MLB Player News

Bell is out of the lineup Sunday against the Cardinals, Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports.

Bell cemented himself as a regular in the Pirates' lineup from late August onward, finishing the second half of the season with a .351 on-base percentage to go with two homers in 126 at-bats. He'll give way to John Jaso at first base in the season finale.

Howard went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run in Saturday's 5-3 loss to the Mets.

The veteran slugger took Bartolo Colon deep in the fifth for his 25th bomb of the season, the third consecutive year in which he's eclipsed the 20-homer mark. Howard has hit safely in three of his last four games, giving him a chance to finish the season above the Mendoza Line if he's in the lineup Sunday for the final contest of 2016.

Freeman finished 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in Saturday's 5-3 win over the Tigers.

With a full count in the fourth, Freeman gave the Braves a 2-1 lead by taking a low, out-of-the-zone pitch from Jordan Zimmerman to center for a two-run home run. Freeman's home run -- his 34th on the year -- was his 83rd extra-base hit of 2016, bringing his total within just four of Chipper Jones' 1999 club-record.

Votto went 1-for-4 with a two-run homer in Friday's 7-3 loss to the Cubs.

The veteran first baseman made things a bit more interesting in the ninth with a 417-foot shot that plated Hernan Iribarren that cut the Reds' deficit to four. Votto has now hit safely in 11 of his last 12 games, with five mult-hit efforts over that span. He's also been flashing plenty of pop, with Friday's round-tripper his fourth over the last seven contests.

Rizzo went 1-for-4 with a two-run single and a run in Friday's 7-3 victory over the Reds.

The slugging first baseman came through with a timely hit in the eighth that plated Dexter Fowler and Kris Bryant. Rizzo enjoyed a solid September and has driven in seven runs over his last 11 games.

Bour went 3-for-4 with a pair of RBI singles, a double and a run in Friday's 7-4 victory over the Nationals.

Bour came through with run-scoring hits in the second and third innings. The three-hit night was an extension of what is now a torrid four-game stretch for Bour, during which he's 9-for-13 with two doubles, a triple, and three RBI, while also scoring three runs and drawing two walks.

Flores (wrist) will not return this season, Newsday's Marc Carig reports.

This comes as no surprise, as Flores has continued to suffer setbacks in his attempts to return to action. The Mets will continue to deploy the likes of T.J. Rivera and Kelly Johnson at the keystone over the final two games of the season and into the postseason.

Votto (face) is in the lineup Friday against the Cubs, Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Votto was hit in the face by an errant throw from the outfield in Thursday's contest and left the game as a result, but it would he appear he avoided serious damage as he's back in the lineup Friday. He'll handle first base and bat third against righty Jake Buchanan.

Votto was forced to leave Thursday's game against the Cardinals in the eighth inning after getting hit in the face by a throw from left field, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Votto had blooped a double, but was hit in the chin by an errant throw as he reached second base. The severity of the injury is unknown, but he did have a considerable amount of blood. The veteran was 3-for-4 before exiting the game.

Howard will not be in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Braves, Matt Gelb of the Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Howard started five of the last six games at first base and is expected to start all three of the Phillies' final three games this season, so manager Pete Mackanin decided to give him a day to rest. Tommy Joseph will man first base for the Phillies in Howard's place.