MLB Player News

Encarnacion-Strand went 1-for-4 with a two-run double in Wednesday's 5-3 loss to the Mariners.

Encarnacion-Strand had gone 0-for-12 over his previous three games, but he managed to get the Reds on the board in the seventh inning Wednesday with a two-RBI double. He is working his way back from hamstring and back soreness, which caused him to miss two games earlier in the week. Encarnacion-Strand has begun the season slashing .158/.183/.298 with four runs scored, two home runs and five RBI across 60 plate appearances this season.

The Marlins plan to option Pauley to Triple-A Jacksonville on Thursday, Isaac Azout of FishOnFirst.com reports.

He has received regular reps at third base in the absence of Connor Norby (oblique) but has slashed just .205/.234/.295 across 13 games. Pauley's poor start will result in him heading back to the minors, and his demotion could prove to be the corresponding move for Norby's return from the IL.

Ray didn't factor into the decision Wednesday against the Phillies after allowing four runs on six hits and five walks in four innings. He struck out eight.

The veteran left-hander exhibited poor control in the first inning, lending four free passes and throwing two wild pitches en route to giving up two runs. Ray then gave up a two-run home run to Bryce Harper in the fourth frame, and the southpaw's outing came to a close after recording just 12 outs on 93 pitches. Ray's 4.19 ERA isn't bad, but a shaky 1.55 WHIP and 21:15 K:BB over 19.1 innings (four starts) could indicate further trouble.

Nola (0-4) took the loss Wednesday against the Giants after giving up seven runs (six earned) on nine hits and four walks in 5.1 innings. He struck out eight.

Having already struggled to begin the season, the veteran right-hander was tagged for four runs on four hits and two walks in the opening inning Wednesday. More trouble arose in the fourth, when the Giants plated two more runs and chased Nola from the game after he threw 99 pitches. Nola could have a tough time improving on his 5.82 ERA and 1.66 WHIP over 21.2 innings (four starts) in his next scheduled start, which comes on the road against the Mets early next week.

Cruz went 2-for-4 with a grand slam in Wednesday's 6-1 win over the Nationals.

Cruz put the Pirates up for good in the sixth inning, when he took the first pitch he saw from Eduardo Salazar deep to right field for a 385-foot grand slam. It was the third home run of the season for Cruz and his first since April 2 against the Rays. The 26-year-old outfielder has begun the season slashing .222/.343/.426 with three home runs and nine RBI in 67 plate appearances, and he leads the majors with eight stolen bases.

Tovar was scratched from the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Dodgers due to left hip pain, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

The severity of Tovar's injury remains unknown, but it's enough to prevent him from playing in Wednesday's contest. Kyle Farmer will shift to shortstop while Tovar rests, opening up second base for Adael Amador.

Davis went 1-for-2 with a solo homer and an additional RBI in Wednesday's 6-1 win over the Nationals.

Davis opened the scoring in the fifth inning, when he took a 92-mph fastball from Mitchell Parker deep to left field for a 392-foot solo homer. It was Davis' first homer of the season, and he drove in another run in the fifth frame on a groundout to third base. With Joey Bart (back) day-to-day, Davis has started in four of the Pirates' last five games. Even when Bart has recovered from his injury, Davis should continue to see more playing time after Endy Rodriguez (finger) was placed on the 10-day injured list Tuesday.

Canning (illness) has been cleared to start Thursday's game against the Cardinals in New York, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Canning was originally scheduled to pitch in Wednesday's series finale versus the Twins, but he was scratched after falling ill Tuesday. The right-hander has apparently bounced back well from the ailment and will wind up being pushed back just one day in the pitching schedule. After winning a rotation spot on the heels of an excellent spring training, Canning has gotten off to a so-so start to the season, going 1-1 with a 4.20 ERA, 1.53 WHIP and 13:8 K:BB over 15 innings.

Falter (1-2) earned the win against the Nationals on Wednesday, allowing two hits and one walk while striking out two across seven scoreless innings.

Falter needed just 83 pitches (of which 57 were strikes) to get through seven scoreless frames, allowing only three baserunners in the process. It was his second quality start in four tries and a nice bounce-back effort for the 26-year-old southpaw, who yielded 12 runs (10 earned) in his two previous outings. Falter will look to make it two wins in a row in his next start, which is tentatively slated for next week on the road against the Angels.

Call went 0-for-3 with a sacrifice fly in Wednesday's 6-1 loss to the Pirates.

The Nationals didn't get on the board until the ninth inning, when Call brought Dylan Crews home on a sacrifice fly to center field. Call started the season strongly with three multi-hit efforts in his first eight contests, but he's cooled off and has gone 1-for-14 with three walks in his past five games.