MLB Player News

Lovelady (triceps) threw a light bullpen session Friday, MLB.com reports.

Lovelady won't be eligible to return from the 60-day injured list until Aug. 28, but he could have a shot at returning on or around that date now that he's reached the point in his rehab that he's been able to get back on a mound. Before hitting the shelf June 29 due to a left triceps strain, Lovelady had notched four saves and nine holds while pitching to a 3.91 ERA and 1.87 WHIP in 27 appearances for Washington.

Gray (elbow) completed a bullpen session at the Nationals' spring training facility in Florida on Tuesday, MLB.com reports.

After undergoing Tommy John surgery and an internal brace procedure in July 2024, Gray didn't pitch for the Nationals in 2025 but was able to make three rehab starts in September. He was expected to compete for a rotation spot this spring, but he was diagnosed with a right flexor strain late in camp and opened the season on the 60-day injured list. Updates on Gray's status have been few and far between in the ensuing months while he's conducted his rehab in Florida, but the 28-year-old has finally made enough progress in his throwing program to get back on the mound. He'll still need to eventually face hitters and head out on a rehab assignment before the Nationals activate him in 2026, and if he does end up making it back to the big leagues in September, he may have to settle for a bullpen role.

Rodriguez started in center field and went 1-for-4 with a double in Friday's 5-3 loss to Washington.

This was Rodriguez's third big-league game and first start in center field after he played right field in his debut Tuesday and served as the designated hitter Thursday. The move to center field worked out, as he was tested on a couple of plays. "He did OK," manager Terry Francona told Mark Sheldon of MLB.com. "That's a big ask [to play center field]. I told him, 'If you mess something up, I'll take it, not you.'" Rodriguez, who belted 27 home runs with an .880 OPS in the minors this season, potentially gives the Reds more offense than Dane Myers in center.

Thielbar allowed two runs on three hits while retiring just one batter in relief during Friday's 6-4 win over the Royals.

After seven strong innings from new Chicago starter Kevin Gausman in which he allowed just two runs, Thielbar quickly ran into some trouble in the eighth. The lefty got the hook before Trent Thornton finished out the frame to earn a hold. Thielbar has been struggling recently with a 17.18 ERA across his last five appearances, which has pushed his overall ERA up to 5.30. With Thornton, Jacob Webb and Ryan Zeferjahn all seemingly ahead of him in the bullpen pecking order, and Daniel Palencia (elbow) expected back soon, Thielbar doesn't have much fantasy appeal at the moment.

De La Cruz went 1-for-2 wth two walks and a solo home run in Friday's 5-3 loss to the Nationals.

De La Cruz hit the second of back-to-back home runs in the third inning to tie the game. It was his second consecutive game with a home run and 20th of the season. In doing so, De La Cruz posted a third consecutive season with at least 20 homers and 20 steals, becoming the third player in Reds history to achieve that distinction.

Crow-Armstrong went 1-for-3 with two walks, an RBI and two runs scored in Friday's 6-4 win over the Royals. He also stole a base.

Crow-Armstrong extended his hitting streak to five games and also swiped a base for the second straight contest. The talented outfielder is now up to 30 stolen bases overall, which marks his second consecutive season reaching that milestone. With four more home runs this year, Crow-Armstrong will have back-to-back 30-30 campaigns as well. With a robust .937 OPS to boot, the 24-year-old has been an elite fantasy contributor in 2026.

Lawlar (hamstring) could shift his rehab assignment to Triple-A Reno during the upcoming week, MLB.com reports.

Lawlar has thus far made three rehab appearances at Double-A Amarillo, going a collective 1-for-10 with one stolen base and a 0:5 BB:K. He's yet to play a full nine-inning game, though he played six innings in center field Tuesday and seven innings in center Friday. Lawlar may need to play full games on back-to-back days during his rehab assignment before making his return from the 10-day injured list. He's been on the shelf since June 20 due to a right hamstring strain.

Soroka (glute) is expected to return from the 15-day injured list to start Monday's game against the Rockies at Chase Field, MLB.com reports.

The Diamondbacks felt comfortable bringing the right-hander back from the IL following a lone rehab start Tuesday, when he allowed one run over four innings and 57 pitches for Triple-A Reno. Arizona cleared a spot for Soroka in the rotation by optioning starter Kohl Drake to Reno on Friday.

Adames went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Friday's 5-2 win over the Tigers.

Adames ended a 15-game power drought with his fifth-inning long ball to provide the final run of the game. It's been even longer since he had a multi-hit effort -- his last came July 12 versus the Rockies, and he's gone just 13-for-73 (.178) since the All-Star break. The shortstop is down to a .221 average and .693 OPS on the year, and he's added 19 homers, 48 RBI, 58 runs scored, 24 doubles, one triple and four stolen bases over 111 games. While the OPS is on track to be the worst of his career, Adames is one long ball away from reaching 20 for a sixth straight season.

Devers went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in Friday's 5-2 win over the Tigers.

Devers went yard in the first inning to answer Detroit's run in the top half of the frame. Over six games in August, Devers has gone 6-for-22 with two homers and a 3:3 BB:K. For the season, the first baseman is hitting .248 with a .799 OPS, 24 homers, 64 RBI, 61 runs scored, 27 doubles, one triple and no stolen bases over 116 contests.