MLB Player News

Cooper went 3-for-5 with a double and three RBI in Monday's win over Atlanta.

He played hero for Miami in this one, with his two-run double in eighth inning tying the game at 3-3 before he brought Jon Berti home with a single for the game-winning run in the top of the 10th. Cooper already has two three-hit performances this season but doesn't have any other knocks, leaving him with a .240 batting average, and his 4:11 BB:K through eight games suggests he hasn't quite locked in his swing yet.

Bell went 1-for-3 with two walks and two runs scored in Monday's win over the Cardinals.

Making his first appearance for the Nationals after an offseason trade from the Pirates and then a delayed start to the campaign due to COVID-19 protocols, Bell slotted immediately into the cleanup spot and showed good patience. While he's coming off a rough 2020, hitting behind Trea Turner and Juan Soto should provide Bell with all the RBI opportunities he could ask for, and if he rediscovers his 2019 form, he'll provide a huge boost to the Washington offense.

Cabrera made his first start at first base and went 1-for-4 with a double and two RBI in Monday's 9-5 loss to the Athletics.

The Diamondbacks placed Christian Walker (oblique) on the 10-day injured list Monday, so they will be rotating fill-ins at first base. That will likely be Cabrera and Pavin Smith. Cabrera has been an impact bat early for Arizona, tying Eduardo Escobar for the team lead with eight RBI. Manager Torey Lovullo won't overwork the 35-year-old infielder, but Cabrera should get four to five starts per week while appearing at all three infield base positions.

Calhoun went 3-for-4 with a walk, an RBI and a run scored in Monday's 9-5 loss to the Athletics.

Calhoun recorded a multi-hit game for the first time since being activated from the 10-day injured list Friday. The 33-year-old didn't do anything flashy, as he tallied three singles and a walk on the night, but it was encouraging to see him get going at the plate after starting out 1-for-10 in his first two games. He'll be up against Jesus Luzardo on Tuesday and could be in for a down day, as he's historically struggled against lefties.

Votto went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Monday's 3-0 win over the Giants.

Votto was hitless in his first two at-bats but connected on a heater just two pitches into the sixth and sent it into McCovey Cove to extend the Reds' lead to 3-0. The 37-year-old has lost touch with the long ball in recent years despite his home field being one of the more homer-friendly ballparks in the league. Fantasy managers should temper expectations for Votto in his 15th season. He's still the team's everyday first baseman, but he hasn't produced elite numbers at the plate since racking up 36 home runs and 100 RBI in 2017.

Walker was placed on the 10-day injured list Monday with a strained right oblique.

Manager Torey Lovullo had previously described Walker's issues as "normal aches and pains," but subsequent tests revealed an oblique strain which will cost the first baseman at least 10 days. Andrew Young was recalled in a corresponding move. Asdrubal Cabrera is starting at first base Monday, but Pavin Smith is a candidate for increased playing time in Walker's absence.

Walker isn't starting Monday's game against the Athletics.

Walker had gone 3-for-8 with two runs and one RBI in the past two games but will get a breather for Monday's series opener. Asdrubal Cabrera will take over at first base while Josh VanMeter enters the starting lineup as the second baseman.

Bell is starting Monday's game against the Cardinals.

Bell will join the Nationals' lineup for the first time after he was activated from the COVID-19 injured list Monday. He'll bat fourth and start at first base for the series opener against the Cardinals. Bell should fill the strong side of a platoon at first base going forward while Ryan Zimmerman mainly starts against left-handed pitchers.

The Nationals reinstated Bell from the COVID-19 injured list Monday.

One of 11 Nationals placed on the COVID-19 IL ahead of Opening Day, Bell will be ready to debut for Washington after completing a mandatory quarantine and passing all phases of MLB's health and safety protocol. Washington has yet to release a lineup for Monday's series opener in St. Louis, but Bell will presumably start at first base in place of Ryan Zimmerman, who had been serving as the team's primary option at the position for the first week of the season. Bell should fill the strong side of a platoon at first base, while the right-handed Zimmerman draws most of the starts versus lefty pitching.

Bell could be cleared through the league's COVID-19 protocols as soon as Monday but will likely need another day or two afterward to get ready to rejoin the lineup, Maria Torres of The Athletic reports.

Manager Dave Martinez said Sunday that Bell, Kyle Schwarber and Josh Harrison could all be back in action early this week provided they received clearance by Monday. The Nats could certainly use three members of their expected starting lineup back after losing five straight games and getting shut out three times in the last four, but there's no guarantee the trio is able to shake off the rust quickly. Bell should slot in as Washington's primary cleanup hitter and first baseman once he makes his season debut.