MLB Player News

Hiura is 4-for-23 with six strikeouts and one walk over his last six games for Double-A Biloxi.

His batting average has dipped from .302 to .286 over this mini slump, but while his .778 OPS may not meet the expectations of his dynasty-league owners, he has still been 21 percent better (121 wRC+) than the average Southern League hitter. Hiura figures to finish out the season with the Shuckers, receive an invite to big-league spring training, and then get assigned to Triple-A at the outset of the 2019 season. Milwaukee's acquisition of Jonathan Schoop, who is under team control through the 2019 season, at this year's trade deadline will allow the Brewers to hold Hiura down next season until he forces their hand.

Votto (knee) is expected to be in the lineup Friday against Arizona, John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Votto aggravated a knee injury during Monday's game and was withheld from the starting lineup Tuesday and Wednesday. He will receive additional rest during the club's scheduled off day Thursday before likely returning to the fold for Friday's series opener. Brandon Dixon is set to make another start at first base in Votto's place Wednesday.

Dixon will start at first base and bat seventh Wednesday against the Mets.

Dixon will enter the starting nine for the fifth time in seven games with everyday first baseman Joey Votto still battling a sore knee. The Reds don't believe Votto's injury is anything worrisome and could bring their star back in the lineup as soon as Friday's series opener against the Diamondbacks, which would result in Dixon fading back into a utility role.

Votto (knee) is out of the lineup Wednesday against the Mets.

The Reds will hold Votto out for the second straight day with the sore right knee, though there hasn't been any indication from the team that its franchise player's condition has worsened since he first suffered the injury Monday. He'll benefit from a scheduled off day Thursday and could rejoin the lineup for Friday's series opener against the Diamondbacks. Brandon Dixon, meanwhile, will start at first base for the third time in four games with Votto on the bench.

Cabrera went 2-for-3 with a walk and two RBI in Tuesday's win over the Diamondbacks.

Cabrera delivered a two-run double in the eighth inning to provide some much-needed insurance, putting the visitors ahead 4-0 in the eventual 5-2 win. The 32-year-old is hitting just .243 since being traded to the Phillies, but he's hit safely in four straight and driven in six over that span, and is now slashing .333/.429/.722 to open August.

Abreu went 1-for-5 with a home run and three RBI in Tuesday's extra-innings loss to the Yankees.

Abreu recorded a sacrifice fly in the third inning and later hit a game-tying two-run homer -- his 20th of the year -- in the 10th inning off Zach Britton. This marks five consecutive years that Abreu has hit at least 20 home runs, but he's got some work to do still to reach the 100-RBI threshold as he has for four straight seasons.

Bell (oblique) could be activated as early as Wednesday, Rob Biertempfel of The Athletic Pittsburgh reports.

Bell started taking light swings earlier in the week and progressed to running sprints and doing some fielding drills Tuesday with coaches looking on. Everything appears to have gone off without a hitch for the first baseman, as manager Clint Hurdle noted that Bell likely won't need a minor-league rehab stint before rejoining the Pirates.

O'Hearn is on the bench for the second straight day Tuesday against the Cubs, Maria Torres of The Kansas City Star reports.

O'Hearn started four straight after getting called up on deadline day, but he's gone just 2-for-16 and has now sat for three of the last four. Hunter Dozier will be the Royals' designated hitter Tuesday, with Drew Butera playing first base.

Votto (knee) is not in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Mets, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

As expected, Votto will be held out Tuesday after aggravating his sore right knee during Monday's series-opening loss. The hope is that the day off will allow the veteran enough time to recover before Wednesday's series finale. Brandon Dixon is slated to start at first base and hit second in Votto's absence.

Montero was promoted to High-A Palm Beach on Tuesday, Rob Rains of StLSportsPage.com reports.

The 19-year-old earned the promotion after posting very strong numbers for Low-A Peoria, hitting .321/.381/.529 with 15 homers in 102 games. Montero projects to have a decent bat with above-average raw power, though his future will depend in part on whether he can stick at third base.