MLB Player News

Hoskins was sent for X-rays on his right hand following Thursday's game against the Cubs, Jim Salisbury of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

Hoskins was struck by a pitch on his hand during Thursday's matchup, though he managed to remain in the game. He was optimistic about his chances of playing Friday, though the team has yet to announce his test results.

Votto was removed from Thursday's starting lineup due to lower back tightness.

Josh VanMeter will take Votto's spot in the lineup for Thursday's series opener against the Cardinals, hitting second and playing first base. The severity of the issue is not yet known, leaving Votto's status for the rest of the series up in the air.

Rizzo is starting at first base and hitting leadoff Thursday against the Phillies.

Rizzo has primarily hit third or fourth this season, but he'll jump to the top of the order for Thursday's series finale as the Cubs look to avoid a sweep. The first baseman has been dialed in since the All-Star break, slashing .320/.413/.456 with two home runs and 15 RBI in 30 games.

Calhoun is not in the lineup for Thursday's game against the White Sox.

The 31-year-old will get a breather Thursday while riding a five-game hit streak that includes one home run and eight runs. Brian Goodwin will start in right field, leading off.

Olson went 2-for-4 with a two-run double in a win over the Giants on Wednesday.

Olson's August surge continued with his third two-RBI tally of the last seven games. The 25-year-old only has two extra-base hits overall in August, but he's nevertheless just six home runs away from equaling the career-best 29 he slugged last season in 293 additional plate appearances.

Beaty is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Marlins, Alanna Rizzo of Spectrum SportsNet LA reports.

With a southpaw (Caleb Smith) on the mound for Miami, the lefty-hitting Beaty will retreat to the bench as the Dodgers make room for another righty hitter (Kyle Garlick) in the lineup. Beaty still looks to be locked into the large side of a platoon role in left field with all of Alex Verdugo (oblique), Enrique Hernandez (hand) and Chris Taylor (forearm) stuck on the 10-day injured list.

Votto extended his hitting streak to six games with a base hit across four at-bats in Wednesday's 17-7 loss to the Nationals.

Votto has racked up four extra-base knocks (three doubles, one home run), three runs and three RBI during the streak. It's a nice surge for the first baseman, but his body of work over the past two seasons suggests he shouldn't be relied upon as a plus source of power at this stage of his career. His 20.6 percent strikeout rate -- while still strong relative to most hitters in today's game -- has also limited the impact he can have for fantasy managers in the batting average category.

Cabrera went 3-for-5 with two doubles, two runs scored and three RBI in Wednesday's 17-7 win over the Reds.

It was a remarkably balanced attack from the Nats, as every starting position player got on base multiple times and scored exactly twice. Cabrera seems to have found a new lease on life by returning to Washington, slashing .381/.409/.571 through his first six games with the Nats.

Gurriel went 3-for-4 with two home runs, a walk and three RBI on Wednesday against the White Sox.

The first of Gurriel's homers came in the second inning, when he took Ross Detwiler deep for a solo shot. He followed that up with another blast -- his 25th long ball of the season -- in the sixth frame. Not known for his power, Gurriel has delivered five home runs in his past seven games. For the season, he's managed a .306/.342/.556 line across 477 plate appearances.

Flores went 3-for-4 with a home run and two RBI overall in Wednesday's 7-6 loss to the Rockies.

Flores came through with an RBI single in the first inning and followed up with the solo homer in the fifth to help build a 5-2 lead, though the Diamondbacks were unable to hold on for the win. The home run is the 27-year-old's first since being activated off the injured list July 18, and he has a .318/.362/.432 slash line in 44 at-bats since rejoining the team.