MLB Player News

Hiura was removed from Friday's game against the Cubs with left hamstring discomfort.

Hiura looked shaken up after a collision with Kyle Schwarber at second base while turning a double play, but he remained in the game only to come up limping when running out a groundball in a later at-bat. Corey Spangenberg has taken over at the keystone for the Brewers.

Cooper is not in the lineup for Friday's game against the Nationals.

Cooper is 4-for-29 over his last nine games and will head to the bench in the series opener. Neil Walker will start at first base and bat cleanup in his absence.

Rizzo (back) is not in the lineup for Friday's game against the Brewers.

Manager Joe Maddon indicated Rizzo was unlikely to be in the lineup for Friday's series opener, so his absence was to be expected. It's the fifth straight game on the bench for the veteran first baseman, who continues to nurse a tight back. Victor Caratini receives another start at first base in his place.

Flores went 3-for-5 with two doubles, three RBI and two runs scored in Thursday's 11-5 win over the Dodgers.

The back injury that Flores experienced earlier this week has not slowed him. He's recorded multiple hits in the two games since his return and has six in his last eight starts, going 17-for-30 with four home runs and 10 RBI during that stretch. The Diamondbacks have been using him primarily against left-handed starters, but with Jake Lamb's issues piling up (.103 over last 13 games) and Flores holding his own against righties (.306), he may be used more frequently.

Manager Joe Maddon said he "would be surprised" if Rizzo (back) returned Friday against the Brewers, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Rizzo is out of the lineup for a fourth straight game Thursday due to back tightness. While he's hoping to return against the Brewers over the weekend, he doesn't sound ready to go for Friday's series opener. Victor Caratini is starting at first base in place of Rizzo on Thursday.

Smith (foot) has been cleared to begin some baseball activities, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Smith is trending in the right direction, as he recently shed his walking boot and has been cleared to play catch for the first time since landing on the injured list at the end of July with a stress reaction in his left foot. The 24-year-old still hasn't been given the green light to resume running, however, leaving him without a concrete timetable for his return.

Rizzo (back) is not in the lineup Thursday against the Mets.

As expected, Rizzo will miss a fourth consecutive game as he continues to battle back tightness. The hope is that the first baseman will be able to return to action during Chicago's upcoming series against the Brewers this weekend. In the meantime, Victor Caratini is starting at first base and hitting fifth in this one.

Bell went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run in Wednesday's 12-3 loss to the Phillies.

Bell's 34th long ball of the season was an opposite-field shot off Vince Velasquez and allowed him to overtake Washington's Anthony Rendon for sole possession of second place in the National League RBI race (106). Though his power production since the All-Star break has dropped off dramatically from his boffo first half, Bell has at least started surging lately with three home runs in his last five games.

Hoskins went 2-for-3 with a triple, double, walk, RBI and two runs Wednesday in the Phillies' 12-3 win over the Pirates.

Hoskins is batting just .174 with five home runs since the All-Star break, but his performance Wednesday inspires some optimism about his prospects heading into the final month of the season. Per the Associated Press, Hoskins said that he estimated he swung at "80 percent" effort Wednesday in an attempt to gain better control of the barrel of his bat, and for at least one night, the change in approach paid dividends. Hoskins will look to carry over that success into the weekend series with the Mets, when he'll be scheduled to face a trio of tough starting pitchers in Zack Wheeler, Steven Matz and Marcus Stroman.

Hiura went 2-for-4 with a home run, a double and three RBI in Wednesday's victory over the Cardinals.

Hiura went through a dry spell from July 28 through Aug. 6, collecting just four hits and no RBI over that span, but he has been hot since, hitting .320/.393/.640 with five home runs and 16 RBI in 84 plate appearances over 18 games. Hiura has started all but one game in August, and has occupied a spot in the top four of the batting order in all but two of those games.