MLB Player News

A back tweak has Mets shortstop Wilmer Flores on the bench Thursday against Philadelphia, per Adam Rubin of ESPN New York.

Flores apparently sustained the minor injury in the game Wednesday. Consider him day-to-day for the remainder of the regular season.

Reds first baseman Joey Votto is sitting out Wednesday's game against the Cubs to deal with a stinger in his neck or upper back, Fox Sports Ohio's Jim Day reported in the Reds broadcast.

Votto has a significant on-base streak going, which could make it interesting if he is available for pinch-hit duty.

Reds first baseman Joey Votto isn't in the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Cubs. Votto has been a consistent presence in the Reds' lineup this season, appearing in 154 games and starting 152 at first base.

He'll get a rare day off Wednesday, however, with Adam Duvall moving in from left field to replace him at first base, batting sixth.

Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman has revealed that he has a small bone spur in his right wrist, Kevin McAlpin of 680 The Fan reports.

Freeman and the Braves are currently operating under the belief that surgery will not be necessary, but they will know more later in the week.

The 26 year old is not starting Wednesday and admitted he doesn't know if he will be able to again this season. He was adamant, however, that he will be available in a pinch-hitting role over the final few days.

Freeman missed more than a month earlier this season with an injury to the same wrist.

Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman (wrist) is a no-go Wednesday against Washington.

Freeman has dealt with injuries all year, but this time it finally seems to have caught up with him. It has been speculated that Atlanta might rule him out for the rest of the season considering they are well out of the playoff race, but no official statement has been announced. He's at this point considered day-to-day.

Phillies slugger Ryan Howard (knee) was available to pinch-hit Tuesday and could return to the lineup Wednesday, per CSN Philadelphia.

Howard has not played since Sept. 24, when he took a throw off his left knee while playing first base. The knee had to be drained after swelling up. Darin Ruf has been filling in at first base with Howard sidelined.

Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard (knee) is not in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Mets, according to Stephen Gross of The Morning Call.

The Phillies were hoping that Howard would be able to return to action Tuesday, but he remains sidelined with his knee injury. Darin Ruf will get the start at first base Tuesday.

Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo is out of the lineup Monday against the Royals.

Rizzo has now gone hitless in four of his last five games following an 0 for 3 performance at the dish Sunday. Kris Bryant will slide over from third base to replace him at first Monday, while Tommy La Stella will enter the lineup at third, batting cleanup.

Marlins first baseman Justin Bour mashed a pair of home runs in Sunday's win over the Braves, driving in three RBI.

The red-hot rookie is finishing his season with a bang. Bour has gone deep in three straight games and four of his last five contests. Sunday's multi-homer effort was Bour's first of his career, as he bumped his season total up to 23 to go along with 71 RBI over 424 plate appearances.

Bour's strong September (.304/.337/.620) will go a long way towards earning him the opportunity to open 2016 as the Marlins' regular first baseman.

Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard (knee) is expected to return to the Phillies' lineup as early as Tuesday against the Mets, MLB.com's Todd Zolecki reports. 

A bruised left knee has sidelined Howard for nearly two weeks, but he's demonstrated progress in recent days. He resumed taking batting practice Friday and appears fit to take the field as well, putting him on tap to see action in the final week of the regular season.