MLB Player News

Diamondbacks first baseman Paul Goldschmidt wasn't going to stay quiet for long. The MVP candidate broke out of a slump in a big way on Saturday, as he went 4 for 5 in the 11-7 win over the Reds.

Goldschmidt hit two home runs, drove in four runs, scored three and even stole a base, as he filled up the box score on Saturday. He launched a two-run home run in the first inning to give the D-Backs an early 3-0 lead. He added another two-run shot in the seventh, giving him 24 longballs on the year.

He also stole his 20th base, giving him his first-career 20-20 season.

Goldschmidt had gone 22 games since his previous home run, which came back on July 27.

Rockies first baseman Ben Paulsen isn't in the starting lineup for Saturday's game. Paulsen has started 55 games, including the last seven. 

Paulsen is being replaced in the lineup by Matt McBride, who gets his second start of the season at the position. 

Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard went 3 for 5 with a run scored and two RBI in Friday's win over Miami.

Howard had his first three-hit game since August 1 and hit three doubles, giving him six total bases for the first time since July 25. 

Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman has officially been activated from the 15-day disabled list, and is in Wednesday's starting lineup against the Padres. Freeman has been out since early August with an oblique strain.

Freeman has played in just 76 games this season, as he also missed time earlier this year with a wrist injury. 

He is batting third against the Padres on Wednesday. 

The Braves sent infielder Joey Terdoslavich down to Triple-A following Tuesday's loss to the Padres, the team announced. Terdoslavich is hitting .214 in 56 at-bats this season.

Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman joined the team in San Diego on Tuesday, per the Atlanta Journal Constitution.

Freeman had been on a minor league rehab assignment, as he recovers from an oblique injury that landed him on the disabled list. He is expected to be activated from the DL on Wednesday.

Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman took batting practice prior to Saturday's game against the Diamondbacks. Freeman is currently on the disabled list with an oblique injury, but he seems to be nearing a return.

Freeman said his wrist and oblique are "100 percent". He is expected to play a couple of games with Triple-A Gwinnett as part of his rehab, and could return as early as Wednesday in San Diego, according to the Braves Radio Network.

First baseman Joey Votto was the lone source of offense for the Reds on Friday night. Votto went 2 for 4 with a double and a two-run home run, as the Reds fell to the Dodgers 5-3.

Votto drove in all three runs, plating one with a first-inning RBI double, followed by his two-run homer in the sixth inning. 

In what has otherwise been a dismal season for the Reds, Votto is in the midst of another fine campaign. He has homered twice in the past three games and he has 21 longballs this year.

Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman went 0 for 3 at the plate during his first rehab assignment game for the team's Rookie League affiliate on Thursday. He also struck out twice.

Freeman is on the disabled list with an oblique injury. Freeman played five innings Thursday and will increase his workload during the next contest.

Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman, whose return from the disabled list was short-lived when he injured his oblique, will begin a rehab assignment with the team's Gulf Coast League affiliate on Thursday, per MLB.com. 

Freeman, who was placed on the DL on Aug. 4, will play five innings Thursday and increase his workload going forward per Braves president John Hart. 

"It's encouraging what he's been able to do on his rehab," Hart said. "I think there's a good chance we get him back on the 19th [of August]."

Hart also added that he thought Freeman may have suffered the injury in part because he came back too soon from the wrist injury that sidelined him since June.