MLB Player News

Phillies manager Pete Mackanin said first baseman Ryan Howard (knee) will not play again this season, CSN Philadelphia reports.

Howard has been out since Sept. 14 when he took a throw off his left knee. The knee is basically healthy at this point, but Howard has not faced pitching in weeks, so the Phils have opted to shut him down. He finishes the year hitting .229/.277/.443 with 23 home runs in 467 at-bats.

Mets infielder Wilmer Flores has a case of strep throat and is not in the lineup Saturday, ESPN New York's Adam Rubin reports.

The Mets will deploy Ruben Tejada and Dilson Herrera up the middle in the second game of Saturday's doubleheader, and Flores, who is also dealing with a back issue, should be considered questionable for the regular season finale Sunday.

Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman (wrist) is not in the lineup against the Cardinals. Freeman was able to enter the game Friday in the eighth inning and was promptly hit-by-a-pitch.

While he stayed in the game, it's tough to imagine Freeman will start Sunday's game as he continues to deal with a variety of injuries, including most notably a chipped bone in his wrist.

Marlins first baseman Justin Bour remains out of the lineup for a second consecutive game.

Bour had played in the previous 22 games prior to Friday, so his absence in these last two games is a little surprising. However nothing official has been announced regarding any potential injury so it appears to just be a bit of rest for the 27-year-old as the season winds to a close. Casey McGehee will take over at first base and hit sixth in the lineup.

Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman (wrist) is not in the lineup Friday against the Mets.

Freeman was able to record a pinch-hit appearance Thursday, however he hasn't been able to find his way into the starting lineup since Wednesday and with just one more game to go, it's likely that trend will continue Saturday as well.

Diamondbacks first baseman Paul Goldschmidt went 2 for 3 with a double, an RBI and two runs scored in a win over the Rockies on Thursday.

Goldy just continues to get it done, adding his 38th double and 107th RBI on the season in this game. All the numbers across the board are ridiculous for the first baseman and he's making a strong case for MVP, albeit his team being below .500. No first baseman provides the power, speed, and average combo that Goldy does and that makes him immensely valuable going into next season.

A nagging wrist issue has Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman sidelined Thursday against visiting Washington.

Considering Freeman is dealing with a small bone spur in his wrist, this isn't a surprising development. With the Braves well out of the playoff contention, it's fair to question if Freeman will return to the starting lineup this season. Nick Swisher will get the start at first base once again and hit third in the batting order.

A back tweak has Mets shortstop Wilmer Flores on the bench Thursday against Philadelphia, per Adam Rubin of ESPN New York.

Flores apparently sustained the minor injury in the game Wednesday. Consider him day-to-day for the remainder of the regular season.

Reds first baseman Joey Votto is sitting out Wednesday's game against the Cubs to deal with a stinger in his neck or upper back, Fox Sports Ohio's Jim Day reported in the Reds broadcast.

Votto has a significant on-base streak going, which could make it interesting if he is available for pinch-hit duty.

Reds first baseman Joey Votto isn't in the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Cubs. Votto has been a consistent presence in the Reds' lineup this season, appearing in 154 games and starting 152 at first base.

He'll get a rare day off Wednesday, however, with Adam Duvall moving in from left field to replace him at first base, batting sixth.