MLB Player News

The Reds placed Abbott (shoulder) on the 15-day injured list Wednesday.

Abbott built up to four innings and 50 pitches in his second and final Cactus League outing this past Saturday, but since he's not quite stretched out enough to handle a typical starter's workload, the Reds will have him open the season on the IL after he got off to a delayed start this spring due to a rotator cuff strain. He'll be eligible for activation April 8, and he should be ready to go on or around that date if he experiences no setbacks while making another rehab start or two over the next couple weeks. Carson Spiers appears in line to serve as the Reds' No. 5 starter until Abbott is cleared to join the big-league rotation.

The Reds placed Diaz (hamstring) on the 15-day injured list Wednesday.

Diaz's placement on the IL is retroactive to Monday, so he could be activated as soon as April 8, assuming he's fully moved past his hamstring injury by then. The 28-year-old has notched at least 25 saves in consecutive seasons, but he struggled to keep his walks in check in both years and saw his strikeout rate dip to 22.7 percent in 2024. The control problems cropped up again this spring, which put Diaz's status as the Reds' closer on shaky ground even before he was diagnosed with hamstring inflammation. The Reds are seemingly prepared to take a committee approach to the closer position to begin the season, and if a reliever is quickly able to gain the trust of manager Terry Francona in the late innings, Diaz may not be in the mix for save chances once he's healthy.

The Reds placed Lowder on the 15-day injured list Wednesday due to a right forearm strain.

After turning in a 1.17 ERA -- albeit with poor underlying metrics -- over his six starts with the Reds late in the 2024 season, Lowder headed into the winter with some momentum. However, Lowder never made much of a push for a spot in the Reds' Opening Day rotation, as he was limited in his throwing program early in camp due to elbow soreness and never ended up making a Cactus League appearance. Lowder is reportedly close to throwing bullpen sessions, but he'll likely need a few weeks to ramp up before he's ready to begin a rehab assignment. The 23-year-old righty has minor-league options remaining and could end up sticking around at Triple-A Louisville once he completes his throwing progression and is activated from the IL.

The Reds placed Williamson (elbow) on the 60-day injured list Wednesday.

Williamson is set to miss the entire 2025 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery last September, so his move to the 60-day IL is merely procedural. The transaction opens up a spot on the 40-man roster for catcher Austin Wynns, whose contract was selected from Triple-A Louisville.

The Reds selected Wynns' contract from Triple-A Louisville on Wednesday.

Wynns will open the season as the Reds' No. 2 catcher, with Jose Trevino serving as the primary starter behind the plate while Tyler Stephenson (oblique) is on the injured list. Once Stephenson is ready to be activated from the IL, Wynns will likely be cast off the 40-man roster.

The Marlins designated Martinez for assignment Wednesday.

After being claimed off waivers from the Mariners on March 15, Martinez's stay on Miami's 40-man roster lasted less than two weeks with the Marlins swapping him out for right-hander Tyler Phillips, whom the team acquired from the Phillies on Wednesday. Martinez spent most of the 2024 season in the majors with Houston, serving in a middle-relief role while logging a 3.59 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 36:18 K:BB while collecting three wins, three holds and one save over 52.2 innings.

Reds manager Terry Francona said Wednesday that while Santillan is an "easy choice" to be the closer, "he might be too valuable getting to the ninth," Charlie Goldsmith of the Dayton Daily News reports.

While Francona admitted he's not sure who his closer will be while Alexis Diaz (hamstring) is sidelined, it's notable that he mentioned Santillan in the fashion that he did, suggesting the right-hander might be the favorite to see the first opportunity. Santillan began last season in the minors after re-signing with the Reds last offseason on a minor-league deal, but he was excellent with the big club after being called up, posting a 3.00 ERA and 46:9 K:BB over 30 innings. Taylor Rogers, Scott Barlow, Graham Ashcraft and Emilio Pagan are other candidates to see save chances with the Reds.

The Nationals are expected to option Yepez to Triple-A Rochester on Thursday, Daniel Alvarez-Montes of ElExtraBase.com reports.

After producing a .764 OPS in 249 plate appearances with Washington in 2024, Yepez appeared to be in good position to make the Nationals' Opening Day roster entering camp, but he wasn't able to win a spot after slashing .244/.292/.267 over 48 plate appearances in Grapefruit League play. The 27-year-old should be in line for an everyday role with Rochester while likely making starts at first base, designated hitter and in left field.

Hurtubise will be included on the Reds' Opening Day roster, Charlie Goldsmith of Charlie's Chalkboard reports.

Hurtubise collected a .923 OPS with five stolen bases this spring to earn a roster spot. He might see some action in the outfield while Austin Hays (calf) is out but is likely to operate mostly in a reserve role.

The Reds are expected to designate Fairchild for assignment Thursday, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Even though Austin Hays (calf) is set to open the season on the injured list, the Reds won't keep Fairchild on hand as outfield depth. Instead, Cincinnati will keep Jacob Hurtubise and Blake Dunn on the Opening Day roster as reserve options in the outfield behind projected starters TJ Friedl and Jake Fraley, while utility players Gavin Lux and Santiago Espinal could also see time in left field during Hays' upcoming absence. Fairchild struggled to a .215/.286/.368 slash line in 233 plate appearances with Cincinnati in 2024 and didn't fare any better this spring with a .417 OPS and 28.9 percent strikeout rate over 45 plate appearances in the Cactus League.