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JJ Bleday JJ Bleday Hits in five straight
Thu, May 7, 2026, 7:45 AM
Bleday went 2-for-5 with an RBI and was caught stealing in Wednesday's 7-6 extra-inning loss to the Cubs.
Analysis: Bleday's two-hit night upped a hit streak to five games, during which he's 7-for-20 with a double, three home runs, five RBI and five runs scored. The attempted steal was his first in nine games for Cincinnati, but speed has not historically been a feature of Bleday's game -- he's stolen 12 bases (caught seven times) over 409 MLB games prior to this season. The lefty-hitting outfielder has become a lineup regular against right-handers since being call-up from the minors last week and recently moved to second in the order. |
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Spencer Steer Spencer Steer Sparks ninth-inning rally
Wed, May 6, 2026, 10:31 PM
Steer went 1-for-5 with a solo home run during the Reds' 7-6 extra-inning loss to the Cubs on Wednesday.
Analysis: Steer was having a quiet night at the plate until he smacked a solo home run off Corbin Martin in the ninth, which kick-started the Reds' four-run frame that gave the team a 6-4 lead heading into the bottom of the frame. The long ball also extended Steer's hitting streak to nine games, and in that span he has gone 11-for-31 (.355) with two home runs, six RBI and three runs scored. |
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Matt McLain Matt McLain Smacks homer Wednesday
Wed, May 6, 2026, 10:28 PM
McLain went 2-for-3 with a solo home run and an additional run scored during the Reds' 7-6 extra-inning loss to the Cubs on Wednesday.
Analysis: McClain cut the Reds' deficit to 4-2 after smacking a solo homer off Colin Rea in the fifth inning. It broke McClain's six-game hitless streak (when he went 0-for-17 with four strikeouts), and his long ball Wednesday was his third of the season. |
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Elly De La Cruz Elly De La Cruz Logs three RBI with zero hits
Wed, May 6, 2026, 10:10 PM
De La Cruz went 0-for-4 with three RBI during the Reds' 7-6 extra-inning loss to the Cubs on Wednesday.
Analysis: De La Cruz put the Reds on the board early after his groundout in the first inning brought TJ Friedl home. De La Cruz played a key role in the Reds' ninth-inning rally, when his fly ball to deep-right field was barely caught by Seiya Suzuki, but it was enough for the rare sacrifice fly to bring two runners home to give Cincinnati a 6-4 lead. It was the fourth time this season that De La Cruz logged at least three RBI in a game, and his 29 RBI is tied for ninth-most in the majors this season. |
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Brady Singer Brady Singer Yields four runs in no-decision
Wed, May 6, 2026, 10:01 PM
Singer did not factor into Wednesday's decision against the Cubs. He allowed four runs on six hits and one walk while striking out six across six innings.
Analysis: Singer put the Reds in an early 2-1 hole after yielding a two-run homer to Ian Happ in the first. Singer gave up another two runs in the fourth and allowed at least one baserunner in five of six frames, though he escaped with the no-decision after his Reds teammates took a 6-4 lead after a four-run rally in the ninth. Singer has allowed four runs and at least six hits in back-to-back games and sits at a 5.63 ERA, 1.64 WHIP and 26:10 K:BB across 38.1 innings this season. He'll look to get back into the win column in his next start, which is lined up for next week at home against the Nationals. |
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Graham Ashcraft Graham Ashcraft Blows save chance Wednesday
Wed, May 6, 2026, 9:52 PM
Ashcraft blew his save opportunity during the Reds' 7-6 extra-inning loss to the Cubs on Wednesday. He allowed two runs on two hits while striking out one in the ninth inning.
Analysis: The Reds' four-run rally in the top of the ninth inning gave the team a two-run lead. With Tony Santillan being used Tuesday, manager Terry Francona turned to Ashcraft to close things out in the bottom of the frame. Ashcraft opened the inning strongly by striking out Michael Busch, but after yielding a single to Carson Kelly, Ashcraft's 89 mph slider was smacked to left-center field by Pete Crow-Armstrong for a two-run homer to tie the game at 6-6. With Emilio Pagan expected to miss the next 4-to-8 weeks due to a Grade 2 left hamstring strain, Ashcraft and Santillan figure to be the top closer options for the Reds. However, more outings like Wednesday's could result in Ashcraft being used as the setup arm for Santillan for as long as Pagan is sidelined. |
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Tyler Stephenson Tyler Stephenson Not starting Wednesday
Wed, May 6, 2026, 5:41 PM
Stephenson is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Cubs.
Analysis: Stephenson appears to be receiving a routine breather after he started behind the plate in five of the Reds' previous six games. Jose Trevino will get the nod at catcher Wednesday. |
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Ke'Bryan Hayes Ke'Bryan Hayes Taking seat Wednesday
Wed, May 6, 2026, 5:40 PM
Hayes is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Cubs.
Analysis: Hayes occupied third base for the first two games of the series and went 1-for-7 with a home run and a walk. The long ball -- Hayes's second of the season -- actually brought his batting average up to .121 on the season. He'll cede the hot corner to Sal Stewart on Wednesday and could see his playing time start to dwindle a bit more if he remains an easy out at the plate. |
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Emilio Pagan Emilio Pagan Expected to miss 4-to-8 weeks
Wed, May 6, 2026, 4:05 PM
Pagan said Wednesday that he's been diagnosed with a Grade 2 left hamstring strain and is expected to be sidelined 4-to-8 weeks, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.
Analysis: Pagan aggravated a nagging hamstring issue on his first pitch of an appearance during Tuesday's 3-2 extra-inning loss to the Cubs and was placed on the 15-day injured list earlier Wednesday. With Pagan slated to miss at least a month of action, the Reds are likely to turn to Tony Santillan at closer, with Graham Ashcraft also potentially in the mix. |
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Brandon Williamson Brandon Williamson Shifted to 60-day injured list
Wed, May 6, 2026, 3:41 PM
The Reds transferred Williamson (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Wednesday.
Analysis: The transaction clears space on the 40-man roster for the addition of Tejay Antone, who was called up from Triple-A Louisville. Williamson landed on the 15-day IL last week with left shoulder fatigue and now won't be eligible for activation until late June. |
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Tejay Antone Tejay Antone Back in big leagues
Wed, May 6, 2026, 3:38 PM
The Reds selected Antone's contract from Triple-A Louisville on Wednesday.
Analysis: Antone's return to the big leagues is a great story of perseverance, as he's believed to be the third pitcher to make it back to the majors following three Tommy John surgeries, per Charlie Goldsmith of Fox 19 Now Cincinnati. The 32-year-old righty earned a promotion after collecting a 2.25 ERA and 15:6 K:BB over 12 innings with Louisville. When Antone gets into a game, it will be his first at the big-league level since April 7, 2024. |
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Chase Petty Chase Petty Sent down after spot start
Wed, May 6, 2026, 3:34 PM
The Reds optioned Petty to Triple-A Louisville on Wednesday.
Analysis: Petty made a spot start during Monday's 5-4 loss to the Cubs, allowing three runs on four hits and two walks in 5.2 innings. With Nick Lodolo (finger) due back from the injured list this weekend, Petty will rejoin the Louisville rotation. |
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Pierce Johnson Pierce Johnson Returns from bereavement list
Wed, May 6, 2026, 3:32 PM
The Reds activated Johnson from the bereavement list Wednesday.
Analysis: Johnson is ready to rejoin the bullpen after being away from the club for a few days. The veteran reliever will move up in the Reds' bullpen hierarchy while Emilio Pagan (hamstring) is out and could see some high-leverage opportunities. |
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Emilio Pagan Emilio Pagan Move to IL made official
Wed, May 6, 2026, 3:30 PM
The Reds placed Pagan on the 15-day injured list Wednesday with a left hamstring strain.
Analysis: Pagan suffered the injury on the first pitch he threw during an appearance Tuesday against the Cubs. It's the second time this season he's had a left hamstring issue. He was unavailable for only a couple days the first time, but the reliever will miss at least a couple weeks of action this time around. Tony Santillan is the favorite to serve as the Reds' closer while Pagan is sidelined, and Graham Ashcraft could also be in the mix. |
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JJ Bleday JJ Bleday Goes deep again Tuesday
Wed, May 6, 2026, 8:37 AM
Bleday went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Tuesday's 3-2 extra-inning loss to the Cubs.
Analysis: Bleday got the scoring started by sending an 84-mph changeup from Jameson Taillon over the wall in right field for his fourth home run in eight games since being recalled from Triple-A Louisville. Bleday has been in the starting lineup in eight of nine contests since joining the big club and is slashing .292/.414/.833 with one double, four homers, five RBI, six runs scored and a 5:5 BB:K across 29 trips to the plate. He's hit in the second spot in the lineup the past four games and can be a source of power in fantasy. |
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Andrew Abbott Andrew Abbott Struggles with command Tuesday
Wed, May 6, 2026, 8:28 AM
Abbott didn't factor into the decision Tuesday against the Cubs, allowing four hits and four walks with four strikeouts across 5.2 shutout innings.
Analysis: Abbott set the Cubs down in order the first three innings, allowing just one single that was erased when Matt Shaw tried stretching it into two bases. Abbott battled his control over his final 2.2 frames, issuing a season-high four walks. He still managed to escape with no damage, throwing his first scoreless outing since Opening Day against Boston. Following a career year in 2025, Abbott owns a 5.13 ERA, 1.64 WHIP and underwhelming 28:19 K:BB over 40.1 innings this season. He's gone six innings just twice in eight starts and is lined up to next face the Astros at home Sunday. |
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Nathaniel Lowe Nathaniel Lowe Goes deep again
Wed, May 6, 2026, 7:00 AM
Lowe went 2-for-4 with a solo home run in Tuesday's 3-2 loss to the Cubs.
Analysis: Lowe gave the Reds a 2-0 lead in the sixth inning with a solo homer, his sixth in the last 11 games. He's swallowed up many of the starts at designated hitter since Eugenio Suarez (oblique) landed on the 10-day injured list; however, the injured infielder/DH began baseball activities this week. Suarez has fielded grounders and began hitting in an indoor cage. A rehab assignment should follow, which means Lowe's window could be closing within the next week. |
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Tony Santillan Tony Santillan Could replace injured closer
Wed, May 6, 2026, 6:41 AM
Santillan is the likely candidate to replace injured closer Emilio Pagan (hamstring), who was removed from Tuesday's 3-2 loss to the Cubs, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Santillan has been the preferred eighth-inning arm for manager Terry Francona and has produced nine holds thus far in 2026. Although he didn't fare well Tuesday -- the right-hander was taken deep by Michael Busch -- Santillan is a logical choice to serve as the closer in Pagan's absence. Santillan a trusted late-game arm, sporting a 2.87 ERA over 15.2 innings this season, and his 12 career saves are more than any other relievers in line to get save opportunities for the Reds. |
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Emilio Pagan Emilio Pagan Ticketed for injured list
Tue, May 5, 2026, 10:26 PM
The Reds will place Pagan (hamstring) on the 15-day injured list Wednesday, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Pagan had to leave Tuesday's game in a cart after suffering a left hamstring injury on the first pitch he threw -- the second time he's injured his hamstring in roughly three weeks. He isn't scheduled to undergo imaging until Wednesday, but the Reds have already determined that his injury is severe enough to warrant a stay on the IL. Tony Santillan and Graham Ashcraft will be the favorites to handle the ninth inning as long as Pagan is on the shelf. |
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Emilio Pagan Emilio Pagan Carted off field
Tue, May 5, 2026, 9:35 PM
Pagan was removed from Tuesday's game against the Cubs with a left hamstring injury, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.
Analysis: Pagan fell to the ground after throwing one pitch in the ninth inning of Tuesday's contest and immediately began grabbing his left hamstring. The 34-year-old righty was unavailable for a few games in mid-April after tweaking the same hamstring, and although the details of his latest injury are still unknown, the fact that he had to leave the game on a cart suggests he could now be forced to spend time on the injured list. If that ends up being the case, Tony Santillan and Graham Ashcraft would be next up to close games for the Reds. |
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