MLB Player News

Joseph is out of the lineup Monday against the Marlins, Jim Salisbury of CSN Philadelphia reports.

Phillies manager Pete Mackanin previously suggested that Ryan Howard would see his starts reduced over the final month of the season, but that hasn't been reflected in his lineup cards of late. Joseph, who was worked as the club's primary first baseman, has now ceded those duties to Howard in four of the club's last six games. It's perhaps due in part to Joseph's minor skid at the plate, as the 25-year-old has gone 2-for-19 over his last eight games.

Carter went 2-for-5 with his 32nd home run, three RBI and two runs of the season in Sunday's win over the Pirates.

He also chipped in a double. Saturday and Sunday's bombs mark the sixth time this season Carter has homered in back-to-back games; as his power tends to come in bunches, he might be in line for more as the Brewers head home for a three-game set against the Cubs beginning Monday.

Freeman went 2-for-3 with two walks, a double and a solo shot, his 29th home run of the season, in Sunday's win over the Phillies.

After slashing an impressive .313/.460/.688 in August with nine home runs, 24 RBI and 26 runs, Freeman has managed to find another gear to begin September, going 6-for-13 with seven walks, two homers, five RBI and six runs in four games.

Howard is out of the lineup Sunday against the Braves.

Howard didn't react positively to reports of his role being reduced, but he has still started back-to-back games following the announcement earlier this week. He'll give way to Tommy Joseph at first base Sunday, however, despite the fact that a right-hander is taking the hill for the opposing team.

Bell is out of the lineup Sunday against the Brewers.

Bell has started five straight and 12 of the last 13, but he'll take a seat Sunday in favor of John Jaso at first base. Over his last four games, he has just one base hit in 17 plate appearances.

Carter went 4-for-5 with a home run, three RBI and two runs in a 7-4 victory over the Pirates on Saturday.

He went deep in the sixth to put Milwaukee on the board and give the Brewers the lead. Then, his RBI single in the ninth provided an insurance run. Carter is hitting .300 with three homers and nine RBI versus the Pirates this season. He leads the league in strikeouts but also has 31 home runs.

Votto (neck) went 1-for-2 with a double, RBI, three walks and two runs in Saturday's 9-1 victory over the Cardinals.

It was a typical Votto stat line, with the former All-Star even driving in one run with a bases-loaded walk in the eighth. The 32-year-old had actually not drawn a free pass since his last three-walk outing, which came Aug. 26 against the D-backs. Votto now has hits in four straight and has his season line up to .310/.433/.526 following Saturday's effort.

Joseph is out of the lineup Saturday against the Braves.

Manager Pete Mackanin said earlier this week that he intends to play Joseph more down the stretch, but so far that has yet to materialize, as Joseph has been out of the lineup in each of the last two games. Ryan Howard will start at first base and hit cleanup Saturday against righty John Gant.

Freeman went 2-for-3 with a pair of doubles, one of which produced a ninth-inning go-ahead RBI, two walks and two runs in Friday's 8-4 victory over the Phillies.

The standout first baseman continued his recent tear, hitting safely for the ninth straight contest and getting on base four times overall. Freeman supplied an extremely timely piece of hitting in the ninth, blasting a two-bagger to left that brought in Ender Inciarte and snapped a 4-4 tie. He scored later in the frame on a Nick Markakis double, and is now 3-for-6 with Friday's doubles, a homer, four RBI, four runs and four walks over the first two games of September.

Votto (neck) is in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Cardinals, Jamie Ramsey of MLB.com reports.

Votto was held out of Friday's game with a stiff neck, but the setback will not prevent him from taking the field Saturday. Votto will man first base and hit third Saturday against Cardinals starter Jaime Garcia.