MLB Player News

Benson (finger) remains out of the lineup for Thursday's game against Atlanta.

Benson hasn't made a start since being removed from a Sept. 12 game against the Cardinals with a left middle finger injury, but he's appeared off the bench in two contests since then and appears to have moved past the issue. The 26-year-old hasn't been a regular in the Cincinnati lineup in September and will likely see sparse playing time heading into the final week of the season.

Walton will start at second base and bat ninth in Thursday's game against the Orioles, Shayna Rubin of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Walton will pick up his fourth consecutive start at the keystone, including his third in a row against a right-handed starting pitcher. Since being called up from Triple-A Sacramento on Friday, Walton has gone 2-for-13 with a home run and two walks, but that modest level of production looks like it'll be enough for him to be the favored option at second base over Brett Wisely, who is batting .123 since the beginning of August.

Wisely is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Orioles, Shayna Rubin of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

The lefty-hitting Wisely will hit the bench for a second straight game, with the Giants having faced right-handed starters in both contests. The consecutive days off could hint that Wisely has lost hold of a regular role in the middle infield after slashing an abysmal .123/.177/.158 since the beginning of August. Donovan Walton is included in the lineup for a fourth consecutive contest and may be viewed as the Giants' top option at the keystone for now.

Ramos is not in the lineup for Thursday's game in Baltimore.

Ramos had started each of the previous 14 games but will get a breather for Thursday's afternoon tilt. The Giants are going with Michael Conforto in left field and Jerar Encarnacion at designated hitter as they try to complete the sweep.

Fraley is absent from the lineup in Thursday's contest versus Atlanta.

Southpaw Chris Sale is on the bump for Atlanta, so Fraley will begin the game on the bench. Amed Rosario will patrol right field for the Reds in Thursday's series finale.

Stephenson is absent from Thursday's lineup versus Atlanta.

Stephenson started the first two games of the series and had made six straight starts overall, but he'll be given some rest during Thursday's afternoon contest. Luke Maile will do the catching for the Reds.

Friedl is absent from the lineup for Thursday's game against Atlanta.

Atlanta has ace lefty Chris Sale on the bump, so the left-handed-hitting Friedl will be given a breather. Blake Dunn is handling center field in the matinee.

The Reds recalled Zulueta from Triple-A Louisville on Thursday.

Zulueta has made nine relief appearances with the Reds this season, yielding nine runs (eight earned) with a 14:6 K:BB over 13 frames. He'll provide some bullpen protection for Cincinnati.

Tovar went 1-for-4 with two RBI on Wednesday against the Diamondbacks.

The performance wrapped up a productive six-game homestand for Tovar, as he went 7-for-26 with three home runs, six RBI and four runs scored. He's enjoyed a breakout season, highlighted by 25 homers and a .202 ISO -- a 47-point improvement from 2023.

The Reds optioned Legumina to Triple-A Louisville on Thursday.

Legumina went 1.2 innings and threw 36 pitches out of the bullpen in Wednesday's loss to Atlanta. The Reds are replacing him with a fresh arm in Yosver Zulueta, who was summoned from Louisville.