MLB Player News

Reds manager Terry Francona said Friday that he's pretty confident McLain (hamstring) will be ready for activation from the 10-day injured list when first eligible Tuesday, Charlie Goldsmith of the Dayton Daily News reports.

McLain's placement on the IL earlier this week with a left hamstring strain seemed largely precautionary, so it's not terribly surprising that he's trending toward a minimum absence. It appears the infielder will skip a rehab assignment and go directly back into the Reds' lineup once activated.

The Marlins designated Curry for assignment Friday.

A spot on the 40-man roster was needed for the addition of catcher Rob Brantly. Curry has yielded four runs (two earned) over three innings out of the Marlins' bullpen this season. He has previously been outrighted off the 40-man roster, so Curry will have the option to elect free agency if he clears waivers again.

Fortes was placed on the 10-day injured list Friday, retroactive to April 10, with a left oblique strain.

Fortes missed time last week with a neck issue and is now nursing an oblique injury, which could very well keep him out beyond the initial 10 days. Veteran catcher Rob Brantly was called up in a corresponding move to help Liam Hicks with the workload behind the plate in Miami.

The Marlins activated Cabrera (blister) from the 15-day injured list Friday.

Cabrera is set to make his season debut Friday against the Nationals after recovering from a blister on his right middle finger. The right-hander threw only 53 pitches during his second rehab start with Triple-A Jacksonville on Sunday, so he will be on a relatively limited pitch count Friday.

Walker is starting in right field and batting second in Friday's game versus the Phillies.

Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol has reportedly considered moving the slumping Willson Contreras down from the No. 2 spot in the batting order. Contreras is getting a day off Friday, but it's possible Walker will stick in the two hole after Contreras is back in action.

Contreras is absent from the lineup for Friday's game against the Phillies.

It's a day off for the slumping Contreras, who is just 5-for-49 with 22 strikeouts in the early going. Alec Burleson is at first base for the Cardinals, and Jordan Walker has moved up to the No. 2 spot in the lineup.

Fraley is not in the lineup for Friday's contest against the Pirates.

It's southpaw Bailey Falter on the bump for Pittsburgh, so the left-handed hitting Fraley will grab a seat. Blake Dunn is in right field and batting second for the Reds.

The Cardinals recalled Munoz from Triple-A Memphis on Friday, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

Munoz has permitted one run with a 7:5 K:BB over five innings with Memphis this season, recording one save in the process. He is taking the roster spot vacated by Chris Roycroft, who has been optioned to Memphis.

Fairchild went 0-for-2 with a stolen base in Thursday's extra-innings win over the Phillies.

Getting the start in right field and batting seventh, Fairchild reached on a fielder's choice in the second inning and promptly got himself into scoring position with his first steal of the season. Jarred Kelenic pinch hit for him in the seventh inning once southpaw Jesus Luzardo was out of the game for the Phillies. The 29-year-old Fairchild has gone 1-for-7 with a triple and a run scored in four appearances since being picked up to bolster Atlanta's depleted outfield at the end of March.

Atlanta recalled Thompson from Triple-A Gwinnett on Friday.

Thompson was up for a week earlier this season but didn't make an appearance. He will provide length in the bullpen for Atlanta.