MLB Player News

Smith isn't in the Nationals' lineup Friday against Miami, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.

Smith will retreat to the bench against left-handed starter Braxton Garrett. Joey Meneses will fill in at first base, moving Keibert Ruiz into the DH spot while Riley Adams starts behind the dish.

Rizzo (concussion) took batting practice on the field both Wednesday and Thursday, Max Goodman of The Newark Star-Ledger reports.

Rizzo reported Wednesday that he was feeling good about his progress after being diagnosed with post-concussion syndrome in early August. The veteran slugger is working toward a return, though his status is still considered week-to-week. The Yankees have lost 10 of 11 contests to fall 10 games out of a wild-card spot, but the organization appears willing to be patient with Rizzo and not rush his return.

Raley isn't in the Rays' lineup Friday against the Yankees, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

After going 2-for-3 with a homer and two runs scored Thursday, Raley will get a breather to begin Tampa Bay's series with the Yankees. Randy Arozarena, Jose Siri and Josh Lowe will start in the Rays' outfield while Harold Ramirez serves as the DH.

Freeman went 5-for-9 with two doubles, two runs and an RBI over both contests in Thursday's doubleheader sweep of the Guardians.

Freeman recorded three hits in the matinee, which was technically a continuation of Wednesday's suspended game. He added two more base knocks in the nightcap before being replaced in the field in the seventh frame with Los Angeles holding a comfortable lead. Freeman is up to 47 doubles on the campaign, matching the career high he set last season and leading the majors by a wide margin. Following an uncharacteristic six-game rough patch during which the All-Star first baseman went 2-for-20, Freeman has bounced back with a five-game hitting streak during which he is slashing .381/.381/.524 with three doubles, two RBI and a stolen base.

Noda went 1-for-5 with a stolen base and a run in a win over the White Sox on Thursday.

The rookie slugger led off for only the fifth time this season and crossed the plate with the go-ahead run in the seventh inning on Zack Gelof's two-run home run. Noda has reached safely in each of his first four games back from a stint on the injured list due to a jaw fracture, although he's still searching for his first extra-base hit since July 18.

Arias went 3-for-4 with a solo homer, two runs scored and a stolen base in Thursday's loss against the Dodgers.

Arias singled in his first at-bat and stole home later in the inning to give the Guardians their first run of the game. He then added a 425-foot leadoff home run in the bottom of the eighth, marking his fourth long ball this month. It was also just his second multi-hit game in August and his second three-hit game of the season. The utility player has hit safely in three straight and in five of his last six.

Kirilloff (shoulder) says he's back to full baseball activities, but the Twins will wait several more days to see if he's healthy enough to send him on a rehab assignment, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.

Kirilloff received a cortisone injection for his strained right shoulder in early August, and he's been able to ramp up his baseball work over the past couple weeks. It sounds like he could return in early September if he begins a rehab assignment by early next week.

Isaac, who was promoted to High-A Bowling Green on Tuesday, hit his first home run at that level Thursday against Winston-Salem.

Arguably the best first base prospect in the minors, Isaac has yet to face much resistance in pro ball, save for the fact he has a .672 OPS in 91 plate appearances against same-handed pitchers compared to a .907 OPS in 295 plate appearances against righties. The 6-foot-3, 240-pound 19-year-old will need to keep mashing at each level of the minors, given his lack of defensive versatility, but he has at least 70-grade raw power and has a 20.7 percent strikeout rate while being young for Single-A and High-A.

Votto (shoulder) is expected to be activated from the injured list in early September, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.

Votto was placed on the injured list Thursday due to left shoulder discomfort, a potential aggravation of the issue that forced him to miss nearly the first three months of the season. However, manager David Bell provided some clarification that Votto is expected to have a short stint on the shelf this time, with his earliest potential return being Sep. 3.

Cincinnati placed Votto on the 10-day injured list Thursday with left shoulder discomfort.

It's the same shoulder that required a surgical repair last year. Votto got off to an encouraging start when he finally joined the Reds in June, but he is slashing just .167/.262/.296 over his last 61 plate appearances dating back to Aug. 3. There is no timetable for his return from this latest setback.