MLB Player News

Diaz earned the save in Thursday's 3-2 win over the Diamondbacks, striking out two in a perfect ninth inning.

It was a much-needed outing for Diaz, who allowed four runs on a pair of home runs in his last two appearances, both losses. After surrendering a go-ahead grand slam to Corbin Carroll on Wednesday, Diaz made quick work of the Diamondbacks on Thursday, striking out Lourdes Gurriel and Josh Bell before coaxing a game-ending pop-out from Jake McCarthy. Diaz is now 15-for-21 in save chances with a 4.19 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 56:15 K:BB across 38.2 innings this season.

Benson went 1-for-2 with a solo home run in Thursday's 10-9 win over the Athletics.

Benson got the Reds on the board with his third-inning homer. This was his second game in a row with a homer, which could help his case for playing time down the stretch, but he's still unlikely to see anything more than a part-time role. The outfielder has gone 6-for-31 (.194) in August, which is right in line with his .195 average for the year. He's added 14 homers, 42 RBI, 37 runs scored and 14 stolen bases with a .676 OPS across 352 plate appearances. Even as a lefty hitter, Benson has had to share right field with a trio of right-handed options in Santiago Espinal, Rece Hinds and Amed Rosario.

Stephenson went 3-for-5 with a solo home run and an additional RBI in Thursday's 10-9 win over the Athletics.

Stephenson extended his hitting streak to 13 games, a span in which he's gone 20-for-51 (.392) with three homers, five doubles, 10 RBI and 13 runs scored. This was his fifth multi-hit effort during the streak. Stephenson is up to a .265/.341/.478 slash line with 18 homers, 55 RBI, 62 runs scored, 23 doubles and one stolen base over 113 contests this season. He's been held hitless just four times over 23 games in August.

Merrill went 1-for-2 with a solo home run, a walk and a stolen base in Thursday's 4-1 loss to the Cardinals.

Merrill was one of the Padres' few bright spots in Thursday's defeat, launching a homer, his 20th of the year, off Sonny Gray in the fifth inning for San Diego's lone run before swiping his 16th base. The 21-year-old rookie continues to impress -- he's batting .329 (29-for-85) with seven long balls and 15 extra-base hits in his last 23 games. Overall, Merrill is slashing .291/.324/.494 on the campaign with 76 RBI and 67 runs scored across 497 plate appearances.

Diaz allowed three runs on three hits and a walk while failing to record an out, taking a blown save in Thursday's 10-9 win over the Athletics.

Diaz has blown his last two save chances and hasn't converted one since Aug. 13. He served up a solo home run to Lawrence Butler and a two-run single to Seth Brown before he was pulled from the contest, and Emilio Pagan was able to prevent any further damage. The Reds then rallied for three runs in their half of the frame to spare Diaz from the loss. Diaz is now 24-for-28 in save chances this year while pitching to a poor 4.86 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 46:28 K:BB across 46.1 innings. The homer he allowed Thursday was the career-high sixth he's given up this year, which is more concerning given this is also Diaz's smallest workload in his three-year career.

Aguiar allowed six runs on 10 hits and a walk while striking out one over four innings in a no-decision versus the Athletics on Thursday.

Aguiar allowed three home runs, including two to Lawrence Butler. This was the worst of Aguiar's first three major-league starts, though this was his first start at home in Cincinnati's hitter-friendly Great American Ball Park. Aguiar now has a 6.43 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 7:4 K:BB across 14 innings. The Reds have dealt with a significant number of injuries to starting pitchers this year, so Aguiar has a chance to stick in the rotation over the final month of the season. He's tentatively projected to make his next start at home versus the Astros.

King (11-8) took the loss Thursday against the Cardinals, allowing two unearned runs on six hits and four walks over 4.1 innings. He struck out three.

While both runs against King were unearned, the right-hander struggled with his command again Thursday, eventually needing 103 pitches to make it through just 4.1 innings. King's now issued 10 walks in his last three starts (15.1 innings) -- he's allowed nine runs in that span, though just three have been earned. Overall, King sports a 3.05 ERA with a 1.21 WHIP and 177:57 K:BB across 150.2 innings this season. The right-hander lines up for a home matchup with the Tigers in his next outing.

Graterol (hamstring) did fielding drills, including covering first base, Thursday, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

Graterol has been ramping up his activity throughout the week, as he also threw a bullpen session Wednesday. He's expected to throw a simulated game this weekend and should head out on a rehab assignment shortly thereafter.

Helsley earned the save Thursday, turning in a perfect ninth inning with no strikeouts in a 4-1 win over San Diego.

Helsley has now gone eight straight innings without allowing a run, lowering his ERA to 2.38 on the season with a 1.18 WHIP and 62:22 K:BB across 56.2 frames. He's converted an MLB-leading 41 saves in 44 chances.

X-rays on Bohm's left hand returned negative Thursday, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

Bohm exited Thursday's game against Atlanta after hurting his hand on a swing. Initial tests suggest the injury isn't all that serious, but an MRI could be more revealing, depending on the nature of the issue.