MLB Player News

Rizzo is starting at first base and batting fourth in Saturday's game against the Pirates.

This will be Rizzo's fifth straight start in the cleanup spot for the Cubs after primarily hitting third earlier in the season. In those last four contests, the 29-year-old has a 1.270 OPS and the team is 3-1. Expect Rizzo to stick in the No. 4 spot as long as things keep clicking in Chicago.

Walker went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Friday's 4-2 win over St. Louis.

Walker's been a streaky hitter during his first significant exposure to major-league pitching, and he's in a good one right now. The left-handed-hitting first baseman has four home runs and 10 RBI over his last 19 at-bats. There's room for both Walker and Jake Lamb in the lineup at this time while Wilmer Flores (foot) is rehabbing, but a decision could be coming soon. Flores has made 10 plate appearances in the Arizona Rookie League. When he returns, Eduardo Escobar will return to third base, leaving Walker and Lamb to share first.

Hiura went 3-for-4 with a walk, a double, a home run and two RBI in Friday's 10-7 extra-inning loss to the Giants.

The rookie's solo shot in the bottom of the 10th didn't affect the outcome, but it did give Hiura an impressive eight homers in his first 28 big-league games. The 22-year-old is slashing .276/.339/.524 to begin his career, but he'll need to keep producing with Travis Shaw starting to find his stroke at Triple-A.

Cooper went 2-for-4 with a double, a home run, two runs scored and two RBI in Friday's 8-4 win over the Mets.

He went back-to-back with Curtis Granderson in the third inning, Cooper's ninth homer of the season. The 28-year-old is now slashing .311/.377/.495 through 52 games -- including a massive .350/.409/.558 line since the beginning of June.

Smith is not starting Friday against lefty Caleb Smith and the Marlins, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

Smith moved into a role on the large side of a platoon in left field thanks to his strong .304/.389/.551 line in the first half of the season. He'll likely return to the lineup for both games over the weekend with a pair of righties on the mound for Miami. J.D. Davis gets the start in left field in his absence.

Beaty was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Wednesday.

Beaty earned a run of playing time late in the first half but didn't particularly impress, hitting .278/.297/.407. His absence clears a spot for the Dodgers to activate Corey Seager (hamstring) from the injured list.

Cooper went 1-for-4 with a three-run home run in Sunday's loss to Atlanta.

His blast off Chad Sobotka in the eighth inning tied the game at 3-3, but it was the only offense the Marlins could muster on the night. Cooper heads into the All-Star break slashing .306/.375/.473 through 51 games with eight homers and 31 RBI, and when he's been healthy, the 28-year-old has been one of the few bright spots in the Miami lineup.

Alonso went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in Sunday's loss to the Phillies.

With his sixth-inning shot off Aaron Nola, Alonso became the third rookie in history to reach 30 homers before the All-Star break, joining Mark McGwire (33 in 1987) and Aaron Judge (30 in 2017) in a very exclusive club. The 24-year-old's .280/.372/.634 slash line, 57 runs and 68 RBI through 89 games to begin his career have made him far more than just a one-dimensional fantasy asset.

Flores (foot) went 2-for-3 with a double and a run scored for the AZL Diamondbacks on Sunday.

Flores served as the designated hitter and did not play the full game in what was his first game action since May 19. He'll likely need several more rehab games. When Flores starts playing the field and on back-to-back days, that will be a sign the Diamondbacks are preparing to activate him.

Beaty is not in the lineup for Sunday's game versus the Padres, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

Beaty started Saturday's game but will return to the bench Sunday with southpaw Joey Lucchesi on the mound for San Diego. Kyle Garlick will start in left field and bat sixth in the final game before the All-Star break.