MLB Player News

LeMahieu could see some at-bats from the leadoff spot against right-handed pitching, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Brett Gardner has slotted into the leadoff role in 2019 with Aaron Hicks (back) on the shelf, although skipper Aaron Boone stated that "there could be some scenarios" in which LeMahieu bats leadoff against right-handers. Lemahieu has fared well against right-handed pitching so far this season and is hitting .394 with five RBI in 33 at-bats.

Hayes went 3-for-5 with two doubles and a homer against Triple-A Charlotte on Thursday.

The home run was his first at the Triple-A level. Hayes spent all of 2018 playing for Double-A Altoona, where he slashed .293/.375/.444 but with only seven homers in 437 at-bats. He followed that up by hitting .353 with three home runs in Grapefruit League action this spring. The third baseman has a solid skill set, but his fantasy value may be determined by his ability to hit for power. So far he's off to a good start in 2019.

Farmer has played a limited role so far, hitting .167/.167/.667 with two homers in 12 at-bats.

Though he's capable of catching, the Reds haven't used him there yet, as he's played three games at second base and a game at third. Most of his action has been as a pinch hitter. With two other catchers on the active roster, that will continue to be his role.

Devers went 2-for-4 with a double, a walk, two RBI and a run scored in Thursday's 7-6 win over the Blue Jays.

Devers, who was hitting out of the six hole against a right-hander for a second straight game, bounced a ninth-inning single against a drawn-in infield with the bases loaded to give Boston's a walkoff win. The third baseman had been a regular as the third batter against right-handers but was dropped to sixth after a slow start (9-for-40, .225). He's responded with multi-hit games in each contest.

Escobar went 1-for-3 with a three-run home run in Arizona's 7-6 loss to the Padres on Thursday.

Escobar had been off to a slow start, but he broke through with his first long ball of the season in this contest, launching a game-tying three-run blast off Brad Wieck in the seventh inning. He's still slashing just .220/.304/.360 over 50 at-bats, but hopefully this is a sign the 30-year-old infielder is primed to get going at the dish.

Suarez went 3-for-4 with a solo home run and two RBI in a 5-0 victory against the Marlins on Thursday.

The 27-year-old posted a pair of three-hit games and two homers in the series versus the Marlins. With the great series, Suarez is now hitting .297 with five extra-base hits, six RBI and four runs this season. His OPS sits at an impressive 1.004.

Longoria is not starting Thursday against the Rockies.

Longoria hits the bench for just the second time this season. Pablo Sandoval gets the call at third base in his absence.

Newman was placed on the 10-day injured list with a laceration on his right middle finger Thursday.

The move is retroactive to April 9, so Newman could be back in action as soon as April 19. Kevin Kramer was recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis to take his place on the roster.

Manager David Bell said Thursday that Senzel's (ankle) progress in his recovery has been encouraging, but the skipper noted the 23-year-old is at least a couple of weeks away from playing games at any level, Fletcher Page of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Senzel was recently cleared to shed his walking boot and resume working out, but he'll likely need until late April to work through a full progression of activities before the Reds clear him for action in simulated or rehab games. The Reds will likely ease Senzel into a rehab assignment by first sending him to a lower-level affiliate before he eventually makes his way to Triple-A Louisville, where he finished the past season. Assuming Senzel hits no snags in his recovery from the right ankle sprain while playing for Louisville, he may not stick around in the minors for long. His long-awaited promotion to Cincinnati could come at some point in May.

Chapman is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Orioles, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Chapman will be awarded his first day off of the season after submitting his second three-hit performance of the series in Wednesday's 10-3 victory. Chad Pinder will slide in at third base in Chapman's stead.