MLB Player News

Indians catcher Carlos Santana "still has a ways to go," according to the Plain Dealer.

Santana was placed on the seven-day disabled list, but will need more time to fully recover. He's hitting .159/.327/.301 over 176 at-bats.

Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard went 2 for 6 with a three-run home run in his team's 5-4 loss to the Mets Saturday.

Howard knocked his home run in the seventh inning to reduce his team's deficit from four to one. It was his third home run and third multi-hit performance in the past week, giving him a .230/.304/.425 line with 10 home runs and 37 RBI in 200 at-bats.

White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu was able to get through a simulated game Saturday.

Abreu took a few at-bats, and was able to run out a single. He also connected on at least two doubles, and was hit by a pitch. Abreu was seen limping slightly after the game, but it doesn't seem serious. The team expects him to go through another simulated game Sunday in preparation to be activated Monday. He's expected to be activated Monday as long as he does not experience a setback.

White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu (ankle) remains on track to return from the disabled list on Monday, ESPN Chicago reports.

"I'm hopeful," manager Robin Ventura said. "We're going to get him some workouts here (Saturday) and Sunday and see how he does. It's some simulated stuff that he can do that we wouldn't have to send him out on a rehab assignment. So, that's a part of the evaluation to make sure he's going to be ready to go, hopefully, Monday."

Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo was not in the team's starting lineup Friday against the Brewers.

Rizzo is mired in a bit of a slump, collecting six hits over his last 10 games. He's also struggled against Brewers starter Marco Estrada. Over his career, Rizzo has picked up just one hit in 21 at-bats against Estrada. It's assumed to be a normal day of rest for Rizzo, and he should return to the lineup soon.

Reds first baseman Joey Votto was spotted taking groundballs Thursday, as he continues to make progress in his recovery from a quad injury.

In addition to working out on the field, Votto may begin taking live batting practice in the coming days, manager Bryan Price told the Cincinnati Enquirer Thursday. Votto remains without a specific timetable to return to action, despite this progress. 

Diamondbacks first baseman Paul Goldschmidt went 3 for 5 with a home run and three RBI in his team's 12-6 win over the Padres Wednesday.

Goldschmidt absolutely crushed a ball to center field in the seventh inning that traveled 480 feet, according to ESPN Stats & Info. He also recorded his 22nd double in the victory. Goldschmidt has hit .309/.361/.545 with 10 home runs and 37 RBI in 220 at-bats.

Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard went 2 for 4 with a walkoff, three-run home run in his team's 6-3 win over the Rockies Wednesday.

Howard collected four RBI in all, with one coming on a third-inning single. He saved his biggest shot for last, smashing a three-run home run in the bottom of the ninth right after a Chase Utley single evened the game at 3-3. Howard has two home runs as well as two multi-hit efforts in his last three games, helping him boost his line to .240/.319/.437 with nine home runs and 34 RBI in 183 at-bats.

White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu looks like he will be able to avoid a minor-league rehab assignment, and has a hard target date for his return from an ankle injury.  

"We're going over that right now," manager Robin Ventura told MLB.com Wednesday. "You're trying to see if you can get him the work here so he wouldn't have to go out."

Abreu has been working out with the team, taking grounders and receiving treatment. Barring an unforeseen setback, he is hoping to return from the disabled list for the start of a series against the Dodgers Monday. 

If you own Ryan Howard in Fantasy, you're probably fed up with him by now. Yeah, he homered Monday, but with three in all of May, he's well off pace for the 30 you were hoping for.

And the finishing blow may have come Tuesday, when Phillies manager Ryne Sandberg not only started Darin Ruf in place of Howard against a left-hander but suggested it could become a permanent arrangement.

Yeah, sitting against lefties might redeem Howard's batting average somewhat. He's batting .212 against them this year and .224 for his career. But for the amount he'd sit, what he'd lose in the way of totals would effectively ruin his already fringy mixed-league appeal.

The platooon isn't a done deal yet, but with Ruf homering Tuesday, it's likely enough for you to consider dropping Howard, especially if a more promising Kendrys Morales or Jon Singelton type is still available on waivers.