MLB Player News

Hicks came away with a no-decision in Saturday's 7-2 extra-inning win over the Mets, allowing one run on two hits and two walks over five innings. He struck out eight.

The right-hander generated a whopping 19 swinging strikes on 87 pitches in a strong effort, but he left the mound with the Giants down 1-0 before yet another late rally. Hicks has yet to give up more than three earned runs in a start this season, but he's pitched more than five innings only three times in 11 outings, somewhat muting his fantasy appeal in formats that use QS over wins. He'll take a 2.33 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 48:19 K:BB through 58 innings into his next start, which lines up to come at home next weekend against the Yankees.

Benson went 1-for-1 with a walk and a solo home run in Saturday's 3-1 win over the Dodgers.

Benson followed up Spencer Steer's homer in the first inning with one of his own off Walker Buehler in the second. While Benson is providing some category juice with seven homers and eight steals through 49 games this season, he's batting just .193/.293/.398. His struggles have led to him falling to the bottom of the order against righties, and the bit of time he was seeing against lefties earlier this season has dried up.

Fraley went 2-for-4 with two singles and a stolen base in Saturday's 3-1 win over the Dodgers. He was picked off and caught stealing on another attempt.

After missing three starts due to a hand injury, Fraley was back in the cleanup spot against right-hander Walker Buehler. Fraley stole a base right away after his single in the first inning, his eighth steal of the campaign, which puts him on pace to surpass 20 stolen bases for a second consecutive season. The power has been severely lacking, however, as he still sits with just one home run and his SLG is down nearly 80 points from a year ago.

Steer went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Saturday's 3-1 win over the Dodgers.

He touched up Walker Buehler in the first inning to give the Reds an early lead. As Mark Sheldon of MLB.com notes, Steer has now gone deep in back-to-back games after entering the series without a homer since May 1 (17 games). His struggles from the middle of the order this month have led the Reds to the cellar in the NL Central, though it's certainly not all his fault. Steer sits with a .227/.341/.403 line with six homers, 35 RBI, 25 runs scored and 11 steals through 50 games this season.

Diaz threw a perfect ninth inning against the Dodgers on Saturday to secure his ninth save of the season.

Diaz sat down Freddie Freeman, Will Smith and Teoscar Hernandez on a total of seven pitches to nail down the win for starter Hunter Greene. While Diaz still has an ugly 5.95 ERA this season, his job as the Reds' closer is not in jeopardy. He's squandered just one save in his last 10 chances, and with only two hits and two walks allowed in his last four appearances, Diaz seems to have turned the page after a rough stretch in mid-May.

Buehler (1-2) took the loss to the Reds on Saturday, allowing three runs on six hits and one walk while striking out four over 5.2 innings.

Buehler didn't have his best stuff in this one, as evidenced by the fact that he induced only six swings and misses on 91 pitches and also served up a pair of solo homers. It was a step backward from his previous outing, but this was just his third start back from Tommy John surgery, and ups and downs are to be expected after the long layoff. The 29-year-old righty will take a 4.26 ERA and 1.21 WHIP into his next start, which lines up for next weekend at home against the Rockies.

Greene (3-2) earned the win over the Dodgers on Saturday, allowing one run on five hits and one walk over six innings. He struck out five.

Greene routinely touched 99 mph with his fastball and finished with a whopping 23 swings and misses on 107 total pitches. His performance helped secure a surprising series win for the Reds, their first in over a month. While things have been going poorly for the team as a whole, Greene seems to be turning a corner and blossoming into a legitimate frontline starter, having posted a 1.95 ERA and 1.03 WHIP over his last six starts, with only two homers allowed over 37 innings in that span. The right-hander lines up to face the Cubs in Chicago next weekend.

Finnegan struck out one batter in a perfect ninth inning against the Mariners on Saturday to earn his 14th save of the season.

Finnegan dotted the inside corner to strike out Cal Raleigh before getting both Mitch Garver and Julio Rodriguez to ground out. With that, Finnegan is now up to 14 saves, two behind Emmanuel Clase and Ryan Helsley for the MLB lead. His last save prior to Saturday was May 14, as he went a while without being used and squandered a save chance, but Finnegan has only strengthened his grasp on the closer job in Washington with his performance this season. In turn he's also given the organization leverage in trade talks that will inevitably take place this summer.

Williams allowed one run on five hits over five innings in a no-decision against the Mariners on Saturday. He struck out eight without walking a batter.

The only blemish was a solo shot given up to Julio Rodriguez in the fifth inning. It's incredible what Williams is doing after years of mediocrity. As Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com notes, Williams has yet to allow more than three runs in a start this season, and he's allowed one run or zero in seven of his 10 starts for a 2.29 ERA over 51 total innings. The track record and lack of whiffs make Williams tough to trust, but the 32-year-old is keeping the ball on the ground and helping create his own good fortune.

Doyle went 2-for-4 with three stolen bases and one run scored in Saturday's 8-4 loss to the Phillies.

Doyle has gone 15-for-54 (.278) with nine steals over his last 15 games. The outfielder's speed is not in question, but that's an impressive stretch on the basepaths for just about anyone. On the year, he's at 13 thefts on 14 attempts while slashing .272/.338/.433 over 201 plate appearances. He's added five home runs, 10 doubles, two triples, 15 RBI and 32 runs scored.