MLB Player News

Reds manager David Bell said Wednesday that Senzel (illness) is expected to require a minor-league rehab assignment once he clears all COVID-19-related protocols, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports. "With Nick, it kind of depends if he's back in the next few days, maybe the end of next week he might go play a few games and be back for the homestand [that begins May 23]," Bell said, regarding when Senzel might come off the COVID-19 injured list.

While Bell suggested that Senzel is ahead of Joey Votto (illness) in their respective recoveries from the virus, both players appear unlikely to join the Reds for the start of their three-city, nine-game road trip that begins Thursday in Pittsburgh. Senzel and Votto both look safe to rule out from playing in the four-game series with the Pirates, and Bell's comments seemingly hinted that both players may have a tough time gaining clearance next week for the two-game set in Cleveland or the three-game series in Toronto. While Senzel is sidelined, TJ Friedl and Albert Almora should continue to see increased work in center field.

Reynolds is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Brewers.

Reynolds had started at second base in each of the Reds' last four games, going 3-for-12 with four walks and a run over that stretch. He'll take a seat for the series finale while Brandon Drury picks up the start at the keystone, and Reynolds may be the odd man out for regular playing time in the infield if Joey Votto (illness) is cleared to return from the COVID-19 injured list later this week.

Vargas had his contract selected by the Cubs on Tuesday, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

The 30-year-old missed out on Chicago's Opening Day roster but will now receive a big-league opportunity after Nick Madrigal (back) was placed on the injured list. Vargas should serve as infield depth while Madrigal is unavailable.

Madrigal was placed on the 10-day injured list Tuesday with lower-back tightness, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

According to Montemurro, Madrigal felt the tightness during Monday's contest, and he'll now be sidelined for at least the next 10 days. Ildemaro Vargas will join the big-league club as infield depth in a corresponding move.

Madrigal is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Padres.

Madrigal is 0-for-11 over his past four games and will take a seat Tuesday. Jonathan Villar will man the keystone in Madrigal's place.

Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak said Sosa (illness) could return from the COVID-19-related injured list as early as Thursday, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

After clearing MLB's COVID-19 protocols, Sosa reported to Double-A Springfield to begin a rehab assignment as he works to regain conditioning following a week-long quarantine. He's scheduled to play the full game Tuesday, and Mozeliak said Sosa will play all nine innings for Springfield again Wednesday. If all goes well after he plays on back-to-back days, Sosa may not only find himself activated from the IL, but also in position to step into an everyday role at shortstop. Brendan Donovan will pick up the start at shortstop Tuesday against the Orioles following the struggling Paul DeJong's demotion to Triple-A Memphis earlier in the day, but Mozeliak said Sosa will have "every chance" to supplant Donovan for the job once he's available, according to John Denton of MLB.com.

The Reds reinstated Moustakas from the COVID-19-related injured list Tuesday, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

Moustakas was placed on the IL on Monday, but he'll be eligible to rejoin the Reds a day later after he either tested out of MLB's COVID-19 protocols or shed any symptoms that may have been related to the virus. Given the brevity of his absence, Moustakas should immediately settle back into an everyday role in the corner infield.

Peterson will start at third base and bat seventh in Tuesday's game against the Reds.

Peterson will stay in the lineup for the third game in a row, but his uptick in playing time has largely been a byproduct of how the Brewers have sequenced the off days for some of their everyday players. He'll benefit from Hunter Renfroe getting a day off Tuesday, as Willy Adames will serve as the Brewers' designated hitter while Luis Urias opens up third base for Peterson by shifting over to shortstop.

Sosa (illness) has cleared the COVID-19 protocol and is on a rehab assignment with Double-A Springfield, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Sosa's time with Springfield is likely to be short. He'll need a few reps to get back up to speed before rejoining St. Louis. Expect Sosa to compete for playing time at shortstop once he's officially activated.

Segura went 2-for-4 with a home run, two runs scored and three RBI in Monday's 9-0 win over the Mariners.

Facing the team that traded him to the Phillies ahead of the 2019 season, Segura opened the scoring in the top of the second inning by launching a solo shot off Chris Flexen to kick off the rout. Segura has gone yard in back-to-back games and reeled off four straight multi-hit performances as part of a seven-game hitting streak, boosting his slash line on the year to .293/.343/.446 with four homers, one steal, 10 RBI and 12 runs through 24 contests.