MLB Player News

Freeman went 1-for-3 with his 28th homer, two walks, three RBI and two runs in a win over the Padres on Thursday.

He got the scoring started in the third with a two-run homer, then drew a bases-loaded walk in the fifth as the Braves built their lead. One of few bright spots for the Braves this year, Freeman now has hits in eight straight games and 19 of his last 20. If you've been following him over these last three weeks, it'll come as no surprise that his numbers over that span are spectacular -- he's hitting .377 with nine homers, 23 RBI, 21 runs and an incredible 21:14 BB:K.

Bour (ankle) could return as early as next week, Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald reports.

Sidelined since early July, Bour is finally nearing a return after dealing with a number of setbacks in his recovery from a severely sprained ankle. While the Marlins continue to handle the situation with caution, it appears as though Bour could be set for a return sometime during the team's upcoming homestand, which begins Monday against the Phillies and concludes Sunday against the Dodgers. Bour would likely be used as a pinch hitter, initially, before playing the field.

Cabrera is not in the lineup Thursday against Miami.

After starting the last two games, Cabrera will return to the bench as the Mets attempt to limit the strain on the sore knee that kept him out of the lineup earlier in the week. Jose Reyes will shift over to shortstop and continue to bat in the leadoff spot Thursday.

Cron went 2-for-4 with two RBI and scored a run in Wednesday's 3-0 win over the Reds.

Cron extended his hitting streak to eight games with his fourth straight multi-hit effort Wednesday. Since being activated from the DL with a hand injury, Cron has hit safely in nine of 11 games. He's 16-for-44 (.364) with three home runs, 10 RBI and six runs since Aug. 20.

Abreu went 2-for-4 with a solo homer in a loss to the Tigers on Wednesday.

It was his 19th bomb of the season and fourth since Aug. 21. During that stretch, he has hits in nine of his last 10 games, going 13-for-37 (.351). Abreu closes out the month slashing .362/.414/.648 with seven bombs, 17 RBI and 16 runs. If he keeps this up, Abreu has a chance to finish with a .300 batting average, 25 home runs and 90 RBI.

Gurriel is starting in left field Wednesday against the A's.

After getting the day off Tuesday, Gurriel will return to action, making his first major league start in the outfield. Gurriel has worked primarily at third base, though he made one start in left field while at Triple-A Fresno.

Manager Pete Mackanin indicated Howard's role will be reduced moving forward, Jim Salisbury of CSN Philadelphia reports.

Howard has been in the lineup more frequently of late due to improved production at the plate. However, he will be a free agent after the season and the Phillies are looking toward the future. Manager Pete Mackanin said he wants to see Tommy Joseph get more at-bats against right-handed pitching next month.

Manager Pete Mackanin said he intends to play Joseph more frequently over the remainder of the season, Jim Salisbury of CSN Philadelphia reports.

Ryan Howard had seen an increase in playing time of late, but that trend will not continue. Mackanin said he wants to see Joseph get plenty of at-bats against right-handed pitching next month.

Cabrera (knee) went 2-for-4 with a walk and a two-run homer in a return to the lineup Tuesday before being lifted for a defensive sub late in the game.

Cabrera's bomb came in the bottom of the first inning after leadoff man Jose Reyes singled to get things going. The bomb was Cabrera's 17th of the season, and raised his batting line to .273/.324/.453. The Mets' brutal offense, ranking 28th in the MLB in runs scored, has dragged down some of Cabrera's numbers: he has just 44 RBI and 48 runs scored despite playing basically everyday.

Cron blasted two home runs in a 2-for-4 game with three RBI in Tuesday's win over the Reds.

Cron extended his hitting streak to seven games with the effort and now has three home runs over his past two games. He's now up to 14 home runs in just 87 games and should have no problem blowing past his career high of 16 home runs set last year (in 113 games) if he gets regular playing time down the stretch. Cron posted a .439 slugging percentage last year, a mark that clearly wouldn't pass muster given his lack of other tools. He's up to .498 this season, and even though he has shown lackluster plate discipline (5.5 percent walk rate, .337 OBP), his power is looking like it will be enough to make him a productive major leaguer.