MLB Player News

Goldschmidt is not in the lineup Saturday against the Nationals.

Mark Feinsand of MLB.com described it as a day off for Goldschmidt, his first of the season. Goldschmidt is striking out at an elevated clip so far in 2018 (28.4 percent), but he's hit safely in 13 of his last 16 games, bringing his slash up closer to what we would expect from the five-time All-Star. It's worth noting that all four of his home runs so far have come on the road.

Alonso went 3-for-4 with a walk, a home run, two runs scored and three RBI for Double-A Binghamton in Friday's win over Erie.

It was his third straight multi-hit performance, and Alonso now boasts a ridiculous .397/.500/.730 slash line through 19 games with five homers and 14 RBI. Encouragingly, the 23-year-old is enjoying plenty of success against same-side pitching to begin 2018, with four of his five home runs coming off RHP. The sample sizes are still very small, but if Alonso can maintain more even splits than he has in the past, the Mets' No. 1 fantasy prospect could overtake Dominic Smith in the organization's eyes as their first baseman of the future given his superior power potential.

Cabrera went 2-for-4 with a three-run homer and two runs to help the Mets to a 5-1 victory over the Padres on Friday.

After going 0-for-6 in his return to action coming off a sore hamstring Thursday, Cabrera got back on track with an explosive effort that brought his average up to .333 and his OPS to .970 through 93 at-bats. Consider him fully healthy and good to go moving forward.

Votto went 3-for-3 with a solo home run and two runs in the Reds' 15-9 win over the Twins on Friday.

Votto seems intent on showing his slow start to the season is a thing of the past, as his fifth-inning long ball off Tyler Duffey marked his fourth straight game with a homer after going the first 21 games of the season without one. The 34-year-old is now slashing .280/.393/.430 and he looks fully primed to resume his status as one of the best hitters in baseball.

Goldschmidt went 3-for-5 with a pair of doubles and a run scored in the Diamondbacks' 8-2 win over the Phillies on Thursday.

Goldschmidt is now up to seven doubles and 13 extra-base hits on the season, placing him fifth in the National League in the latter category. Since April 10, Goldschmidt has slashed .385/.467/.769 with four home runs, two steals, eight RBI and 14 runs, more than atoning for his 4-to-34 start to the season.

Freeman went 3-for-4 with a walk, three doubles and a run scored in Thursday's win over the Reds.

The first baseman has been raking over the last week, hitting .400 (12-for-30) with seven extra-base hits (five doubles, two homers), five RBI and six runs. Despite the buzz being generated by Ronald Acuna and Ozzie Albies, Freeman remains the heart of the Braves' offense, and with additional support from the youngsters he could be headed for a career year.

Cabrera (hamstring) will play second base and bat third against the Cardinals on Thursday, Matt Ehalt of The Record reports.

Cabrera was held out of Wednesday's game due to a sore right hamstring but doesn't appear to be dealing with any lingering effects as he's back in the starting nine for the series finale in St. Louis. Through 21 games, Cabrera is hitting .349/.391/.590 with four home runs and 12 RBI.

Blandino will make his first MLB start at second base and bat eighth Thursday against the Braves, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Since being recalled from Triple-A Louisville on April 9, Blandino has received all nine of his starts at third base, settling in as the primary option at the position while Eugenio Suarez (hand) was on the disabled list. With Suarez having made tremendous progress in his recovery and gaining clearance to come off the disabled list and return to the lineup Thursday, Blandino will no longer be in store for regular reps at the hot corner, but he'll stick in the starting nine thanks to his ability to play elsewhere in the infield. It's worth noting, however, that Blandino's inclusion in the lineup over the lefty-hitting Scooter Gennett likely has more to do with the fact that a southpaw (Sean Newcomb) is starting for the Braves. Expect Blandino to ride the pine more frequently and act as a utility man so long as he sticks around with the big club.

Votto went 2-for-4 with a walk and a two-run home run in Wednesday's 5-4 loss to the Braves.

After a slow start to the season, Votto's now gone yard in back-to-back games while driving in at least one run in four straight and reaching base in 10 straight. His .256/.363/.337 slash line is still well below his usual standards, but now that he seems to be getting into a groove at the plate, his numbers should rise quickly.

Cabrera is sitting out of Wednesday's game due to a sore right hamstring, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

It initially seemed like a routine night off for the veteran infielder, but manager Mickey Callaway clarified that an injury is actually in play. No MRI has been scheduled as of yet. Wilmer Flores will fill in for him at second for the evening.