MLB Player News

Cooper was activated from the COVID-19 injured list Friday and is batting fourth as the designated hitter against the Rays, Craig Mish of SportsGrid.com reports.

The 29-year-old was one of the many Miami players to test positive for COVID-19 just after Opening Day, and he'll officially rejoin the team a month later. Cooper should have a regular role in the lineup after posting a .790 OPS last year, but it's unclear where he'll see most of his time given the team has been working with a makeshift roster for so long. Lewin Diaz and Jesus Aguilar play most days between first base and designated hitter, and Cooper could join that mix in addition to some corner outfield opportunities.

Votto is not in Friday's lineup against the Cubs.

He has not played since Tuesday and is hitless in his last 18 at-bats. Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reported Thursday that manager David Bell says Votto is fine physically, but it seems that something is off with the veteran first baseman. Mike Moustakas is starting at first base and batting fifth.

Votto is not in the starting lineup for Game 2 of Thursday's doubleheader against the Brewers.

Votto was expected to be back in the lineup after sitting the front end of the twin bill, but instead he will get the entire day off. Manager David Bell confirmed after the game that Votto is physically fine and that he just wanted to give him a couple of days off, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports. The veteran first baseman seems likely to be back in the lineup for Friday's tilt against the Cubs.

Cronenworth went 2-for-4 with two singles and a run scored as the Padres defeated the Mariners 10-7 in Game 1 of Thursday's doubleheader.

Cronenworth has now hit safely in 10 consecutive games, going 15-for-38 over that span. The second baseman has his batting average up to an impressive .349 on the campaign.

Naylor is not in the lineup for Game 2 of Thursday's doubleheader against the Mariners.

Naylor went 1-for-1 before giving way to Jurickson Profar in the fifth inning of Game 1. Profar will remain in the starting lineup in place of Naylor in Game 2.

Calhoun isn't in Thursday's lineup against the Rockies.

With southpaw Kyle Freeland on the mound for Colorado on Thursday, Calhoun will get a day off. Tim Locastro will start in right field.

Votto is out of the lineup for the first game of Thursday's doubleheader with the Brewers.

Votto was originally set to sit out Wednesday, but the Reds-Brewers game was one of three MLB contests postponed after players deciding to sit out in the wake of the police shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha, Wis. Assuming Thursday's doubleheader goes on as scheduled, Votto will get a breather in the front end of the twin bill before presumably checking back in as the Reds' first baseman for the second contest.

Walker went 3-for-4 with a double and four RBI in Wednesday's 8-7 loss to Colorado.

Walker delivered runs in the fourth, eighth and ninth innings as the Diamondbacks found their offense late in the game after a stretch of run-producing futility. He had gone 11 games and 47 plate appearances without an RBI before knocking in six over the last three games.

Freeman went 2-for-6 with two runs scored, a home run and two RBI across both games of the team's doubleheader Wednesday against the Yankees.

Freeman reached base once in the first contest of the day. However, the highlight came in the bottom of the sixth inning of the second game, when he delivered a game-winning two-run homer. It was his fifth long ball of the season. His performance also extended his hitting streak to eight games, during which he's homered twice, driven in seven and scored eight runs. Overall, Freeman is hitting .304/.423/.569 across 123 plate appearances on the campaign.

Votto is not starting Wednesday against the Brewers.

Votto has started the past 14 games for Cincinnati, going 8-for-51 with an 8:13 BB:K during that stretch. He'll get what appears to be a routine day off Wednesday after the veteran first baseman went 0-for-4 with four strikeouts before he was ejected from Tuesday's game against the Brewers. Mike Moustakas is manning first base in his absence, with Freddy Galvis at second base and prospect Jose Garcia at shortstop.