MLB Player News

Blandino missed the first week of the season for Double-A Pensacola with a thigh injury suffered in the World Baseball Classic, but has returned to action.

So far Blandino has struggled, going 1-for-16 in his first four games. This level is a step up for Blandino and a big one at that, moving from an offense-heavy league in the Cal League to a more pitcher-friendly one in the Southern League.

Goldschmidt is back in the lineup Monday against the Giants.

Goldschmidt was given the day off Sunday as the Diamondbacks finished out a series against the Padres, but he's back at first base as usual Monday. The slugger will bat third against Giants starter Jake Peavy.

Joseph went 1-for-4 with a run scored against Triple-A Rochester on Sunday.

Joseph missed three months of the 2015 season due to a concussion and could not seem to find any sort of groove when he did step foot on the diamond. The 24-year-old batted .193/.220/.301 in 45 games with Triple-A Lehigh Valley last season and was not invited to spring training for the first time since 2010. Joseph also struggled during his other stint in Triple-A, batting .209 in 67 at-bats during the 2013 season. Joseph is 6-for-19 through six games this year with Lehigh Valley. It's highly unlikely that Joseph will be called up to the majors until he proves he can handle Triple-A pitching for a period of time.

Cabrera went 2-for-5 with two runs scored and an RBI in Sunday's win over the Indians.

After failing to cross the plate through the first seven games of the season, Cabrera's now scored three runs in the last four contests, adding some actual production to his solid .308/.357/.359 slash line. As long as he keeps hitting second for the Mets, though, the counting stats should come.

Freeman went 2-for-4 with a walk, a run scored and an RBI in Sunday's 6-5 extra-inning win over the Marlins.

It's his first multi-hit game of the season, leaving Freeman with a weak slash line of .167/.348/.278. Better days will be ahead for the Braves' slugger, but the ragged lineup around him could limit his RBI chances even when he heats up.

Goldschmidt is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Padres, according to Jody Jackson of Fox Sports Arizona.

Goldschmidt went just 2-for-19 at the plate over his last five games, so manager Chip Hale decided to give him his first day off of the season Sunday. Phil Gosselin will get the start at first base in Goldschmidt's place.

Howard is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Nationals, according to MLB.com's Todd Zolecki.

Howard's absence is not particularly surprising given that the Philles are squaring off against Nationals lefty Gio Gonzalez. Darin Ruf will get the start at first base with the Phillies employing a righty-heavy lineup on Sunday afternoon.

Rizzo was 1-for-3 with a solo homer in Saturday's 6-2 victory over the Rockies.

Rizzo and Jorge Soler went back-to-back with solo homers in the fourth versus Christan Bergman. It was the slugger's first dinger since Apr. 7 versus the D-Backs, ending a seven-game drought. Despite the power surge Saturday, Rizzo is only 2-for-22 over his last six outings, and is hitting .200 over his first 11 games.

Cabrera is hitting .294 but has just one batted in and a .704 on-base plus slugging percentage.

Cabrera, after very slow start, hit 15 home runs last year and has blasted at least 14 his last five seasons. The power and runs batted in should come, though it looks like the Mets and his fantasy owners will need to be patient to see them.

Bour went 2-for-3 with a homer, two RBI, two runs and a walk Saturday against the Braves.

Bour's first bomb of the season brought the Marlins within two runs in the sixth inning of a game they'd go on to lose. He's now hit safely in seven of his eight games while raising his batting average to .333.