MLB Player News

Backhus allowed one run on two hits across one inning of work as an opener Wednesday against the Cubs. He struck out one.

Backhus needed 15 pitches (12 strikes) to get the job done in the first inning, but the Cubs, who have boasted one of the best offenses in the majors over the last 10 days, still found a way to score against him. Backhus should return to his regular role in the bullpen moving forward and has been pitching well of late, tossing four scoreless outings over six appearances this month, with a 2.45 ERA across 7.1 innings.

Walker (1-4) was tagged with the loss Wednesday against the Cubs, allowing five runs (four earned) on eight hits and a walk across four innings. He struck out one.

Walker pitched in bulk relief after Wednesday's opener, Kyle Backhus, allowed a run on two hits in his lone inning of work. Walker has failed to pitch more than four innings in his last two starts, taking losses to Atlanta and the Cubs while allowing a combined 12 runs (11 earned) on 15 hits and a 5:4 K:BB through eight frames. Walker's next turn in the rotation should come against the Giants at home next week, but it's hard to trust him right now. He's allowed at least four earned runs in four of his five appearances this season while sporting an inflated 9.13 ERA with a 2.07 WHIP through 22.2 innings.

Higgins went 0-for-2 with an RBI in Wednesday's 5-1 loss to the Rays.

Higgins' run-scoring sacrifice fly was all the Reds could do against former teammate Nick Martinez. The RBI was the first for Higgins, who is 2-for-10 since being called up to replace Jose Trevino (back). Reports indicate Trevino will be activated Sunday, which should end Higgins' current stay in the majors.

Trevino (back) will catch five innings in a rehab game for High-A Dayton on Friday, MLB.com reports.

The Reds considered activating Trevino from the 10-day injured list Wednesday, but he'll opt for a brief rehab assignment instead. The veteran backstop appears on track to be activated from the IL ahead of Sunday's series finale versus the Tigers.

Fernandez went 2-for-3 with two walks and two runs scored in Wednesday's 11-7 win over the White Sox.

Fernandez's contributions were lost among the more showy exploits of his teammates, but the utility infielder extended a hit streak to seven games (9-for-27). The rookie has flirted with .300 all season and is slashing .313/.333/.433 with four extra-base hits and nine RBI over 19 games. A relatively unheralded prospect entering spring training, Fernandez put on a show in the Cactus League (three HR, 1.148 OPS) and it hasn't stopped in the majors, where he homered twice in his MLB debut. The 22-year-old shares first base with Ildemaro Vargas while also getting at-bats at DH.

Perdomo went 3-for-4 with two triples, a walk, one RBI and one run scored in Wednesday's 11-7 win over the White Sox.

Perdomo has hit safely in his last six games, going 12-for-23 (.522) in that span, which includes all three of his triples this season. The surge has him up to a .260 average and .782 OPS through 23 contests after a slow start. Perdomo has added six stolen bases, six RBI, 11 runs scored, one home run and three doubles on the year. The shortstop broke out with a 20-homer, 100-RBI effort over 161 games in 2025, but he's taken a clear step back in most areas early in 2026.

Carroll went 3-for-4 with a triple, a walk, one RBI, two stolen bases and two runs scored in Wednesday's 11-7 win over the White Sox.

Carroll looks to be fine after an injury scare due to lower-back tightness over the weekend. The outfielder is already up to a major-league-leading four triples this season. He's added a .312/.413/.610 slash line with three home runs, 17 RBI, 17 runs scored and four stolen bases across 22 contests. Carroll could be poised for a big season if his early improvements in the rate stats hold up throughout the year.

Arenado went 4-for-4 with a home run, three RBI, three runs scored and a walk in Wednesday's 11-7 win over the White Sox.

Arenado has five multi-hit efforts over his last eight games. He's gone 12-for-30 (.400) with four homers and 11 RBI in that span. The third baseman had a bit of a slow start to the year, but he's rounded into form. Arenado is hitting .263 with a .724 OPS, four homers, 14 RBI, 11 runs scored, two doubles and no stolen bases over 22 contests.

Vargas went 2-for-5 with two home runs and five RBI in Wednesday's 11-7 win over the White Sox.

Vargas made an early impact with a three-run blast in the second inning followed by a two-run homer in the third. He's launched three homers over the last two games and has extended his season-opening hit streak to 17 contests. Vargas is batting a remarkable .364 with a 1.079 OPS, five homers, 16 RBI, 14 runs scored, five doubles, one triple and no stolen bases. He has taken over as Arizona's primary first baseman while Carlos Santana (thigh) is on the injured list, though Vargas' hot start should secure him an everyday place in the lineup for the near future, regardless of position.

Rodriguez (2-0) allowed four runs on six hits and three walks while striking out four over five innings to earn the win over the White Sox on Wednesday.

Rodriguez threw 61 of 96 pitches for strikes, but it wasn't a particularly convincing performance. He gave up a pair of solo home runs in this outing, putting him at four homers allowed over five starts this season. Rodriguez is at a 2.89 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 18:12 K:BB through 28 innings, but he's given up eight runs over his last two starts, so his early luck may be fading fast. The veteran southpaw is projected to make his next start on the road at Milwaukee.