MLB Player News

Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard is not in the lineup against the Cubs on Friday.

Howard will be replaced at first base by Darin Ruf, who is batting out of the fifth spot of the lineup.

Howard is hitting .258 with eight hits, two home runs, seven RBI and eight strikeouts during his last eight games.

Reds first baseman Joey Votto had a big day in Game 1 of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Cubs. Votto went 3 for 4 with a pair of singles and a solo home run. Votto's homer came in the fifth inning with the Reds already up 4-1.

Votto, who also scored three runs in the game, is batting .425 with three home runs and six RBI over his last 11 contests.

Mets second baseman Wilmer Flores went 2 for 4 in Tuesday's win over Washington.

Flores hit in his third straight game and had his second multi-hit game over that stretch. 

Flores scored once, and drove in his first two runs since July 5. 

Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman will head down to the Braves' training facility in Florida to work out for about 2-3 days. He will then likely head out on a minor league rehab assignment, as he continues to recover from a wrist injury.

Freeman could return on the Braves' upcoming road trip, which begins Friday in St. Louis. It is more likely that the power-hitting first baseman makes his return at the end of the trip in Philadelphia, according to the Atlanta Journal Constitution. 

Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman hit off a tee on Monday, and could be nearing the start of a rehab assignment within the next few days, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Freeman has been on the 15-disabled list because of a lingering wrist injury.

Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard isn't in the starting lineup for Monday's game. Howard has started the last five games and 77 games on the year. 

He'll be replaced in the lineup by Darin Ruf, who gets his 14th start. 

Braves first baseman Joey Terdoslavich gets his fifth start of the season in Monday's game. Terdoslavich replaces Kelly Johnson, who has flu-like symptoms, per MLB.com.

Terdoslavich hasn't started at first base since June 30. He'll bat sixth in the lineup. 

Reds first baseman Joey Votto has felt really comfortable against the Indians during their series. 

Votto recorded his second consecutive three-hit game against Cleveland on Sunday after going 3 for 5 with a double and a RBI.

Over his last three games, Votto is hitting .583 with seven hits, two doubles, a home run and two RBI.

Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard went 1 for 3 with a home run during his team's win over the Marlins on Sunday.

Howard hit a solo blast off Marlins starter Dan Haren in what turned out to be a five-run second inning for Philadelphia.

Howard is now on a six-game hit streak, he's hitting .363 with eight hits, two home runs and seven RBI over that stretch.

Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman (wrist) hit and threw Sunday, according to MLB.com. He will be re-evaluated Sunday night.

Freeman, who had two cortisone injections, underwent another MRI, which revealed fluid in his wrist. The Braves still don't have a return date.

Freeman took 30 dry swings Sunday. He said he got close to 100 percent intensity.