MLB Player News

Friedl started in center field and went 1-for-4 with a triple, an RBI and a run scored in Saturday's 8-5 loss to the Orioles.

Friedl legged out a triple in the second inning, driving in a run, and then scored the Reds' fourth run of the frame. Since the club lost two center fielders to injury -- Blake Dunn (elbow) and Dane Myers (shoulder) -- Friedl has started against right-handers while Matt McLain has gotten the call against lefties.

Goodman went 2-for-2 with two walks and a run scored Saturday against the Giants.

Goodman has had a strong homestand, with Saturday's performance giving him three multi-hit performances in the last five games. He's also popped two homers, paired with two doubles, three RBI and five runs scored in that span. This stretch continues an excellent season for Goodman, as he's set to post career-best counting stats in every fantasy category.

Dunn (elbow) hoped to resume baseball activity Saturday but was not ready, MLB.com reports.

Dunn, who received a cortisone injection in his elbow in late June, has been on the injured list retroactive to June 27. The 10-day minimum expires Tuesday, but it appears he may need more time.

Myers received an injection in the AC joint of his left shoulder Saturday, MLB.com reports.

Myers is currently on the injured list after slamming into the wall while making a running catch a week ago. Prior to his injury, Myers had been poised for a regular run in center field because of an injury to Blake Dunn (elbow). With both players on the IL, the Reds are getting by with TJ Friedl and Matt McLain in center field.

De La Cruz went 2-for-4 with a walk, a stolen base and an RBI in Saturday's 8-5 loss to Baltimore.

De La Cruz's RBI single in the second inning gave the Reds a 4-3 lead and extended his hit streak to seven games, during which he's gone 10-for-29 (.345). He then stole second base, advanced to third on a sacrifice fly and nearly scored a run on an infield single, but an Orioles challenge overturned a call for the third out. De La Cruz once again showed he's past the hamstring injury that forced him to miss the first three weeks in June -- the stolen base was his third in the last two contests.

Vargas started at first base and went 1-for-3 with a double and an RBI in Saturday's 4-3 win over the Brewers.

Vargas' eighth-inning double plated what eventually turned out to be the winning run. He made a second straight start at first base and is 4-for-8 with two RBI in those two games. Saturday's start was against a right-hander, which is usually Pavin Smith's job. Even though the early-season shine has come off Vargas' bat -- he had a .102 batting average and .336 OPS over 34 games from May 20 through the end of June -- he could gain more opportunities, as Smith (.152/.260/.212) is having his own struggles at the plate.

With Matt Shaw (hand) out at least through the All-Star break, per Patrick Mooney of The Athletic, Conforto should continue to see an expanded role in right field.

Conforto has been the top option in right field against right-handed pitching with Shaw on the shelf, with Seiya Suzuki and Kevin Alcantara also mixing in. Suzuki also frequently serves as Chicago's DH, which was the alignment Saturday, when Conforto started in right and tallied two hits and and a walk from the seventh spot in the lineup. The veteran outfielder has a strong .837 OPS so far this season, and he should continue to be a useful fantasy performer when he's in the lineup.

Smith was held out of the starting lineup Saturday against Milwaukee right-hander Brandon Woodruff.

Smith is typically a lineup staple against righties, but Ildemaro Vargas got the start at first base Saturday. Smith is a career 1-for-11 against Woodruff, but the decision to sit him may have been more about a current slump. Smith is batting just .152 since coming off the injured list in late May and entered Saturday with two hits over his last 27 at-bats (.074).

Greene (0-1) took the loss against the Orioles on Saturday, allowing eight runs on seven hits and four walks with seven strikeouts over 3.1 innings.

Greene allowed a three-run homer in the first inning before being charged with five runs while recording only one out in the fourth. On the bright side, he generated an impressive 15 swinging strikes on 89 pitches in his first start since undergoing elbow surgery in March. He'll look to continue shaking off the rust in one final start before the All-Star break, which lines up as a home matchup with the Cubs next weekend.

White went 2-for-2 with a home run, a double and four RBI in Saturday's 14-3 win over the Mets.

The 32-year-old outfielder was the beneficiary of a generous decision by the official scorer on his three-run double in the third inning, considering Tyrone Taylor dropped the ball in the outfield. White is handling a part-time role for Atlanta, batting .229 with four homers, five doubles, 18 RBI and four stolen bases over 109 at-bats.