MLB Player News

Indians catcher/infielder Carlos Santana is expected to return to the lineup Friday, MLB.com reports.

Manager Terry Francona told reporters Tuesday that Santana took part in a normal pregame routine, which included work in the field and in the batting cages. He has been out since May 25 while recovering from a concussion.

Reds first baseman Joey Votto didn't take part in the team's pregame workout Tuesday, but not because he suffered a setback in his strained left quadriceps.

Votto, who was expected to take part in batting practice as well as other on-field activities Tuesday, could not do so as rain swept into the area. Batting practice was cut short, and Votto was unable to take groundballs or run the bases due to the weather.

In spit of that, he told MLB.com he feels like he is past the injury, and now has the strength back in his leg. He has been out since May 15 as a result of the injury.

"I feel like I was before I got hurt earlier in the season," he said. "If I can get to a good place, you're going to see a little bit more of the younger version of me."

Votto is expected to begin a minor-league rehab assignment once he can hit, field and run without trouble. He will need at least a few games in the minors before he can return to action. 

For the first time all season, Diamondbacks first baseman Paul Goldschmidt was not in the lineup Tuesday. That snaps his streak of 59 straight starts, one shy of Travis Lee's team record for first basemen set in 1998.

Goldschmidt is hitting .299 with 10 homers, 22 doubles and 38 RBI.

Reds first baseman Joey Votto will go through a full practice routine with the team Tuesday, reports MLB.com. It's a good sign for Votto, who's been out since May 15 with a quad injury and coudl start a rehab assignment this week.

White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu picked things up right where he left off, going yard in his first game back from the disabled list in his team's 5-2 loss to the Dodgers in Los Angeles.

In his first game action since May 17, Abreu took starter Clayton Kershaw deep for a two-run home run in the fourth inning for his only hit of the night. He finished 1 for 4 with a run scored and two RBI. He owns a .260/.311/.605 slash line with a 16 homers and 44 RBI in 177 at-bats.

Mets shortstop Wilmer Flores drove in six runs during a 2-for-5 performance Monday, smacking a two-run double in the sixth inning and slugging a ninth-inning grand slam in his team's 11-2 win over the Phillies.

Flores hadn't recorded an extra-base hit in 45 at-bats coming into Monday's game, and the grand slam was just the second home run of his career. Flores has hit .240/.283/.320 with seven RBI in 50 at-bats.

Indians manager Terry Francona indicated that third baseman Carlos Santana could be back as soon as Friday, MLB.com reports. Santana fielded ground balls on the field prior to Monday's game against the Red Sox as he continues to work his way back from a concussion.

"He went out and did some progressive running [Sunday]," Francona said. "Today, he went out and took some ground balls. He's actually doing pretty well. His [eligibility] date is Wednesday. I don't think that's realistic with the medical staff. They think Friday is realistic. To me, that's a pretty good sign."

The White Sox reinstated first baseman Jose Abreu from the disabled list, and he should be in Monday's lineup against the Dodgers. Abreu was hitting .260 with 15 homers and 42 RBI before suffering the ankle injury and going on the DL on May 18.

Reds first baseman Joey Votto has been working out in Cincinnati and could start a minor-league rehab assignment at some point this week, MLB.com reports. He has been sidelined since May 15 because of a quad injury.

"We discussed the importance of it," manager Bryan Price said. "His situation -- with the soreness and the strength deficit he had when we went on the road to Philly and Washington -- was pretty significant. The only way really to have any understanding of if this is behind him is to play."

Indians third baseman Carlos Santana is hoping to return Wednesday, according to MLB.com.

The team feels more comfortable using Friday as a possible return date for Santana. He was placed on the seven-day disabled list with a concussion. Santana is hitting just .159 in 176 at-bats.