MLB Player News

The Reds optioned Franco to Triple-A Louisville on Saturday.

Franco gave up three earned runs over two innings during the first half of Saturday's doubleheader, inflating his ERA to 5.40 through 16.2 frames in the big leagues this season. He'll be joined by Connor Phillips on the trip back to Louisville, and the Reds will bring up Zach Maxwell from Triple-A and activate Caleb Ferguson (oblique) from the IL to round out the active roster.

Lowe started at first base and went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in a 9-1 loss to the Cardinals in the first game of Saturday's doubleheader.

Lowe gave the Reds an early lead with his second-inning homer, but other than that, Cincinnati didn't put up much of fight. It was the seventh homer of the season for Lowe, who has hits in five consecutive starts, going 7-for-22 with three doubles, a home run and five RBI during that span. He could earn more playing time after the Reds placed third baseman Ke'Bryan Hayes (back) on the 10-day injured list Friday. Whether Sal Stewart moves from first to third or the recently activated Eugenio Suarez handles the hot corner, Lowe could see time at first base or DH.

The Reds optioned Phillips to Triple-A Louisville on Saturday.

After posting a 2.88 ERA through 25 innings last season, Phillips has struggled to the tune of a 5.53 ERA and 1.77 WHIP over 27.2 frames to begin the 2026 campaign, so the Reds will send him and Jose Franco down to the minors to right the ship. To fill the open roster spots, Caleb Ferguson (oblique) was activated from the IL, and Zach Maxwell was promoted from Louisville.

The Reds recalled Maxwell from Triple-A Louisville on Saturday.

Maxwell gave up four earned runs in just one inning during his season debut May 1, but he's since fired 7.1 shutout innings at Louisville while tallying 10 strikeouts. He'll get another look in the Reds' bullpen as a result, and the team will clear room for him on the active roster by sending down Connor Phillips and Jose Franco.

The Reds reinstated Ferguson (oblique) from the injured list Saturday.

Ferguson has been sidelined by an oblique strain since spring training. He began playing in rehab games in late April but has struggled, allowing 11 earned runs in just 7.2 innings split between Double-A and Triple-A. Despite his poor results, the Reds are comfortable adding him back to their bullpen and will likely look to use him in middle relief.

The Reds added Petty to the active roster as the 27th man for Saturday's doubleheader against the Cardinals.

Petty will make his second big-league start of the season in the second game of Saturday's twin bill. He gave up three earned runs over 5.2 innings during his season debut against the Cubs on May 4 but owns a 6.32 ERA and 1.64 WHIP through 31.1 frames in Triple-A. He'll likely be sent back to Louisville following his appearance Saturday.

Rea (4-3) took the loss against Houston on Saturday, allowing three runs on four hits and three walks while striking out four batters over seven innings.

The damage against Rea came almost entirely off the bat of Christian Walker, who hit a pair of homers to account for all three of the Astros' runs. In fact, Walker had three of the four hits Rea allowed. Otherwise, the righty hurler was pretty effective, completing seven innings for the first time this season and registering his third quality start. This was a solid bounce-back effort for Rea after he gave up nine runs over nine innings across his previous two starts, though Chicago provided him with no runs of support Saturday, resulting in the loss. He's lined up to make his next start on the road in Pittsburgh.

Suarez isn't in the lineup for the second game of Saturday's doubleheader versus the Cardinals, Charlie Goldsmith of Fox 19 Now Cincinnati reports.

Suarez went 0-for-2 with a walk during Cincinnati's 8-1 loss in the first half of Saturday's twin bill, and he'll get a chance to rest during the nightcap. JJ Bleday will work as the Reds' designated hitter while TJ Friedl, Blake Dunn and Will Benson start across the outfield.

Steer isn't in the lineup for the second game of Saturday's doubleheader against St. Louis, Charlie Goldsmith of Fox 19 Now Cincinnati reports.

Steer will stay put in the dugout during the second half of Saturday's festivities after going 0-for-2 with a walk in Game 1. His absence will afford Nathaniel Lowe another start at first base.

Stephenson isn't in the lineup for the second game of Saturday's doubleheader against the Cardinals, Charlie Goldsmith of Fox 19 Now Cincinnati reports.

After going 0-for-3 with a strikeout during a 9-1 loss in Game 1, Stephenson will move to the bench for Game 2 while P.J. Higgins starts behind the plate.