MLB Player News

Rockies manager Bud Black said that Gordon will be called up form Triple-A Albquerque to start the second game of Thursday's doubleheader against the Tigers, Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post reports.

After the Rockies' series opener with the Tigers on Tuesday was postponed due to inclement weather, the two teams will wrap up the three-game set with a doubleheader Thursday. Kyle Freeland will get the ball for the first game of the day, while Gordon will presumably be designated as the 27th man for the twin bill and will take the hill for the nightcap. Gordon made eight starts for the Rockies in 2024, going 0-6 while posting an 8.65 ERA and 1.72 WHIP over 34.1 innings. He's enjoyed more success across his six starts at Triple-A this season with a 4.82 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 22:6 K:BB across 28 innings.

Dunn is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game at Atlanta.

With injuries mounting for the Reds, Dunn has picked up starts in the outfield in five of the past seven games, but he was unable to capitalize on the opportunity. He went 0-for-15 with 10 strikeouts and one walk during that stretch, and he'll now find himself back on the bench Wednesday while recent call-ups Jacob Hurtubise and Rece Hinds flank TJ Friedl in center field. Dunn might be at risk of a demotion if Austin Hays (hamstring) is able to return from the injured list this weekend, though Dunn's spot with the big club would likely be safe if Jake Fraley needs more time to recover from the calf issue that will keep him out of the lineup Wednesday.

Espinal will start at third base and bat fifth in Wednesday's game against Atlanta.

Espinal will pick up his eighth straight start Wednesday and his third in a row at third base, which could be his primary home for the foreseeable future after Noelvi Marte was placed on the 10-day injured list with a Grade 2 oblique strain. The 30-year-old Espinal has recorded at least one hit in each of his previous seven starts to lift his average up to .333 over 87 at-bats. Espinal could continue to occupy a spot in the heart of the lineup while he's swinging a hot bat and while the Reds are without multiple key hitters due to injuries.

Miley (elbow) is scheduled to resume his rehab assignment with High-A Dayton on Saturday, MLB.com reports.

Currently on Triple-A Louisville's 7-day injured list while he works his way back from the hybrid UCL surgery he underwent on his left elbow last May, Miley has already made two rehab starts with Dayton, but he didn't make it out of the first inning in his most recent outing April 27 due to a groin injury. The veteran southpaw appears to have responded well after resting up for the last week and a half and will slot back into the Dayton rotation this weekend. Miley will eventually report to Triple-A, and if he pitches well with the Reds' top affiliate, he could get a look in the big-league rotation at some point later this summer.

Reds manager Terry Francona said Wednesday that Encarnacion-Strand (back) is "continuing to take steps" forward in his recovery process and could begin ramping up his baseball activities next week, Charlie Goldsmith of the Dayton Daily News reports.

After recently getting a second epidural injection to address his lower back inflammation, Encarnacion-Strand has reported improvement with his condition. Per MLB.com, Encarnacion-Strand has already been swinging off a tee and doing some running in the field, and he could soon incorporate more hitting and fielding in his workouts. The Reds haven't provided a definitive target date for Encarnacion-Strand's return from the 10-day injured list, but he's unlikely to be ready to rejoin the big club until the second half of May at the soonest.

Brown (3-3) took the loss Wednesday against the Giants, allowing three runs on six hits and two walks over five innings. He struck out nine.

Brown was solid Wednesday, setting a season high with nine punchouts. However, the Cubs failed to provide enough run support against Robbie Ray in an eventual 3-1 defeat. The results have been mixed for Brown in his first eight appearances this year. Overall, the 25-year-old right-hander sports a 4.95 ERA with a 1.65 WHIP and 44:16 K:BB across 36.1 innings. Brown's tentatively lined up for a home matchup with the Marlins in his next outing.

Reds manager Terry Francona said Wednesday that Candelario (spine) received an epidural to address his lumbar strain, Charlie Goldsmith of the Dayton Daily News reports.

Francona noted that Candelario has made no notable progress in his recovery since landing on the injured list last Wednesday, and the Reds will wait for the injection to take full effect before determining his next steps. Before being shut down with the injury, the veteran corner infielder had gotten off to a miserable start to the season, slashing just .113/.198/.213 with a 31.9 percent strikeout rate over 91 plate appearances.

Walker earned the save in Wednesday's 3-1 win over the Cubs, allowing one hit in a scoreless ninth inning.

Walker failed to convert a save in Tuesday's contest, allowing the Cubs to tie the game with two runs on a hit and two walks in the ninth inning. However, Walker was called upon to close out a two-run lead again Wednesday. He'd give up a leadoff hit to Carson Kelly before inducing a double-play ball off the bat of Justin Turner en route to his seventh save of the year. Walker's had a few tough outings early in the season, though he remains the preferred ninth-inning option for San Francisco. Overall, his ERA sits at 6.08 with a 1.35 WHIP and 15:4 K:BB across 13.1 innings.

Reds manager Terry Francona said that Marte's placement on injured list Wednesday was due to a Grade 2 left oblique strain, Charlie Goldsmith of the Dayton Daily News reports.

Marte is eligible for activation May 15, but because he's dealing with a moderate strain rather than a mild one, he will most likely be sidelined beyond the minimum 10 days. A more precise timeline for Marte's return should emerge once he's able to resume baseball activities. Santiago Espinal will start at third base in Wednesday's game against Atlanta and will likely receive the bulk of the playing time at the position while Marte is on the shelf.

Ray (5-0) earned the win Wednesday over the Cubs, allowing one run on three hits and two walks over six innings. He struck out five.

Ray was sharp again Wednesday, delivering a third straight quality start -- the veteran southpaw has posted a stellar 1.80 ERA over his last four outings (25 innings). Overall, Ray's ERA is down to 2.84 on the season with a 1.20 WHIP and 46:23 K:BB through eight starts (44.1 innings). He'll look to keep rolling in his next outing, currently lined up for next week against the Diamondbacks.