MLB Player News

McLain went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in Wednesday's win over the A's.

McLain has been an active part of Cincinnati's lineup, starting in every game, since returning from the 10-day injured list in late July due to a calf injury. The second baseman has continued his light hitting (4-for-19 with two extra base-hits), but he hit a clutch long ball Wednesday to right to give the Reds a 2-1 lead. The homer ends a 27-game power drought that dated back to June 7.

General manager Ben Cherington said that there is no timeline for Cruz (hand) to return from the injured list, Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Cruz was cleared for all baseball activities July 29, seemingly paving the way for him to return from the 60-day injured list Aug. 7. However, Cherington only made a vague statement that Cruz is making progress and on track, with the hope that he returns to games soon. While it sounds like Cruz is still nearing activation, that may not occur until closer to mid-August.

Pagan struck out one without allowing a baserunner over one inning to earn the save in Wednesday's 3-2 win over the Athletics.

Pagan now has a win or a save in eight straight appearances for the Reds. The 35-year-old has not walked a batter and has struck out 10 in seven innings during that stretch. Pagan now has a 4.26 ERA and 1.14 WHIP in 27 games while converting 13 of 16 save chances this year.

Lopez allowed two runs on four hits and one walk while striking out nine over five innings during a 3-2 loss to the Reds on Wednesday.

After serving as an option in the bullpen in late May and early July -- which bookended a month-long stint at Triple-A -- Lopez has been back in the rotation for his last four appearances. Since rejoining the rotation, the lefty has a 1-1 record with a 2.29 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 27:9 K:BB across 19.2 innings. Those numbers are a major improvement on the 6.75 ERA he posted in 12 outings prior to his demotion to Triple-A.

Lowder (4-7) secured the win Wednesday versus the Athletics, allowing two runs on four hits and two walks over six innings. He struck out three.

Lowder picked up his second straight quality start Wednesday and also got his first win since April 20. After a rough start in which he gave up eight runs in 2.1 frames July 18 in Colorado, Lowder has given up six earned runs over 17 innings (3.18 ERA) with a 12:4 K:BB in his last three outings. The 24-year-old is tentatively scheduled to pitch next week against the White Sox.

Mayo went 2-for-4 with a solo home run in a 5-2 win against the Angels on Wednesday.

Mayo went back-to-back with Tyler O'Neill in the fourth inning with a long ball to almost the exact same spot in left-center field. The 24-year-old Mayo is continuing his hot hitting from July with extra-base hits in his last two starts. In 14 games since the All-Star break, he has a .935 OPS with six extra-base hits (three homers), a steal, seven RBI and nine runs.

O'Neill went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run in Wednesday's 5-2 win over the Angels.

O'Neill smashed a homer to left after Gunnar Henderson walked to make the lead 2-0 in the fourth. The Orioles traded away Taylor Ward and have Blaze Alexander on the 10-day IL (hand), which opened up more opportunities in the outfield for the scuffling O'Neill. But, things may be looking up for O'Neill after hitting homers in three of his last five games.

Kittredge earned the save in Wednesday's 5-2 win over the Angels, pitching a clean ninth inning with no strikeouts.

Kittredge needed just six pitches to retire the side and record his fifth save of the year. After allowing runs in his last two appearances to break a 15-game stretch with no earned runs allowed, Kittredge was able to get back on track Wednesday. Kittredge has quietly worked his way to second on the team in saves and should continue to be in the closer mix until Felix Bautista (shoulder) or Ryan Helsley (elbow) come off the injured list.

Genao went 4-for-5 with an RBI and a run scored in Wednesday's 6-5 loss to the Mets.

It was a night to remember for Genao, as he became just the 22nd player in the modern era to record four or more hits in their MLB debut. Genao got the start at third base Wednesday with Jose Ramirez (hand) sidelined, though he'll likely see most of his playing time at shortstop moving forward, as Brayan Rocchio's gone just 3-for-35 (.086) in his last 10 games. Across 309 plate appearances with Triple-A Columbus this season, Genao slashed .309/.395/.494 with 10 homers, 48 runs scored, 42 RBI and nine stolen bases.

Warren (8-5) took the loss against St. Louis on Wednesday, allowing three runs on seven hits and one walk while striking out five across 5.1 innings.

Warren and Andre Pallante were locked in a pitcher's duel Wednesday, with neither team scoring through the first four innings. However, Warren yielded three runs in the fifth frame and did not receive enough run support to avoid the loss. He now sits at a 4.18 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 114:37 K:BB over 114 innings this season. Warren's next start is lined up for next week at home against Seattle.