MLB Player News

Rizzo will start at first base and bat cleanup Thursday against the Pirates.

Rizzo has drawn all but one of his prior 82 starts this season as the Cubs' No. 3 hitter, with the lone other appearance coming out of the leadoff spot. After Javier Baez thrived out of the two hole Wednesday while Kris Bryant (knee) received a maintenance day, however, manager Joe Maddon will deploy Rizzo behind both players as Bryant returns to the lineup in the series finale. The move down one spot in the batting order shouldn't have much of an impact on Rizzo, whose lackluster production lately has been self-inflicted more than a result of being surrounded by underwhelming hitters. Rizzo hasn't produced a home run since June 15 and is batting .207/.324/.276 over the last 17 contests.

Walker went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in Wednesday's 5-4 loss at Dodger Stadium.

Walker got the Diamondbacks on the board by crushing a two-run, 403-foot homer off Walker Buehler in the fourth inning. It was the 15th homer of the season for the 28-year-old, who has 43 runs scored and 38 RBI over 83 games while batting .256/.327/.481.

Bell went 2-for-4 with a double and a home run in a 6-5 victory against the Cubs on Wednesday.

The 26-year-old smashed his 26th homer, but even more impressively, his 59 extra-base hits are the most ever by a National League player before the All-Star break. Bell has five extra-base hits in three games this week against the Cubs. He is batting .309 with a 1.042 OPS, 80 RBI and 67 runs in 324 at-bats this season.

Solano went 3-for-6 with a solo home run and a second run scored in Tuesday's 10-4 win over the Padres.

The veteran utility infielder received the start at shortstop and acted as the Giants' leadoff man, a role he's been filling lately when the team opposes left-handed pitching. He kicked the game off with his first home run of the season as the Giants throttled San Diego for the second straight night. Solano's slashing a surprising .311/.342/.392 through 28 games since joining the Giants, but his .355 BABIP suggests a cool-down could happen at any time.

Flores (foot) has resumed full baseball activity, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports.

Manager Torey Lovullo said Flores is taking groundballs and moving around freely. This, after the injured second baseman was already swinging a bat in a controlled environment. Flores, who fractured his right foot and hasn't played since May 19, is close to beginning a rehab assignment.

Smith isn't in the starting lineup for Tuesday's game against the Yankees, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Smith will head to the bench with a lefty in James Paxton slated to toe the rubber for the opposition. J.D. Davis draws the nod in left field and is batting third in Smith's stead.

Bell went 4-for-6 with three homers, seven RBI and four runs scored in Monday's 18-5 blowout win over the Cubs.

Bell used the Cubs' pitching staff as a warmup for next week's Home Run Derby, breaking out for his first career three-homer game. He launched a three-run homer in the first inning, a two-run blast in the second, and put the Pirates up 18-5 with a two-run shot in the eighth. Bell is up to 77 RBI with a 1.035 OPS in his breakout campaign.

Hiura went 2-for-5 with a homer and two runs scored in Monday's 8-6 win over the Reds.

Hiura broke a scoreless tie with his solo shot in the fifth frame. It was his first homer since being recalled from Triple-A San Antonio on Friday. The rookie infielder has an .848 OPS across 85 plate appearances. As long as he continues hitting like this, the Brewers will be forced to keep him in the lineup.

Beaty went 2-for-6 with two doubles, two RBI and a run scored Sunday against the Rockies.

Beaty came through with an RBI in the third inning on a fielder's choice, and he tacked on an insurance run in the sixth with a double to center. The 26-year-old is slashing .290/.305/.430 with two home runs and 15 RBI over 32 games this season.

Smith is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Braves, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

Smith started the last six contests and went 9-for-25 with four home runs, seven runs scored and a stolen base in that stretch. The 24-year-old is seeing regular starts in left field but will hit the bench Sunday with southpaw Max Fried on the mound for Atlanta. J.D. Davis enters the lineup in his stead.