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Cincinnati Reds

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Jake Fraley Jake Fraley Returns to lineup Sat, Apr 27, 2024, 12:24 PM Fraley (illness) is starting in right field Saturday against the Rangers. Analysis: Fraley has missed the Reds' last six games due to an illness, though he was available off the bench Friday. The 28-year-old outfielder has been a key part of Cincinnati's offense this season, slashing .362/.423/.511 across 52 plate appearances.
Jeimer Candelario Jeimer Candelario Gets breather Saturday Sat, Apr 27, 2024, 12:18 PM Candelario isn't in the Reds' lineup for Saturday's game against the Rangers. Analysis: Candelario will get a chance to clear his head Saturday after going 0-for-15 with eight strikeouts across his last five games. Santiago Espinal will step in to cover third base instead while batting ninth.
Ian Gibaut Ian Gibaut Scheduled for back-to-back outings Sat, Apr 27, 2024, 9:41 AM Gibault (forearm) is scheduled to throw back-to-back games next week, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports. Analysis: After experiencing renewed discomfort in his forearm, Gibault had a rehab assignment paused April 16 before returning to pitch Wednesday and again Friday. Next up are the back-to-back outings scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday. Presumably, that would be the right-handed reliever's final hurdle before activation.
TJ Friedl TJ Friedl Ramping up at complex Sat, Apr 27, 2024, 9:28 AM Friedl (wrist) is ramping up baseball activities at the team's complex in Goodyear (Ariz.) and could begin playing games as a defensive player only this weekend, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports. Analysis: After serving as a defensive player only, Friedl could move onto bunting in games and possibly a rehab assignment by the middle of next week. Cincinnati manager David Bell said he'll need between one and two weeks before being ready to return, noting the need to build up at-bats.
Spencer Steer Spencer Steer Snaps slump, logs steal Sat, Apr 27, 2024, 8:58 AM Steer went 1-for-2 with two walks and a stolen base in Friday's 2-1 loss to the Rangers. Analysis: Steer snapped an 0-for-18 skid in the third inning then stole his sixth base in 26 games and is on pace to surpass the 15 steals he had in 2023. That's the good fantasy news. On the other side, that hitless run came at the tail end of a 5-for-40 (.125) stretch with no extra-base hits and one RBI over 11 games.
Jonathan India Jonathan India Remains DH Sat, Apr 27, 2024, 8:30 AM India started at designated hitter and went 2-for-4 in Friday's 2-1 loss to Texas. Analysis: India's been back two games following a bout with an illness and has served as the designated hitter while batting sixth in both. Perhaps using him as a DH is way to acclimate him to playing again after a a five-day absence. The batting order placement, however, represents a change. India had been the primary leadoff hitter against lefties and righties prior to his illness.
Elly De La Cruz Elly De La Cruz Swipes two bags Sat, Apr 27, 2024, 8:20 AM De La Cruz went 0-for-2 with two walks, stole two bases and scored a run in Cincinnati's loss to Texas on Friday. Analysis: Despite not being able to tally a base hit during Friday's game, De La Cruz was able to make his presence felt by drawing a walk in the first inning and eventually stealing home to score Cincinnati's first and only run of the game. He walked again and stole second base in the fifth inning, giving him an MLB-best 17 thefts on the season. Along with his exceptional baserunning, the 22-year-old infielder has been outstanding at the plate, slashing .299/.419/.621 with seven homers and 18 RBI through his first 105 plate appearances.
Graham Ashcraft Graham Ashcraft Quality start in no-decision Sat, Apr 27, 2024, 8:17 AM Ashcraft allowed one earned run on seven hits and no walks while striking out three batters across 6.1 innings during Friday's loss against Texas. He didn't factor into the decision. Analysis: Ashcraft needed to bounce back nicely Friday after giving up five runs to the Angels in five innings during his last start. He managed to do just that, as his lone blemish came in the second inning via an Evan Carter solo home run. A lack of production from the Reds' offense forced Ashcraft to settle for a no-decision, and he will carry a 4.40 ERA and 1.29 WHIP into his next start -- currently projected to come Wednesday in San Diego.
Jake Fraley Jake Fraley Returns to team Sat, Apr 27, 2024, 8:16 AM Fraley (illness) was available off the bench Friday but did not enter a 2-1 loss to Texas, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports. Analysis: Fraley returned to the team but was not in the starting lineup against a right-hander, against whom the lefty-hitter typically starts. "He's back," manager David Bell said. "I wanted him to go through a full day of work today and not start him." Bell added that Fraley will be available start Saturday, when the Reds face right-hander Michael Lorenzen.
Jake Fraley Jake Fraley Absence continues Friday Fri, Apr 26, 2024, 4:44 PM Fraley (illness) is out of the lineup for Friday's game at Texas. Analysis: Fraley is out of the starting nine for a seventh straight game as he continues to recover from an illness. Jonathan India will receive another turn at designated hitter while Santiago Espinal starts at second base.
Jonathan India Jonathan India Returns to action Thu, Apr 25, 2024, 7:16 PM India started at designated hitter and went 0-for-4 in Thursday's 5-0 loss to the Phillies. Analysis: India, who made his first appearance since Saturday after dealing with an illness, went hitless for the seventh time in the last nine contests. He entered the game in a 4-for-42 slump over the past 13 games.
Nick Martinez Nick Martinez Gives up five in loss Thu, Apr 25, 2024, 3:19 PM Martinez (0-1) took the loss against the Phillies on Thursday, allowing five runs on 11 hits over six innings. He struck out three. Analysis: Four of the runs against Martinez came in the third inning, including two on a Bryce Harper home run. After starting the season in the Reds' rotation, Martinez found more success when shifted back to the bullpen, allowing one run on five hits over seven innings in a pair of long-relief appearances. Still, he'll likely make one more start, currently scheduled for Tuesday in San Diego against his former team, with Frankie Montas (forearm) on the IL. The 33-year-old Martinez now sports a 5.48 ERA with a 1.39 WHIP and 17:2 K:BB across 23 innings this year.
Stuart Fairchild Stuart Fairchild Heads back to bench Thu, Apr 25, 2024, 9:31 AM Fairchild is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Phillies. Analysis: Fairchild will retreat to the bench for the series finale with the Phillies after he had started in each of the Reds' past three games while going 1-for-11 with a walk and a run scored. Though Jake Fraley (illness) remains out of the lineup Thursday, the Reds are seemingly optimistic that he'll be back in action at some point during the weekend series versus the Rangers. Once Fraley returns, Fairchild's opportunities will likely be limited mostly to playing against left-handed starting pitchers.
Tyler Stephenson Tyler Stephenson Resting Thursday Thu, Apr 25, 2024, 9:28 AM Stephenson is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Phillies. Analysis: Stephenson will get a well-deserved breather for Thursday's day game after he started in each of Cincinnati's last seven games, with six of those starts coming behind the plate. Luke Maile will get the nod at catcher Thursday and form a battery with starting pitcher Nick Martinez.
Jake Fraley Jake Fraley Still out Thursday Thu, Apr 25, 2024, 9:26 AM Fraley (illness) is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Phillies. Analysis: Though Jonathan India will rejoin the lineup as the Reds' designated hitter following a four-game absence due to an illness, Fraley will stick on the bench for a sixth consecutive contest while he's had a slower recovery from an ailment of his own. According to Mark Sheldon of MLB.com, manager David Bell relayed Wednesday that Fraley has been showing improvement, so the Reds are seemingly hopeful that the 28-year-old outfielder will return to action at some point during the weekend series versus the Rangers.
Jonathan India Jonathan India Back in action as DH Thu, Apr 25, 2024, 9:24 AM India (illness) will serve as the Reds' designated hitter and No. 6 batter in Thursday's game against the Phillies. Analysis: India is back in the starting nine for the first time since Saturday, albeit in a non-defensive role as the Reds look to ease him back in following his bout with an illness that kept him on the bench for four games. He'll likely reprise his usual duties at second base over the weekend, at which point Santiago Espinal will head back to the bench and serve as a utility infielder.
Santiago Espinal Santiago Espinal Busting out against Phillies Thu, Apr 25, 2024, 7:06 AM Espinal started at second base and went 2-for-3 with three RBI and a run scored in Wednesday's 7-4 win over Philadelphia. Analysis: Espinal has feasted on Phillies' pitching, going 5-for-7 with a home run and five RBI over the first two games of the series. It was his fourth straight start at second base in place of Jonathan India (illness), but the ailing India was available off the bench Wednesday and presumably will be available for the series finale Thursday afternoon.
Will Benson Will Benson Delivers against lefty Thu, Apr 25, 2024, 6:57 AM Benson went 2-for-5 with a home run and two RBI in Wednesday's 7-4 win over Philadelphia. Analysis: Benson put the Reds on the board with a solo home run in the third inning off righty Spencer Turnbull, but his biggest hit came three innings later. The lefty hitter delivered the go-ahead run with two outs off lefty Matt Strahm. Benson was a platoon player in 2023 but is getting more opportunities against southpaws this season. It's not always pretty -- 4-for-22 off them thus far -- but manager David Bell let him stay in the game at a high-leverage moment. Benson, who snapped a career-worst 0-for-18 skid in Tuesday's win over the Phillies, is 3-for-9 in the series heading into the finale Thursday afternoon.
Nick Lodolo Nick Lodolo Goes five innings in no-decision Wed, Apr 24, 2024, 11:26 PM Lodolo didn't factor into the decision Wednesday, allowing three runs on six hits and three walks over five innings. He struck out four. Analysis: After allowing just one run through his first two starts of the year, Lodolo struggled a bit Monday though he'd ultimately put together a respectable effort against a potent Philadelphia offense as the Reds rallied for a comeback win. Overall, the 26-year-old southpaw is 2-0 with a 2.12 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 20:4 K:BB across 17 innings. Lodolo's currently slated to face the Padres on the road in his next outing.
Alexis Diaz Alexis Diaz Grabs fifth save Wed, Apr 24, 2024, 11:13 PM Diaz earned the save in Wednesday's 7-4 win over the Phillies, allowing one hit in a scoreless inning. Analysis: After allowing three runs and blowing a save in his first outing this year, Diaz has converted his subsequent five save opportunities, allowing just one run while striking out 10 over his last nine appearances. His ERA is down to 3.48 with a 1.16 WHIP across 10.1 innings this season.