MLB Player News

Dunn started in right field and went 2-for-4 with a walk and a solo home run in Thursday's 8-3 loss to the Cubs.

Dunn made his first start for the Reds since being called up Sunday, as the right-handed hitter stepped in against Chicago lefty Shota Imanaga. Until Thursday, Dunn was used as a pinch runner in his first three appearances.

Johnson and the Astros agreed on a minor-league contract Thursday.

Johnson will head to Triple-A Sugar Land after initially electing to become a free agent following his designation for assignment by the Astros on Monday. The 29-year-old has combined to go 2-for-20 with a double, an RBI and two runs scored over six contests between Triple-A Jacksonville and Triple-A Sugar Land so far this year.

Lowder (shoulder) will undergo an MRI on Friday, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Lowder was removed in the fourth inning of Thursday's game with right shoulder discomfort. Reds manager Terry Francona said he didn't believe Lowder was in a lot of discomfort, but Friday's imaging should present a clearer picture and inform the next steps for the right-hander. Lowder acknowledged that he had been dealing with something in the right shoulder, which may have impacted his previous start May 2, when he allowed eight runs over 1.1 innings.

Arizona manager Torey Lovullo said Thursday there are no plans to take playing time away from Vargas when Carlos Santana (thigh) is ready to be activated, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

Gilbert reports that Santana could rejoin the Diamondbacks as early as Friday, but there may not be a path to regular at-bats for the 39-year-old, who batted .083 over eight games at the time of his injury. Vargas has filled in at first base and has been an offensive juggernaut for Arizona, compiling a .364/.386/.627 slash line while topping the team with six home runs and 22 RBI.

Santana (thigh) could rejoin the Diamondbacks on Friday, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

Santana is currently on a rehab assignment at Triple-A Reno and played a third consecutive day at first base Thursday. Finding room on the roster should not be an issue, as Arizona has a few players with minor-league options, though finding playing time will be more difficult. Ildemaro Vargas, who had a 24-game hit streak to open the season, has filled in at first base, and manager Torey Lovullo said there are no plans to take playing time away from him. DH is an obvious option, but Jose Fernandez and Adrian Del Castillo are also producing at the plate.

McCarthy went 2-for-4 with a grand slam and an RBI double in Thursday's 6-2 win over the Mets.

McCarthy drove in five of Colorado's six runs Thursday. The outfielder tied the game at 2-2 with a two-out double in the sixth inning before putting the Rockies ahead in the eighth with a grand slam off Craig Kimbrel. After going 26 games without a homer to start the year, McCarthy's now gone deep in consecutive contests. He's slashing .275/.346/.507 with 14 RBI, eight runs scored and six stolen bases across 81 plate appearances while seeing regular at-bats against right-handed pitching.

Phillips was pressed into action Thursday against the Cubs after Rhett Lowder (shoulder) left in the fourth inning and proceeded to allow five runs on four hits and a walk in one inning.

It's tempting to give Phillips a little bit of grace given the circumstances of his entry into the game and because of a mental mistake made by catcher Tyler Stephenson that allowed the inning to continue; however, this isn't his first recent disaster outing, as he walked all four batters that he faced in an appearance last weekend. For the season he's issued 21 walks in 20 innings and thus can't be a serious candidate for saves even with closer Emilio Pagan (hamstring) sidelined.

Povich exited Thursday's contest against the Marlins in the fourth inning with left forearm discomfort, Kevin Barral of FishonFirst.com reports.

Povich pitched three innings, allowing three runs on three hits and two walks while striking out one batter before he was forced to exit the game prior to taking the mound in the bottom of the fourth frame. The left-hander was making his second start with the big-league club since being called up from Triple-A on May 1. Povich finished his day having thrown just 43 pitches, and more information on his status will likely be provided in the near future as he continues to be evaluated.

Quintana did not factor into the decision Thursday against the Mets, allowing two runs on five hits and two walks over 5.2 innings. He struck out two.

The Mets scratched across a pair of runs against Quintana in the second inning, but the left-hander would hold them there in an eventual 6-2 Rockies victory. Quintana has given up just four runs over 16 innings in his last three starts after struggling to a 6.23 ERA in his first three outings this year. Quintana will carry a 3.90 ERA with a 1.33 WHIP and 14:13 K:BB into his next start, which is currently scheduled to come on the road against the Pirates.

Scott didn't factor into the decision Thursday against Colorado, allowing a run on three hits and two walks over 4.2 innings. He struck out six.

After issuing five walks in just 1.1 frames in his major-league start of the year, Scott has given up only three earned runs over 9.2 innings with a 14:2 K:BB in his last two outings. The young right-hander figures to get an extended run in the Mets' rotation with Kodai Senga (back) sidelined, especially given his improved recent form. Scott is tentatively lined up to face the Tigers at home in his next start.