MLB Player News

Hoskins went 2-for-3 with a triple, double, walk, RBI and two runs Wednesday in the Phillies' 12-3 win over the Pirates.

Hoskins is batting just .174 with five home runs since the All-Star break, but his performance Wednesday inspires some optimism about his prospects heading into the final month of the season. Per the Associated Press, Hoskins said that he estimated he swung at "80 percent" effort Wednesday in an attempt to gain better control of the barrel of his bat, and for at least one night, the change in approach paid dividends. Hoskins will look to carry over that success into the weekend series with the Mets, when he'll be scheduled to face a trio of tough starting pitchers in Zack Wheeler, Steven Matz and Marcus Stroman.

Hiura went 2-for-4 with a home run, a double and three RBI in Wednesday's victory over the Cardinals.

Hiura went through a dry spell from July 28 through Aug. 6, collecting just four hits and no RBI over that span, but he has been hot since, hitting .320/.393/.640 with five home runs and 16 RBI in 84 plate appearances over 18 games. Hiura has started all but one game in August, and has occupied a spot in the top four of the batting order in all but two of those games.

Gurriel went 1-for-3 with a walk, a home run, two RBI and two runs scored in Wednesday's 8-6 win over the Rays.

Gurriel has been the Astros' most dangerous hitter since the beginning of July, no small feat given the caliber of hitters in the lineup. He has a 1.201 OPS with 19 homers and 58 RBI over 47 games. The 35-year-old, who entered the season with 34 home runs in 311 career games with Houston, has launched 27 homers in 124 games in 2019.

Abreu went 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI in Wednesday's 8-2 loss to the Twins.

Abreu's been piling up the milestones of late. After notching his 1,000th career hit and 100th RBI of the season over the weekend, the 32-year-old laced his 30th double of the season, becoming the first member of the White Sox to hit 30 or more doubles in six consecutive seasons. Abreu has hit safely in eight of the last nine games, going 12-for-33 (.364) with five extra-base hits and 12 RBI.

Cabrera went 3-for-4 with a double, two RBI and two runs scored Wednesday against the Orioles.

Cabrera delivered RBI hits in the first and fifth frames, continuing his strong production of late. Since Aug. 7 -- his first start with the Nationals -- Cabrera has gone 18-for-52 with 18 RBI, nine runs scored and two home runs. For the season, he's now slashing .251/.333/.419 across 429 plate appearances.

O'Hearn went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run in Wednesday's win over the A's.

With no outs in the sixth inning, O'Hearn tied the game with a two-run homer off Tanner Roark. The 26-year-old has been heating up of late, earning himself more opportunities in the Royals lineup. Through 81 games this season, O'Hearn is slashing just .177/.269/.331. He'll need to continue improving on those anemic numbers to secure playing time over Cheslor Cuthbert.

Freeman went 2-for-4 with a double, a home run, two RBI and two runs scored Wednesday against the Blue Jays.

Freeman had a productive game but saved his best for last, taking Buddy Boshers deep in the final frame for his 36th homer of the season. He also played a part in the team's five-run rally in the second inning, lacing a double to left field to score Ronald Acuna. Freeman had been uncharacteristically quiet of late, failing to record a hit in each of his last three starts. His overall numbers for the season remain fantastic however, as he's hitting .297 to go along with 107 RBI and 103 runs scored across 135 games.

Beaty is not starting Wednesday against the Padres.

Beaty has started two of the past three games, going 3-for-7 with a stolen base and a pair of runs scored. Cody Bellinger is covering first base in his stead Wednesday, with Chris Taylor starting in the outfield.

Rizzo (back) is hoping to return against the Brewers over the weekend, Patrick Mooney of The Athletic reports.

Rizzo has been out of the lineup since Sunday and doesn't expect to be available for the remainder of Chicago's series against the Mets, which ends Thursday. He's slated to take some swings and test out his back Wednesday, at which point a more concrete return date will come into focus. In the meantime, Ian Happ is starting at first base Wednesday.

France provided a pinch-hit double in his lone at-bat during Tuesday's 9-0 loss to the Dodgers.

France looked like he might have been in line for an everyday role at the keystone for the Padres when he was called up from Triple-A El Paso on Aug. 16, but manager Andy Green seems to have at least temporarily pulled the plug on that experiment. He was on the bench Tuesday for the fifth time in eight games, with Greg Garcia and Luis Urias instead filling the two middle-infield positions.