MLB Player News

Freeman went 2-for-3 with a run scored and a walk Friday against the Giants.

Freeman has gotten more consistent playing time with Mickey Moniak (ankle) sidelined, starting nine straight games. Freeman has hit .265 with two RBI and three runs scored in that span, and he's also in the midst of a four-game hitting streak. Freeman has occupied the second spot in the lineup in four of the last five contests, giving him some run-scoring upside if he continues to reach base at a strong clip.

Jones didn't factor into the decision in Friday's 6-5 win over the Twins, coughing up five runs on seven hits and two walks over 4.1 innings. He struck out six.

Making his first big-league start since undergoing Tommy John surgery in May of last year, Jones tossed 53 of 77 pitches for strikes but got hit hard when he was in the strike zone, serving up long balls to Kody Clemens in the first inning and Trevor Larnach in the third. The right-hander was headed for the loss until Bryan Reynolds walked it off with a homer of his own in the bottom of the ninth. Jones has plenty of upside, but he'll be a risky fantasy option while he shakes off the rust and works to regain his pre-injury form. He lines up to make his next start on the road next week in Houston.

Mejia (1-4) allowed two earned runs on three hits across one inning but still earned the win Friday against the Giants. He did not record a walk or a strikeout.

Mejia was called upon to hold the Rockies' deficit to one run in the ninth inning, but he allowed four of the first six batters he faced to reach base. The offense bailed him out with a walk-off home run, but Mejia's recent struggles continued with the outing. He's allowed at least one earned run in three straight appearances, totaling five earned runs allowed across 2.2 innings. Mejia is still being used in high-leverage situations, though his potential share of save chances is murky.

Lowe went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Friday's 8-3 loss Atlanta.

Lowe's fourth-inning home run extended a hit streak to eight games. During the streak, Lowe has gone 11-for-30 (.367) with four doubles, three home runs, nine RBI and six runs scored. He's getting regular playing time against right-handers while Reds manager Terry Francona shuffles the starting lineup to cover for injured third baseman Ke'Bryan Hayes (back). Lowe is slugging at a career-high .570 percent with 18 of his 33 hits going for extra bases.

Bleday went 2-for-3 with a walk and a solo home run in Friday's 8-3 loss to Atlanta.

The 28-year-old outfielder took Grant Holmes deep to lead off the bottom of the fourth inning and get Cincy on the board. Bleday continues to swing a hot bat, and over his last 16 games he's slashing .311/.411/.607 with four of his eight homers on the season, as well as one steal, 11 runs and 15 RBI.

Paddack (0-7) took the loss Friday, giving up four runs on seven hits and three walks over five innings as the Reds fell 8-3 to Atlanta. He failed to strike out a batter.

The veteran right-hander is 0-2 with Cincinnati after an 0-5 start to the year with Miami. Paddack tossed 52 of 86 pitches for strikes Friday before exiting, and since being picked up to patch a hole at the back of the Reds' rotation, he's managed a 5.40 ERA, 1.80 WHIP and 8:7 K:BB in 15 innings over three starts. Rhett Lowder (shoulder) is set to begin a rehab assignment next week and may only need one outing before coming off the IL, but that still leaves Paddack to handle at least one more start, which is set to come at home next week against the Royals.

Harris went 3-for-5 with three RBI in Friday's 8-3 win over the Reds.

He was caught stealing for the first time this season, but it was otherwise another productive effort from Harris. The center fielder has three multi-hit performances in the last four games and six in the last 10, boosting his slash line on the season to .308/.333/.535 with 13 homers, three steals, 27 runs and 36 RBI in 55 contests.

Acuna went 1-for-3 with two walks and a solo home run in Friday's 8-3 win over the Reds.

The star outfielder led off the game by crushing a Chris Paddack hanging curve 429 feet to left-center field. It was only Acuna's fourth homer of the season, but two of them have come in the last two games. Since making a mid-May return from a hamstring strain, Acuna's slashing .194/.370/.389 with a 10:11 BB:K to go with three steals, seven runs and eight RBI in 10 contests.

Holmes didn't factor into the decision in Friday's 8-3 win over the Reds, giving up three runs on seven hits and a walk over 4.2 innings. He struck out five.

The right-hander got handed a 4-0 lead before he took the mound for the bottom of the second inning, but Holmes wasn't efficient enough to stick around and collect the win, getting lifted after 80 pitches (52 strikes) with the tying runner on base for Cincy. Holmes put together a bumpy May, going 1-1 in five starts with a 4.38 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 28:11 K:BB over 24.2 innings. He'll try to tighten things up in his next outing, which lines up to come at home next week against the Blue Jays.

Burnes (elbow) threw to a hitter Friday for the first time post-surgery, MLB.com reports.

The rehabbing Burnes faced the rehabbing Jordan Lawlar (wrist), marking the first time either player has faced a live opponent during their respective recoveries. Next up for Burnes is another batting practice session Tuesday. The right-hander is expected to return midseason, likely following the All-Star break.