworth went 3-for-5 with a home run, a double, five RBI and two runs in Friday's 16-1 victory over the Mariners.

The second baseman doubled in a pair of runs in the fifth inning and added a three-run homer to right field in the seventh. The big performance pushed his current hit streak to eight games, during which he is slashing .469/.514/.750 with a pair of homers, three doubles, six RBI and nine runs. Cronenworth's .314 batting average on the season ranks fifth in the National league.

Cron went 2-for-4 with two RBI and a run scored in Friday's 7-1 win over the Diamondbacks.

Cron had two singles that each drove in a run. The 31-year-old is among the hitting leaders for Colorado, slashing .308/.400/.500 with five home runs, 17 RBI and 19 runs in 120 plate appearances. He has never batted higher than .278 over a full season in his career, but he's taking advantage of his first campaign in Coors Field.

Rizzo went 2-for-3 with a walk, a double, a run scored and two RBI in Friday's 12-3 win over the Cardinals.

Rizzo was all over the box score in the easy win. The slugger has been good this month, batting .321 with 10 RBI across 17 games. Like a lot of Chicago's big-name players, Rizzo got off to a slow start, but it looks like he's back to his usual level of solid production.

Raley was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Friday.

The bat-first slugger only logged eight at-bats over the past week, primarily seeing work as a pinch hitter. He will serve as organizational depth at Triple-A, but we may not see him again soon with Cody Bellinger and Zach McKinstry embarking on rehab assignments.

Alonso (sprained hand) hopes to return from the injured list when first eligible May 29 against Atlanta, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

He was placed on the 10-day injured list Friday, but it sounds like it could be a short stay. In the meantime, Dominic Smith will act as the primary first baseman. The Mets are having J.D. Davis (finger) play first base during his rehab assignment, so he could also get some starts there when he gets activated in the coming days.

Walker (oblique) has begun hitting, Zach Buchanan of The Athletic reports.

He has been sidelined since May 11 with oblique soreness. It sounds like Walker could be ready for a rehab assignment sooner than later.

Alonso landed on the 10-day injured list with a sprained right hand Friday.

Alonso had been out with what was called a sore left wrist, but it's a separate issue which will send him to the injured list. The move was backdated to Wednesday, meaning he'll be eligible to return a week from Saturday, though it's not yet clear if he'll be able to do so. Brandon Drury was called up in a corresponding move and will get the nod at first base Friday against the Marlins.