MLB Player News

Thomas (knee) went 1-for-4 with two strikeouts for Double-A Harrisburg on Thursday while playing all nine innings in right field.

It marks the first time in three rehab games that Thomas has played a full nine innings. The 28-year-old is 2-for-9 at the plate in those three contests with a double and a stolen base, and per Mark Zuckerman of MASN Sports, the Nationals are considering whether to activate Thomas on Friday or leave him on his rehab assignment for another couple days to get his timing back at the plate. When Thomas does come off the injured list, he should immediately slot back into the starting lineup in right field for Washington.

Murphy (oblique) went 2-for-6 with a double, a home run and two RBI for Triple-A Gwinnett on Thursday.

The rehabbing catcher got the start at designated hitter and launched a solo shot off Valente Bellozo in the fourth inning, Murphy's second home run in two games for Gwinnett. Atlanta may want to make sure he's ready for regular defensive duties before activating him from the IL, but based on how he's looked at the plate, the 29-year-old should be back with the major-league team at some point this weekend.

Lee (1-1) picked up the win Thursday over the Cubs, striking out one in a scoreless inning of relief.

AJ Smith-Shawver got the start but lasted only 4.1 innings before handing the ball off to Lee in the fifth inning to continue what proved to be a combined shutout for Atlanta. Lee has been impressive in a low-leverage role this season, posting a 1.21 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 20:7 K:BB through 22.1 innings, but he has just one win and two holds in 14 appearances.

Williams got the start at third base Thursday and went 0-for-2 in a win over the Cubs.

Zack Short has seen the bulk of the playing time at the hot corner while Austin Riley (side) has been on the shelf, but Williams got his first start of the season at any position Thursday, although he didn't do much with the opportunity. The 27-year-old utility player has only two other plate appearances on the season, and he's still looking for his first hit of 2024.

Tromp went 2-for-4 with a run scored in Thursday's win over the Cubs.

The 29-year-old backstop has seen his playing time pick up lately due in part to a concussion scare for Travis d'Arnaud, and Tromp has responded by going 6-for-13 with three doubles and two runs scored while appearing in four of the last seven games. His time in the majors figures to be coming to a close, however -- Sean Murphy (oblique) has homered in back-to-back games to begin his rehab assignment with Triple-A Gwinnett and could come off the IL as soon as this weekend.

Candelario batted third and went 1-for-4 for with a walk, a triple, an RBI and a caught stealing in Thursday's 6-4 extra-inning loss to the Padres.

Candelario tripled a run home in the first inning then was thrown out at home on a double-steal attempt to end the frame. He was later removed for a pinch runner in the 10th inning after he had walked. A recent hot stretch prompted a move up the batting order; Candelario has batted third or fourth in four straight contests. Over his last 12 contests, he's slashing .261/.320/.457 with four doubles, a triple, a homer, four runs and seven RBI.

Fraley (hand) entered Thursday's 6-4 extra-inning loss to the Padres as a pinch runner in the 10th inning.

The outfielder ran for Jeimer Candelario, who had walked, and was presumably only going to be allowed to run the bases had the game continued. The Reds didn't wind up scoring in the extra frame, but the usage suggests Fraley could return to the lineup at some point during a weekend series against the Dodgers.

Hurtubise batted leadoff and went 1-for-2 with a stolen base, an RBI and a run scored in Thursday's 6-4 extra-inning loss to San Diego.

After the Padres jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning, Hurtubise made things happen for the Reds in the bottom of the frame. He was hit by a pitch then stole second base before scoring on a Jeimer Candelario triple. This was Hurtubise's third consecutive start as the leadoff batter -- all against right-handers -- and he's been removed for a pinch hitter in all three. He's 3-for-14 with three walks, one stolen base, two RBI and two runs scored over nine games since his callup. Once TJ Friedl (thumb) is back, Hurtubise's run as the leadoff batter, and maybe his time on the big-league roster, will end.

Encarnacion-Strand (wrist) was on the field Tuesday fielding groundballs, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Encarnacion-Strand's right hand remained in a protective cast while he fielded solely with his left (glove) hand. This was his first form of baseball activity since being diagnosed May 8 with a right ulnar styloid fracture on the inside of his hand near the wrist. The Reds still expect him back at some point in June, but a clearer timeline should emerge after Encarnacion-Strand undergoes a follow-up exam scheduled for June 5, the four-week mark of his projected 4-to-6 week recovery.

Wisely went 2-for-4 with one RBI and one stolen base in Thursday's 7-6 win over the Pirates.

Wisely's playing time has been sparse, but he went 0-for-5 with three strikeouts and one RBI over his first five major-league games of the season. He got the start at shortstop Thursday and delivered with a multi-hit effort, as well as his first steal of the campaign. The utility man hit .175 with a .498 OPS, two home runs and two steals over 131 plate appearances in the majors last year. Wisely can cover the middle infield and all three outfield spots, but it's unlikely he comes anywhere near steady playing time in 2024.