MLB Player News

Votto went 2-for-3 with a double, a solo homer and a walk Friday against the Pirates.

Votto crushed his 35th homer of the season to put the Reds on the board in the first inning of a winning effort. Although he's had a fantastic batting average this month, this was his first bomb and fourth extra-base hit of the month for a player who's been an amazing fantasy producer for the entire season.

Olson went 1-for-4 with a two-run homer Friday against the Phillies.

Olson crushedhis 19th homer of the season to give the Athletics a first-inning lead they'd never relinquish. He's been absolutely on fire this month, as he's left the yard eight times to raise his slugging percentage to an elite .634 mark while helping fantasy managers advance through the playoffs

Gurriel is not in the lineup for Friday's game against the Mariners.

Gurriel recorded three hits in Thursday's contest, but he is just 1-for-11 (.091) lifetime against Mariners starters James Paxton, so he will be held out Friday with Paxton on the bump. Tyler White will get the start at first base in Gurriel's place.

Rizzo went 3-for-4 with a home run, two RBI, two runs, and two stolen bases in Thursday's victory over the Mets.

Rizzo collected just five hits over 30 at-bats (.167) in the nine games prior to Thursday's, but he showed signs of getting back on track by walking four times Wednesday, and he had no trouble seeing the ball in the finale of the Cubs' three-game sweep of the Mets. The two steals, which give him 10 for the year, don't hurt either.

O'Hearn ended a disappointing 2017, a campaign that included a demotion, with a .253/.330/.455 slash line over a combined 133 games at Double- and Triple-A.

The 24-year-old hit .252 with 119 strikeouts through 114 games with Triple-A Omaha before being sent down to Double-A Northwest Arkansas. O'Hearn did manage to compile 22 home runs and 64 RBI during 2017, but failing to make it through his first season at Triple-A was a huge bummer. With Eric Hosmer expected to be lost in free agency this offseason, O'Hearn could have a chance to regain the faith of management next spring.

Pratto slashed .247/.330/.414 with 10 stolen bases during his first professional season in the Arizona League.

Largely considered the Royals top prospect, Pratto put together a solid campaign after being selected in the first round of the 2017 draft. His 15 doubles were tied for fourth-most in the league, while the 18-year-old's 34 RBI ranked sixth. With a solid offseason, Pratto should find himself on the roster at Low-A Lexington to begin 2018.

Goldschmidt went 2-for-4 with a double and a run in Wednesday's 8-2 win over the Rockies.

The two-hit performance helped end a brief skid at the plate for the MVP candidate, who had gone 2-for-25 with three runs and three RBI over the past six contests. While Goldschmidt's September has gotten off to a slow start, the Diamondbacks' attack hasn't missed a beat thanks to the heroics of the slugger behind him in the order, J.D. Martinez, who has hit nine home runs in his 11 games on the month.

Smith is out of the lineup Wednesday against the Cubs.

Smith heads to the bench following 11 straight starts, hitting .262/.326/.476 with two home runs and eight RBI during that span. In his place, Matt Reynolds gets the nod at first base.

Bell entered Tuesday's game as a pinch hitter and went 0-for-2 against Milwaukee.

Pittsburgh continues to limit the switch hitter's time against left-handed pitching -- he didn't start against Tuesday southpaw Brent Suter. After a strong summer, Bell has slumped in September, slashing .214/.283/.310 with one homer and six RBI in 42 at-bats. Look for the first baseman to return to the starting lineup Wednesday against righty Chase Anderson, against whom Bell has one hit in four at-bats.

Freeman went 3-for-5 with a double, a home run, two runs scored and three RBI in Tuesday's win over the Nationals.

He's now slashing .378/.462/.689 in September with three homers and 11 RBI in 11 games, as Freeman tries to make up for the time he lost to a wrist injury earlier in the year. Expect him to continue swinging a hot bat as he makes a push for his second consecutive 30-homer season.