MLB Player News

The Angels are using Kole Calhoun and Collin Cowgill as a platoon in right field. Since Josh Hamilton's return, Calhoun has played the four games against right-handed starters, with Cowgill starting twice against lefties, notes MLB.com.

Against lefties, Cowgill is hitting .306/.377/.452 while Calhoun is batting .250/.250/.375.

Reds first baseman Joey Votto began his minor-league rehab assignment Sunday with Triple-A Louisville.

Votto played the field and singled in the seventh inning. He was lifted for a pinch runner in the seventh, ending his first game back since landing on the disabled list with a knee injury. He finished 1 for 3 with a strikeout.

Astros designated hitter Chris Carter made his lone hit count on Sunday, launching a grand slam in a win over the Twins.

Carter took reliever Brian Duensing deep in the seventh inning for the slam. He finished 1 for 4 with two runs scored and four RBI in a 14-5 victory. He is hitting .194 with 10 homers and 27 RBI in 186 at-bats.

Reds first baseman Joey Votto will play first and hit second Sunday at Triple-A.

Votto is taking part in his first rehab game since he went on the disabled list with a knee injury. It's unclear how many games Votto will need in the minors before he's ready to return. 

Indians catcher/infielder Carlos Santana reached base four times during Saturday's contest against the Rangers in Arlington.

Santana took reliever Tanner Scheppers deep for a two-run shot in the seventh inning. He added a single and finished 2 for 2 with two walks, two runs scored and two RBI in an 8-3 victory. He is hitting .171 with seven homers and 19 RBI in 181 at-bats.

Reds first baseman Joey Votto will head out on a rehab assignment, according to MLB.com.

Votto will travel to meet Triple-A Louisville Saturday, and play in his first rehab game Sunday. He's been out since May 15 due to a knee injury. Votto was hitting .257 over 136 at-bats prior to the issue.

Manager Bryan Price would not say how many games Votto will need before he's ready to return, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer.

Astros designated hitter Chris Carter has been benched Saturday in Minnesota.

Carter has received occasional days off, greatly due to his all-or-nothing production at the plate. Of his 35 hits this season, 21 have been for extra bases, but he still owns a .193 batting average and .290 on-base percentage.

He has just three hits in his last 21 at-bats and 65 strikeouts in 181 at-bats on the year.

Angels outfielder Kole Calhoun clubbed his fourth home run Friday against the White Sox.

Calhoun wasted no time getting to work, hitting a solo shot in the bottom of the first inning. He would later double during the game. Calhoun finished 2 for 4, with one run scored and three RBI. He's hitting .231/.297/.435 over 108 at-bats.

Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo came up with a couple of big hits for the Cubs, and practically carried them to a 5-3 extra-innings win over the Marlins.

Rizzo drove in four runs, and he did so with two swings. He put the Cubs up 3-0 with a two-run double in the eighth inning, and then ended a stalemate with his two-run homer in the 13th, a walkoff shot to win it.

Rizzo went 2 for 6 in the game, to raise his average to .276. He ranks ninth in the National League with an .894 OPS, and has 12 home runs and 33 RBI in 57 games.   

Reds first baseman Joey Votto turned in an impressive performance during batting practice Friday, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer. 

While the team has yet to re-evaluate his injury, it's a good sign Votto performed well during part of his workout. Teammates apparently look notice of his batting practice, admiring a long home run to right. Votto has been sidelined with a knee issue, and could be close to a return.