MLB Player News

A matchup against Washington southpaw Gio Gonzalez and a mini-slump have Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard out of the lineup Thursday.

Howard, who has just one hit in his last 12 at-bats, is batting .229 agaisnt left-handers and is 0 for 11 lifetime against Gonzalez.

The Indians have traded shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera to the Nationals prior to Thursday's trade deadline, according to MLB.com.

Cabrera has been considered a likely candidate to be traded leading up to the deadline, as he is stuck in his second down season in a row. Cabrera is hitting .246/.305/.386 with nine home runs and 40 RBI in 97 games for the Indians. 

Diamondbacks prolific first baseman Paul Goldschmidt wiped out a scoreless tie in the sixth inning Wednesday in Cincinnati with a two-run homer that put his team ahead to stay.

Despite his first homer since July 19, Goldschmidt is scuffling a bit. He has just seven hits in his last 39 at-bats as his stat line has been weakened to a still-fine .301/.396/.545.

First baseman Freddie Freeman certainly can't be blamed for his team's loss Tuesday night to the host Dodgers.

Freeman gave his team a brief lead with a two-run homer in the third inning. He added a single and walk to push his on-base percentage on the year to a fine .376.

Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard belted his 16th home run Sunday against the Diamondbacks. 

In his first at-bat, Howard homered on the first pitch he saw from Vidal Nuno. He crushed a 90 mph to left center for a two-run shot. He finished 1 for 3, with two runs scored and two RBI. 

Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard is back in the starting lineup Saturday against the Diamondbacks for the first time since Tuesday.

The Phillies have been giving Howard time off recently due to his struggles, and have discussed the possibility of using him in a platoon moving forward. 

Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. told reporters that first baseman Ryan Howard still has a future with the club. This comes a day after CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman reported that the Phillies were trying to deal Howard before the July 31 deadline.

"I fully expect him to be our first baseman next year," Amaro said. "I don't know where people are coming up with him not having a future with us. He's a very big part of our organization."

The Phillies are attempting to deal first baseman Ryan Howard, according to CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman.

Trading Howard may be difficult. The 34-year-old is hitting just .224/.305/.377 over 371 at-bats, and is owed nearly $70 million on his current deal. The Phillies would likely have to eat a significant amount of money if Howard is dealt. 

The Mets recalled infielder Wilmer Flores from Triple-A Las Vegas Thursday. To clear a roster spot, outfielder Kirk Nieuwenhuis was optioned to Las Vegas.

The Mets have recalled Wilmer Flores, who will join the team in Milwaukee Thursday, the team announced. A corresponding move has not yet been announced.

Earlier in the week, manager Terry Collins told reporters he did not expect Flores to be called up soon, despite hitting .323/.367/.568 in 55 games at Triple-A Las Vegas. His expected role is not yet known.