MLB Player News

The Phillies reinstated Lazar (oblique) from the 60-day injured list Saturday and optioned him to Triple-A Lehigh Valley.

A left oblique strain sent Lazar to the injured list at the start of the regular season, though he was cleared to begin playing in rehab games in late April. The 26-year-old gave up nine runs (four earned) during his time in the minors while striking out 11 batters and walking five over 13.1 innings. He'll stay put at Lehigh Valley now that he's fully healthy, but there's a good chance he'll rejoin the big club at some point to provide a fresh bullpen arm. Zach Pop (calf) was DFA'd in a corresponding move.

Kay (5-1) picked up the win in Saturday's 7-1 victory over the Tigers, allowing one run on six hits and a walk over five-plus innings. He struck out three.

The lefty cruised through five frames, giving up just a solo shot to Wenceel Perez in the third inning, but Kay got the hook after 84 pitches (54 strikes) when the first two Detroit hitters reached to open the sixth. Kay has four wins in his last five starts, a stretch in which he's delivered a stellar 1.65 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 22:9 K:BB through 27.1 innings. He'll look to keep rolling in his next outing, which is set to come on the road next weekend in Philadelphia.

Myers was scratched from the lineup for Saturday's game against Atlanta due to an illness, Charlie Goldsmith of Fox 19 Now Cincinnati reports.

Myers' illness will prevent him from starting Saturday, but he'll likely need to miss just a day or two before returning to action. TJ Friedl will enter the lineup as Cincinnati's center fielder and bat ninth.

Valdez (2-4) took the loss Saturday, giving up four runs on six hits and two walks over 6.2 innings as the Tigers fell 7-1 to the White Sox. He struck out four.

The southpaw got tagged for two runs in the first inning and two runs in the seventh, getting lifted after 89 pitches (59 strikes) having received little support from his offense. Valdez has allowed at least four runs in three of his last five outings, stumbling to a 5.93 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and 22:11 K:BB in 27.1 innings over that stretch. He'll look for his first win since April 19 in his next start, which lines up to come at home next weekend against the Mariners.

Bader isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against Colorado, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Bader notched a base hit and an RBI in Friday's series opener, but he'll retreat to the bench to begin Saturday's contest. While he sits, Casey Schmitt, Drew Gilbert and Jung Hoo Lee will form San Francisco's outfield trio.

Susac isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Rockies, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Susac will get a chance to regroup after going 0-for-14 with four strikeouts across his last four games. Eric Haase will handle catching duties Saturday and bat eighth.

The Reds designated Nicolas for assignment Saturday.

Nicolas has been at Triple-A Louisville since late April, but he'll now also lose his place on the 40-man roster in order to make room for Lyon Richardson, who was selected to the active roster Saturday. Nicolas gave up seven earned runs in just 7.1 innings during his time with the big club and hasn't performed much better in the minors, accumulating a 5.17 ERA and 2.24 WHIP in 15.2 frames.

The Reds selected Richardson's contract from Triple-A Louisville on Saturday.

Richardson has been with Louisville all season, turning in a 4.75 ERA and 1.26 WHIP alongside a 34:14 K:BB through 30.1 innings. He'll head to the majors as a replacement for Pierce Johnson (elbow) and likely be limited to low-leverage work as long as he's with the Reds. Kyle Nicolas was designated for assignment in a corresponding move.

The Reds placed Johnson on the 15-day injured list Saturday, retroactive to Wednesday, with right elbow inflammation.

Johnson's injury helps to explain why he hasn't pitched in a game since Tuesday. He received a cortisone shot in his right elbow Saturday, and with the MRI results coming back negative, Johnson expressed optimism about a minimum-length stint on the IL, per Charlie Goldsmith of Fox 19 Now Cincinnati. Tony Santillan figures to handle a larger share of high-leverage opportunities while Johnson is out, and Lyon Richardson will come up from Triple-A Louisville to fill the void in Cincinnati's bullpen.

Kim isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against Cincinnati.

Kim will grab a seat on the bench for a third consecutive game after going just 4-for-42 (.095) in 12 games since his return from the injured list. Jorge Mateo will start at shortstop for the third game in a row, and he could continue to get extra playing time while Atlanta waits for Kim to get on track after making his season debut a few weeks ago.