MLB Player News

Baty went 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI in Wednesday's loss to the Diamondbacks.

Baty opened the season with a four-game hitting streak, and now he's hit safely in four of his last five as well. He's seeing the ball well of late, but that hasn't translated to a lot of production from a fantasy perspective. Despite hitting .275 through his first 40 plate appearances, he sports a .668 OPS with no homers, three doubles, a triple, six RBI, six runs scored and a 11:0 K:BB.

Peterson (0-2) was tagged with the loss Wednesday against the Diamondbacks after allowing five runs on six hits and two walks across five innings. He struck out six.

Peterson opened the season with 5.1 scoreless innings against the Pirates on March 28, but the wheels have fallen off completely in the last two starts. He's given up 11 runs (10 earned) on 15 hits and four walks while striking out 11 across 9.1 innings. It's too early to say if his spot in the rotation is at risk, but the left-hander naturally can't afford many more stumbles. Peterson's next start won't be any easier, as he's tentatively lined up to face the Dodgers on the road next week.

Hayes is not in the lineup for Thursday's contest versus the Marlins.

Hayes is a horrific 3-for-31 with no extra-base hits in his first 10 games this season, so he'll get a breather to regroup. Eugenio Suarez is getting a start at third base and Nathaniel Lowe will be the Reds' designated hitter.

Marte is not in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Marlins.

Marte's playing time had been trending up with starts in three of the last four contests against righties, but he'll take a seat for the series finale as the Marlins send right-hander Max Meyer to the bump. TJ Friedl, Dane Myers and Spencer Steer will patrol the outfield for the Reds on Thursday.

Benson is absent from the lineup for Thursday's game in Miami.

After starting each of the first five games against righties this season, the left-handed-hitting Benson has now been in the lineup just two times across the Reds' last four tilts versus right-handed pitching. TJ Friedl, Dane Myers and Spencer Steer will form the Reds' outfield trio.

Stephenson is not in the lineup for Thursday's contest in Miami.

Stephenson had started each of the last four games for the Reds, so he'll get a breather in Thursday's series finale. P.J. Higgins is getting the start at catcher and batting ninth for Cincinnati.

Nelson (1-1) allowed one run on five hits while striking out five over 5.2 innings, earning the win in Wednesday's 7-2 victory over the Mets.

Nelson's first two starts of the season were marred by six walks and four home runs, uncharacteristic of the right-hander. There were no such issues the third time out. Nelson scattered two hits over five scoreless innings, before New York batters touched him for three singles and their lone run in the sixth. The bounce-back outing came at a good time for Nelson, as the Diamondbacks consider how best to incorporate Merrill Kelly (back) into the rotation. Kelly is scheduled for one more rehab start before being activated, meaning someone in the existing rotation will need to go. Based on the results thus far, the decision seemingly comes down to Nelson (4.20 ERA) and Brandon Pfaadt (6.75).

Tovar went 2-for-5 with two doubles and an RBI on Wednesday against the Astros.

Tovar completed a five-run rally in the second inning with a two-out RBI double. He added another two-bagger in his next plate appearance to mark only his second multi-hit effort of the season and first since March 30 -- a span of six starts. Tovar has managed 12 hits across 45 at-bats to begin the new campaign, though that's been paired with a 29.8 percent strikeout rate and only one stolen base and one home run.

Julien went 2-for-4 with two runs scored, two RBI and a walk Wednesday against the Astros.

Julien served as Colorado's leadoff hitter for the third consecutive game. He's performed well in that span, going 5-for-12 with four RBI and three runs scored. Julien began the season as a part-time player, though his strong performance could earn him additional playing time, at least the short term.

Wheeler (shoulder) struck out six over 4.1 innings in his third rehab start Wednesday for Triple-A Lehigh Valley, allowing one run on three hits and one walk.

The All-Star right-hander built up to 61 pitches Wednesday, although it was fairly discouraging to see his fastball velocity average 92.9 mph after it averaged 96.1 mph last year. It remains to be seen if Wheeler will be able to regain the form he displayed before last year's venous thoracic outlet syndrome surgery, but he'll make at least one more rehab appearance to try and tune up before the Phillies consider reinstating him from the injured list, per Todd Zolecki of MLB.com.