MLB Player News

Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard was out of the lineup for the second game in a row Thursday against the Giants in favor of Darin Ruf, and manager Ryan Sandberg told MLB.com this might become a recurring theme.

"The way I see things," Sandberg said. "I basically wanted to give Ruf two days in a row, just to get his feet wet, see him against a right-handed pitcher, then go from there. But in all likelihood, at least after today it will be a scenario of ... I'd be considering a platoon system at first base."

Howard was actually out of the lineup against a right-handed pitcher Thursday, but Sandberg said he wanted to give Darin Ruf two consecutive starts after his callup. The Phillies face two left-handed pitchers during a three-game series against the Diamondbacks beginning Friday, so Sandberg may also get him some time off then.

Howard is struggling against both right and left-handed pitchers this season, but has 10 of his 15 home runs against righties. He is hitting .229/.314/.368 against righties, compared to .209/.275/.407 vs. the opposite hand. 

Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman went 1 for 3 with a walk and a three-run home run in his team's 6-1 victory over the Marlins.

Freeman was just 1 for 24 in his previous six games coming into Wednesday, and his home run was just his first of the month. Even with his recent struggles, Freeman has still hit .284/.375/.479 with 14 home runs and 56 RBI in 388 at-bats.

Phillies team officials have discussed buying out the remainder of first baseman Ryan Howard's contract and moving forward without him after the season, Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia reports.

The Phillies have floated Howard's name in trade walks, but no teams are interested in taking on the $60 million owed to the first baseman over the next two seasons. Howard has hit just .224/.305/.377 with 15 home runs and 60 RBI in 371 at-bats, and he may be looking at a role as a platoon player over the remainder of the season, as he is out of the lineup against a lefty Wednesday.

Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard has struggled mightily against left-handers this season and he won't get a chance to remedy that against tough San Francisco southpaw Madison Bumgarner on Wednesday. He is out of the lineup in favor of Darin Ruf.

Howard is batting just .209 against lefties this season and has one hit in six at-bats lifetime against Bumgarner.

A tremendous power display continued Tuesday night for Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo, who snagged the National League lead in home runs by adding two to his total.

Rizzo, who has 25 on the season, slugged solo blasts in the third and seventh innings. He has five home runs and six RBI in the last four games. He has also raised his batting average from .272 to .283 with 15 hits in his last 40 at-bats.

Reds first baseman Joey Votto underwent a second round of of platelet-rich plasma injections on Monday, MLB.com reports. Votto was placed on the disabled list on July 8, as a result of a lingering left quadriceps injury. He is approximately 4-5 weeks away from returning.

"That is a part of his recovery," manager Bryan Price said. "There's a couple of days of ... I don't want to say total inactivity, but resting it and not doing a lot on the knee and then returning to his rehab protocol. It's a good thing, because it's a part of his recovery that we think is going to be very effective."

Mets infielder Wilmer Flores, who has been rotating between second base, third base and shortstop at Triple-A Las Vegas, is on a 20-game hitting streak. Despite very good numbers (.325/.580/.950) at Las Vegas, manager Terry Collins hinted Sunday it doesn't appear a recall is imminent.

"I don’t want to bring young guys up here and have them sit on the bench," Collins said, per ESPN. "I just don’t think it’s good for their development. If Wilmer Flores comes, I think he’s going to have to play someplace, because I don’t think he gets anything out of sitting on the bench playing once a week. 

"If he was going to be the future utility player down the road, OK, maybe. But this guy’s bat potential is so good, there’s nothing wrong with going and having a big year in Triple-A."

Reds general manager Walt Jocketty told MLB Network Radio Sunday that first baseman Joey Votto (quadriceps) and second baseman Brandon Phillips (thumb) are about 4-5 weeks away from returning.

"We're hopeful that they will be back for the stretch run -- end of August or first week of September," Jocketty said.

A matchup against southpaw Alex Wood has Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard out Sunday in Atlanta.

Howard has just one hit in his last 18 at-bats and owns a disappointing .216 batting average against lefties this season.

The Marlins have made several moves prior to Saturday's game against the Giants, FOX Sports Florida reports. They have optioned first baseman Justin Bour down to Triple-A New Orleans and purchased the contract of outfielder Jordany Valdespin from New Orleans. Miami has also transferred shortstop Rafael Furcal to the 60-day disabled list.