MLB Player News

Rizzo is not in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Giants, according to Bruce Miles of the Daily Herald.

Rizzo will get a day off with the Cubs using a lineup full of right-handed hitters against Giants starter Madison Bumgarner. Rizzo tallied two hits Friday, but a day off Saturday may not be the worst thing, given that he is 3-for-16 (.188) with seven strikeouts lifetime against Bumgarner. Kris Bryant will fill in at first base in Rizzo's place.

Howard started at first base Friday and went 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI in an 8-4 loss to the Braves.

Manager Pete Mackanin said earlier this week that Howard's role would be reduced, which led to Howard voicing his displeasure in the media. On Friday, Mackanin clarified his position, telling Jim Salisbury of CSN Philadelphia that Howard would "get more playing time than he thinks." Howard has made a case for playing time with a .295/.330/.632 slash line and nine home runs since the beginning of July.

Votto is being held out of the Reds' lineup Friday due to a stiff neck, C. Trent Rosecrans of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

It appeared that Votto was getting a routine day off when he was not included in Friday's lineup, but now it's clear he is actually sitting out due to a minor injury. Votto is considered day-to-day with his setback, so he should have a chance to return to the lineup as soon as Saturday.

Carter is not in the lineup for Friday's matchup against the Pirates.

Milwaukee's slugger hasn't recorded a hit in three consecutive games, so he'll get the night off as Hernan Perez heads to first. Carter will likely return to the lineup Saturday for Milwaukee's game against Pittsburgh.

Flores is in the lineup, starting at first base Friday against Washington.

Flores is splitting time at first base against lefties while James Loney sits and at second base when Kelly Johnson sits, but Neil Walker's season-ending injury means that Flores is seeing additional time at the keystone spot. He has shown he can hit lefties and he will get additional chances to produce against righties due to all the Mets' injuries.

Cabrera is in the lineup for Friday's matchup against Washington.

Cabrera hit a home run as a pinch hitter in Thursday's game, but will return to his starting spot at second base Friday against A.J. Cole and the Nationals. Over the last seven games, Cabrera has gone 9-for-19 with five home runs and nine RBI.

Votto is out of the lineup Friday against the Cardinals.

He has started the last nine games, hitting .343/.400/.629 over that stretch, and the Reds will opt to give him a day off Friday. Despite playing on one of the worst teams in baseball, Votto is still putting up his typically eye-popping numbers, and remains one of the top first basemen in fantasy, especially in OBP and points leagues. Ivan De Jesus will start at first base and hit eighth Friday.

Freeman went 1-for-3 with his 28th homer, two walks, three RBI and two runs in a win over the Padres on Thursday.

He got the scoring started in the third with a two-run homer, then drew a bases-loaded walk in the fifth as the Braves built their lead. One of few bright spots for the Braves this year, Freeman now has hits in eight straight games and 19 of his last 20. If you've been following him over these last three weeks, it'll come as no surprise that his numbers over that span are spectacular -- he's hitting .377 with nine homers, 23 RBI, 21 runs and an incredible 21:14 BB:K.

Bour (ankle) could return as early as next week, Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald reports.

Sidelined since early July, Bour is finally nearing a return after dealing with a number of setbacks in his recovery from a severely sprained ankle. While the Marlins continue to handle the situation with caution, it appears as though Bour could be set for a return sometime during the team's upcoming homestand, which begins Monday against the Phillies and concludes Sunday against the Dodgers. Bour would likely be used as a pinch hitter, initially, before playing the field.

Cabrera is not in the lineup Thursday against Miami.

After starting the last two games, Cabrera will return to the bench as the Mets attempt to limit the strain on the sore knee that kept him out of the lineup earlier in the week. Jose Reyes will shift over to shortstop and continue to bat in the leadoff spot Thursday.