MLB Player News

Solano started at second base and went 2-for-4 with an RBI in Saturday's 7-2 loss to the Dodgers.

Solano has started two of the last three games against southpaws, both coming on rest days for different infielders. The veteran utility man's last start prior to June 5 was May 24, so he isn't even on the short side of a platoon at the moment.

Alonso went 1-for-3 with a walk and a solo home run in Saturday's 5-3 win over the Rockies.

He took Jake McGee deep in the seventh inning on a ball that hit the advertising boards just over the left-field wall despite an improbable launch angle of 48 degrees -- only the 10th home run with an angle that steep since Statcast began tracking the data, and the hardest hit of the 10 at 111.5 mph off the bat. It also peaked at 185 feet, making it the highest homer hit in the majors this season. Alonso is slashing .261/.341/.604 on the season, and his 21 long balls puts him five shy of Darryl Strawberry's franchise record for a rookie, a mark the 24-year-old first baseman could reach by the All-Star break.

Naylor went 1-for-4 with an RBI, a run and a stolen base in Friday's 5-4 win over the Nationals.

Naylor drew a spot start in place of Hunter Renfroe in left field and proved valuable during a two-run ninth inning. Naylor knocked a single to score Eric Hosmer, then stole second base before coming around to score the winning run on Austin Hedges' single. Naylor is hitting .244 with two homers and 11 RBI in 13 games since his promotion, and the stolen base was the first of his major-league career.

Votto went 2-for-4 with a solo home run and a walk during a 4-2 loss against the Phillies on Friday.

Saying the long ball was a sight for sore eyes is a major understatement. Votto came into the night on pace for about 12 homers and 33 RBI this season. He didn't show much power last year either, but he did post 67 RBI and a league-leading .417 on-base percentage in 2018. Votto owns a .343 on-base percentage in 2019. He is also batting .251 with five homers, 12 RBI, 31 runs and one steal in 211 at-bats this season.

Freeman went 2-for-3 with a double, a home run, three RBI and two walks Friday against the Marlins.

Freeman came through with a two-run blast in the first inning to give his club an early lead, and he doubled home a run in the fourth to give Atlanta a six-run cushion. The 29-year-old has now homered in four of his last six contests, driving in nine runs during that stretch.

Cooper is not in the lineup for Friday's game against the Braves, Andre Fernandez of The Athletic reports.

Cooper is hitting the ball well over his last 20 games with a .329/.409/.539 slash line and five homers in 76 at-bats, but he'll take a seat for Friday's series opener. Martin Prado will start at first base and bat second with righty Mike Soroka on the mound for Atlanta.

Rizzo will start at first base and bat leadoff Friday versus the Cardinals.

Rizzo has batted third in all 57 of his starts this season, but he will take over leadoff duties for the series opener against St. Louis. The 29-year-old owns an impressive .317/.409/.587 slash line over 198 plate appearances in his career at the top of the batting order.

Smith went 2-for-3 with a solo home run in Thursday's win over the Giants.

Getting the start in left field and hitting second, the 23-year-old went back-to-back with Amed Rosario to lead off the first inning and get things rolling for the Mets. Smith has now played six games in left, gaining outfield eligibility in many fantasy formats, and that might be his clearest path to regular playing time with Pete Alonso entrenched at first base. Smith is certainly doing everything he can to force his way into the lineup more often, slashing .373/.468/.612 with four homers and a sharp 11:14 BB:K through 79 plate appearances.

Freeman went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in a 6-1 loss against the Pirates on Thursday.

The 29-year-old's numbers are just about where they are expected to be. He is slashing .307/.393/.580 in 272 plate appearances during 2019. Last season, Freeman posted a .309/.388/.505 slash line. He also has 16 home runs, 38 RBI, 45 runs and one steal in 238 at-bats this year.

Cooper went 1-for-3 with an RBI and a walk in Thursday's 5-1 loss to Milwaukee.

Cooper got the Marlins on the board in the sixth inning on a single to center field, but the Brewers would emerge victorious in the series finale. He's been seeing the ball well at the plate recently, collecting a base knock in six of his last seven contests. Cooper has launched two homers and sits with five RBI over that brief stretch.