MLB Player News

Reds manager Terry Francona said Monday that an MRI on De La Cruz's right hamstring showed between a Grade 1 and Grade 2 strain, Charlie Goldsmith of Fox 19 Now Cincinnati reports.

De La Cruz was placed on the 10-day injured list earlier Monday for the first time in his major-league career. He could get another MRI in a couple weeks to check the status of his progress, but early indications are that De La Cruz will likely be sidelined for 2-to-4 weeks. Matt McLain is drawing the start at shortstop for Cincinnati in Monday's game versus the Royals, and Edwin Arroyo is making his major-league debut at second base.

Friedl is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Royals.

Friedl resurfaced in the Cincinnati lineup for three straight starts late last week, but despite reaching base in three of his eight plate appearances during that stretch, manager Terry Francona will send the outfielder to the bench for a second straight matchup versus a right-hander. With Friedl taking a seat, the Reds will be able to reopen a spot in the middle infield for Matt McLain, while Spencer Steer shifts to the outfield after manning the keystone in Sunday's win over Atlanta.

The Reds announced that Richardson will serve as their opening pitcher for Monday's game against the Royals.

With Chase Burns (illness) being scratched from his scheduled turn through the rotation on short notice, the Reds will turn to Richardson to make his first big-league start since 2023. Prior to being promoted from Triple-A Louisville on Saturday, Richardson has worked between two and three innings in nine of his 18 appearances in the minors this season, so he should be capable of providing a little more length than the typical opener. That said, Richardson isn't expected to work deep into Monday's contest, so the Reds could count on new call-up Brandon Leibrandt -- who had been starting with Louisville -- to cover multiple innings out of the bullpen.

Crews (hand) is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Marlins, Mark Zuckerman of NatsJournal.com reports.

Crews will miss out on a second straight start after Nationals manager Blake Butera relayed Sunday that the outfielder's hand had swelled up after being hit by a pitch in Saturday's 9-4 win over the Padres, per Danielle Allentuck of The Washington Post. The Nationals seem to be viewing Crews as day-to-day for the time being, but if he's unable to play at any point during the three-game series with Miami, a move to the injured list would become more likely.

Arroyo will start at second base and bat eighth in his major-league debut Monday against the Royals.

Arroyo was called up earlier Monday to take the roster spot of the injured Elly De La Cruz (hamstring). It will be Matt McLain sliding over to shortstop Monday to cover for Cruz, while Arroyo will settle in at McLain's old second-base spot. Arroyo earned a promotion after hitting .323/.383/.562 with 11 home runs and nine stolen bases for Louisville.

The Reds scratched Burns from his scheduled start Monday against the Royals due to an illness.

Cincinnati will turn to right-hander Lyon Richardson to serve as their opening pitcher for Monday's contest in what will likely be an impromptu bullpen day as a result of Burns feeling under the weather. The severity of Burns' ailment isn't known at this time, making it unclear if the right-hander will merely be pushed back a day or two in the pitching schedule or if he'll have his turn through the rotation skipped entirely. After entering spring training with some uncertainty whether he would be part of the Reds' Opening Day rotation, Burns has been Cincinnati's top starter so far this season, posting a 7-1 record, 1.96 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 72:20 K:BB over 64.1 innings.

The Diamondbacks reinstated Smith (elbow) from the 60-day injured list Monday, Aaron Hughes of SI.com reports.

Smith has been cleared to rejoin the Diamondbacks ahead of their seven-game homestand after he went 7-for-21 with a double and a 1:5 BB:K during a five-game minor-league rehab assignment last week. The 30-year-old played in just two contests for Arizona before landing on the IL on March 30 due to left elbow inflammation caused by bone chips, which he had removed via surgery April 16. Smith is expected to reclaim a regular spot in the Arizona lineup versus right-handed pitching, displacing either Adrian Del Castillo at designated hitter or Ildemaro Vargas at first base.

The Giants selected Ramos' contract from Triple-A Sacramento on Monday, Ari Alexander of 7 News Boston reports.

Ramos earned a look from the big club after turning in a 2.00 ERA and 27:7 K:BB over 27 innings with Sacramento. The 25-year-old reliever will be making his major-league debut when/if he enters a game.

The Diamondbacks optioned Tawa to Triple-A Reno on Monday, John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports 98.7 FM reports.

Tawa has been on the Arizona roster all season but hasn't played much, particularly in May with only four starts and 19 plate appearances. He's clearing out to make space on the roster for Pavin Smith (elbow), who is back from the 60-day injured list.

The Marlins transferred Conine (hamstring) to the 60-day injured list Monday.

The transaction frees up a 40-man roster spot for the Marlins. It does not alter the timetable for Conine, who as he's been out since early April following left hamstring surgery. Conine is expected to be ready to begin a rehab assignment soon and could return before the end of June.