MLB Player News

Phillips will make his second start for the Reds on Wednesday in Detroit, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Though Andrew Abbott is on turn to start Wednesday, the Reds will give the rookie southpaw at least one additional day of rest amid his recent struggles. As a result, Phillips will be called upon to make his second big-league start despite struggling in his debut outing against the Mariners last week, when he allowed five runs over 4.2 innings. Phillips' time in the Cincinnati rotation could come to an end when Ben Lively (illness) likely returns from the COVID-19-related injured list later in the week.

Williamson (illness) will return from the COVID-19-related injured list to start Tuesday against the Tigers, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Williamson will have gone exactly two weeks between starts, as he was placed on the COVID-19 list Sept. 2 after making his last appearance for the Reds four days earlier. The left-hander had turned in two straight quality starts before going on the list, but he's been an up-and-down performer this season and might not be ready for a full workload Tuesday.

Atlanta transferred Soroka (forearm) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Monday.

The move frees up a spot on the 40-man roster for right-hander Jackson Stephens, whose contract was selected from Triple-A Gwinnett ahead of Monday's doubleheader with the Phillies. Soroka had already been ruled out for the season with right forearm inflammation. Before being shut down, Soroka made seven appearances (six starts) for the big club this season, going 2-2 with a 6.40 ERA and 1.48 WHIP over 32.1 innings.

Winans was optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett on Monday.

Winans was excellent in a spot start for Atlanta in Sunday's 5-2 win over the Pirates, fanning eight batters while yielding just two runs over 6.1 innings in a no-decision. He could have set himself up for another spot start with the big club down the stretch, but for now, Atlanta will send him down to the minors to make room for a fresh bullpen arm.

Ortiz allowed one earned run on three hits and two walks while striking out none across 5.1 innings Sunday against Atlanta. He did not factor into the decision.

Ortiz limited the damage against one of the tougher lineups in the league and held Atlanta without any extra-base hits. While his ability to suppress runs is positive, Ortiz lacked the ability to miss bats and racked up only five swinging strikes across 73 total pitches. That contrast has been present since he was promoted back to the majors Aug. 23, as he's maintained a respectable 4.12 ERA but has only a 14:12 K:BB across 19.2 frames.

Mikolas (7-11) allowed five runs on seven hits and a walk while striking out two over 5.1 innings in a loss to the Reds on Sunday.

Mikolas allowed five or more runs in a start for the 10th time this year. He infamously becomes the third pitcher to do so this season, joining Jordan Lyles and Lance Lynn. The 34-year-old Mikolas has allowed three or more runs in each of his last six outings and has given up nine home runs over that span while failing to reach five strikeouts in any of those appearances. After posting extremely strong numbers in 2022, Mikolas has fallen back to Earth this season. He now owns a 4.75 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 116:36 K:BB in 176.1 innings and lines up for a home start against the Phillies next.

Greene (4-6) had his way with the Cardinals on Sunday, earning the win while allowing an unearned run on one hit and four walks in six innings. He struck out nine.

Greene's lone hit allowed on the day was an RBI single from Andrew Knizner in the fourth. The 23-year-old has now allowed just two unearned runs on four hits and five walks while recording 15 punchouts over his last 11.1 innings after surrendering 14 runs (13 earned) in his first two starts back from the COVID-19 list. Greene seems poised for a strong run to close out the season will look to continue his dominant effort in a road matchup with the Mets his next time out.

Williams (6-10) suffered the loss Sunday against the Dodgers, allowing six runs on eight hits and four walks while striking out four over 4.1 innings.

Williams allowed four runs to score through the first two frames, highlighted by a solo home run from James Outman in the second. He kept the Dodgers off the board in the third and fourth but exited the game in the fifth with the bases loaded following two walks and a single. He threw 101 pitches and just 55 strikes before departing the game and has now failed to reach five innings in five of his last seven starts while registering an 8.39 ERA, 1.86 WHIP and 29:16 K:BB over that span. Williams has just two wins since the start of July and will look to find his groove again in a projected start against the Brewers.

Cobb (hip) will start Monday's game against the Guardians, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Cobb has dealt with a left hip impingement over the second half of the 2023 campaign, and he recently received a cortisone injection that helped him avoid a trip to the injured list. Over his last five starts, he's posted a 5.67 ERA and 1.26 WHIP in 27 innings.

Waldron (0-3) allowed four runs on four hits and two walks over five innings Sunday, striking out one batter and taking a loss against the Astros.

Waldron turned in a couple of scoreless frames before coughing up three runs in the third inning. It was tied for his longest MLB outing but also raised his ERA to 5.55 through 24.1 innings on the year. He entered the rotation for Rich Hill, who would later allow two unearned runs in three innings of relief Sunday. It's unclear if Waldron will get another look in the rotation or be moved back to a bulk-relief role.