MLB Player News

Votto (back) was activated from the 10-day injured list ahead of Tuesday's game against the Marlins. He'll start at first base and bat second.

Votto landed on the injured list Aug. 18 due to a lower-back strain, though he was able to make a quick recovery. Jose Peraza was optioned to Triple-A Louisville in a corresponding move.

Rizzo (back) might return to the starting lineup by the end of Chicago's three-game series with New York, Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Rizzo will miss his second straight game due to back tightness Tuesday, and he appears unlikely to play Wednesday. His availability for the remainder of the series should come into focus shortly.

Rizzo (back) isn't in the starting lineup for Tuesday's game against the Mets.

As expected, Rizzo will be held out of Tuesday's clash due to back tightness. He'll continue to be viewed as day-to-day. Ian Happ draws the start at first base and will bat sixth.

Rizzo (back) said that he doesn't expect to play in Tuesday's series opener against the Mets, David Kaplan of ESPN Chicago 1000 AM reports. "As of now I don't expect to play but I am going to get to the park and we are going to treat [the back injury] and see if I can feel even better," Rizzo said. "It has loosened up a lot since Saturday."

Rizzo was removed from Saturday's 7-2 loss to the Nationals with back tightness and was unavailable for the series finale a day later. The first baseman reported some improvement with his condition coming out of Monday's off day, but it sounds like he'll still need at least one more game off to recover from the back issue. The Cubs still appear to be viewing his situation as a day-to-day concern, but Rizzo's outlook could change once the training staff has a chance to re-evaluate him later Tuesday.

Flores returned to the lineup Monday and went 3-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored in a 6-4 win over the Giants.

Flores sat out three games over the weekend with a back issue but was available to play if needed. He got the start Monday against a right-hander (Tyler Beede) -- something that's become increasingly rare since his return from a foot injury mid-July.

Bell went 1-for-1 with a solo homer and two walks in Monday's 6-5 loss to the Phillies.

Bell entered the game as a pinch-hitter for starter Joe Musgrove in the seventh inning and was intentionally walked. He then took Hector Neris deep to tie the game in the ninth inning. The breakout slugger is up to 33 homers and 104 RBI alongside a .938 OPS.

Flores (back) is starting at second base and hitting fifth Monday against the Giants, John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Flores has been cleared to rejoin the lineup after missing the past four games with a minor back injury. The utility man, who is slashing .361/.409/.607 with four home runs and a 5:7 K:BB in 25 second-half games, will face righty Tyler Beede in his first game back.

Bell is not in the lineup Monday against the Phillies.

Bell has been slumping quite a bit lately, hitting .105/.222/.211 over his last 11 games, though his .273/.358/.569 season line remains quite strong. He'll take a seat Monday, with Jose Osuna starting at first base.

Goldschmidt went 2-for-4 with a two-run single, a double and a run in a win over the Rockies on Sunday.

Goldschmidt came through with another timely hit in the blowout win, pushing him over the 70-RBI threshold for the campaign. The veteran slugger is enjoying another solid month at the plate, but he's particularly started to heat up over his last 10 games. Goldschmidt is hitting .333 (13-for-39) with three doubles, three home runs, eight RBI, three walks and eight runs over that span, leaving him just one round tripper short of reaching the 30-mark for the third consecutive season.

Walker went 3-for-5 with a home run, a double, two RBI and two runs scored in Sunday's 5-2 win over the Brewers.

Walker's first-inning blast put the Diamondbacks on top early as they salvaged the final game of the series. The homer was Walker's 23rd and first in seven games. His run production pace has slowed down in August with just six RBI in 21 games.