MLB Player News

Carter went 2-for-4 with a double and a two-run homer Thursday at the Dodgers.

Carter's 18th bomb of the year extended the Brewers' lead to three runs in a game they'd go on to win. He's now connected on five homers this month, and he's slugging .526.

Joseph said he has noticed an increase in off-speed pitches of late from opposing pitchers, Matt Gelb of the Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Joseph hit .323 with seven home runs over his first 21 games in the majors, but is hitting just .083 with seven strikeouts over his last six games. His strikeout rate has more than doubled from his rate at Triple-A this season. He will need to make adjustments and capitalize when he does get fastballs to hit to prove he belongs in the majors long term. The Phillies will give him plenty of rope to prove himself this year as they continue to look toward the future.

X-rays on Flores' left hand came back negative Thursday, but he still may miss one-to-two games in order to recover, James Wagner of The New York Times reports.

Flores exited Thursday's game in the third inning after being hit on the hand by a pitch. X-rays revealed no fractures, but he was diagnosed with a left hand contusion. If manager Terry Collins opts to hold him out Friday, the recently recalled Ty Kelly or the veteran Kelly Johnson could be called upon to take over at third base.

Freeman went 3-for-4 with a homer, two RBI and two runs Thursday afternoon against the Reds.

Apparently, facing Cincy was just the prescription Freeman needed to get his bat on track; over the course of this four-game series, he banged out 10 hits, including three homers, two doubles and a triple -- lifting his OPS by 82 points in the process. While that's exciting, it's hard to ignore how ineffective Freeman and the rest of the Braves were all season before this series; they'll need to maintain this offensive surge to make Freeman more than a fringe starter in shallower formats.

Flores left Thursday's game in the third inning with a left hand contusion, Kristie Ackert of the New York Daily News reports.

The Mets immediately sent Flores for X-rays after he was hit by a pitch near his wrist in the bottom of the second inning. Fortunately, the tests came back negative for any fracture, although Flores' status for Friday is uncertain. Kelly Johnson replaced Flores at third base.

Flores left Thursday's game after being on the wrist by a pitch, Kristie Ackert of the New York Daily News reports.

He stayed in initially after the hit-by-pitch in the second inning, but was ultimately lifted for Kelly Johnson in the bottom of the third. The extent of the injury is uncertain, but expect the Mets to continue leaning on Johnson at the hot corner if Flores is forced to miss additional time.

Freeman collected MLB's first cycle of 2016 against the Reds on Wednesday, going 4-for-7 with an RBI and two runs in a 13-inning win.

Yeah, it took him extras to accomplish the feat, with Freeman's 11th-inning single to right center making it official. The Braves' first baseman has had two big games in this ongoing four-game series against the Reds, as he also racked up three hits and a homer Monday. However, thanks to Atlanta's sad-sack offense, Freeman's stats remain depressed -- particularly his RBI total, which stands at a meager 22 despite 11 homers, but also his career-low .257 average.

Flores went 2-for-4, including hitting his second home run of the season, and drove in four runs in an 11-2 win over the Pirates on Wednesday.

Flores had just five RBI coming into Wednesday's game, and he nearly doubled it. He's gone 15-for-40 (.375) this month, taking advantage of the additional playing time afforded to him with David Wright sidelined due to a herniated disk in his neck. Wright may opt to undergo surgery, which would keep him out for three months, giving Flores additional value.

Howard is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Blue Jays.

With the Phillies' interleague series headed back to Philadelphia, the DH spot is no longer an option so Howard will head back to the bench. Tommy Joseph will start at first base and he'll continue to do so for the foreseeable future, which severely caps any remaining value Howard has.

Carter is out of the lineup Wednesday against the Giants.

Manager Craig Counsell wanted to keep Jonathan Lucroy's bat in the order for Wednesday's afternoon tilt so he slid him to first base, which bumped Carter to the bench. Carter figures to rejoin the lineup for Thursday's series opener against the Dodgers.