MLB Player News

Realmuto (foot) will start at catcher and bat cleanup in Monday's game against the Rockies.

Realmuto didn't play in Sunday's 5-1 loss to the Nationals after fouling a pitch off his left foot Saturday, but he's ready to go following a day of rest. The veteran catcher has gone 1-for-9 at the plate in his first two games of the season.

Turner (back) remains out of the lineup for Monday's contest versus the Rockies.

Turner will miss a third consecutive game as he deals with lower-back spasms. The Phillies are idle Tuesday and hope Turner will be ready to go Wednesday in the second game of their series versus Colorado. Edmundo Sosa will start at shortstop Monday in place of Turner.

Martini is absent from the lineup for Monday's game in Philadelphia.

Martini started all three games in the weekend series versus the Rays, but he'll take a seat in the series opener against the Phillies and lefty Cristopher Sanchez. Sean Bouchard is drawing the start in right field.

Strider (elbow) struck out six batters and allowed one earned run on two hits and one walk over three innings in his first rehab start Saturday with Triple-A Gwinnett.

Since he resumed pitching in games March 17, Strider has dazzled in all three of his outings while he bounces back from an internal brace procedure on his right elbow, which he underwent April 5, 2024. Over his two spring training appearances, Strider posted a 10:1 K:BB while allowing just two hits and one walk across four innings, and he continued to mow down hitters with Gwinnett on Saturday while upping his pitch count to 60. Atlanta will presumably want to see Strider get his count into the 75-to-85 range before activating him from the 15-day injured list, so he may be just one or two rehab starts away from making his 2025 big-league debut.

Reds manager Terry Francona indicated recently that he prefers to use Santillan "when we need to put the fire out" earlier in games, Charlie Goldsmith of the Dayton Daily News reports.

Santillan pitched a scoreless eighth inning on Opening Day versus the Giants and a scoreless seventh inning Saturday, protecting a one-run lead on both occasions. While the 27-year-old looks to be Francona's most trusted reliever right now, Santillan looks like a better bet for holds than saves. Emilio Pagan appears to be the top closer option while Alexis Diaz (hamstring) is shelved.

Pagan was warming up in the bullpen in the bottom of the eighth inning of Sunday's loss to the Giants and appeared poised for a save chance had the Reds taken the lead, Charlie Goldsmith of the Dayton Daily News reports.

The Reds did not take the lead and Pagan did not make an appearance. However, the fact that Pagan recorded a save Saturday and was warming for a potential save Sunday suggests he is currently at the top of the team's closer hierarchy while Alexis Diaz (hamstring) is out. Tony Santillan looks to be manager Terry Francona's most trusted reliever, but Francona prefers to use Santillan "when we need to put the fire out" earlier in games.

Gorman went 3-for-4 with a solo home run and three runs scored in Sunday's 9-2 win over the Twins.

Making his first start of the season, Gorman singled in each of his first two plate appearances before taking reliever Randy Dobnak deep with a 409-foot blast in his final trip to the dish. Gorman got the start at second base in this one, with Brendan Donovan shifting to left field, Lars Nootbaar moving to right field and Jordan Walker getting a day off. The 24-year-old Gorman is in a fight for playing time early on in the season, and big days like he had Sunday will certainly help his chances of earning more reps.

Diaz (hamstring) is working with coaches on his mechanics, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

Apparently, the hamstring injury impacted the reliever's mechanics, which led to command and control issues. "Stability with his front leg is probably the biggest thing," Cincinnati manager Terry Francona said of Diaz. "Then, incorporating that into his delivery, where that becomes comfortable and almost second nature." It's uncertain when Diaz will be ready to rejoin the team, or if he'll automatically resume his role as the team's closer.

Lowder (forearm) is throwing off a mound in Arizona, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

After missing all of spring training with a forearm strain, Lowder has taken the next steps in his recovery. He was scheduled to throw again Sunday and will continue to ramp up. The right-hander may eventually pitch in the majors this season, but Lowder is expected to begin 2025 at Triple-A Louisville.

Stephenson (oblique) underwent an MRI last Wednesday that showed his injury was 80 percent healed, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

Stephenson is scheduled to undergo a second MRI while the Reds on the road -- the trip runs from April 3 to 9 -- and there are no plans for him to travel with the club. In the meantime, Jose Trevino and Austin Wynns will continue to serve as the team's catchers.