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Spencer Steer Spencer Steer Swipes bag in win
Sat, May 9, 2026, 7:11 PM
Steer went 1-for-3 with a run scored and a stolen base in Saturday's 3-1 win over the Astros.
Analysis: Steer kicked off a three-run fifth inning for the Reds when he laced a single, stole second and then came around to score the team's first run. The 28-year-old has now hit safely in 11 of his past 12 games, tallying three extra-base hits, six RBI and four runs scored during that stretch. For the year, he's slashing .248/.324/.434 with six homers, 12 RBI, 14 runs scored and two steals across 145 plate appearances. |
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Pierce Johnson Pierce Johnson Picks up save Saturday
Sat, May 9, 2026, 7:05 PM
Johnson threw a perfect ninth inning to earn the save in Saturday's 3-1 win over the Astros. He did not record a strikeout.
Analysis: With Emilio Pagan (hamstring) expected to miss significant time and presumed replacement Tony Santillan struggling, the Reds turned to Graham Ashcraft in the eighth inning and then Johnson in the ninth. Johnson needed just 12 pitches to retire the heart of the Astros' order, and he now owns a 3.38 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 15:5 K:BB across 16 innings with two holds and a save. While the Reds' closer situation is likely unsettled, the 34-year-old certainly helped his case for future save chances with Saturday's performance. |
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Chase Burns Chase Burns Goes six strong in win
Sat, May 9, 2026, 6:11 PM
Burns (4-1) earned the win against the Astros on Saturday, allowing one run on four hits and three walks with two strikeouts over six innings.
Analysis: Burns allowed a solo homer in the fifth inning but otherwise kept the Astros in check despite issuing more walks than strikeouts. It marked the third straight quality start for the 23-year-old, and he's now limited opponents to two earned runs or fewer in seven of eight outings this season. He'll carry a 2.11 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 48:16 K:BB across 47 innings into a road matchup against the Guardians next weekend. |
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Ke'Bryan Hayes Ke'Bryan Hayes Riding pine Saturday
Sat, May 9, 2026, 11:04 AM
Hayes isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game versus Houston.
Analysis: Hayes will get a day off Saturday after going just 3-for-20 with two RBI, one run scored and seven strikeouts since the beginning of May. His absence will give Sal Stewart a start at the hot corner, moving Spencer Steer to first base and opening up right field for Will Benson. |
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Tyler Stephenson Tyler Stephenson Idle Saturday
Sat, May 9, 2026, 11:01 AM
Stephenson isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Astros.
Analysis: Stephenson will get a break after going 0-for-7 with a walk and three strikeouts over his last two starts. Jose Trevino will step in to handle catching duties and bat eighth. |
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Nick Lodolo Nick Lodolo Hurt by long ball in return
Sat, May 9, 2026, 8:28 AM
Lodolo (0-1) took the loss Friday, giving up four runs on five hits and a walk over 5.1 innings as the Reds were routed 10-0 by the Astros. He struck out two.
Analysis: Making his first start of the season after a blister issue cost him the first six weeks, Lodolo tossed 53 of 78 pitches for strikes but served up a pair of two-run homers, one by Zach Dezenzo in the second inning and the other by Yordan Alvarez in the sixth. Lodolo didn't shy away from using all his pitches and his fingers appeared to emerge from the outing unscathed, but his velocity did decline in his final inning of work. The southpaw will look to build up his stamina and sharpen his command in his next trip to the mound, which is set to come at home next week against the Nationals. |
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Eugenio Suarez Eugenio Suarez Improving, but not close
Fri, May 8, 2026, 1:38 PM
Suarez (oblique) took 50 swings Thursday, Charlie Goldsmith of Fox 19 Now Cincinnati reports.
Analysis: Reds manager Terry Francona noted Friday that Suarez's left oblique strain is about 50 percent better. Suarez will rest for a few days after Thursday's workout before ramping things back up. While the veteran slugger is improving, his return is not imminent. Nathaniel Lowe will continue to be the Reds' primary designated hitter while Suarez is out. |
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Rhett Lowder Rhett Lowder Gets injection, not going on IL yet
Fri, May 8, 2026, 1:22 PM
Lowder was given an injection in the AC joint of his right shoulder after an MRI on Friday came back negative, Charlie Goldsmith of Fox 19 Now Cincinnati reports.
Analysis: Lowder had to be lifted from Thursday's start versus the Cubs with right shoulder discomfort, but he's been cleared of structural damage and could throw a bullpen session as soon as Sunday if he responds well to the injection. A trip to the injured list remains a distinct possibility, but the Reds will not make a roster move with Lowder just yet. |
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Jose Franco Jose Franco Dispatched to minors
Fri, May 8, 2026, 12:48 PM
The Reds optioned Franco to Triple-A Louisville on Friday.
Analysis: He's exiting the roster to make space for Nick Lodolo (finger), who is back from the injured list to make his season debut Friday. Franco has been shaky during his time with the big club this season, posting a 4.30 ERA, 1.77 WHIP and 12:11 K:BB over 14.2 innings. The 25-year-old will likely go back into the rotation at Louisville. |
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Nick Lodolo Nick Lodolo Activated ahead of season debut
Fri, May 8, 2026, 12:46 PM
The Reds activated Lodolo (finger) from the 15-day injured list Friday.
Analysis: After missing the first six weeks of the season with a blister on his left index finger, Lodolo is set to make his season debut Friday with a start at home against the Astros. The left-hander threw 79 pitches in his final rehab start, so he's not expected to have any real workload limitations. Lodolo contributed a 3.33 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 156:31 K:BB across 156.2 innings for Cincinnati last season. |
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Sal Stewart Sal Stewart Snaps RBI drought in loss
Thu, May 7, 2026, 9:21 PM
Stewart went 1-for-4 with a walk, a solo home run and an additional run scored in Thursday's 8-3 loss to the Cubs.
Analysis: Stewart went deep in the sixth inning of Shota Imanaga, his 10th home run of the season and first RBI in 11 games. The rookie has been grinding of late and entered Thursday's contest on a 4-for-40 (.100) run over the last 10 games. |
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Blake Dunn Blake Dunn Homers in loss
Thu, May 7, 2026, 9:14 PM
Dunn started in right field and went 2-for-4 with a walk and a solo home run in Thursday's 8-3 loss to the Cubs.
Analysis: Dunn made his first start for the Reds since being called up Sunday, as the right-handed hitter stepped in against Chicago lefty Shota Imanaga. Until Thursday, Dunn was used as a pinch runner in his first three appearances. |
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Rhett Lowder Rhett Lowder MRI coming Friday
Thu, May 7, 2026, 9:06 PM
Lowder (shoulder) will undergo an MRI on Friday, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Lowder was removed in the fourth inning of Thursday's game with right shoulder discomfort. Reds manager Terry Francona said he didn't believe Lowder was in a lot of discomfort, but Friday's imaging should present a clearer picture and inform the next steps for the right-hander. Lowder acknowledged that he had been dealing with something in the right shoulder, which may have impacted his previous start May 2, when he allowed eight runs, five hits and four walks over 1.1 innings. |
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Connor Phillips Connor Phillips Struggles again Thursday
Thu, May 7, 2026, 7:52 PM
Phillips was pressed into action Thursday against the Cubs after Rhett Lowder (shoulder) left in the fourth inning, and proceeded to allow five runs on four hits and a walk in one inning.
Analysis: It's tempting to give Phillips a little bit of grace given the circumstances of his entry into the game, and because of a mental mistake made by catcher Tyler Stephenson. But this isn't his first recent disaster outing, including one last weekend where he walked all four batters that he faced. For the season he has 21 walks allowed in 20 innings, and thus can't be a serious candidate for saves for the Reds even with Emilio Pagan (hamstring) out. |
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Rhett Lowder Rhett Lowder Leaves game with trainer
Thu, May 7, 2026, 2:30 PM
Lowder was removed from Thursday's game against the Cubs with right shoulder discomfort, Charlie Goldsmith of Fox 19 Now Cincinnati reports.
Analysis: Lowder was able to make it through three innings Thursday, giving up one earned run on a solo homer from Michael Conforto. Lowder came out for the start of the fourth but was visited on the mound by a trainer after walking the first two batters he faced in the inning. The severity of his injury remains unknown, but the Reds may send the right-hander in for imaging to determine whether he's dealing with a structural issue. |
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Julian Aguiar Julian Aguiar Shelved at Triple-A
Thu, May 7, 2026, 2:23 PM
Triple-A Louisville placed Aguiar on its 7-day injured list April 9 due to an unspecified injury.
Analysis: Aguiar missed the entire 2025 season while recovering from Oct. 11, 2024 Tommy John surgery, but he received a clean bill of health coming into spring training. He secured a spot in Louisville's season-opening rotation and posted a 9.28 ERA, 1.88 WHIP and 12:8 K:BB in 102. innings over three starts before hitting the shelf. Aguiar owns a spot on the Reds' 40-man roster, but he's buried on the organization's starting pitching depth chart and has now been out of action for nearly a month, which makes it unlikely that he contributes to the big club anytime soon. |
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Nathaniel Lowe Nathaniel Lowe Absent from lineup
Thu, May 7, 2026, 10:37 AM
Lowe is not in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Cubs.
Analysis: Lowe had made 13 straight starts, as he's settled in as the everyday designated hitter since Eugenio Suarez (oblique) went on the injured list. Elly De La Cruz is getting a day at DH while Lowe gets some rest. |
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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 called 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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