MLB Player News

Rizzo will bat atop the order and man first base against the Nationals on Thursday.

Manager Joe Maddon is looking to shake things up with the Cubs' offense in a little bit of a rut, as the team only managed six runs versus the Brewers during a three-game set this week. In addition, Daniel Murphy went 0-for-11 as the leadoff hitter, so Maddon will attempt to jolt him out of his mini-slump by placing the second baseman in the three hole while Rizzo hits first.

Goldschmidt went 2-for-4 with a double, stolen base and a run in Wednesday's 5-4 loss to the Rockies.

Goldschmidt reached base for the 48th consecutive road game, extending the franchise record he already held. Though the Diamondbacks have seen their playoff hopes take a major hit after dropping four of their last five games, Goldschmidt has been even more excellent than usual in September, hitting .395/.500/.711 with as many walks (eight) as strikeouts. While Goldschmidt is on pace to finish with his typically stellar marks in the batting average and power-production categories, his involvement on the basepaths has taken a hit in his age-30 campaign. The stolen base he notched Wednesday was just his sixth of the season and first in nearly a month.

Olson went 2-for-4 with a three-run home run in Wednesday's 10-0 rout of the Orioles.

Incredibly, all 10 of Oakland's runs were scored in the third inning, and Olson provided the big blow with his 26th homer of the year. The first baseman's .241/.323/.450 slash line is a big step backwards from his sparkling 2017 debut, but the 24-year-old's still provided strong power numbers.

O'Hearn will start at first base and bat ninth Wednesday against the White Sox.

O'Hearn was originally left out of the lineup, but Hunter Dozier was scratched with a sore back. With lefty Carlos Rodon due up for Chicago, O'Hearn will slot into the nine hole. He has struggled mightily against same-handed pitching so far in his young career, going 1-for-29 with 14 strikeouts. The 25-year-old O'Hearn is batting .356/.466/.836 against right-handed pitching.

O'Hearn is not starting Wednesday against the White Sox, Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com reports.

O'Hearn sits after starting 11 of the last 12 games. He hit .300 with four homers and a 1.142 OPS over that stretch. Hunter Dozier will slide over to first base in his place, with Alcides Escobar starting at third.

Shaw is out of the lineup versus Atlanta on Wednesday, Kerry Crowley of the Bay Area News Group reports.

Shaw will take up a spot on the bench for the fourth time in the past five games after going 0-for-3 on Tuesday. Alen Hanson will man left field and bat second during the series finale.

Dixon is out of the lineup Wednesday against the Dodgers.

Dixon will hit the bench after four consecutive starts, each of which came at different positions. Despite having no direct line to an everyday role at any spot, the 26-year-old's versatility should continue to help him earn steady work throughout September. Dixon has yet to do much with his opportunities, however, as he's slashing just .194/.223/.389 across 112 plate appearances in the big leagues this season.

Cabrera is not in the lineup for Game 2 of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Nationals, Matt Breen of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Cabrera will head to the bench for the second half of Tuesday's twin bill after going hitless in four at-bats during Game 1. Scott Kingery will cover shortstop in his stead, hitting eighth.

Voit (back) is back in the lineup Tuesday against the Twins, Erik Boland of Newsday reports.

Voit missed Monday's game due to back stiffness but has fully taken over the starting role from Greg Bird, as he'd started 10 straight games before that. He's hit an impressive .324/.383/.622 for the Yankees, while Bird is hitting an ugly .195/.286/.382, so there's little reason to believe that arrangement will change any time soon.

Smith (groin) is starting at first base and hitting sixth Tuesday against the Dodgers.

Smith picked up a groin injury over the weekend, but he was able to make a pinch-hit appearance in Sunday's series finale against the Phillies, doubling and eventually coming around to score. He's been cleared to rejoin the starting nine following Monday's off day, with Jay Bruce getting a breather as a result of Smith's inclusion in the lineup.