MLB Player News

Benson is absent from the lineup for Wednesday contest versus the Pirates.

Benson will get a rare day off against a right-hander while the Pirates send Luis Ortiz to the hill in the series finale. Nick Martini, Stuart Fairchild and Jake Fraley will form the Cincinnati outfield from left to right.

Fairchild will start in center field and bat seventh in Wednesday's game against the Pirates.

Fairchild has largely served as a short-side platoon outfielder this season, but he'll pick up his fourth consecutive start -- with three coming against right-handers -- as a replacement in center field for the injured TJ Friedl (hamstring). The 28-year-old went 3-for-12 with a double, a stolen base, three RBI and a run across his previous three starts and is slashing .216/.297/.331 overall on the season.

Arcia (head) got checked out at a local hospital Tuesday after continuing to feel unwell Monday night, and while tests came back negative, the shortstop could be sidelined for multiple days, Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports. "We'll probably give him two or three days," manager Brian Snitker said prior to Tuesday's game in St. Louis being rained out.

Arcia left Monday's 4-3 loss to St. Louis due to dizziness that was initially attributed to dehydration, although no official diagnosis has been announced. Atlanta is set to play a doubleheader Wednesday against the Cardinals following the rainout, but Arcia could end up sitting for the entire twin bill if he's still not feeling 100 percent. Zack Short will handle shortstop duties until he's ready to return, and Luke Williams was called up from Triple-A Gwinnett on Tuesday to provide depth at the position.

Candelario is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Pirates.

Candelario will get a routine day off after he had been in the lineup for each of the previous five contests. Spencer Steer and Santiago Espinal will occupy the corner-infield spots for the Reds on Wednesday.

Arenado (forearm) will start at third base and bat sixth in the first game of Wednesday's doubleheader versus Atlanta.

Arenado had been set to return Tuesday from a left forearm injury before that game was rained out, but he'll remain in the lineup for the makeup game. The sixth spot in the batting order represents the lowest that Arenado has slotted in his four seasons with the Cardinals. He's slashing just .257/.315/.371 on the season and hasn't hit a home run since June 5.

Reynolds went 2-for-5 with a two-run home run and two runs scored Tuesday against the Reds.

Reynolds extended his hitting streak to 22 games, but his power has been particularly notable of late. Across his last six starts, he has gone deep four times to bring his total on the season to 13. Across the entirety of his hitting streak, Reynolds has hit .360 with 16 RBI and 15 runs.

Gonzales went 3-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored Tuesday against the Reds.

Gonzales was in a cold spell entering Tuesday's contest, as he had gone just 1-for-23 with eight strikeouts across his past seven games. He snapped out of that slump with his second three-hit performance of the season. Despite the recent downturn, Gonzales has enjoyed his most sustained success in the majors, maintaining a .282 average and .755 OPS across 161 plate appearances.

The Reds announced Wednesday that Marte (suspension) has rejoined the team after completing his rehab assignment with Triple-A Louisville.

Marte won't be eligible to return from his 80-game suspension until Thursday's series opener in St. Louis, but since he's back in Cincinnati rather than sticking around in Louisville, the Reds are presumably preparing to add him back to the 26-man active roster ahead of their four-game series this weekend. The 22-year-old struggled to regain his timing at the plate during the rehab assignment, slashing .151/.151/.170 with no walks and a 28.3-percent strikeout rate over 12 games. However, after Marte posted an .822 OPS in 123 plate appearances in his first taste of the big leagues in 2023, the Reds look as though they'll allow him to iron out the kinks in the majors. He's seen action at third base, second base and shortstop during his rehab assignment and may have to settle for more of a utility role with the Reds initially until he performs well enough to warrant everyday playing time.

The Reds optioned Zulueta to Triple-A Louisville on Wednesday.

Zulueta made his major-league debut in Tuesday's 9-5 loss to the Pirates, striking out four and allowing one run over a three-inning relief appearance. He'll head back to Louisville to make space on the roster for Graham Ashcraft, who has been recalled from Louisville to start Wednesday's series finale versus Pittsburgh.

The Reds recalled Ashcraft from Triple-A Louisville on Wednesday.

Ashcraft will get the start Wednesday against the Pirates, taking the rotation spot of the injured Nick Lodolo (finger). The right-hander has struggled at the big-league level this season, collecting a 5.05 ERA and 1.46 WHIP in 62.1 innings over 12 starts. He appeared to get back on track in two starts with Louisville, giving up a total of four runs with a 12:2 K:BB over 12 innings. Ashcraft will likely be needed for multiple starts and will try to make a case to stick in the Reds rotation indefinitely.