MLB Player News

 Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo put on a power display Friday, though it wasn't enough to lift his team in a 5-4 loss to the Diamondbacks.

Rizzo had two hits in the loss, and both left the yard. He opened the scoring with a two-run shot in the fourth inning, and then added a solo homer in the sixth, as he finished the game 2 for 4 with three RBI and two runs scored.

Rizzo is now hitting .278/.382/.516 with an NL-leading 22 home runs in 94 games. 

Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman has posted a .327 batting average in July, but he heads into the All-Star break still looking for his first home run of the month.

Freeman started off the season in good form, knocking six home runs in April, but he managed just seven in the next two months before coming up empty in the first two weeks of July. Even with the lack of power recently, the first baseman has maintained great overall numbers, hitting .295/.384/.495 with 13 home runs and 52 RBI in 366 at-bats.

Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen has been chosen as the leadoff hitter for the NL team in Tuesday's All-Star game.

The batting order following McCutchen will be Dodgers outfielder Yasiel Puig, Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki, Diamondbacks first baseman Paul Goldschmidt, Marlins outfielder Giancarlo Stanton (DH), Brewers third baseman Aramis Ramirez, Phillies second baseman Chase Utley, Brewers catcher Jonathan Lucroy and Brewers outfielder Carlos Gomez.

Cardinals ace Adam Wainwright will be on the hill to start the game for the NL All-Stars.

Reds manager Bryan Price believes first baseman Joey Votto's timetable will come down to weeks, not months, MLB.com reports Saturday.

"It's so far out, and when I say 'far out,' it's more weeks; I'm not talking about months and months and months," Price said. "But with both Brandon [Phillips] and Joey, we're talking more about weeks than days. So I think it would be reckless of me to suggest there's a due date on when either one of them would be back."

Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard belted his 15th home run Thursday against the Brewers.

Howard waited until the ninth inning to unleash his power. With one man on, Howard belted an 88 mph fastball out to center for the two-run shot. Howard previously clubbed a double earlier in the game. He finished 2 for 5, with two runs scored and three RBI. 

Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo won Major League Baseball's final vote, earning a spot on the 2014 All-Star team.

Rizzo was more than a deserving candidate for the spot. He's hitting .280/.387/.512 over 328 at-bats. Rizzo's 20 home runs trails only Giancarlo Stanton in the National League. He's been one of the few offensive bright spots for the Cubs this season. Rizzo will be a reserve to open the game.

Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo went 2 for 3 with a solo home run in his team's 4-1 loss to the Reds Wednesday.

Rizzo has homered on three straight days as he heads towards the All-Star break on a bit of a hot streak. He has hit .280/.387/.512 with 20 home runs and 49 RBI in 328 at-bats.

Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo put together a three-hit game Tuesday, though it came in a 6-5 loss to the Reds.

Rizzo went 3 for 5, with a double and a solo home run in the game. He finished with one RBI and one run scored in the loss.

Rizzo is hitting .277/.383/.502 with 19 home runs, which ranks second in the National League. 

The Reds placed first baseman Joey Votto on the disabled list Tuesday, as a result of a lingering left quadriceps injury.

Votto has not played since Saturday as a result of the injury, so his stint on the DL will be backdated to July 6. This is the second time the injury has put him on the DL, as he spent nearly a month from mid-May to early June on the shelf as well. There is currently no timetable for his return.

Reds first baseman Joey Votto is out of the Monday lineup against the Cubs. Jay Bruce has been moved to the spot.

Votto could be destined for the disabled list with a left quadriceps strain that has prevented him from playing the last two games. He has been struggling at the plate without a multi-game since June 21. He has just seven hits in his last 40 at-bats.