MLB Player News

Kieboom is absent from the lineup for Thursday's game versus the Pirates, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.

Kieboom was playing regularly for a while at third base after being called up in late August, but he's now started just two of the last six games and both of those came against lefies. Jake Alu is at the hot corner Thursday.

Spiers' contract was selected from Double-A Chattanooga on Thursday, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Spiers has been roughed up for seven runs over seven innings in two starts for the Reds this season. He's expected to work out of the bullpen during his upcoming stint with the Reds and should offer the Cincinnati relief corps some length.

Phillips was returned to Triple-A Louisville on Thursday, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Phillips made two spot starts during his time with the Reds, striking out 10 over 8.2 innings but giving up eight earned runs on 10 hits and six walks. Because he was up with the Reds as a replacement for one of their pitchers that recently landed on the COVID-19-related injured list, the rookie right-hander can rejoin the big club at any time. He'll be a candidate to draw another start next week while the Reds are still without a fifth member of the rotation with Graham Ashcraft (toe) on the 15-day IL.

Lively (illness) was activated from the COVID-19-related injured list Thursday, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Per Wittenmyer, Lively is slated for bulk-relief duty Thursday in Detroit once opening pitcher Derek Law exits the contest, likely after one or two innings. Before landing on the COVID-19-related IL, Lively hadn't pitched since Aug. 26, when he covered 5.2 innings. Lively didn't go out on a minor-league rehab assignment while he was on the IL, so deploying him behind an opener will allow the Reds to better manage his workload in his return to the active roster.

Antone was placed on the 15-day injured list Thursday with right elbow discomfort, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Antone's move back to the IL comes after he exited early in his relief appearance in Wednesday's win over the Tigers with soreness in his pitching elbow. The reliever downplayed the injury, but it's discouraging nonetheless that he's dealing with renewed pain in his elbow considering he's had Tommy John surgery twice. Per Wittenmyer, the Reds are optimistic that Antone will be ready to return from the IL when first eligible Sept. 29, providing an upcoming MRI doesn't reveal anything concerning.

Ward (shoulder) was activated from the 15-day injured list Thursday, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.

Ward had been on the shelf since July 3 with right shoulder inflammation. Though the Rule 5 selection had been working in relief for the Nationals this season, he got stretched out for starting duty during his time on the rehab assignment, covering five innings in both of his final two outings at Double-A Harrisburg. The Nationals don't appear to have an opening in their six-man rotation at the moment, so Ward will likely work in long relief for the time being. He could be a candidate to get a start or two down the stretch, however.

La Sorsa was optioned to Triple-A Rochester on Thursday, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.

La Sorsa holds a 5.02 ERA and 24:8 K:BB over 28.2 innings this season for the Rays and Nationals. He's being sent out to make room for Thaddeus Ward's (shoulder) return from the injured list.

Renfroe is not in the lineup for Thursday's game versus the Tigers.

It's the fourth straight game that we've seen Refroe on the bench against a left-hander, although a minor hamstring injury could have played a part in that. Jake Fraley is in the designated hitter spot and Nick Martini is in right field.

Encarnacion-Strand is absent from the lineup for Thursday's contest in Detroit.

Encarnacion-Strand started Wednesday's game and reached base twice, but this now marks the third time he's been out of the lineup in the Reds' last four contests. With Joey Votto back from the injured list and Jake Fraley limited to DH duty, the playing time squeeze for Encarnacion-Strand could continue.

Helsley picked up the save Wednesday against the Orioles. He allowed one hit while striking out two over a scoreless inning.

After striking out the first two batters in the ninth, Helsley gave up a two-out triple to Gunnar Henderson before getting Aaron Hicks to pop out, preserving a 1-0 shutout victory. Henderson's triple was the first hit surrendered by Helsley since he returned from the IL on Sep. 1. He's been dominant in that span, earning three saves over six scoreless innings while striking out eight. Overall, Helsley improved to 10-for-14 in save opportunities with a 2.61 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 41:13 K:BB across 31 innings this season.