MLB Player News

The Reds activated Lowder (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list Sunday.

Lowder landed on the injured list May 13 due to right shoulder discomfort, and he's slated to make his return as Sunday's starting pitcher after missing just over three weeks. The right-hander tossed 70 pitches for Triple-A Louisville on Tuesday in his lone rehab appearance, so he may be held to a pitch count in his return to the big-league rotation. To make room for Lowder on the 26-man roster, Cincinnati optioned reliever Luis Mey to Louisville.

Chandler is slated to work behind opener Mason Montgomery versus Atlanta on Sunday, Jason Mackey of MLB.com reports.

Chandler functioned as the starter in each of his first 12 outings this year, but the Pirates will see how he fares behind an opener. The 21-year-old hasn't tossed more than five innings since April 17 versus Tampa Bay, so coming in after Montgomery could help him turn the ball over to the bullpen a little deeper into the game. Of course, it will also prevent Chandler from being eligible for a quality start, but he's delivered only one such outing this season.

Antone allowed one hit and one walk while striking out two over 1.2 scoreless innings in Saturday's 6-5 loss to St. Louis.

Antone escaped a bases-loaded jam with none out, inducing a double-play grounder and a groundout to shortstop. After a rocky return to the majors early in May, Antone has authored six consecutive scoreless appearances, giving up five hits and four walks while striking out five over five innings.

Montgomery is starting Sunday's matchup versus Atlanta, likely as an opener ahead of Bubba Chandler, Jason Mackey of MLB.com reports.

This will be the fourth time this season that Montgomery has been deployed as an opener. He's been effective in that role, tossing a scoreless inning in each of his first three starts. From a fantasy perspective, however, it means that Montgomery won't be eligible to notch a win, hold or save.

Moll (1-4) allowed two runs on two hits while striking out one and was tagged with a loss and blown save Saturday as the Reds fell 6-5 to the Cardinals.

Moll is the latest Cincy reliever to melt down, giving up a two-run home run to Lars Nootbaar in the eighth inning for the game-winning hit. Manager Terry Francona has cycled through multiple relievers in search of someone that can replace injured closer Emilio Pagan (hamstring). Despite Saturday's unfortunate outing, Moll has pitched well overall and sports a 2.96 ERA and 1.10 WHIP over 30 appearances (27.1 innings), but the southpaw has just one save on the year against three blown saves.

McLain started at shortstop and went 1-for-3 with a walk and a two-run home run in Saturday's 6-5 loss to St. Louis.

McLain launched his sixth home run of the season in the fourth inning, giving Cincinnati a 5-3 lead. He's started at shortstop in four of five games since Elly De La Cruz (hamstring) landed on the injured list. Edwin Arroyo started the other contest. De La Cruz has begun light baseball activity and will undergo an MRI checkup June 12, and he appears headed for a relatively brief IL stint.

Realmuto isn't in the starting lineup for Sunday's matchup against the White Sox.

Realmuto will begin on the bench after starting behind the plate the prior four contests. The veteran catcher will look to reset after going 1-for-18 over his last seven games. Rafael Marchan is starting at catcher for the Phillies on Sunday.

Santana (thigh) began a rehab assignment in the Arizona Complex League on Friday, Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports reports.

Santana started at first base, played five innings and went 2-for-3 with a home run and two RBI. He was back at Chase Field to take batting practice with the Diamondbacks on Saturday. It's unclear what role Santana will have once he's ready, as first base and DH are crowded with Pavin Smith, Ildemaro Vargas and LuJames Groover all looking for playing time. That list doesn't include the imminent returns Lourdes Gurriel (hamstring) and Jordan Lawlar (wrist), both of whom may need at-bats at DH.

Groover started at first base and went 1-for-3 with an RBI in Saturday's 6-1 loss to the Nationals.

Groover, who made a second consecutive start at first base since being called up, recorded his first hit and RBI in the majors. As manager Torey Lovullo told Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports, Groover isn't up with the Diamondbacks "to sit on the bench" and will receive playing time at first base and designated hitter. Left unsaid was that the prospect's playing time would come at the expense of Ildemaro Vargas, who has come off the bench the last two games. It looks like Groover and Pavin Smith will share first base and DH, while Vargas settles back into a utility role.

Vargas (thigh) entered Saturday's game as a pinch hitter, went 0-for-1, and finished as the designated hitter in a 6-1 loss to Washington.

Vargas, who was removed from Thursday's game with a thigh issue, has come off the bench in the next two contests. He was able to play defense Friday before getting a plate appearance Saturday, indicating he has no limitations and may simply be slipping back into a bench role. The recent activation of Pavin Smith from the injured list and the call-up of prospect LuJames Groover, who started at first base Friday and Saturday, appears to be impacting Vargas' playing time.