MLB Player News

Stewart went 1-for-4 with a three-run home run in Wednesday's 5-3 win over Seattle.

Stewart's three-run shot in the seventh inning was the winning knock for the Reds. It was his second three-run homer in the last four games and the 21st homer overall for the rookie. He's just 3-for-23 (.130) over six games since the All-Star break, but he's contributed nine RBI during that stretch.

Steer started in right field and went 0-for-4 in Wednesday's 5-3 win over the Mariners.

Steer checked back into the starting lineup after missing a game due to a rib injury he suffered Monday. Although hitless over his last 11 at-bats, Steer has rebounded this month (.259 average) following a month of June during which he hit just .159.

Freeman went 3-for-4 with two doubles, a walk, two runs scored and a stolen base in Wednesday's 9-5 win over the Phillies.

Freeman grounded out in the first inning before reaching base in his final four plate appearances. Despite hitting a solid .270 through 17 July games, it was the 36-year-old's first three-hit effort since June 27, and his fourth-inning double was his first extra-base hit in nine games. For the season, he's slashing .289/.373/.480 with 15 homers, 51 RBI, 54 runs scored and four steals across 434 plate appearances.

Sheets is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game in Atlanta.

The left-handed-hitting Sheets will hit the bench while Atlanta sends southpaw Martin Perez to the bump. Jase Bowen will spell Sheets in left field and will bat ninth.

Steer (rib) will start in right field and bat cleanup in Wednesday's game against the Mariners.

After being lifted late in Monday's 8-0 loss due to a rib contusion, Steer was held out of the starting nine for Tuesday's 4-2 win. He went unused off the bench but was reportedly available after checking out fine when he took pregame swings, per MLB.com. Following the full day of rest, Steer is ready to step back into the starting nine for the finale, covering right field while Noelvi Marte heads back to the bench.

Reds manager Terry Francona said that Steer (ribs) is expected to be OK and was slated to hit in the batting cage pregame Tuesday, Charlie Goldsmith of Fox 19 Now Cincinnati reports.

Steer was unable to play Tuesday in Seattle after being hit by a pitch in the ribs during Monday's contest. He appears to have avoided a serious injury, however, and should be considered day-to-day. While Steer could play Wednesday, a looming team off day Thursday might convince the club to hold the 28-year-old out until Friday.

Vargas started at second base and went 1-for-4 with a walk, an RBI and a run scored in Tuesday's 6-5 extra-inning victory over the Athletics.

Vargas supplied the game-winning hit in the bottom of the 10th inning, when his bases-loaded singled completed the walk-off win. In addition to sharing first base with Tim Tawa and Tyler Locklear, Vargas has also stepped in at second base -- Tuesday's start at the keystone was his third in the last six contests. That deployment reduces the stress on Ketel Marte -- no stranger to overuse injuries -- who operated as the designated hitter in those three games. Vargas, who has cooled off signficantly from his hot April, is batting .268 (11-for-41) with two doubles, one triple, four RBI, one steal and three runs scored over 13 games in July.

Young went 2-for-4 with a solo home run in Tuesday's 4-0 win over the Brewers.

Young opened the scoring by taking Brandon Sproat deep for a solo shot in his first plate appearance. The 31-year-old had gone 18 games since his last homer and now has seven home runs on the season. Since returning from the injured list May 26, he has batted .235 with a .749 OPS, seven home runs, five doubles, 17 RBI and 16 runs scored across 44 games.

Burleson went 3-for-4 in Tuesday's 5-1 loss to the Angels.

Burleson has gone 9-for-21 (.429) over five games since the All-Star break. He doesn't have an extra-base hit and has added just two RBI in that span. The first baseman is batting .282 with an .809 OPS on the year, and he's supplied 15 home runs, 69 RBI, 53 runs scored, 23 doubles, one triple and three stolen bases over 99 contests as a consistent part of the Cardinals' lineup.

Steer is not in Tuesday's lineup versus Seattle following Monday's game in which he was hit in the ribs by a pitch.

Sal Stewart is starting at first base for Steer on Tuesday while Eugenio Suarez takes over at third and Nathaniel Lowe serves as the designated hitter. Steer underwent X-rays following Monday's game. The Reds finish off the series in Seattle on Wednesday before getting the day off Thursday as they head to St. Louis.