MLB Player News

The Phillies returned Wheeler (shoulder) from his rehab assignment and activated him from the 15-day injured list Saturday.

Wheeler spent the early portion of the campaign in the minors rehabbing from surgery to address venous thoracic outlet syndrome. He was shaky during the five-game rehab stint, posting a 5.85 ERA and 1.20 WHIP over 20 innings, though that came with an impressive 23:5 K:BB. Wheeler is set to make his first MLB start of 2026 -- and first big-league appearance since Aug. 15 of last year -- Saturday in Atlanta.

The Reds recalled Franco from Triple-A Louisville on Saturday.

Franco had a previous stint with Cincinnati from late March to early April, appearing in three games and allowing two earned runs while posting a 4:5 K:BB over 5.2 innings. He's now back to take the big-league bullpen spot of Kyle Nicolas, who was optioned to Louisville in a corresponding transaction. Franco will likely work in middle and long relief while up with the Reds.

The Reds recalled Bleday from Triple-A Louisville on Saturday.

Bleday had an excellent spring training but didn't break camp with Cincinnati. He's been tearing up Triple-A pitching, posting a 1.121 OPS with six homers, 19 RBI and one stolen base over 24 games, and will now get a chance to make an impact with the Reds. Bleday hit 14 homers while driving in 39 runs and slashing .212/.294/.404 over 98 games with the Athletics last season, and he'll likely serve as a reserve outfielder during his initial stint in Cincinnati.

Cincinnati optioned Nicolas to Triple-A Louisville on Saturday.

Nicolas spent the past two weeks on the big-league roster and got into seven games, struggling to an 8.59 ERA, 2.86 WHIP and 7:13 K:BB over 7.1 innings. That damage was largely a result of two poor outings during which he yielded a combined seven runs across 1.2 frames; in his other five appearances, he wasn't charged with any earned runs. Nonetheless, Nicolas' awful 31.0 percent walk rate is likely something he'll be tasked with working on while in the minors.

Abrams isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the White Sox.

Abrams isn't typically someone who sits down against left-handed starters, but the Nats will give the lefty-hitting infielder a break Saturday with lefty-throwing Noah Schultz on the bump for Chicago. Nasim Nunez will slide over to short as a result, opening up second base for Curtis Mead.

The Reds placed Suarez (oblique) on the 10-day injured list Saturday, retroactive to April 24.

Suarez is dealing with a "mild" left oblique strain and will miss at least 10 days, though it's not clear at this point if his absence will extend longer. Suarez has spent most of his time this season at DH, and Cincinnati could deploy different hitters in that spot while the veteran slugger is out. Nathaniel Lowe got the start at DH on Friday and could be the biggest beneficiary in terms of playing time.

Acuna isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Nationals.

The White Sox have alternated between starting Acuna and Tristan Peters in center field since April 15, and Saturday will mark Peters' turn to join the starting nine.

Walls isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against Minnesota, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Walls will get a day to clear his head after going just 1-for-21 at the plate with nine strikeouts over his last six games. Ben Williamson will take over at shortstop Saturday and bat sixth.

Fraley (shin) will start in right field and bat fifth Saturday against the Twins, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Fraley missed the Rays' last two games after fouling a pitch off his leg Tuesday, but he's now feeling well enough to return to the starting nine. The 30-year-old outfielder has collected a hit in six of his last eight games and is slashing .261/.320/.435 with a homer, two RBI and two runs in that span.

Valera will start in left field and bat fifth against the Blue Jays on Saturday, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.

Valera was originally in line to have a day off Saturday, but he will join the starting nine to replace Steven Kwan, who was scratched with neck stiffness.