MLB Player News

Reds manager David Bell said Sunday that Solano (hamstring) is running at approximately 75 percent, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Since suffering what was initially expected to be a short-term left hamstring injury late in spring training, Solano has made slow progress in his recovery. Nearly two months after suffering the injury, Solano still isn't back to running at 100 percent, though he could reach that benchmark within the next week. Even if that's the case, Solano will still need to prove he can perform all baseball activities before heading out on a minor-league rehab assignment, which will likely consist of several games. He doesn't appear likely to make his Reds debut before the first week of June, which could result in him being transferred to the 60-day injured list if Cincinnati needs to open up a spot on the 40-man roster.

Mountcastle was removed from Sunday's game against the Rays due to heat-related body cramps, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Mountcastle didn't show any clear signs of injury before leaving the matchup with a trainer after leading off the bottom of the ninth inning with a single. It seems unlikely that his cramps will prompt a trip to the injured list, and he should tentatively be considered day-to-day.

Mountcastle exited Sunday's game against the Rays in the bottom of the ninth inning due to an apparent injury, Zachary Silver of MLB.com reports.

Mountcastle led off the bottom of the ninth inning with a single, but he was visited by a trainer and left the game after reaching first base. Prior to his departure, he went 2-for-4 with a solo homer, two runs, a walk and a strikeout. The nature of his injury isn't yet known, and it's not clear whether he'll be available for Monday's series opener against the Yankees.

The Giants called up Padlo from Triple-A Sacramento on Sunday.

He'll join San Francisco as a replacement on the 26-man active roster for first baseman Brandon Belt (knee), who was moved to the 10-day injured list. Wilmer Flores and Darin Ruf are the main candidates to pick up work at first base while Belt is on the shelf, so Padlo is likely to serve as corner-infield depth while he's up with the parent club.

Smith is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Rockies.

Southpaw Austin Gomber is on the hill for the Rockies in the series finale, so the lefty-hitting Smith will head to the bench. J.D. Davis will serve as the Mets' designated hitter while Smith sits after going 0-for-5 with a run scored between both ends of Saturday's doubleheader.

The Diamondbacks called up Ellis from Triple-A Reno on Sunday. He'll start at third base and bat ninth in the Diamondbacks' series finale with the Cubs.

Ellis joins the active roster as a replacement for infielder Yonny Hernandez, who was optioned to Triple-A Reno in a corresponding move. With top third baseman Josh Rojas (hand) getting the day off Sunday, Ellis will slot into the lineup right away, but don't expect Ellis to pick up regular playing time unless Rojas' hand injury requires a stint on the 10-day injured list.

The Cubs selected Higgins' contract from Triple-A Iowa on Sunday. He'll start at catcher and bat ninth in the Cubs' series finale with the Diamondbacks.

Top backstop Willson Contreras is considered day-to-day with a hamstring injury, so Higgins was brought aboard from Triple-A to provide another option behind the plate. In addition to playing catcher, Higgins received reps at both corner-infield spots at Iowa and slashed .417/.500/.569 in 86 plate appearances with the affiliate this season.

Flores went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Saturday's 2-1 loss to the Padres.

Flores provided the Giants' lone run with a solo shot off Padres reliever Robert Suarez in the eighth inning. In his last seven games, Flores has been solid, going 7-for-24 (.292) with a homer, four RBI and five runs scored. The infielder is up to a .266/.329/.422 slash line with four homers, 23 RBI, 20 runs scored and eight doubles through 35 contests overall.

Bell will start at first base and bat fifth Sunday against the Brewers.

He'll look to get back on track in the series finale in Milwaukee after going 0-for-14 with a walk and an RBI in the Nationals' last four games. Due to the ongoing slump, Bell's season-long batting average has dropped from .333 to .301.

Vaughn is not in the lineup for Game 1 of Sunday's doubleheader against the Yankees.

The 24-year-old has a .437 OPS and 32.1 percent strikeout rate in seven games since returning from the injured list May 13, and he'll take a seat for Sunday's matinee. AJ Pollock will shift to left field while Adam Engel starts in right. Vaughn is likely to be back in the lineup for the nightcap.