MLB Player News

Freeman went 3-for-4 with a solo home run, three runs and two RBI to help the Braves to a 10-2 win over the Cardinals on Thursday.

Freeman checked in with his first long ball since May 6 with an eighth-inning solo shot off Dominic Leone as part of a three-hit day. The star first baseman is enjoying another excellent season at the dish, as this performance brings his slash line up to .315/.411/.539 over 165 at-bats.

Naylor is slashing .289/.367/.516 with eight home runs and 28 RBI through 159 at-bats for Triple-A El Paso.

The 22-year-old continues to showcase impressive power in the minors, as his fast start for El Paso is following up a 17-homer, 84-RBI campaign for Double-A San Antonio last season. In addition to the power, he's showcased impressive discipline, as he had a 64:69 BB:K last year and owns a 20:22 mark so far in 2019. He's a work in progress defensively in the outfield and at first base, and a path to the big leagues is likely blocked by the presence of Eric Hosmer and a logjam of outfielders, but at this point Naylor has established himself as one of San Diego's better prospects at the dish.

Beaty will be recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City prior to Friday's game against Cincinnati, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

Beaty went 2-for-3 with an RBI over three games with the Dodgers earlier this season, and he's slated for another stint with the big club. He'll likely serve as another bat off the bench during his latest trip to the major leagues.

France is not in the lineup Thursday against the Pirates.

France is hitting just .171 with a 30.4 percent strikeout rate in 13 games this month, so he'll take a seat as he looks to hit the reset button. Greg Garcia is covering third base in his stead, with Ian Kinsler starting at the keystone.

Manager Joe Maddon said he hopes Rizzo (back) will be ready to rejoin the lineup Friday against the Nationals, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Rizzo is out of the lineup for a fourth straight game Thursday, though he did some hitting during pregame and is reportedly feeling better. According to Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune, while Maddon is encouraged by Rizzo's chances at returning over the weekend, the manager wasn't certain the first baseman would be ready for Friday's series opener. "I'm encouraged for this weekend. Tomorrow would be great, but I'm not 100 percent sure," Maddon said. In the meantime, Victor Caratini is starting at first base in place of Rizzo on Thursday.

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

Rizzo will remain sidelined for a fourth straight game as he continues to deal with a tight back. According to Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune, the first baseman was taking swings off a tee before Thursday's game, and he could be cleared to rejoin the lineup for Friday's series opener against the Nationals if he checks out OK. Victor Caratini is starting at first base in this one.

Smith will start at first base and bat second Thursday against the Nationals.

Smith has only made two plate appearances since his May 9 callup from Triple-A Syracuse, but he made the most of the latter one with a pinch-hit solo home run in Tuesday's win. He'll now be rewarded with a start and a prominent spot in the lineup in the series finale while rookie Pete Alonso sits. Despite Alonso's struggles at the plate in recent weeks, Smith appears to have little chance of unseating him as the team's everyday first baseman.

Alonso is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Nationals.

Alonso has been struggling at the plate for most of May, batting just .196 with three home runs in 12 games while striking out 30 percent of the time. The rookie is in little danger of losing his starting role at this point, but he could be subject to more days off in the weeks to come as the Mets look to find room in the lineup for Dominic Smith, who has impressed in his limited action to date. Smith will substitute in for Alonso on Thursday and serve as the Mets' No. 2 hitter.

Bell went 2-for-4 with a double in an 11-1 loss to the Diamondbacks on Wednesday.

The 26-year-old extending his hitting streak to 15 games was about the only positive for the Pirates in the lopsided loss. During the hitting streak, Bell is batting .426 (26-for-61) with 14 extra-base hits and 21 RBI. He's slashing .333/.404/.693 with 12 home runs, 39 RBI and 27 runs in 150 at-bats this season.

Rizzo (back) is not in the lineup Wednesday against the Reds.

This comes as no surprise, as Rizzo, who has been sidelined since Sunday with back tightness, said earlier Wednesday that he'll most likely return Thursday or over the weekend. Kris Bryant is covering first base in his place.