MLB Player News

Mayza will serve as the Phillies' opening pitcher for Monday's contest versus the Nationals, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

Mayza will handle an inning or two before bulk reliever Alan Rangel takes over. The left-handed Mayza has been excellent out of the Philadelphia bullpen, putting up a 2.97 ERA and 33:7 K:BB across 33.1 frames.

Arroyo is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Brewers.

The Reds will go with Spencer Steer and Matt McLain as their starters in the middle infield while Arroyo retreats to the bench for the series opener. Since being promoted from Triple-A Louisville on June 1, Arroyo has struggled to produce in a near-everyday role, slashing .240/.304/.280 with zero home runs or stolen bases across 56 plate appearances. With Elly De La Cruz (hamstring) expected to return from the 10-day injured list Tuesday, Arroyo could wind up heading back to Louisville in a corresponding move.

The Phillies activated Backhus (elbow) from the 15-day injured list Monday.

Backhus was shelved for almost two months while dealing with left elbow inflammation but has been cleared to return after striking out seven over 4.2 innings of one-run ball on a rehab assignment. He will operate in a middle relief role.

The Phillies recalled Rangel from Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Monday.

Rangel is expected to work in bulk relief behind opening pitcher Tim Mayza during Monday's road game against the Nationals, per Matt Gelb of The Athletic. The 28-year-old fanned five over three innings of one-run ball out of the bullpen in an appearance for the Phillies earlier this season, and he holds a 3.99 ERA and 73:27 K:BB across 70 frames with Lehigh Valley. With Andrew Painter back in the minors, Rangel could get a chance to stick around in Philadelphia as the fifth member of the rotation.

The Reds optioned Maxwell to Triple-A Louisville on Monday.

Maxwell will cede his spot on the active roster and in the Cincinnati bullpen to right-hander Pierce Johnson (elbow), who was reinstated from the 15-day injured list in a corresponding move. During his latest stint in the majors, Maxwell made nine appearances and submitted a 7.00 ERA, 2.11 WHIP and 8:8 K:BB in nine innings while gathering one save and one hold.

The Reds selected Garcia's contract from Triple-A Louisville on Monday.

Cincinnati designated Chris Paddack for assignment to open up room on the roster and in the bullpen for Garcia, who had been one of Louisville's more dominant relief arms this season. The 31-year-old right-hander received his first big-league call-up after submitting a 3.03 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 54:12 K:BB in 35.2 innings. He'll likely begin his time in the majors as a lower-leverage arm, but Garcia could work his way up the bullpen depth chart quickly if he's able to maintain the impressive form he displayed at Triple-A.

Higashioka is absent from the lineup for Monday's game in Miami.

Higashioka will get a breather after starting at catcher the previous two days. Elias Diaz will be behind the dish and bat eighth for the Rangers in the series opener.

The Reds reinstated Johnson (elbow) from the 15-day injured list Monday.

Johnson gave up one run in a one-inning, 17-pitch rehab appearance with Triple-A Louisville on Friday, and that was apparently all the Reds needed to see from the right-hander on the farm before adding him back to their bullpen. Before hitting the shelf May 30 due to right elbow inflammation, Johnson had been working in a setup role for the Reds and posted a 3.27 ERA and 1.23 WHIP while collecting four holds, one save and two wins in 24 appearances.

The Reds designated Paddack for assignment Monday.

The 30-year-old righty has now been booted off a 40-man roster for the second time this season, after the Marlins previously released him May 11. Paddack didn't perform any better during his five-week stint in Cincinnati and now owns a 0-7 record, 6.96 ERA, 1.66 WHIP and 39:19 K:BB in 53 innings over 13 appearances (nine starts) between his two stops. Given the poor form he's displayed thus far, Paddack is unlikely to get claimed off waivers and could be headed for another release in the coming days.

Rave will start in right field and bat seventh in Monday's game against the Rays.

Rave will crack the lineup for the third time in four matchups versus right-handed pitchers and appears to be getting prioritized over fellow left-handed hitter Kameron Misner for the final opening in the Kansas City outfield. Since being promoted from Triple-A Omaha on June 14, Rave has gone 3-for-7 with three extra-base hits, three walks, two RBI and three runs over four games, earning himself some more opportunities in the process.