MLB Player News

Cabrera went 2-for-2 with a solo home run, two RBI, a double, a walk and another run scored in Thursday's win over the Phillies.

Cabrera cracked open the scoring with a sacrifice fly RBI in the first inning. He then walked in the third, doubled and scored in the fifth, and the veteran finished off his successful night at the plate with a 393-foot homer in the seventh. In 36 games with the Nationals this season, Cabrera is slashing a solid .317/.397/.558. He has 18 home runs overall with 24 doubles.

Smith (foot) was reinstated from the 60-day IL on Thursday.

Smith will join the Mets for the final four games of the season after missing two months with a stress reaction in his left foot. Prior to landing on the shelf, the 24-year-old hit .278 with 10 home runs and an .858 OPS through 88 games. Jeff McNeil (wrist) was shifted to the 60-day IL in a corresponding move. According to Justin Toscano of The Bergen Record, manager Mickey Callaway said Smith will likely serve as a bench option.

Rizzo (ankle) is not in the lineup Thursday against the Pirates.

The Cubs are resting most of their starters for Wednesday's series finale, with Victor Caratini starting at first base in place of Rizzo. With Chicago eliminated from playoff contention, Rizzo -- who is still nursing a right ankle sprain -- may be withheld from the lineup over the team's final four games.

Alonso went 1-for-4 with a walk and a three-run home run in Wednesday's 10-3 win over the Marlins.

While the Mets were eliminated from postseason contention by a Brewers win Wednesday, Alonso will still have plenty to play for over the final few games of the season. The rookie slugger not only leads the majors with 51 homers, two ahead of Eugenio Suarez, but he's one more long ball away from tying Aaron Judge's all-time rookie record of 52. Alonso will have four more games to try and match, or even pass, Judge in the history books.

Rizzo could be held out of the final four games of the regular season due to his right ankle sprain, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.

Rizzo exited Wednesday's game following the third inning and may not return for the final four games of the season with the Cubs now eliminated from playoff contention. The 30-year-old suffered a moderate right ankle sprain Aug. 15 but ended up missing only three games as he decided to fight through the issue for the stretch run. Rizzo is 8-for-20 with one home run and one double in the six games since rejoining the lineup, but it would make sense for the team to remain cautious if he's still less than 100 percent.

Hiura went 2-for-5 with a solo home run and two runs scored Thursday against the Reds.

Hiura took Tyler Mahle deep in the second inning to record his 19th home run of the season. He now has three home runs in 10 games since coming off the injured list Sept. 14, also recording at least one hit in eight of those contests. The 23-year-old continues to show plenty of promise at the plate, maintaining a .300/.365/.576 line while also chipping in nine steals across 80 games this season.

Flores went 3-for-4 with a double, a home run and four RBI Wednesday against the Cardinals.

Flores ended the game only a triple shy of the cycle. He began producing immediately, lacing a two-run double in the first frame. Five innings later, he capped a seven-run inning for the Diamondbacks by clubbing a two-run homer, his ninth of the season. Though his campaign was derailed by a foot injury that cost him two months, he's posted a strong .316/.362/.488 line across 87 contests.

Votto has abandoned choking up on the bat and has been more upright in the batter's box over the last month of the season, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports. He's batted .321 with three homers over the last 24 games.

This is some minor tinkering for Votto, who isn't yet ready to overhaul everything yet. "I really think I need to step away and just take as much time away from the game as possible, just kind of recharge," Votto said. "This is a taxing six months for me, personally. As a team, six straight losing seasons is very frustrating. After a while, looking across the field, you see teams playing meaningful games, it's very frustrating being the team on the other side trying to interrupt those strong finishes."

France is starting at third base and hitting seventh against the Dodgers on Wednesday.

France is getting just his third start since Sept. 13. Manny Machado heads to the bench for a breather in the second game of the series.

Bell (groin) will not return this season, Nubyjas Wilborn of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Bell was hoping to return before the end of the season, but the Pirates opted to play it safe and shut him down with just five games left and no chance at making the playoffs. The first baseman will be eligible for arbitration for the first time in 2020 after slashing .277/.367/.569 with career highs in doubles (37), home runs (37) and RBI (116).