MLB Player News

Bour went 2-for-3 with a two-run blast in the 3-0 victory over the Braves on Wednesday.

He is slashing .326/.404/.565 with three homers, 10 RBI and nine runs this month. Since June 13, Bour is 10-for-20 (.500) with three extra-base hits. He now has 12 bombs and 36 RBI this season.

Cabrera homered for the second straight day and drove in a pair of runs as part of a 2-for-3 game with a walk and two runs scored in a 4-3 win over the Royals on Wednesday.

Cabrera upped his average to .270 with a pair of hits, and with eight home runs and 24 RBI, he's posted solid shortstop production for deeper formats. His defense has been excellent all season and was on display again Wednesday. There have been rumors that the Mets might sign Jose Reyes when he passes through waivers, but Cabrera is fairly comfortably ensconced at shortstop.

Votto (illness) is not in the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Rangers.

Votto will miss his second consecutive game with an illness while Ivan De Jesus gets the start at first base in his place. After struggling through the first two months of the season, Votto has finally started to look like his normal self. The Toronto native is hitting .338/.482/.508 with two home runs, six RBI, 14 runs and four stolen bases since the start of June.

Howard is back at DH, batting fourth, against Minnesota on Tuesday, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

It's likely a temporary move as the Phillies do not normally have the luxury of utilizing the DH position. Howard has started only three of the last 11 games and he's batted 1-for-13 (.077) during that time. His season average has dipped to .145 as well, making the scenario of an option to the minors in the realm of possibilities.

Manager Bryan Price announced that Votto was left out of Tuesday's lineup due to an illness, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Adam Duvall will be seeing action at first base for just the third time this season Tuesday with Votto sitting out. Price referred to Votto's ailment as a "bug," so there is hope that the Canadian native won't be sidelined for long. If Votto is able to return to the lineup Wednesday, Duvall would likely move back to the outfield. Votto could also potentially serve as the DH on Wednesday in an effort to conserve his energy coming off an illness.

Bour is back in the lineup, playing first base and batting fifth, against Atlanta on Tuesday, Andre Fernandez of the Miami Herald reports.

Bour was held out of the starting lineup the last two games but he's back out there for the start of a two game series with Atlanta. The 28-year-old has been crushing lately, homering twice with five runs and eight RBI over his last six games.

Votto is not in the lineup for Tuesday's game with the Rangers, Zach Buchanan of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Votto will cede the start at first base to Adam Duvall. In his absence Duvall will bat fifth. Duvall usually starts in left field, but today the Reds will go with an outfield combination of Jose Peraza, Billy Hamilton, and Jay Bruce instead while Votto gets some rest. Votto is on a five-game hitting streak, going 8-of-22 in that timespan.

Bour is out of the lineup Monday against the Rockies, Joe Frisaro of MLB.com reports.

This is the second day off in a row for Bour, likely to improve the hitting matchups as Colorado starts left-handed pitcher Jorge De La Rosa. Righty Chris Johnson will get the start in his place, but Bour should be back for Tuesday's contest against Bud Norris and the Braves.

Goldschmidt is not in the lineup for Monday's game against the Phillies, according to MLB.com's Steve Gilbert.

Goldschmidt is rolling right now with at least one hit in 13 straight games, but he had not had a day off since April 17, and manager Chip Hale decided that Monday was an opportune time to give Goldschmidt his first day off in over two months. With Goldschmidt opening Monday's game on the bench, Phil Gosselin will get the start at first base.

Rizzo went 3-for-4 with a home run, three RBI and a pair of runs scored in Sunday's win over the Pirates.

The Cubs offense ran rampant Sunday, hanging 10 runs on Pittsburgh despite promising rookie Jameson Taillon starting the contest, and Rizzo got the party started with an RBI single in the first before launching a solo homer in the sixth. He rounded off his night with another RBI single an inning later, raising his average to .272, which is his highest mark in over a month.