MLB Player News

Stewart started at first base and went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Sunday's 7-4 loss to the Athletics.

Stewart launched his third homer in 10 games since being called up when rosters expanded in September. He's started four of the last five games and six of the last seven at first base, as the prospect has nudged Spencer Steer out of the way. The Reds, who were swept by the A's, are still in the hunt for a playoff spot, but manager Terry Francona appears to be juggling two missions -- develop young talent while not abandoning the quest for the postseason.

Tovar went 2-for-5 with a double, an RBI and two runs scored Sunday against the Padres.

Tovar entered Sunday's game hitless in his last six starts -- all of which came on the road -- while also striking out 12 times across 19 at-bats in that span. He ended that stretch with a single in the sixth inning and then delivered an RBI double one frame later. Tovar is still hitting .250 since Sept. 1 and now has three RBI and five runs scored with a stolen base in that 13-game span.

Benson started in left field and went 1-for-2 with a two-run home run in Sunday's 7-4 loss to the Athletics.

Benson upped Cincinnati's lead to 3-0 with his second-inning home run. He's started four of the last five contests and gone deep three times during that stretch. The bump in playing time came out of nowhere for Benson, who rode the bench for the first 20 games after being called up in mid-August.

Lowder (oblique/forearm) will make his next rehab start Friday for Triple-A Louisville, MLB.com reports.

Lowder began a rehab assignment Saturday, throwing 34 pitches over two innings and allowing one run for Louisville. Per Mark Sheldon of MLB.com, Reds manager Terry Francona has been non-committal about Lowder returning from the 60-day injured list before the end of the regular season to aid the team in its bid for a wild-card spot, but that could change if he performs well in his upcoming rehab start. Even if he comes off the IL for the final week of the season, Lowder would likely be deployed out of the bullpen.

Vargas replaced Blaze Alexander (elbow) at second base in the fourth inning Sunday and went 1-for-3 in a 6-4 win over Minnesota.

Alexander was removed from the game after getting hit by a pitch in the elbow/forearm area. Testing came back negative, but the elbow showed significant swelling, per Steve Gilbert of MLB.com. Vargas could benefit from any time Alexander misses, but second base is typically Ketel Marte's realm.

Lawlar started at third base and went 1-for-3 with a double and a run scored in Sunday's 6-4 win over the Twins.

Lawlar lined a double to left field and scored in the Diamondbacks' three-run fourth inning. Following an initial 0-for-11 run upon being called up in late August, Lawlar is batting .304 (7-for-23) with five doubles, three RBI, two steals and four runs scored over last eight contests. He hasn't been an everyday member of the starting lineup, but that could change in the short term after Blaze Alexander (elbow) was removed from Sunday's game. Testing on Alexander's elbow came back negative, but it was very swollen postgame, per Steve Gilbert of MLB.com. He'll undergo further testing Monday and is day-to-day heading into that night's series opener against the Giants. Lawlar stands to benefit from any time Alexander misses, as those two have shared third base since the beginning of the month.

Kittredge earned the save in Sunday's 4-3 win over the Rays, striking out three and walking one in a scoreless ninth inning.

Kittredge was brought in to protect a one-run lead and worked around a two-out walk to Yandy Diaz by fanning Junior Caminero to shut the door against his former team. It marked the right-hander's third straight outing with a save and extended his scoreless streak to eight appearances. The veteran reliever now owns five saves on the year while continuing to provide the Cubs with steady late-inning work.

Conforto went 3-for-4 with three RBI in Sunday's 10-3 win against the Giants.

The veteran outfielder entered as a pinch hitter for Alex Call in the fifth inning and made the most of his opportunity, collecting three singles and tying his season high with three RBI. The effort lifted his season average to .200 -- the first time it's reached that mark since June 20. Conforto has struggled mightily at the plate over the last two-plus months, slashing just .218/.307/.361 with eight RBI, 12 runs, eight doubles and 37 strikeouts across 137 plate appearances since that date.

Ray (11-7) took the loss against the Dodgers on Sunday, surrendering five runs on six hits and four walks over four innings. He struck out five.

Ray opened with a flourish, striking out Shohei Ohtani on a 96 mph fastball to begin a clean first inning, but he quickly found himself laboring against a patient Los Angeles lineup. The southpaw issued four walks and needed 98 pitches (58 strikes) to get through just four frames, with his night ending in the fifth after giving up a leadoff walk to Mookie Betts followed by back-to-back hits from Teoscar Hernandez and Freddie Freeman. Over his last seven outings, the 33-year-old has struggled to a 6.06 ERA and 28:12 K:BB across 35.2 innings, and he'll look to steady things in his next scheduled start, a rematch against the Dodgers.

Glasnow (3-3) picked up the win over the Giants on Sunday, allowing one run on three hits and four walks while striking out four over 6.2 innings.

Glasnow battled through some early control issues, issuing four walks and a hit batter in his first three frames, but found a groove from there and retired the next nine consecutive batters. The right-hander came within one out of logging his third straight seven-inning start, following up his best outing of the season, when he held the Rockies hitless with 11 strikeouts over seven innings. Glasnow will carry a 3.06 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 96:38 K:BB into his next scheduled start, a rematch with the Giants.