MLB Player News

Diamondbacks first baseman Paul Goldschmidt went 2 for 5 with his seventh stolen base in Thursday's 3-2 win over the Nationals.

It was Goldschmidt's first steal since a two-steal game June 2. He is hitting .312/.386/.568 with 19 home runs and 67 RBI in 292 at-bats.

Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo doubled for a third straight game and added two RBI Wednesday against the Brewers. Rizzo has hit safely in six of his last seven games, batting .417 (10 for 24) with two home runs, three doubles and seven RBI.

Rizzo is turning the corner offensively after opening June mired in a 8-for-51 slump (.157) in his first 15 games.

Indians catcher Carlos Santana got some rest Wednesday as he was not in the starting lineup against the Orioles in Baltimore, MLB.com reports. Santana is dealing with a sore right knee, according to manager Terry Francona. 

That said, Francona insisted that Santana was sitting due to Cleveland playing four games this weekend against the White Sox, and not due to the injury. 

Santana, batting .273 on the year with 10 homers and 32 RBI, has gone just 3 for 21 (.143) over his last six games. 

Indians shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera (quadriceps) was activated off the 15-day disabled list and returned to the starting lineup Wednesday against the Orioles, manager Terry Francona confirmed during an interview with MLB Network Radio.

Cabrera played in his first game Wednesday since June 3 against the Yankees.

"Asdrubal Cabrera is in the lineup tonight," Francona said. "I can't believe how fast he came back from this injury."

Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard reached base once Tuesday against the Padres, in his return from a brief absence due to knee soreness.

Howard was hitless in four at-bats, but walked once in the game. He scored a run, in a 6-2 win.

Howard is hitting .278 on the season with an .832 OPS. 

Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard was back in the starting lineup Tuesday against the Padres, after sitting out the previous game with soreness in his left knee. Howard is battering fourth and player first base, as usual.

Howard has been dealing with soreness in the knee for much of the season, and may require days off moving forward to manage it. 

Indians shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera (quadriceps) said he feels 100 percent and hopes to be activated off the disabled list for either Wednesday's or Thursday's game against the Orioles, according to MLB.com. Cabrera last appeared in a game June 3.

Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard is out of Monday's lineup with left knee soreness, MLB.com reports.

Howard also missed three games in May with soreness in the same knee. Howard is hitting a robust .357/.442/.643 in June without missing a game, so there aren't any indications he's been slogging through this injury the whole month. Most likely, the Phillies are taking extra precautions with the soreness due to last month's issue.

Cleveland shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera, who has a right quad injury, is doing extremely well at the moment, MLB.com reports. Manager Terry Francona believes he'll be activated soon. 

Cabrera has been taking grounders and may not need an injury rehab assignment. The Indians have not yet decided if he'll go on one or not. 

Astros first baseman Chris Carter pounded out four hits Sunday against the Cubs, which included a career-high three doubles. He added two runs and two RBI.

"It was good to see him drive the ball the other way," Astros manager Bo Porter said. "He's been doing that this last week or so and it's coming together."

Carter is batting .342 (13 for 38) with two home runs, seven doubles, seven RBI and eight runs in his last 10 games.