MLB Player News

Votto went 3-for-5 with a solo home run and an additional run scored in a loss to the Cubs on Thursday.

Votto's fourth-inning infield single led to Cincinnati's first run as a result of a Chicago error. The veteran first baseman then went deep in the sixth frame for his sixth long ball of the campaign. After a brutal start to the season, Votto perked up at the plate in June, slashing .274/.361/.495 with four homers, 15 RBI and 14 runs over 26 games.

Higgins went 3-for-5 with a two-run home run and an additional run scored in Thursday's 15-7 victory versus the Reds.

The Cubs' offense exploded for 23 hits in the contest, and Higgins was one of four players to collect at least three base knocks. His final hit in the blowout win was an eighth-inning, two-run homer. The long ball was his first in June and third of his career. This was also his first career three-hit performance.

Hall went 2-for-5 with two home runs and three RBI on Thursday against Atlanta.

Hall was recalled to make his major-league debut Wednesday and has been in the lineup as the team's cleanup hitter in both games since. He contributed to the Phillies' offensive outburst with a leadoff home run in the fourth inning to tally both his first big-league hit and homer. He followed that up with a two-run shot off Mike Ford in the eighth frame. Hall maintained a .894 OPS across 315 plate appearances with Triple-A Lehigh Valley prior to being recalled, and he appears to have a clear path to playing time with Bryce Harper (thumb) sidelined.

Voit isn't starting Thursday against the Dodgers.

Voit is getting a breather after he went 3-for-17 with a run, an RBI, a walk and seven strikeouts over the last five games. Manny Machado (ankle) is serving as the designated hitter and batting second Thursday.

Batten's contract was selected from Triple-A El Paso on Thursday.

The 27-year-old has spent most of the last three seasons in El Paso and will join the major-league roster for the first time to provide infield depth after Sergio Alcantara was designated for assignment. Batten has slashed .299/.399/.504 with 10 homers, 10 runs, 31 RBI and 13 stolen bases over 59 games with the Triple-A club this year.

Rivas isn't in the lineup for Thursday's game against Cincinnati, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Rivas started in the last five games and went 4-for-18 with two runs, two RBI, a stolen base, a walk and five strikeouts during that span. P.J. Higgins is starting at first base and batting seventh Thursday.

Abreu went 4-for-4 Wednesday against the Angels.

Abreu accounted for four of the White Sox's seven hits, all of which were singles. He has collected multiple knocks in five of his last nine starts, also delivering three RBI and six runs scored in that span. The impressive stretch has improved Abreu's line to .284/.375/.451 across 317 plate appearances on the season.

Freeman went 2-for-4 with a solo home run, a walk and an additional run scored in an 8-4 victory versus the Rockies on Wednesday.

Fresh off being named the National League Player of the Week, Freeman continued his torrid stretch at the plate with a first-inning, 446-foot solo homer and a fifth-inning single. He extended his current hitting streak to 13 games, during which he is batting .407 (22-for-54) with four homers, 13 RBI and a pair of stolen bases. The power surge is particularly satisfying for fantasy managers who roster him after Freeman began the campaign with just five long balls over his first 64 contests.

Bell went 3-for-3 with two doubles, two walks and two runs scored Wednesday against the Pirates.

Bell reached base in all of his plate appearances, highlighted by a pair of extra-base hits. He's riding an eight-game hitting streak and has at least one knock in 11 of his last 12 starts. That's continued an impressive season for Bell, as he's maintained a .319 average with 11 home runs, 42 runs scored and 46 RBI across 323 plate appearances.

Kirilloff went 3-for-4 with a two-run home run and a double in Wednesday's 7-6 extra-inning loss to the Guardians.

Kirilloff got the Twins on the board with his sixth-inning blast off Guardians starter Cal Quantrill. In 12 games since rejoining the big-league roster, Kirilloff is 13-for-40 (.325) with a homer, five doubles, 12 RBI and five runs scored. A pair of three-hit efforts in his last two games has helped to lift his season slash line to .261/.293/.377 in 75 plate appearances. His homer Wednesday was his first of the year.