MLB Player News

Howard will not play in the next three or four games in order to give Tommy Joseph a chance according to manager Pete Mackanin, Meghan Montemurro of The News Journal reports.

It appears that Mackanin wants to get Tommy Joseph in the lineup more in order to put out the best possible lineup for the Phillies. It was reported that Howard handled the news professionally and with class, which is good for the clubhouse morale. Howard will now hit the bench and try to regroup while Joseph seems to be in a position to grab the starting first base job moving forward.

Howard is not in the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Nationals, Jim Salisbury of Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia reports.

Howard had been typically getting the starts against right-handed pitching, but the Phillies have been giving Tommy Joseph more playing time recently because of Howard's struggles at the plate. The 36-year-old is hitting just .154 and will likely continue to lose playing time should he fail to perform.

Joseph is in the lineup and batting fourth for Wednesday's game against the Nationals, Jim Salisbury of Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia reports.

Joseph is hitting .270/.275/.541 with three home runs through 13 games this season and is looking at more playing time should he continue to produce offensively.

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

With southpaw Jon Niese on the mound for Pittsburgh, the Marlins loaded up their lineup with right-handed hitters, pushing Bour to the bench in favor of Chris Johnson. Bour is hitting .248/.319/.483 with nine home runs and 26 RBI through 45 games this season and will likely return to the lineup for the series finale Friday.

Goldschmidt went 3-for-4 in Tuesday's loss to the Astros and now has hits in six straight games.

Over the six-game stretch, Goldschmidt is 10-for-20, and he's bumped his season batting average from .240 to .269 in the process. Given Goldy's track record, it was only a matter of time before his bat heated up. He should be one of fantasy's top contributors the rest of the way.

Manager Pete Mackanin said Monday that Howard has not been benched, but he will lose some playing time to Tommy Joseph moving forward, Ryan Lawrence of the Philly Voice reports.

Mackanin felt the need to clarify Howard's role after his comments over the weekend about playing Tommy Joseph more were misconstrued by some reporters. Howard was in the lineup Monday and went 1-for-4 with an RBI and two strikeouts. He is no longer in a straight platoon with Joseph at first base. The two will share time at the position with Joseph still getting all of the starts against lefties.

Rizzo went 1-for-3 with an RBI in Monday's win against the Dodgers.

The first baseman has now driven in a run in each of his last two games after a brutal 3-for-41 slump. Rizzo has still been a strong run producer despite his struggles at the plate this year, recording 11 home runs and driving in 37 batters. He should propel his average closer to last season's .278 in short order.

Bour is not in the lineup for Monday's game against the Pirates, according to MLB.com's Joe Frisaro.

Bour will be held out Monday with the Marlins employing a righty-heavy lineup against Pirates starter Jeff Locke. Chris Johnson will get the start at first base in Bour's place.

Howard will start at first base and bat cleanup Monday against the Nationals, Ryan Lawrence of the Philly Voice reports.

Howard will get what will be just his second start in the last eight games for the Phillies, as Tommy Joseph continues to see the majority of the starts at first base. A .154 batting average and 33.1 percent strikeout rate has made Howard more of an offensive liability in the early parts of 2016, so Monday's move doesn't necessarily mean he'll be in line for more playing time any time soon.

Joseph is out of the lineup Monday against the Nationals, Ryan Lawrence of the Philly Voice reports.

Joseph has been stealing meaningful playing time from Ryan Howard of late, starting six of the previous seven games at first base. He'll get the day off Monday, however, while Howard bats cleanup in the order against right-hander Tanner Roark.