MLB Player News

Votto (back) returns to the lineup Tuesday against Atlanta.

Back tightness had kept the veteran out of the lineup for each of the last two games. He's back in the leadoff spot and playing first base.

Manager Bob Melvin suggested Monday that Olson (hand) could return from the 10-day injured list in mid-May, John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Olson has been sidelined since the Athletics' season-opening series in Japan in late March, when he suffered a broken hamate bone in his right hand that required surgery. He's since progressed to hitting soft-toss pitching and looks on track to face live pitching early next week. Melvin noted that Olson will likely need a week's worth of at-bats in the minors before being ready to rejoin the Athletics, so his rehab assignment will likely consist of several games. Once reinstated from the IL, Olson will likely take back everyday duties at first base, sending Kendrys Morales into a bench role.

Walker went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in a 12-4 victory against the Pirates on Monday.

The 28-year-old capped off the seven-run seventh for the Diamondbacks with a two-run bomb. That's his seventh homer of the year and fourth since April 14. Also since that date, Walker has a seven-game hitting streak and is batting .552. In large part due to the hot streak, Walker has been a pleasant surprise for owners early this season, slashing .347/.413/.722 with 13 extra-base hits, 13 RBI, 13 runs and three stolen bases in 72 at-bats.

Diaz went 1-for-3 with a home run and two RBI in Monday's 6-3 win over the Royals.

His eighth-inning shot off Scott Barlow gave Diaz six homers on the year, half of which have come in the last six games. The 27-year-old has boosted his slash line to .289/.398/.579 with the surge, and so far the offseason deal that sent Jake Bauers to Cleveland has been a huge win for Tampa Bay.

Abreu went 3-for-6 with a home run, two runs scored and five RBI in Monday's 12-2 win over the Orioles.

The White Sox were only up 4-1 when Abreu launched a two-run shot off Tanner Scott in the seventh inning, kicking the rout into high gear. The first baseman has struggled to string together hits so far, leading to a .214/.287/.417 slash line, but Abreu's four homers and 17 RBI through 21 games are right in line with expectations.

Alonso went 1-for-3 with a double, two RBI and a run scored in Monday's 5-1 victory over the Phillies.

The rookie slugger got his team on the board with a third-inning double and later plated another run after getting hit by a pitch. Alonso has 21 RBI and a robust 1.144 OPS in his first 92 MLB plate appearances.

Goldschmidt went 3-for-4 with a homer, two runs scored, three RBI and a walk in Monday's 13-5 win over Milwaukee.

St. Louis' offense was rolling all night with Goldschmidt at the forefront once again. The slugging first baseman has nine long balls and 18 RBI with a .958 OPS across 102 plate appearances.

Olson (hand) hit soft toss Monday and will continue to do so for one week, at which point he'll be ready for a rehab assignment, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

This is more good news for Olson, who's on track to return in two weeks from hand surgery that took place March 22. Assuming he remains on schedule, Olson will spend around one week on a minor-league rehab stint prior to being activated from the injured list.

Cabrera (shoulder) is starting at third base and hitting sixth Monday against the A's.

Cabrera has been cleared to return after missing Sunday's game with a shoulder injury. The veteran infielder will face right-hander Chris Bassitt in his return to the lineup.

Bour is not in the lineup Monday against the Yankees.

As per usual, Bour will take a seat with a southpaw (J.A. Happ) toeing the rubber for the opposition. In his place, Albert Pujols will start at first base while Kevan Smith gets the nod at DH.