MLB Player News

Reynolds went 2-for-5 with a solo home run in Monday's victory over the Tigers.

Reynolds added the seventh and final run for the Pirates with a majestic 412-foot home run off Tyler Holton. The 29-year-old outfielder looks to find his groove again after a rough 0-for-12 weekend against Baltimore pitching. Reynolds is slashing .250/.357/.458 with two homers and 10 RBI over his first 56 plate appearances.

Keller (1-1) earned the win Monday, allowing two runs, five hits and three walks over six innings against the Tigers. He struck out nine.

After allowing four runs in each of his first two outings, Keller looked like a frontline starter Monday against the Detroit, scattering two runs while allowing eight baserunners. He generated an impressive 13 whiffs, including nine alone on his sinker, while racking up nine strikeouts. Keller scheduled to make his next start against the Phillies on the road.

Joe went 2-for-3 with a walk, a double and two RBI in Monday's win over the Tigers.

Joe opened the Pirates scoring with an RBI infield single in the second inning. He added his second RBI in the fifth inning on a double to left field. The 31-year-old outfielder continues his scorching start to the season, slashing .324/.444/.541 with five doubles, one homer and nine RBI. Joe may also be rounding into a full-time player as he has started against three straight right-handed pitchers.

Merryweather (ribs/back) underwent additional testing Monday and it was determined that he is dealing with a rib stress fracture in his back, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Merryweather was placed on the 15-day injured list Sunday with a right shoulder strain, but manager Craig Counsell announced his updated injury status Monday, stating that the right hander will be shut down from throwing for four weeks. Merryweather is now set to be on the shelf well past the minimum stay on the IL and in the meantime, Daniel Palencia will likely stick around the major-league bullpen.

Abrams (finger) will participate in baseball drills Monday and hopes to return to the lineup Tuesday against San Francisco, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.

Abrams won't be available for Monday's series opener, but if all goes well, his absence should be a relatively short one after suffering a bone bruise of his left pinky finger during Friday's contest. The team should have more information on Abrams' availability after going through baseball activities.

Conforto isn't in Monday's lineup against the Nationals due to a minor side issue, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

The Giants are likely holding Conforto out of the lineup as a precaution, and Slusser notes that Conforto could be available to pinch hit Monday if needed. The club expects its starting left fielder to be back in the starting nine for Tuesday's clash.

Young will start in center field and bat leadoff Monday in San Francisco, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

It's the second straight game in center field and in the leadoff spot for Young, who reached base twice and had a steal Sunday. Both times the Nationals have been facing a lefty, and it's likely most of Young's starts will be against southpaws as long as they continue trying to play Eddie Rosario in center field. CJ Abrams' (finger) absence has allowed Young a shot at leadoff, although Abrams is considered day-to-day.

The Dodgers optioned Varland to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Monday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Varland will return to Triple-A after being recalled by the Dodgers on April 6. He pitched against the Cubs on April 7, when he gave up two runs (one earned) on one hit over 0.1 innings. Prior to his call-up, Varland appeared in three games for OKC, giving up two runs on one hit and one walk over 3.2 innings.

Abrams (finger) remained out of the lineup for Monday's game in San Francisco, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

It's the third straight game he's missed with a bone bruise of his left pinky finger. Abrams should still be considered day-to-day for the time being. Ildemaro Vargas will fill in again at shortstop Monday and Jacob Young will bat leadoff.

Crow-Armstrong was removed from Triple-A Iowa's game Sunday versus Toledo due to right elbow soreness, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Crow-Amstrong banged up the elbow on a dive in a previous game. The Cubs said he was removed as a precaution, so he's seemingly being viewed as day-to-day. Crow-Armstrong is slashing .265/.306/.529 with one home run and four stolen bases in his first nine contests with Iowa this season.