MLB Player News

Votto went 1-for-3 with a walk and a two-run home run in Wednesday's 5-4 loss to the Blue Jays.

He gave the Reds a quick lead in the top of the first inning with his 14th homer of the year and second in as many games, although it didn't hold up. Votto's BABIP is about 100 points lower than the level he's established over the last two seasons, but his .986 OPS is right in line with his 2015-16 performances, so the drastic increase in his flyball rate that's fueling his power spike hasn't harmed his overall production -- even if it's changed the shape of that production from a fantasy perspective.

Bour went 2-for-2 with two walks, a double and a run scored in Tuesday's win over the Phillies.

His outstanding May continues, and Bour now has a .341/.429/.681 slash line on the month with nine homers, 18 RBI and 16 runs -- and one day to go. The first baseman's current .919 OPS would be the highest of his career if he can keep it up.

Cabrera went 3-for-5 with a double, a run scored and an RBI in Tuesday's extra-inning win over the Brewers.

He seems to be fully recovered from his thumb injury, and Cabrera now has six hits, four runs and three RBI in his last three games. The veteran shortstop now has a .265/.338/.390 slash line, which is in line with his career numbers, but he may need to pick up the pace to keep his job with Wilmer Flores hitting well on the Mets' bench and top prospect Amed Rosario tearing up Triple-A.

Bell is out of the lineup Wednesday against the Diamondbacks.

With two teams playing a day game after a night game, Pirates manager Clint Hurdle will give Bell a breather in the series finale, marking his first day off since May 11. The move to the bench could do some good for Bell, who had gone on a home-run binge in mid May before closing out the month with a whimper. Over his last 11 games, Bell has gone 6-for-43 (.140 average) with no home runs and two RBI. Jose Osuna takes Bell's spot at first base.

Votto went 1-for-4 with a solo home run and a walk in Tuesday's loss in Toronto.

Votto took the first pitch he saw from J.A. Happ over the center field fence, going back-to-back with teammate Zack Cozart. Votto has heated up in May, hitting .308 and posting an OPS of 1.016. His 13 long balls and 40 RBI rank seventh and sixth, respectively, in the National League. Look for him to continue to be one of the best first base options in baseball.

Votto has already popped out six times this season after averaging 4.6 infield flies per season over his career, MLB.com's Keegan Matheson reports.

In the past Votto has assiduously avoided pop-ups, as they are near-certain outs. Has he changed his approach to get more loft in his swing, or is this more of a statistical anomaly? The trend across baseball has been to encourage more of a loft among power hitters - the consequence of which usually is to add more power at the expense of batting average.

Flores went 3-for-4 with a run scored in Monday's 4-2 win over the Brewers.

Flores has done nothing but hit in part-time duty for the Mets in 2017. He's hitting .313 on the year in 100 plate appearances, a stat buoyed by his .393 average in May. The 25-year-old's lofty .333 BABIP screams regression, given his career .276 mark, but Flores can play all around the infield and should remain a nice utility player to own in deeper leagues.

Cabrera went 2-for-4 with a double, two RBI and a run scored in Sunday's win over the Pirates.

He's now gone 3-for-14 with two doubles since returning to the starting lineup. Cabrera's thumb seems fine, and fantasy GMs should feel safe plugging him back into their active rosters again.

Goldschmidt is not in the starting lineup Sunday against the Brewers.

Goldschmidt has started 50 of 51 possible games for the Diamondbacks this season, with his last day off coming all the way back on April 24. While he takes a seat for the series finale, David Peralta will bat third in the order, and Daniel Descalso will get the nod at first base.

Joseph went 2-for-4 with a homer and two RBI on Saturday against the Reds.

Joseph's eighth blast of the year broke a 2-2 tie in a game the Phillies would go on to win. After a slow start in April, he's now launched six bombs this month to raise his slugging percentage to .476, and he's been a solid fantasy option during May.