MLB Player News

Our Eye on Baseball blogger Mike Axisa took a look at Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo's production, after ESPN.com reported the team has made alterations to his swing.

According to the report, Rizzo appears to be generating more of an uppercut on his swing, resulting in a big increase in fly balls and power, but also more weak pop-ups and strikeouts. The numbers bear that out, and Axisa's analysis is worth a look. Rizzo's strikeout rate, flyball rate and infield pop-up rate have increased this season, a possible side effect of the new approach that has led him to six home runs and 14 RBI in 18 games.

Cubs manager Dale Sveum hinted a few days ago that the team could consider sending Rizzo to Triple-A to work on some things, so Fantasy owners might want to keep an eye on this situation. 

Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo is one home run shy of tying a franchise record for most home runs by a left-handed hitter in April. Billy Williams (1970) and Henry Rodriguez (2000) share the record, which is seven home runs.

Alfonso Soriano holds the team record for most home runs in April with 10, which he set in 2011.

Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman, who was activated off the 15-day disabled list Monday, returned to the starting lineup for the first game of Tuesday's doubleheader at Colorado. Freeman, who had been sidelined by an oblique injury, started at first base for the first time since April 6.

Diamondbacks first baseman Paul Goldschmidt enters play Tuesday at San Francisco as one of two Arizona players to start all 19 games, joining Martin Prado. 

Goldschmidt is carrying a .324 average through the first few weeks of the season. Goldschmidt has failed to record a hit in just five games. He's managed six multi-hit games, including three in his last nine outings.

Indians shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera, who returned to the lineup after missing one game with a wrist injury, drove in two runs in a 3-2 win over the White Sox. 

Cabrera plated two of the three runs the Tribe scored with a two-run single to center in the eighth inning. Batting third, Cabrera went 1 for 4 and added his first stolen base of the year. 

Cabrera has a hit in four straight games but is still batting just .156. 

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman won't be restricted for Tuesday's doubleheader against the Rockies, barring a setback.

Freeman was expected to come off the 15-day disabled list Monday but the contest was postponed due to inclement weather. The 23-year-old has not played since April 6 due to a right oblique strain.

Indians shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera returned to the starting lineup Monday at Chicago White Sox after missing his first start of the season Sunday with a left wrist contusion. Cabrera, who has yet to record a multi-hit game, is batting .150 (9 for 60) through 16 games.

Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard was back in action Sunday against the Cardinals after missing his last two games with a groin injury.

Howard drove in a run on a sacrifice fly in the first and added a single in the fourth. He finished 1 for 3 with one RBI in a 7-3 victory. The 33-year-old is hitting.277/.300/.385 with a home run and six RBI in 65 at-bats.

Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo accounted for both his club's runs Sunday with a two-run home run.

Rizzo went 2 for 4 on the day to get his batting average over .200. His six home runs lead the club and he has a respectable .532 slugging percentage despite his difficulties in hitting for average so far.

Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard, who was held out Friday and Saturday with a groin injury, returned to the starting lineup Sunday night against the Cardinals.

Howard has gone 2 for 5 with five walks and an RBI in his career against St. Louis starter Jake Westbrook. The 33-year-old is hitting .274 with a home run and five RBI in 62 at-bats this season.