MLB Player News

Lodolo (back) threw four scoreless innings while allowing two hits, walking none and striking out five in a rehab outing with Triple-A Louisville on Thursday, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Lodolo was effective across 58 pitches. It wasn't a significant increase from his 49-pitch effort in his last rehab outing, so he may need one more turn through the rotation in Louisville before being activated. Regardless of exact timing, Lodolo appears set to rejoin the Reds rotation within the next week or two.

Eflin (knee) played catch, did agility work and caught fly balls prior to Thursday's game against San Diego, Alex Coffey of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Eflin also completed a bullpen session Wednesday, though his status for a potential start Saturday remains unclear. Interim manager Rob Thompson said the team expects to make a decision soon, and if Eflin does take the mound it will be without any workload restrictions.

Lugo was reinstated from the paternity list Thursday, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

Lugo has been away from the team since Monday for the birth of his child and was expected back in time for the team's weekend series against the Marlins. Now that he's officially back, Lugo should return to a setup role, working in front of Edwin Diaz. On the season, Lugo has maintained a 3.81 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 27:7 K:BB across 28.1 innings.

Musgrove (undisclosed) was activated from the COVID-19 injured list ahead of his start against the Phillies on Thursday, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Musgrove landed on the COVID-19 injured list following his previous start last Thursday, but he quickly cleared the necessary protocols and will start versus Philadelphia. The right-hander has produced a quality start in al 12 of his outings this year and has a 1.59 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 81:17 K:BB across 79 innings.

Triple-A Louisville placed Lively on its 7-day injured list Thursday with a right flexor strain, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Though Lively isn't on the Reds' 40-man roster, he had put himself in the conversation for a potential call-up after turning in a 3.77 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 73:26 K:BB across 62 innings. Given the nature of his injury, Lively will likely be sidelined beyond the minimum seven days and shouldn't be expected to surface in the big leagues at any point in the near future.

Ashby (forearm) said he's feeling great and is scheduled for a bullpen session Saturday, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Ashby hit the 15-day injured list with left forearm inflammation Monday but said later that day he wasn't overly concerned about the issue. His outlook remains positive, though whether or not it's an accurate outlook won't become clear until after he tests his arm in the bullpen.

Smyly (oblique) is scheduled to throw another bullpen session Friday, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

It's the second side session of the week for Smyly, whose strained right oblique apparently responded well to Tuesday's throwing workout. If all goes well Friday, Smyly could be cleared to face hitters in live batting practice early next week.

Castillo didn't factor into the decision in Wednesday's 8-4 loss to the Dodgers, giving up four runs on five hits and three walks over five innings. He struck out six.

The right-hander gave up more than three earned runs for the first time this season as he saw his quality start streak end at four, but Castillo exited with the score tied 4-4 after throwing 103 pitches (61 strikes). He has struck out at least six batters in five of his last six outings, posting a 3.31 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 37:14 K:BB through 35.1 innings over that stretch, and Castillo seems just about back to top form after his delayed start to the campaign due to a sore shoulder.

Anderson didn't factor into the decision in Wednesday's 8-4 win over the Reds, giving up four runs (three earned) on five hits and a walk over five innings. He struck out two.

The veteran lefty got tagged for three runs in the second inning to put the Dodgers in an early hole, but the game was tied by the time Anderson exited and Los Angeles pulled away late. He tossed 58 of 81 pitches for strikes, but he got hit hard as four of the five hits off him went for extra bases, including an Albert Almora solo shot in the fifth. Anderson still carries an unblemished 8-0 record on the season with a dazzling 3.00 ERA and 0.97 WHIP, but he's showing signs of slowing down. He has a 4.41 ERA over his last three outings that nearly matches his 4.45 career mark.

Clevinger didn't factor into the decision in Wednesday's 10-4 win over the Diamondbacks, allowing one run on four hits and two walks over four innings. He struck out three.

Making his first start since June 5, Clevinger tossed 50 of 81 pitches for strikes before exiting, and his only real mistake resulted in a solo shot by Alek Thomas. The veteran right-hander has a 3.52 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 25:9 K:BB through 23 innings over six appearances (five starts) this season, and while the Padres will continue to treat him with kid gloves in his return from Tommy John surgery in 2020, he should be able to pitch long enough to qualify for a win in his next outing.