MLB Player News

Rizzo (back) is out of the lineup against Miami on Thursday, Carrie Muskat of MLB.com reports.

Rizzo left Wednesday's game early with back stiffness and will get an off day Thursday to rest up. With left-hander Wei-Yin Chen on the mound for Miami, the Cubs don't lose much by starting righty Willson Contreras at first, who's hit two homers and driven in five RBI since his call up last week. Rizzo continues to be day-to-day as he nurses his stiff back.

Bour is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Cubs, Andre Fernandez of the Miami Herald reports.

Bour has seen action in six of the last seven games and so will get a rest as Chris Johnson makes a start at first base. Bour has been on a roll recently, going 10-for-20 in his last seven games to go along with two homers and six RBI.

Joseph (illness) has been scratched from Thursday's lineup, Matt Gelb of the Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

The young first baseman came down with a case of the cold Thursday, and although he was initially listed on the lineup card, the Phillies have since opted to leave him out for their series finale against the Twins. Andres Blanco will slide over to take Joseph's place at first base Thursday while Cesar Hernandez takes over at second base.

Goldschmidt reached base four times in Wednesday's loss to the Blue Jays, going 2-for-2 with two walks.

Goldschmidt entered June batting .269, but he's now got the average up to .290. A career .298 hitter, Goldschmidt figures to keep the hot hitting going and produce counting stats at an elite level.

Rizzo left Wednesday's game against the Cardinals due to back stiffness, Carrie Muskat of MLB.com reports.

Rizzo was scratched from a start earlier this month with back stiffness but returned after missing just one game. The 26-year-old has been scorching hot in June, hitting .287/.473/.758 with six home runs, 17 RBI and 13 runs in 18 games.

Bour went 2-for-3 with a two-run blast in the 3-0 victory over the Braves on Wednesday.

He is slashing .326/.404/.565 with three homers, 10 RBI and nine runs this month. Since June 13, Bour is 10-for-20 (.500) with three extra-base hits. He now has 12 bombs and 36 RBI this season.

Cabrera homered for the second straight day and drove in a pair of runs as part of a 2-for-3 game with a walk and two runs scored in a 4-3 win over the Royals on Wednesday.

Cabrera upped his average to .270 with a pair of hits, and with eight home runs and 24 RBI, he's posted solid shortstop production for deeper formats. His defense has been excellent all season and was on display again Wednesday. There have been rumors that the Mets might sign Jose Reyes when he passes through waivers, but Cabrera is fairly comfortably ensconced at shortstop.

Votto (illness) is not in the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Rangers.

Votto will miss his second consecutive game with an illness while Ivan De Jesus gets the start at first base in his place. After struggling through the first two months of the season, Votto has finally started to look like his normal self. The Toronto native is hitting .338/.482/.508 with two home runs, six RBI, 14 runs and four stolen bases since the start of June.

Howard is back at DH, batting fourth, against Minnesota on Tuesday, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

It's likely a temporary move as the Phillies do not normally have the luxury of utilizing the DH position. Howard has started only three of the last 11 games and he's batted 1-for-13 (.077) during that time. His season average has dipped to .145 as well, making the scenario of an option to the minors in the realm of possibilities.

Manager Bryan Price announced that Votto was left out of Tuesday's lineup due to an illness, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Adam Duvall will be seeing action at first base for just the third time this season Tuesday with Votto sitting out. Price referred to Votto's ailment as a "bug," so there is hope that the Canadian native won't be sidelined for long. If Votto is able to return to the lineup Wednesday, Duvall would likely move back to the outfield. Votto could also potentially serve as the DH on Wednesday in an effort to conserve his energy coming off an illness.