MLB Player News

Smith was not in the lineup Thursday at Triple-A Las Vegas, and he's expected to be called up soon, Kristie Ackert of the New York Daily News reports.

The first baseman is set to take his place on the major-league club following the Thursday trade of Lucas Duda to the Rays. After a crisp climb through the ranks, Smith has nothing left to prove at the highest minors level given his .337/.390/.524 line with 15 homers, 68 RBI and 72 runs scored across 449 plate appearances this year. Fantasy owners who still can grab him should do so as soon as possible.

Goldschmidt went 2-for-3 with a walk and a run scored in Thursday's 4-0 win over the Cardinals.

With one home run since the All-Star break and none in his last 11 starts, Goldschmidt hasn't lived up to his billing as the team's top power threat, but fortunately for the Diamondbacks, recent addition J.D. Martinez hit a grand slam Thursday and has picked up the slack. Goldschmidt has at least remained a pillar in batting average and on-base percentage for fantasy owners, as he's now put together three consecutive two-hit performances and five straight games with at least one walk.

Rizzo went 2-for-4 with a solo home run and a steal in Thursday's win over the White Sox.

Rizzo now has four home runs and 11 RBI since the All-Star break. With 24 home runs on the season, the slugging first baseman has a good shot of topping his career high of 32 home runs in a season, a mark he reached in 2014 and 2016.

Rizzo went 3-for-4 with a double and four RBI during Wednesday's win over the White Sox.

The first baseman now has three doubles, three home runs, 10 RBI, seven runs and an .886 OPS through 12 games out of the All-Star break. With the Cubs beginning to click offensively, Rizzo projects to have a strong second half, and he's already positioned himself to top 30 homers and 100 RBI for the third consecutive campaign.

Joseph could be splitting time at first base with Rhys Hoskins over the final two months of the season, Bob Brookover of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Hoskins is ready for a promotion to the majors, but Joseph has been productive as the Phillies' regular first baseman this season. Neither player is an option in the outfield and both hit right-handed, which leaves the Phillies having to consider a time share at first base. The Phils are willing to trade Joseph, but the market for first basemen is limited at the moment. A trade may have to wait until the offseason.

Goldschmidt went 2-for-2 with a pair of doubles, three walks and three runs against the Braves on Wednesday.

He's been an on-base machine lately, drawing eight walks while collecting five hits in 12 at-bats over the last four games. Goldy is also in the midst of an 11-game homer drought, though, and over his last 27 contests, he's hit an uncharacteristically weak .255 with only three homers while striking out at an increased clip. It's quite conceivable that these last few games are indicating a turnaround in progress, though; it's hard not to believe in Goldschmidt at this point.

Alonso missed time this season with a hand injury, J.J. Cooper of Baseball America reports.

The Mets' first baseman prospect is slashing .265/.330/.507 with High-A St. Lucie this season, including 12 home runs and 15 doubles in 211 at-bats. The power numbers make Alonso attractive in deeper dynasty formats, as he projects as a possible cleanup hitter one day in the big leagues if he can hit right-handed pitchers.

Bour was placed on the 10-day DL on Tuesday with a right oblique strain, Andre Fernandez of the Miami Herald reports.

It is unclear how much time the Marlins' slugger will miss with the injury, but he will likely be out until at least mid-August. Tomas Telis was promoted from Triple-A as a corresponding move, but Tyler Moore is expected to see the bulk of the starts at first base while Bour is sidelined.

Hoskins went 1-for-4 with his 23rd home run of the season Monday for Triple-A Lehigh Valley.

Hoskins has now smacked three long balls in four games, bringing him into a tie with teammate Dylan Cozens for the International League lead. The first baseman has shown that his 38-homer breakout with Double-A Reading -- one of the more favorable hitting environments in the Eastern League -- wasn't a mirage, as his slugging percentage and OPS this season at Lehigh Valley are roughly in line with what he posted in 2016.

Bell went 3-for-5 with an RBI double Monday against the Giants.

He's slashing .364/.400/.652 with three homers and 17 RBI in his last 70 plate appearances, lifting his batting average to its highest mark (.253) since May 24. Bell's recent hot streak started after his only off-day of the season July 4. With 18 homers and an .818 OPS, the first baseman might be better positioned for NL Rookie of the Year honors if not for the Dodgers' Cody Bellinger.