MLB Player News

Atlanta selected Azocar's contract from Triple-A Gwinnett on Sunday.

He'll provide Atlanta with some extra coverage in the outfield after Ronald Acuna (hamstring) was placed on the injured list in a corresponding move, but Azocar is likely to see most of his usage as a late-inning defensive replacement or pinch runner. The 29-year-old had been handling an everyday role at Gwinnett, slashing .270/.348/.420 with two home runs and eight stolen bases over 113 plate appearances.

Atlanta reinstated Strider (oblique) from the 15-day injured list to start Sunday's game at Colorado.

The right-hander has missed the first month-plus of the regular season while working his way back from an oblique strain, but he's ready to make his first big-league appearance of the year after a three-start rehab assignment. Strider built up to 82 pitches and five innings during his final rehab outing, so his workload shouldn't be significantly limited in his 2026 debut. In last year's return from internal brace surgery on his elbow, Strider had an up-and-down campaign with a 4.45 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 131:51 K:BB across 125.1 innings.

Atlanta placed Acuna on the 10-day injured list Sunday due to a left hamstring strain.

Acuna was lifted from Saturday's 9-1 win over the Rockies in the second inning due to hamstring tightness, prompting Atlanta to send him in for an MRI following the game. Though Atlanta hasn't offered up a timeline for Acuna's return after assessing his imaging, the club quickly determined that the five-time All-Star's injury was significant enough to keep him out for at least the next week and a half. Atlanta called up Jose Azocar from Triple-A Gwinnett in a corresponding move, but Eli White and Mauricio Dubon are the more likelier candidates to see added reps in the outfield while Acuna is shelved.

Benson went 2-for-4 with a solo home run and an additional run scored in Saturday's 17-7 loss to the Pirates.

Benson homered for the second time in three games, but his playing time has been threatened by JJ Bleday, who was called up from the minors last week. At the time when Bleday was added to the roster, Benson had just one RBI with a .176/.333/.265 slash line over 20 games.

Bell is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Blue Jays.

After starting each of the Twins' last eight games, Bell will rest for Sunday's day game. Byron Buxton will get a day off from playing center field and occupy Bell's usual spot at designated hitter.

The Reds optioned Hinds to Triple-A Louisville on Sunday.

The 25-year-old was called up in mid-April and immediately received some chances in the outfield, but he'll return to Louisville after going 4-for-33 with 18 strikeouts in 12 big-league games. Continuing his hot start to the season at Triple-A (five homers and a 1.246 OPS in 61 plate appearances), may not be enough for Hinds to get another look in the majors, considering his career 42.0 percent strikeout rate in 131 PAs with the Reds.

Caratini will start at catcher and bat cleanup Sunday against the Blue Jays.

After a recent stretch in which he made 11 consecutive starts between catcher, first base and designated hitter, Caratini has moved into more of a part-time role. He'll be included in the lineup Sunday for just the seventh time in the Twins' last 15 games, stepping in behind the plate while Ryan Jeffers receives the afternoon off.

Jeffers is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Blue Jays.

With Sunday's series finale beginning at 12:45 p.m. EDT, Jeffers will receive a breather after he made starts at catcher or designated hitter each of the past four days. Byron Buxton will serve as the Twins' DH on Sunday, while Victor Caratini steps in behind the dish.

Bleday went 2-for-4 with a walk, a double, a home run, two RBI and three runs scored in Saturday's 17-7 loss to Pittsburgh.

Bleday connected for his second home run since being called up from Triple-A Louisville last week. The left-handed batter started a fourth straight game and has been included in five of six starting lineups since his arrival, all coming against right-handed starters. Bleday's presence has pushed Will Benson (.196/.315/.413) into more of a bench role.

Ferguson (oblique) allowed one run on one hit and struck out two over one inning for Double-A Chattanooga on Friday.

Ferguson threw 16 pitches (12 strikes) as the opener in his second rehab appearance for the Lookouts. The Reds are expected to have the left-hander throw at least two more games for Triple-A Louisville before activating him from the IL, MLB.com reports.