MLB Player News

Smith went 2-for-4 with a double, a home run, an additional run scored and three total RBI in Wednesday's 11-6 win over the Nationals.

This was Smith's first multi-hit game of the season, though his OPS is suddenly up to .942 on the strength of seven extra-base hits (three homers) and five walks. He was not seeing a ton of time early on, but Smith has been playing nearly every day between first base and DH since Yoenis Cespedes opted out, playing time rightly earned with his performance at the plate over the past couple seasons.

Rizzo went 2-for-4 with a solo home run, a walk and two runs scored Wednesday against Cleveland.

Rizzo took Carlos Carrasco deep to lead off the third inning, his fourth home run of the season. He had been in a bit of a power drought of late, as he had no extra-base hits in his last 10 contests, dating back to July 27. Still, Rizzo has managed a .400 on-base percentage despite racking up just 12 hits in 65 plate appearances.

Flores will bat third as the designated hitter Wednesday at Houston.

The 29-year-old wasn't included in the Giants' initial starting nine, but he'll enter the lineup with Austin Slater (undisclosed) a late scratch. Flores has a .270/.299/.492 slash line with four homers and nine RBI this season.

Votto went 2-for-4 with a walk and a walkoff RBI double Tuesday in the Reds' 6-5 win over the Royals in 10 innings.

Since opening the season with three two-hit efforts in four games, Votto had fallen into a 2-for-28 slump over his subsequent nine contests entering Tuesday. However, Votto was able to provide the Reds with a lift when they needed him the most, as he sent a deep fly over the outstretched glove of center fielder Brett Phillips to score Nick Castellanos for the game-winning run. Votto will get a chance to keep the momentum going Wednesday in the series finale; he's slated to start at first base and bat third.

Solano (abdomen) will remain on the bench Wednesday against the Astros, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

Solano sat out Tuesday's game with abdominal soreness and will sit for at least one more contest. With an off day Thursday, it's possible he's able to return Friday against Oakland. Mauricio Dubon will again play second base Wednesday.

Walker went 2-for-3 with a solo home run and two walks in Tuesday's 8-7 loss to the Rockies.

Walker opened the scoring with a 450-foot blast off Rockies starter Kyle Freeland in the fourth inning. That was the first homer of the year for Walker, who has added 11 RBI, nine runs scored and a .290 batting average in 17 games.

Solano's absence from the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Astros is due to abdominal soreness, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Solano has swung a very hot bat this season, hitting .458/.476/.661. He'll be re-evaluated Wednesday, but with the Giants having a scheduled off day Thursday, it wouldn't be a surprise to see him sit for at least one more game. Mauricio Dubon will handle second base Tuesday.

Solano will sit Tuesday against Houston, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Solano has earned a significant role in San Francisco this season, starting 14 of the team's first 19 games. With a .458/.476/.661 slash line through his first 63 plate appearances, it's not hard to see why, though the .520 BABIP that props up that line isn't anything close to sustainable. Mauricio Dubon will be the second baseman Tuesday.

Calhoun will be on the bench against lefty Kyle Freeland and the Rockies on Tuesday.

The Diamondbacks haven't been platooning Calhoun this season, as he started against two of the first three lefties the team faced, though any off days he does receive will likely come against southpaws. Tim Locastro will be the right fielder Tuesday.

Alonso is not in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Nationals, Justin Toscano of The Bergen Record reports.

This appears to be nothing more than a routing off day for the young slugger. He may need a day to sort things out after hitting just .200/.333/.308 through his first 17 games. Dominic Smith will handle first base in his absence.