MLB Player News

Manager David Bell said after Wednesday's 1-0 win over the White Sox that Votto fractured his left thumb during the game, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports. He's expected to be sidelined for around a month with the injury.

Bell noted that Votto won't need surgery on his thumb, but the injury is still a major blow for the Reds. The veteran first baseman enjoyed a resurgent start to the campaign with a .779 OPS through his first 15 contests, but he had fallen into a slump over his subsequent 13 games (.666 OPS, 30.8 percent strikeout rate) before fracturing the thumb when he was hit by a pitch in a fourth-inning plate appearance Wednesday. Given his downward-trending production in addition to the fact that he'll now be sidelined for multiple weeks, Votto looks like a reasonable drop in shallower mixed leagues.

Rizzo isn't starting Wednesday's game against the Dodgers.

Rizzo will be on the bench for the first time this season after he went 3-for-13 with a home run, a triple, two runs, two RBI and three strikeouts in the last three games. Kris Bryant will shift to first base while Matt Duffy starts at third.

Bell isn't starting Wednesday's game against Atlanta.

Bell will retreat to the bench with southpaw Max Fried on the mound for Atlanta. Ryan Zimmerman will start at first base and bat third.

Smith isn't starting the first game of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Cardinals, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Smith will take a seat with southpaw Kwang Hyun Kim starting Wednesday's matinee. Kevin Pillar will start in left field and bat fourth.

Cooper is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Diamondbacks, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Cooper picked up eight straight starts -- including seven in right field -- from April 23 through Sunday, but he's been on the bench for both of the Marlins' first two games of their series with Arizona. Though manager Don Mattingly had previously been able to fit Cooper into the outfield by shifting Adam Duvall over to center field, Lewis Brinson has instead emerged as the primary option in center of late. Duvall and Corey Dickerson look poised to serve as the Marlins' main corner outfielders against right-handed pitching, so Cooper may be stuck in a short-side platoon role for the time being.

Votto exited Wednesday's game against the White Sox due to a left thumb injury, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Votto was hit by a pitch in the bottom of the fourth inning, and he appeared to be favoring his thumb afterward until he was replaced by Kyle Farmer at first base to begin the sixth inning. The Reds have a scheduled day off Thursday, but it's not yet clear whether Votto will be back in the lineup for Friday's series opener in Cleveland.

Cron isn't starting Wednesday's game against the Giants.

Cron will get a breather after he went 2-for-3 with a home run, two RBI, a walk and a strikeout in the second game of Tuesday's doubleheader. Matt Adams will start at first base and bat sixth.

Walker went 1-for-5 with an RBI and a run scored in Tuesday's 9-3 loss to the Marlins.

Walker came off the injured list Tuesday and slotted in at the three-hole in the order while playing first base. This was his first game since April 11.

Cron went 2-for-3 with a two-run homer and a walk in the second game of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Giants.

After going 0-for-3 with three strikeouts in the first game of the twin bill, Cron came back and cranked a game-tying homer against Alex Wood in the second tilt. The 31-year-old also tacked on a two-out single in the seventh inning, positioning Charlie Blackmon for a walkoff home run. Cron now has five home runs on the season while batting .290/.389/.495.

Flores went 2-for-3 with a two-run homer, a walk and two runs scored during Tuesday's loss at Colorado.

Flores tacked on a pair of insurance runs for the Giants with his long ball against Mychal Givens in the sixth inning. However, the Rockies put together a seventh-inning rally for the win. Flores, who now has two long balls this season, was making his fourth straight start due to infielder Tommy La Stella's (hamstring) recent move to the injured list.