MLB Player News

Flores (wrist) received another cortisone shot Monday, Matt Ehalt of The Record reports.

Flores first received a cortisone shot Friday, but it seems the infielder needed another one to ease the pain in his wrist. These shots typically take a few days to get the players back to game preparedness, so Flores could return to the lineup later this week if all goes as planned.

Howard (knee) remains out of the lineup Tuesday against the White Sox.

Howard had told reporters that he was aiming for a Tuesday return, but evidently the knee is still presenting issues as Tommy Joseph is slated to start at first base again for Philadelphia. Regardless, Howard seems confident that he will be able to return at some point soon as he looks to finish his farewell tour with the club on a high note.

Freeman went 4-for-5 with a double, a homer, three RBI and two runs against the Mets on Monday.

The Braves, still short of 60 wins, are left playing spoiler at this point, and Freeman's monstrous game helped them spoil the Mets' momentum in this one. The star first baseman now has a 23-game hitting streak going, and his numbers during that streak are outstanding -- a .367 average with five homers, 22 RBI and 18 runs. Fantasy owners who worried that the Braves' terrible offense would hold Freeman back have mostly been proven wrong; no, he probably won't get to 100 RBI, but the lefty slugger now has 31 homers and 41 doubles to go with his .302 average, and he might just score 100 runs for the first time.

Goldschmidt is not in the lineup Monday against the Padres, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

Goldschmidt hasn't gotten a day off since the end of August, so he'll take a seat to rest for Monday's series opener. Kyle Jensen will fill in for the 29-year-old for the evening, but you can expect Goldy to reenter the lineup Tuesday and likely stay there for the rest of the season.

Howard, who is day-to-day with a left knee injury, told reporters he could be ready to play by Tuesday, Stephen Gross of the Philadelphia Morning Call reports.

Howard was a late scratch from Saturday's lineup and was once again held out in Sunday's series finale. The team had a day off Monday, and the veteran first baseman is optimistic that will give him enough rest to be ready to return Tuesday. Until Howard resurfaces, Tommy Joseph should see regular starts at first base.

Flores, who received a cortisone shot in his injured wrist Friday, was unable to swing a bat Sunday, marking the ninth day he has been sidelined, Adam Rubin of ESPN reports

With two weeks left in the regular season, there is a decent possibility that Flores will make it back for game action. Cortisone shots usually take a few days to take full effect, so the hope is that Flores returns to active duty sometime during the next several days.

Cabrera is out of the lineup Sunday against the Twins, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

The usual shortstop will get a rare day off, as the Mets give Matt Reynolds a start Sunday. Reynolds will bat eighth in the order against Minnesota's Kyle Gibson.

Howard (knee) is out of the lineup Sunday against the Marlins, Matt Gelb of the Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Howard was scratched from Saturday's lineup due to some swelling in his knee, and it seems the inflammation hasn't gone down enough to allow him to play Sunday. Tommy Joseph will slot in at first base in his stead. Consider Howard day-to-day for the time being.

Joseph went 2-for-4 with a home run and two RBI in Saturday's 8-0 win over the Marlins.

The homer was Joseph's 20th of the season. He wasn't even supposed to be in the lineup Saturday, but Ryan Howard was scratched due to soreness and fluid in his left knee. Joseph could get another start Sunday if Howard is not ready to return to the lineup.

Carter went 1-for-4 with a grand slam and walk in Saturday's 11-3 victory over the Cubs.

The slugging first baseman put a capper on the Brewers' offensive outburst with a 436-foot shot to left that brought home Manny Pina, Jonathan Villar and Scooter Gennett. Carter now has 15 RBI in September, equaling his second-best monthly total on the season in just 16 games. Carter is now just two homers and two RBI away from equaling his career bests in those respective categories.