MLB Player News

Rizzo went 3-for-4 with a home run, two RBI, two runs, and two stolen bases in Thursday's victory over the Mets.

Rizzo collected just five hits over 30 at-bats (.167) in the nine games prior to Thursday's, but he showed signs of getting back on track by walking four times Wednesday, and he had no trouble seeing the ball in the finale of the Cubs' three-game sweep of the Mets. The two steals, which give him 10 for the year, don't hurt either.

Goldschmidt went 2-for-4 with a double and a run in Wednesday's 8-2 win over the Rockies.

The two-hit performance helped end a brief skid at the plate for the MVP candidate, who had gone 2-for-25 with three runs and three RBI over the past six contests. While Goldschmidt's September has gotten off to a slow start, the Diamondbacks' attack hasn't missed a beat thanks to the heroics of the slugger behind him in the order, J.D. Martinez, who has hit nine home runs in his 11 games on the month.

Smith is out of the lineup Wednesday against the Cubs.

Smith heads to the bench following 11 straight starts, hitting .262/.326/.476 with two home runs and eight RBI during that span. In his place, Matt Reynolds gets the nod at first base.

Bell entered Tuesday's game as a pinch hitter and went 0-for-2 against Milwaukee.

Pittsburgh continues to limit the switch hitter's time against left-handed pitching -- he didn't start against Tuesday southpaw Brent Suter. After a strong summer, Bell has slumped in September, slashing .214/.283/.310 with one homer and six RBI in 42 at-bats. Look for the first baseman to return to the starting lineup Wednesday against righty Chase Anderson, against whom Bell has one hit in four at-bats.

Freeman went 3-for-5 with a double, a home run, two runs scored and three RBI in Tuesday's win over the Nationals.

He's now slashing .378/.462/.689 in September with three homers and 11 RBI in 11 games, as Freeman tries to make up for the time he lost to a wrist injury earlier in the year. Expect him to continue swinging a hot bat as he makes a push for his second consecutive 30-homer season.

Joseph will continue to see his playing time limited with Rhys Hoskins expected to play more first base now that Aaron Altherr has returned from a hamstring injury, Jim Salisbury of CSN Philadelphia reports.

Joseph was out of the starting lineup the past four games and is going to have a hard time finding at-bats over the remainder of the season. He's a near lock to be dealt to another club this winter with Hoskins set to open next year as the Phillies' regular first baseman.

Manager Pete Mackanin said Hoskins will see more time at first base now that Aaron Altherr is back from his hamstring injury, Jim Salisbury of CSN Philadelphia reports.

Hoskins has made 24 starts in left field and 11 starts at first base since his promotion from Triple-A Lehigh Valley. He's likely to get 20-plus starts at first base this year, which will give him eligibility at two positions next season in fantasy leagues.

Cabrera (ankle) is back in the lineup Tuesday against the Cubs, manning third base and batting third against lefty Jose Quintana.

Cabrera was hit by a pitch during Sunday's game, but X-rays were negative and he won't even end up missing a start as a result of the injury. While the 31-year-old has just four homers since the All-Star break, two of those have come in September, and he's batting .343/.384/.429 against left-handed pitching this season.

Bell is out of Tuesday's lineup against the Brewers.

He has started 26 of the last 27 games, hitting .268/.355/.454 with four home runs in 97 at-bats over that span. Jose Osuna will start at first base and hit fifth.

Goldschmidt went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Sunday's win over the Padres.

This was great to see in just Goldschmidt's second game back from an elbow injury. He is now two home runs shy of matching his career high of 36 set in 2013. The Diamondbacks don't have an off-day until Sept. 21 and they could opt to give Goldschmidt a maintenance day for the elbow this week, so those in leagues that allow daily lineup changes should keep an eye out. Those in weekly formats appear safe to deploy him as normal.