MLB Player News

Philadelphia optioned Robert to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Sunday.

Robert had just gotten called up Friday and walked three batters while allowing one run on one hit over one-third of an inning against the Pirates in his lone appearance. The righty reliever will now head back to Triple-A in order to make room on the 26-man roster for Mick Abel, who was summoned to the big club to make his MLB debut as a starter versus Pittsburgh on Sunday.

The Phillies recalled Abel from Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Sunday.

It was reported Friday that Abel would be called up to make a start against the Pirates on Sunday, and the transaction is now official. Abel has thrived in Triple-A this season with a 2.53 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 51:19 K:BB across 46.1 innings, but he may be in line for just a spot start with the big club. Though Aaron Nola (ankle) landed on the injured list Friday, Taijuan Walker is expected to re-enter the Phillies' rotation during the coming week.

Steer is not in the Reds' lineup for Sunday's matchup versus the Guardians.

It's a rare day off for Steer, who started each of Cincinnati's previous 23 contests. He slashed .258/.320/.416 with three homers and three steals during that stretch and is currently riding a six-game hitting streak. With Steer out of the lineup Sunday, Connor Joe is getting a start at first base.

Lux (back) is starting in left field and batting fifth Sunday versus Cleveland.

Lux was a late scratch from Saturday's lineup due to lower-back spasms, but the issue appears to have resolved. Will Benson shifted to left field Saturday in Lux's stead, but Benson is starting in right field Sunday. Meanwhile, Rece Hinds -- who got a start Saturday -- isn't in Sunday's lineup.

Hinds started in right field and went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in Saturday's 4-1 win over Cleveland.

Hinds was added to the starting lineup when Gavin Lux was scratched due to back spasms. The outfielder did what he does best -- deliver an extra-base hit. Hinds has 15 hits in the majors over the last two years, and 13 have gone for extra bases.

Benson started in left field and went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Saturday's 4-1 win over the Guardians.

Benson erased an early Cleveland lead with a solo shot in the fifth inning, giving him homers in three consecutive games. He has five extra-base hits in seven games since being called up from Triple-A Louisville. Benson's played all three outfield positions for the Reds, who have coped with injuries at all three spots within the last week.

Espinal went 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored in Saturday's 4-1 win over Cleveland.

Espinal entered the contest batting .118 (4-for-34) with zero RBI over the previous nine contests. He's been the regular starter at third base since Noelvi Marte (oblique) was placed on the 10-day injured list. Marte's healing is going better than expected, per MLB.com, but he still has a way to go before returning. That means Espinal should continue to receive consistent playing time for at least the next two weeks.

Manager Dave Roberts announced after Saturday's loss to the Angels that Yates (hamstring) will undergo an MRI on Sunday, and the skipper indicated he expects the right-hander to go on the injured list, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

The preliminary diagnosis is that Yates suffered a Grade 1 strain of his right hamstring, which will require a stint on the IL. Yates surrendered three earned runs over one-third of an inning during Saturday's contest, but prior to that he had a 2.95 ERA with a save and eight holds while working as a setup man this year. Assuming Yates is out for at least the next couple weeks, Alex Vesia should serve as the primary setup option to closer Tanner Scott.

Marte (oblique) had a scheduled follow-up MRI moved up one week after the Reds' medical staff was pleased with his progress since being placed on the injured list May 7, MLB.com reports.

Marte's checkup MRI has now been moved from June 4 to May 27. The results of the MRI should determine whether Marte is able to begin resuming baseball activities.

Lowder (forearm) allowed four runs on four hits and one walk while recording one out in his rehab start Saturday with Triple-A Louisville.

Lowder made the third start on his rehab assignment, moving up a couple of levels from High-A Dayton, but he was pulled after just 29 pitches. After striking out the first batter he faced, Lowder allowed the next five batters to reach base before he was done for the day. Per MLB.com, Lowder covered three simulated innings in the bullpen after being pulled Saturday, so he was still seemingly able to push up his pitch count. The rehab assignment has been rocky thus far for Lowder, who has given up 11 runs (10 earned) on 13 hits (two home runs), two walks and a hit batsman while striking out 11 over 6.1 innings.