MLB Player News

The Reds optioned Franco to Triple-A Louisville on Friday.

Franco made his MLB debut with the Reds on March 30 and worked three games out of the bullpen, registering a 3.18 ERA, 2.12 WHIP and 4:5 K:BB across 5.2 innings. He'll need to work on his command in the minors. In a corresponding move, the Reds recalled Kyle Nicolas from Louisville.

Fuentes has a 0.00 ERA, 0.87 WHIP and 15:5 K:BB through 9.2 innings in his first two starts of the season for Triple-A Gwinnett.

The 20-year-old began the year in the big-league bullpen, but since being optioned to Gwinnett, Fuentes has dominated Triple-A hitters. He's likely first in line for a promotion when Atlanta needs rotation help, but with Reynaldo Lopez not set to miss a turn after having his suspension reduced to five games from seven and Martin Perez looking at least adequate so far as the fifth starter, Fuentes may need to bide his time in the International League.

The Reds recalled Nicolas from Triple-A Louisville on Friday.

Cincinnati optioned Jose Franco in a corresponding move. Nicolas was acquired from the Pirates during spring training and will make his Reds debut in his next appearance. The right-hander turned in a 4.74 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 34:18 K:BB across 38 innings with Pittsburgh last season.

The Cubs recalled Roberts from Triple-A Iowa on Friday, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Roberts will take the place of Phil Maton (knee) in the bullpen. Roberts worked 10 games out of the Cubs' bullpen last season, logging a 6.00 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 6:2 K:BB across nine innings.

The Cubs designated Carlson for assignment Friday, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

The move clears room on the 26-man roster for Seiya Suzuki, who was activated from the 10-day IL in a corresponding move Friday. Carlson went 0-for-4 with one run scored and a pair of strikeouts across three appearances with Chicago.

The Cubs activated Suzuki (knee) from the 10-day injured list Friday, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Suzuki will be available to make his season debut Friday against the Pirates after he suffered a right knee strain with Team Japan in the World Baseball Classic back on March 14. The 31-year-old outfielder missed the Cubs' first 12 games of the season, and his return should mean less playing time for Michael Conforto and Matt Shaw.

The Cubs placed Maton on the 15-day injured list Friday with right knee tendinitis, Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports Network reports.

With Maton headed to the IL, Ethan Roberts has been recalled from Triple-A Iowa to take his spot in the bullpen. Maton has an ugly 13.50 ERA, 2.50 WHIP and 5:4 K:BB across four innings.

Lowe is not in the starting lineup for Friday's game against the Cubs.

With left-hander Shota Imanaga on the mound for the Cubs, Lowe will take a seat. Nick Gonzales is getting the start at second base and batting fifth for Pittsburgh. Lowe is slashing .220/.333/.488 with three home runs, four RBI, four runs scored and a 7:10 BB:K across 48 trips to the plate but is batting just .130 with a .405 OPS over the last seven days.

The Rays have hired Ford for a front-office role, Kristie Ackert of the Associated Press reports.

Ford began last season at Triple-A St. Paul in the Twins organization before finishing it in Japan. The 33-year-old Princeton grad slashed .205/.298/.402 with 37 home runs over parts of six major-league seasons.

Sterner allowed no hits and a walk while striking out one over a scoreless inning in Thursday's win against the Yankees.

Entering in the eighth inning following seven stellar frames from Jeffrey Springs, Sterner had no trouble keeping the Yankees' bats quiet as he collected his third hold of the campaign. After allowing a run in his first outing, the right-hander has delivered 6.1 scoreless innings over his past five appearances. He has yet to be used in a save situation, but Sterner's strong early performances have earned him high-leverage work and, given the lack of an established closer for the A's, could lead to future opportunities in the ninth inning.