MLB Player News

The Reds signed Vargas to a minor-league contract Tuesday.

Vargas was cut loose by the Yankees last week after slashing just .226/.291/.359 with seven home runs and 20 stolen bases in 89 games between the High-A and Double-A levels. He's still just 23 and received a $2.5 million bonus as an international signee back in 2018, so the Reds felt Vargas was worth adding to the organization.

Saggese went 3-for-4 with a steal, an RBI and two runs scored in Tuesday's win over the Marlins.

Saggese notched a base hit in each of his first three at-bats, though the exit velocity did not top 80 mph on any of his knocks. He's been making good contact in August with a .300 batting average in 15 games and figures to see extended playing time in the short term with Brendan Donovan (groin) on the injured list while Nolan Gorman mans third base in the absence of Nolan Arenado (shoulder).

Herrera went 2-for-5 with three RBI and a steal in Tuesday's win over the Marlins.

Herrera drove in the first three runs of the game for the Cardinals with a single to right in the first and another one in the second. It was his first multi-RBI game since July 24, and he's now hit safely in seven of his last eight games. Herrera's second-inning steal was his sixth theft of the season, passing his previous best of five from 2024. The 25-year-old is slashing .289/.366/.440 with 10 homers, 46 RBI, 31 runs and a 28:64 BB:K in 303 plate appearances.

Keller (5-12) took the loss Tuesday against the Blue Jays, allowing five runs on seven hits and three walks while striking out four in 3.1 innings.

Keller struggled out of the gates, allowing three runs in the opening frame while needing 33 pitches to complete the inning. George Springer then punished him in the second with a two-run blast to put the Pirates in a quick 5-0 hole. In six starts since the All-Star break, Keller owns an 8.31 ERA and 2.08 WHIP and has completed six frames only once. He lines up for a road start against the Cardinals to begin next week.

Gibaut (shoulder) has been scheduled to undergo arthroscopic surgery, MLB.com reports.

Gibaut was pulled off a rehab assignment earlier this month when his arm didn't respond well following an outing. No date for the surgery was provided, nor was an expected timeline for his recovery.

Lowder (forearm/oblique) threw a side session earlier this week and is expected to do so again Friday in front of team staff when the Reds are in Arizona, MLB.com reports.

The report indicates Lowder's side session went well, which is encouraging news for the team's 2024 first-round draft pick. The right-hander is not expected to pitch for Cincinnati or any of its affiliates this season but is expected to have a normal offseason, which will include the Arizona Fall League.

Gurriel went 1-for-4 with three RBI in Tuesday's 6-5 win over the Guardians.

Gurriel knocked in a run on a groundout in the fourth inning and then singled home a pair in the seventh to give the Diamondbacks a 6-4 lead. He's hit safely in six straight contests while producing 10 RBI over that span. Gurriel owns a .247/.296/.410 slash line with 16 home runs, 69 RBI, a career-high 10 steals and 44 runs scored over 117 games.

Taillon (8-6) picked up the win in the second game of Tuesday's doubleheader sweep of the Brewers, allowing one run on five hits and one walk over six innings. He struck out four.

Making his first start since July 29 after recovering from a calf strain, Taillon delivered his 11th quality start of the season on 92 pitches (56 strikes), with Milwaukee's only offense off him coming in the first inning thanks to two singles and a walk. The right-hander hadn't been able to complete five innings in any of his last three starts before landing on the IL, so the time off appears to have served him well. Taillon will take a 4.26 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 78:21 K:BB over 101.1 innings on the season into his next outing, which lines up to come on the road this weekend against the Angels.

Frelick went 3-for-8 with a walk and two RBI across both games of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Cubs.

Getting the nod in the leadoff spot for both ends of the twin bill, Frelick did his job setting the table, but the Brewers still got swept. The 25-year-old outfielder is surging in August despite missing a few games early in the month with a sore knee, slashing .348/.455/.478 over 13 contests with three doubles, a homer, a steal, eight RBI and 12 runs.

Woodruff (4-1) took the loss in the second game of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Cubs, giving up three runs on five hits and three walks over 4.1 innings. He struck out six.

Despite getting an extra day's rest after his last start Aug. 13, Woodruff wasn't sharp in Tuesday's nightcap as he needed 94 pitches (62 strikes) to record 13 outs. That pitch count represented his biggest workload of the year, while the outing marked the first time since he made his early July return from shoulder surgery that he allowed more than two runs. Woodruff will take a 2.47 ERA, 0.85 WHIP and 55:11 K:BB through 43.2 innings into his next start, which is scheduled to come at home this weekend against the Giants.