MLB Player News

Rizzo exited Sunday's game against the Pirates in the third inning with an apparent right ankle injury, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Rizzo appeared to twist his ankle hard while fielding a bunt and was helped off the field by two trainers. The injury -- if serious -- could prove disastrous for the postseason hopes of the Cubs, who are already missing shortstop Javier Baez (thumb) for the rest of the regular season. Expect the team to provide an update on Rizzo's condition after the game.

General manager Neal Huntington said Sunday that it "wouldn't be surprising" to see Bell miss several days due his groin injury, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Speaking on his weekly radio show, Huntington said that Bell's injury was more than the day-to-day variety. Pittsburgh is off Monday before starting a three-game homestand against the Mariners, but Bell is probably trending toward a return no earlier than the team's weekend series in Milwaukee. The first baseman injured himself running from first base to second during Friday's loss to the Cubs.

Cooper (knee) is not in the lineup for Sunday's game at San Francisco, Andre Fernandez of The Athletic reports.

Cooper jammed his knee on a diving catch Friday and will be out of the starting nine for the second consecutive game. Jon Berti, Magneuris Sierra and Lewis Brinson will start from left to right in the outfield Sunday.

Votto is out of the lineup for Sunday's game at Arizona.

Votto started the last eight contests and is 11-for-29 with two doubles, a home run, three RBI and six walks in that stretch, but he'll receive the day off for the series finale. Brian O'Grady will start at first base Sunday while Michael Lorenzen enters the lineup in center field.

Rizzo went 2-for-3 with a run scored and two RBI in Saturday's 14-1 win over the Pirates.

Rizzo has enjoyed this series against Pittsburgh; he's gone 5-for-8 with three runs and six RBI in two games. The 30-year-old is having another phenomenal season overall with a .289/.402/.516 slash line, 26 home runs and 93 RBI through 139 games.

Bell (groin) is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Cubs.

Bell will be withheld from the starting nine for the second straight contest after leaving Friday's game with left groin discomfort. Colin Moran will cover first base Sunday while Erik Gonzalez receives the start at the hot corner.

Cabrera is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Braves.

Cabrera started the last three games and went 2-for-11 with a triple and two RBI, but he'll take a seat Sunday with southpaw Max Fried on the mound for the Braves. Brian Dozier will start at the keystone and bat sixth in the series finale.

Cooper (knee) is not in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Giants.

Cooper jammed his knee on a diving catch during the first inning of Friday's game, but tests showed no structural damage, so he should be considered day-to-day ahead of Sunday's series finale. Harold Ramirez will take over in right field as Starlin Castro bats third against Saturday's starter, Madison Bumgarner.

Hiura (hamstring) is taking part in a full pregame workout Saturday, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

The second baseman will go through fielding drills and take on-field batting practice, clearing another hurdle on his road back from a left hamstring strain. As McCalvy puts it, the Brewers "want to be super duper extra special sure he doesn't come back too early," so a return to the lineup Monday seems questionable, at best.

Flores is not in Saturday's lineup against the Reds.

He is hitting .276 with one home run in 29 at-bats this month. Flores has started in seven of the last 10 games with six of those starts coming against same-handed pitching. Ildemaro Vargas is starting at second base and batting leadoff.