MLB Player News

Johnson threw a scoreless seventh inning in Tuesday's win over the Phillies to pick up his fourth hold of the season. He struck out two while allowing a walk.

Meanwhile, the Reds turned to Sam Moll to pitch the eighth, and then Tony Santillan pitched a clean ninth inning to get the save. Johnson had given up a homer in his most recent outing Saturday, perhaps taking him out of consideration for this save chance. He now has a 3.72 ERA and 1.34 WHIP over 19.1 innings for the season.

Contreras went 2-for-5 with three RBI in Tuesday's 7-1 win over the Royals.

Contreras got the scoring started early with an RBI single in the first inning before adding another run-scoring single later in the ninth. The veteran continues to swing the bat well, now recording a hit in five of his last six games while homering twice during that stretch. Contreras owns an impressive .839 OPS alongside a .258 batting average, 10 home runs, six doubles, 30 RBI and 21 runs scored this season.

Pagan (hamstring) is throwing from his knees in order to keep throwing while not putting stress on his strained hamstring, Charlie Goldsmith of Fox19.com reports.

Naturally, Pagan is eager to return, but we've seen plenty of setbacks from players trying to return from muscle injuries like this one. The Reds' bullpen has been cratering without Pagan, so the Reds will have to straddle their desire to get him back, his desire to return and his need to fully heal.

Canning allowed three runs on four hits and a walk while striking out five over five innings in a no-decision versus the Dodgers on Tuesday.

Canning got off to a rough start, allowing a two-run home run to Freddie Freeman in the first inning. He was able to settle in and left in line for the win, but Jeremiah Estrada was also taken deep by Freeman in the sixth. Canning is still looking for his first win with the Padres, but Tuesday's effort was a positive turn after he had allowed six runs in each of his last two starts. He's at a 9.00 ERA, 1.81 WHIP and 19:10 K:BB through 16 innings over four starts this season. Until he shows more consistency, he'll be a risky option in most matchups. He's projected for a home start versus the Phillies his next time out.

Trout went 1-for-3 with a home run, an additional RBI and two walks in a loss to the Athletics on Tuesday.

Trout produced the Angels' first run with a solo blast to center field in the third inning. The long ball was his first since May 5 -- a span of 12 games. Trout has been streaky this season, and he previously had a 13-game homerless stretch that was followed by a run of five long balls in four contests. That should provide hope that Trout can begin another productive stretch after entering Tuesday having gone 1-for-18 across his previous five games.

Freeman went 2-for-4 with two home runs and three RBI in Tuesday's 5-4 win over the Padres.

Freeman gave the Dodgers a strong start with a two-run blast in the first inning, and he tied the game with a solo shot in the sixth. He had gone 0-for-14 with a 4:6 BB:K over his previous four contests, a rare quiet stretch for the first baseman. He's up to six homers, 23 RBI, 19 runs scored, one stolen base, 11 doubles and a triple while batting .260 with a .777 OPS through 46 games.

Duran went 2-for-3 with a three-run home run, a double, two walks, a stolen base and an additional run scored in Tuesday's 7-1 win over the Royals.

Duran reached base in four of his five plate appearances, walking in his first two trips before doubling in the fifth inning and later launching a 366-foot three-run homer in the eighth to put the game away. The homer was his fifth of the season, and his stolen base gave him 10 on the year. After a power surge earlier in May, Duran had cooled off significantly entering Tuesday, batting just .125 with a 5:16 BB:K over his previous 12 games.

Klein struck out one in a perfect inning to earn the save in Tuesday's 5-4 win over the Padres.

The Dodgers took the lead in the top of the ninth inning, and they'd already deployed Alex Vesia, Blake Treinen and Tanner Scott in previous frames to keep the game tied. That left the save chance to Klein, and he got the job done on 10 pitches (seven strikes) for his first big-league save. Klein has added four holds over his last eight appearances. On the year, he has a 2.33 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 20:6 K:BB through 19.1 innings. Tuesday's usage likely isn't going to lead to many more saves for the right-hander, as he has mostly worked as a middle reliever this year.

Gelof went 3-for-5 with a home run, two total runs and three total RBI against the Angels in a 14-6 rout Tuesday.

Gelof knocked in two runs with a single in the third inning and then hit a solo homer in the seventh. He made his 12th straight start at third base after previously spending most of his time this season in the outfield or at second base. Gelof is getting everyday at-bats due to injuries to Max Muncy (hand) and Jacob Wilson (shoulder), but he may be earning himself a permanent role in the lineup even when the club is healthy. Through 16 contests in May, Gelof is batting .293 with five homers, 12 runs, 12 RBI and two stolen bases.

Sheehan allowed four runs on five hits and a walk while striking out two over four innings in a no-decision versus the Padres on Tuesday.

Sheehan gave up a pair of two-run home runs -- Manny Machado took him deep in the first inning and Miguel Andujar did the same in the third. This was the third time in nine outings Sheehan has given up multiple homers, and the four runs allowed matched a season high. He's given up 11 runs across 19.1 innings through four starts in May, though he has a 23:4 K:BB this month. Overall, the right-hander is at a 4.93 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 51:13 K:BB through 45.2 innings this season. Sheehan will look to get back on track in his next start, which is tentatively projected to come at home versus the Rockies.