MLB Player News

Hoskins was sent for X-rays on his right hand following Thursday's game against the Cubs, Jim Salisbury of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

Hoskins was struck by a pitch on his hand during Thursday's matchup, though he managed to remain in the game. He was optimistic about his chances of playing Friday, though the team has yet to announce his test results.

Votto was removed from Thursday's starting lineup due to lower back tightness.

Josh VanMeter will take Votto's spot in the lineup for Thursday's series opener against the Cardinals, hitting second and playing first base. The severity of the issue is not yet known, leaving Votto's status for the rest of the series up in the air.

Rizzo is starting at first base and hitting leadoff Thursday against the Phillies.

Rizzo has primarily hit third or fourth this season, but he'll jump to the top of the order for Thursday's series finale as the Cubs look to avoid a sweep. The first baseman has been dialed in since the All-Star break, slashing .320/.413/.456 with two home runs and 15 RBI in 30 games.

Beaty is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Marlins, Alanna Rizzo of Spectrum SportsNet LA reports.

With a southpaw (Caleb Smith) on the mound for Miami, the lefty-hitting Beaty will retreat to the bench as the Dodgers make room for another righty hitter (Kyle Garlick) in the lineup. Beaty still looks to be locked into the large side of a platoon role in left field with all of Alex Verdugo (oblique), Enrique Hernandez (hand) and Chris Taylor (forearm) stuck on the 10-day injured list.

Votto extended his hitting streak to six games with a base hit across four at-bats in Wednesday's 17-7 loss to the Nationals.

Votto has racked up four extra-base knocks (three doubles, one home run), three runs and three RBI during the streak. It's a nice surge for the first baseman, but his body of work over the past two seasons suggests he shouldn't be relied upon as a plus source of power at this stage of his career. His 20.6 percent strikeout rate -- while still strong relative to most hitters in today's game -- has also limited the impact he can have for fantasy managers in the batting average category.

Cabrera went 3-for-5 with two doubles, two runs scored and three RBI in Wednesday's 17-7 win over the Reds.

It was a remarkably balanced attack from the Nats, as every starting position player got on base multiple times and scored exactly twice. Cabrera seems to have found a new lease on life by returning to Washington, slashing .381/.409/.571 through his first six games with the Nats.

Flores went 3-for-4 with a home run and two RBI overall in Wednesday's 7-6 loss to the Rockies.

Flores came through with an RBI single in the first inning and followed up with the solo homer in the fifth to help build a 5-2 lead, though the Diamondbacks were unable to hold on for the win. The home run is the 27-year-old's first since being activated off the injured list July 18, and he has a .318/.362/.432 slash line in 44 at-bats since rejoining the team.

Hoskins is starting at first base and leading off Wednesday against the Cubs, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

Hoskins, who is hitting just .114 with a .518 OPS in 12 games this month, will jump to the top of the order for the first time in his big-league career as manager Gabe Kapler looks to get him going at the dish. J.T. Realmuto and Bryce Harper will follow the 26-year-old in the lineup Wednesday.

Cabrera will start at second base and bat sixth Wednesday against the Reds.

Cabrera will man the keystone for the fourth time in five games, with the spike in playing time he's seen mainly a result of Brian Dozier battling an illness. Dozier returned to the lineup for Tuesday's 3-1 win and delivered a solo home run and drew a walk. Though Cabrera will be back in the lineup again for the series finale, the ailment is behind Dozier at this point and he's likely just getting some maintenance for the day game after the night game.

Beaty went 2-for-5 with a solo home run, a triple and four RBI in Tuesday's rout of the Marlins.

Beaty did all his damage late in the game, blasting a solo homer in the eighth inning and clearing the bases with a triple to center field in the ninth. The 26-year-old is enjoying a productive August, slashing .357/.419/.643 with five extra-base hits and 10 RBI in 10 games.