MLB Player News

Hiura (thumb sprain) is expected to return to the lineup for Double-A Biloxi on Friday, Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

The injury has sidelined him since June 29. He has a .322/.381/.523 slash line with nine home runs and 10 steals in 298 at-bats between High-A and Double-A this year and is a borderline top-10 prospect for fantasy purposes.

Cooper (wrist) was activated from the 10-day disabled list prior to Friday's game, Joe Frisaro of MLB.com reports.

Cooper will immediately rejoin the starting lineup, manning left field and hitting sixth in the order. The outfielder hasn't played in a big-league contest since April 1 due to a right wrist contusion. Expect him to see some time at both corner-outfield positions as well as first base behind Justin Bour.

Bour went 2-for-4 with a home run and three RBI in Thursday's 14-12 loss to the Nationals.

He slugged a two-run shot off Jeremy Hellickson to give the Marlins a nine-run lead in the fourth inning that they would somehow squander. Bour is up to 14 home runs through 348 plate appearances and Thursday's long ball was his first since June 25.

Freeman (triceps) will start at first base and bat third in Thursday's tilt against Milwaukee, David O'Brien of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

As expected, Freeman will play in the series opener after getting hit by a pitch on his triceps Wednesday. The 28-year-old first baseman will look to build on his stellar numbers at the plate, as he's batting .308 with 16 home runs and 56 RBI through 85 games in 2018.

Bell is out of the lineup Wednesday against the Dodgers.

Bell will be stationed on the bench for the second time in the three-game series while the Dodgers bring a lefty (Rich Hill) for the third straight day. David Freese will once again cover first base in place of Bell, who is a career .250/.328/.417 hitter against southpaws.

The Reds optioned Dixon to Triple-A Louisville on Wednesday.

Dixon was dropped from the 25-man roster with the Reds in need of extra bullpen help after seven relievers were used in Tuesday's 12-inning loss to the White Sox. During his six-week stint in the big leagues, Dixon saw action in 29 games and slashed .219/.265/.344 in 34 plate appearances. It shouldn't be long before he's summoned back to the big club.

Braves manager Brian Snitker said that Freeman (triceps) is "fine" and will likely be included in the lineup Thursday in Milwaukee, David O'Brien of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Atlanta received a scare when Freeman was hit by a pitch in the right triceps during a second-inning at-bat, which later resulted in the slugger's departure from the contest. Freeman felt some tightness shortly after the incident, but it seems his removal was mostly precautionary. If the first baseman is able to complete batting practice Thursday without any complications, he shouldn't be forced to miss any additional time due to the injury.

Freeman exited Wednesday's contest due to a right upper arm contusion.

Freeman was forced to exit the game after being hit by a pitch on the right elbow in the second inning. Consider him day-to-day ahead of Thursday's series opener in Milwaukee.

Freeman was lifted from Wednesday's game after being hit by a pitch on the right elbow, David O'Brien of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

The Yankees' CC Sabathia plunked Freeman in the second inning and Freeman was later removed, with Charlie Culberson shifting to first base and Danny Santana entering the game in left. Freeman may be headed for an X-ray right away to determine the severity of the issue. The Braves open a four-game set in Milwaukee on Thursday.

Voit is hitting .476 (20-for-42) with four home runs and 13 RBI over his last 10 games with Triple-A Memphis.

That torrid stretch includes a jaw-dropping 12-for-15 tally over the last four games. The surge has brought Voit's minor-league slash line to .299/.384/.480 for the season, a level of success he hasn't sniffed in the big leagues thus far. While Voit generated a respectable .455 slugging percentage with the Cardinals during his 13 plate appearances this season, he's hit just .182 during that brief tenure. With Jose Martinez reportedly set to spend more time in right field due to defensive issues at first base, there may potentially be an opportunity for another callup for Voit at some point this summer.