MLB Player News

Freeman went 1-for-3 with a solo home run Thursday against the Diamondbacks.

Freeman took Matt Andriese deep in the eighth inning to account for the Braves' only run on the day. It was his second home run of the season, though he has paired that with six doubles. His profile remains similar to past seasons as he has 14 walks compared to 13 strikeouts and is hitting .324/.446/.946 through 79 plate appearances.

France went 2-for-5 with two home runs in his second game at second base for Triple-A El Paso, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

This is the second straight game that France has homered twice. The 24-year-old is hitting .383/.449/.750 with six homers and 19 RBI in 14 games for El Paso and is getting reps at second base as well as third. France was in contention to be the big-league starter at third base before the offseason signing of Manny Machado. If France shows he can handle second base, he may be able to find major-league playing time with Ian Kinsler and Luis Urias struggling at the plate to begin the year.

Votto popped out to the first baseman for the first time ever in a regular-season game in Wednesday's loss to the Dodgers, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

The launch angle revolution has gone too far! Joking aside, this is the first time in 6,829 career plate appearances that Votto has popped out to first base.

Flores is not in the lineup Wednesday against the Braves.

Flores has started five of the last six games for Arizona, going 4-for-17 (.235) with a 1:2 BB:K in those contests. He'll grab a seat on the bench Wednesday, with Ketel Marte starting at the keystone and Jarrod Dyson entering the lineup in center field.

Smith is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Phillies.

Despite making the Opening Day roster, Smith has started in just two of the Mets' first 18 games of the season. Smith was always going to have a tough time finding playing time after top prospect Pete Alonso broke camp with the big club, and it's difficult to imagine Smith's prospects improving unless the much-hyped rookie succumbs to an injury or experiences a prolonged slump.

Hoskins (ankle) will start at first base and bat cleanup Wednesday against the Mets.

While Hoskins was sitting out Tuesday with a minor left ankle sprain, the Phillies offense didn't miss a beat, finishing the night with a season-high 14 runs on 13 hits and three walks. Despite that successful showing, the Phillies will gladly welcome back the slugger into the lineup after the ankle issue apparently provided no significant complications for him in the field or while running the bases during his pregame workout.

Walker went 3-for-4 with a walk, a home run, two runs scored and two RBI in Tuesday's 9-6 win over Atlanta.

The 28-year-old led off the ninth inning with a solo shot off A.J. Minter, breaking a 6-6 tie and sending Arizona to its eighth win of the year. Walker is now slashing .294/.368/.667 through 16 games with five homers, nine RBI and 10 runs, including six hits and two long balls in the last two games. He's already showing signs of being streaky, going 0-for-10 with seven whiffs in the four games prior to those home runs, but with Jake Lamb (quad) sidelined, the starting first base job is Walker's for the taking.

Votto is batting leadoff in Tuesday's game against the Dodgers and Kenta Maeda, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Votto has batted leadoff only one other time in his career, which is pretty weird when you think about his career-long strong on-base skills. He's off to a slow start this season, hitting .240/.333/.400 in 57 plate appearances.

Hoskins is battling a left ankle sprain but could be available to pinch hit Tuesday night, Matt Breen of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Hoskins is reportedly dealing with a minor left ankle sprain, per Meghan Montemurro of The Athletic, although he fully expects to return to the starting lineup in time for Wednesday's clash. It's possible he's called upon to pinch hit at some point Tuesday night. His availability will likely hinge on how the ankle is feeling before the game.

Hoskins is not in the starting lineup for Tuesday's game against the Mets.

Hoskins will get a breather after taking the collar (0-for-5) in Monday's series opener. In his absence, Maikel Franco moves over to first base, allowing for Scott Kingery to start at the hot corner.