MLB Player News

The Reds optioned Franco to Triple-A Louisville on Friday.

Franco made his MLB debut with the Reds on March 30 and worked three games out of the bullpen, registering a 3.18 ERA, 2.12 WHIP and 4:5 K:BB across 5.2 innings. He'll need to work on his command in the minors. In a corresponding move, the Reds recalled Kyle Nicolas from Louisville.

Dollander allowed one run on four hits and one walk while striking out three batters over 4.1 innings in a no-decision against San Diego on Thursday.

Dollander has yet to start a game this season, but he's completed at least four innings in all three of his appearances so far. The right-hander tossed 81 pitches Thursday, throwing 55 of them for strikes and getting a healthy 14 whiffs. Dollander opened the season in poor fashion by allowing four runs over four innings against Toronto on March 30 (while ironically picking up his lone win of the campaign so far), but he's since given up just two runs while posting a 9:2 K:BB across 8.2 frames over his subsequent two outings. It remains to be seen if he'll eventually be moved into a traditional starting role, but for now he seems to be feeling comfortable in bulk relief after struggling to a 2-12 record and 6.52 ERA across 21 appearances (all starts) as a rookie last season.

McLean (1-1) took the loss against Arizona on Thursday, allowing two runs on three hits and two walks while striking out eight batters over 6.1 innings.

McLean rolled through six scoreless innings having given up just two hits. He faltered a bit in the seventh, giving up a walk and a single around his eighth strikeout, which led to him getting pulled. Luke Weaver entered and gave up a pair of hits while allowing both inherited runners to score (plus two more), which ultimately saddled McLean with the loss. Despite the defeat, this was another promising outing for the 24-year-old, who now carries a 2.70 ERA and 20:6 K:BB through three starts spanning 16.2 frames. He'll face a tough test his next time out, as he's lined up to start in Los Angeles against the Dodgers next week.

Rodriguez (1-0) earned the win over the Mets on Thursday, allowing one run on five hits and two walks while striking out three batters over six innings.

Rodriguez allowed a solo homer to Luis Robert in the first inning, but New York was unable to score after that. That long ball represented the first -- and only -- earned run Rodriguez has given up through three starts, spanning 18 innings, in what has been a dazzling start to the campaign. The veteran southpaw's 11:5 K:BB is far less impressive, but as long as he continues to limit runs, fantasy managers will be happy to roll him out every fifth game. Rodriguez is next scheduled to take the mound in Baltimore against an Orioles squad that ranks in the bottom half of the league in runs scored so far this season.

Lowder (1-1) took the loss Thursday against the Marlins, allowing five runs (four earned) on eight hits and two walks with two strikeouts across 5.1 innings.

Lowder hasn't been able to miss many bats in the early going this season with a 6.1 K/9 -- which is only marginally worse than his 6.5 mark from the 2025 regular season -- and he generated just seven whiffs on 95 pitches against Miami. Lowder served up four extra-base knocks, including a pair of doubles to Owen Caissie. An RBI single by Javier Sanoja was the knockout blow in the sixth inning, as Lowder left trailing 5-1. The right-hander has a 3.31 ERA and 11:6 K:BB across 16.1 innings. He's slated to face the Giants at home Wednesday.

Meyer (1-0) earned the win Thursday against the Reds, allowing one run on four hits and three walks with four strikeouts across five innings.

Meyer threw a heavy dose of sliders against Cincinnati and generated a 25 percent swinging strike rate with the pitch Thursday. Meyer's only mistake was a two-out solo home run allowed to Sal Stewart in the fifth inning. Meyer left the game with a 4-1 lead, and the Miami bullpen was able to hold on to preserve the right-hander's first win of the season. His command hasn't been great with multiple walks issued in each start, and he'll carry a 3.68 ERA 15:8 K:BB across 14.2 innings into his next outing versus Atlanta.

Sproat is no longer listed among the Brewers' scheduled starters for this weekend's series versus the Nationals, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Sproat's turn had been slated to come up Saturday, but the Brewers will push Kyle Harrison and Brandon Woodruff each up to start the final two games of the series. The Brewers didn't reveal the reason behind the decision, though it could simply be the team taking advantage of the off day Thursday to push back or skip a struggling starter. Sproat has allowed 11 runs with a 7:7 K:BB through his first 6.2 innings this season.

The Brewers optioned Drohan to Triple-A Nashville on Thursday, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Drohan permitted three runs on three hits and four walks over 2.2 innings against the Red Sox on Wednesday in his major-league debut. The Brewers have not announced a corresponding roster move, but they're expected to bring up a reliever prior to Friday's game versus the Nationals.

High-A Eugene placed Bostick on the 60-day injured list March 18 due to a ruptured Achilles, Jim Callis of MLB Pipeline reports.

He suffered the injury over the offseason and will miss the entire 2026 season. Bostick had a 3.71 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 139:39 K:BB in 119 innings at High-A last year as a 23-year-old.

Pushard (knee) will throw a 20-pitch bullpen session Thursday at moderate intensity, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Pushard threw lightly off the mound earlier this week and will up the intensity level Thursday. Working his way back from right knee patellar tendinitis, Pushard is likely to need some rehab appearances before rejoining the Cardinals' bullpen.