MLB Player News

Votto (shoulder) remains shut down from baseball activities, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

It was reported last week that Votto should be ready to return from his left shoulder soreness by early September, but clearly that's not happening. Expect the Reds to use Christian Encarnacion-Strand at first base and Jake Fraley at designated hitter against righties until Votto is ready.

Candelario is absent from the lineup for the first game of Friday's doubleheader against the Reds.

Cody Bellinger and Nick Madrigal will handle the corner infield spots and Christopher Morel will be the designated hitter. Candelario figures to be in the lineup for the second game.

Cooper isn't in the Padres' lineup Thursday against the Giants.

After going 0-for-9 across his last two games, Cooper will get a day off to regroup during Thursday's series opener. Matthew Batten will start at first base and bat eighth while Cooper rests.

Encarnacion-Strand went 4-for-4 with a double, a home run and three RBI in Wednesday's 4-1 win over the Giants.

The rookie provided the Cincinnati bullpen with some breathing room when he launched a two-run shot off Tyler Rogers in the eighth inning. Encarnacion-Strand hadn't had a multi-hit performance since Aug. 19 and hadn't homered since Aug. 18, but the more important streak he snapped dated back to Aug. 4 -- the last time he avoided striking out. He closes the books on the month having posted a .255/.324/.418 slash line with four homers, nine runs and 12 RBI in 27 games, but his 34.3 percent strikeout rate and 5.6 percent walk rate during that time highlight the biggest obstacle between his loud tools and consistent production.

Freeman went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run, a double and an additional run scored in Wednesday's 7-0 win over the Diamondbacks.

Freeman's blast was his 25th of the season, making this the third time in six seasons he's reached that mark. Even by his lofty standards, the first baseman has had a good August, batting .375 with four homers, 16 doubles, 16 RBI, 22 runs scored and four stolen bases over 28 games. The impressive month has lifted his season slash line to .338/.413/.586 through 132 contests.

Gurriel will start at first base and bat seventh in Wednesday's game against the Rays, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Gurriel will serve as the Marlins' first baseman for the second day in a row, essentially replacing Jorge Soler (hip) in the lineup while Josh Bell handles designated-hitter duties. Since the Marlins acquired Bell on Aug. 1, Gurriel has made just 10 starts and is hitting .162 with two extra-base hits (both doubles) over 37 at-bats on the month.

Smith is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Blue Jays, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

Most of the lefty-hitting Smith's absences from the lineup typically come against left-handed pitching, but he'll hit the bench Wednesday against right-hander Chris Bassitt. With Smith taking a seat after starting in each of the past four games, Joey Meneses will serve as the Nationals' first baseman while Keibert Ruiz gets a day off behind the plate and settles in as the team's designated hitter.

Santana (ankle) will start at first base and bat third in Wednesday's game versus the Cubs.

Santana missed the previous two games with a sprained right ankle but is feeling well enough to give it a go Wednesday. The veteran first baseman comes into the series finale with the Cubs with a .701 OPS but six home runs in his first 25 contests as a member of the Brewers.

Batten went 4-for-4 with two doubles and two runs scored in Tuesday's loss to St. Louis.

Batten got the start at third base against left-hander Zack Thompson and rewarded the Padres with a four-hit performance, his second multi-hit effort of the year. Batten's made two starts since he was recalled from Triple-A on Saturday, going 5-for-7 with two doubles and a home run. He's now batting .367 (11-for-30) with two homers, seven runs scored, four RBI and a 1.074 OPS through 34 plate appearances with San Diego this season. While his current pace isn't likely sustainable, Batten has an opportunity for regular playing time while Jake Cronenworth (wrist) is sidelined.

Cronenworth is not expected to need surgery to repair his fractured right wrist, MLB.com reports.

Undergoing surgery would no doubt end his season, although it would still seem to be a long shot that he makes it back given that he'll be in a cast for several weeks. With the Padres' playoff hopes growing slimmer by the day, it makes little sense for Cronenworth to rush back.