MLB Player News

Hiura is 19-for-64 (.297) with four home runs, six doubles, 12 RBI and a 1:24 BB:K through 17 games with Triple-A San Antonio.

Hiura is hitting a ton in his first stop at the Triple-A level, but he has struggled a bit with his plate discipline early on, as both his walk and strikeout rates are far on the opposite end of his career norms. Hiura certainly has the skills to turn things around as he gets more comfortable with Triple-A pitchers, and the Brewers can afford him ample time to figure things out with quality infield depth on their 40-man roster.

Freeman went 3-for-4 with a double, a walk, two runs and two RBI in Sunday's 11-5 win over the Indians.

Josh Donaldson and Freeman, the Nos. 2 and 3 hitters in the Atlanta lineup, combined to reach base eight times on the night and chased Cleveland starter Shane Bieber from the contest midway through the third inning. Freeman has been consistently productive right from the start of the season and should begin to see his run-producing opportunities increase now that Ozzie Albies and Donaldson are heating up in front of him in the order.

Bell went 1-for-3, hitting a two-run home run in a 3-2 loss to the Giants on Sunday.

The 26-year-old accounted for the only runs the Pirates scored in the loss. After a really disappointing 2018 season, Bell is off to a wonderful start, hitting for both average and power. While his four homers through 19 games doesn't stand out, he's already a third of the way to his 12-bomb total from last season. With five doubles and a triple as well, Bell supports a .591 slugging percentage. He is also hitting .303 with 15 RBI and 13 runs in 66 at-bats.

Goldschmidt went 2-for-4 with two RBI and a run scored in Sunday's 6-4 win over the Mets.

Goldschmidt knocked a two-run single in the second frame and later scored on a Marcell Ozuna double. He owns an eight-game hitting streak, going 12-for-35 with five RBI in the process. However, he's striking out in roughly 30 percent of his plate appearances this season after just 22.5 percent in nine seasons with Arizona.

Alonso went 2-for-4 with a solo home run and a walk in Sunday's 6-4 loss to St. Louis.

Alonso got things started early with a long shot in the first inning. The slugging rookie went through a six-game homerless drought but now has two in his last three contests. Alonso owns an outstanding .325/.416/.727 slash line with 15 extra-base hits and 19 RBI.

Walker's absence from the lineup Sunday against the Cubs is due to a hip pointer, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports.

The minor injury explains why Walker will hit the bench following a four-hit performance. He's expected to return to the lineup for Monday's game against the Pirates.

Votto (back) remains out of the lineup Sunday against San Diego, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Back tightness kept Votto out of the lineup Saturday, and he'll get at least two more days to rest with the Reds having an off day Monday. Kyle Farmer gets the call again at first base.

Walker is not starting Sunday against the Cubs.

After a stretch in which he picked up two hits in nine games, Walker has 15 over his last six contests. Wilmer Flores will slide over to first base in his absence, with Ketel Marte moving in from center field to second base.

Alonso (hand) is batting second and playing first base Sunday against St. Louis.

Alonso took a pitch off the hand in Saturday's game and required X-rays afterwards. He avoided a fracture and any bruise he suffered evidently won't be enough to keep him out of the lineup.

Walker went 4-for-4 with a double, a run scored and a walk in Saturday's 6-0 win over the Cubs.

Walker reached base in all five plate appearances Saturday and is a ridiculous 15-for-25 with three home runs over his last six games. The 28-year-old is slashing .353/.421/.706 with six homers, though he has struck out 23 times in only 68 at-bats.