MLB Player News

The Reds optioned Benson to Triple-A Louisville on Tuesday, Charlie Goldsmith of Fox 19 Now Cincinnati reports.

He's clearing off the active roster to make room for the return of Elly De La Cruz (hamstring) from the injured list. Benson logged only 14 plate appearances in June, but he'll be in line to see regular action at Louisville.

The Reds activated De La Cruz (hamstring) from the 10-day injured list Tuesday, Charlie Goldsmith of Fox 19 Now Cincinnati reports.

De La Cruz has been out for all of June with a right hamstring strain, but he's ready to go after playing three rehab games with Triple-A Louisville. He will return to shortstop for the Reds, pushing Matt McLain back to second base.

Poulin will serve as the Nationals' opening pitcher in Tuesday's game versus the Phillies, Kyle Williams of TheBanner.com reports.

Poulin is no stranger to opener assignments, as Tuesday will mark his 10th of the season. The southpaw has held lefty bats to a .173/.283/.346 batting line in 2026, so it makes sense to have him face Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper at the top of the Philadelphia lineup before turning the game over to righty Zack Littell, who will work in bulk relief.

Littell will be used in bulk relief Tuesday against the Phillies, Kyle Williams of TheBanner.com reports.

He's fared better this season as a bulk reliever (3.20 ERA) than traditional starter (6.31 ERA). The right-handed Littell will be preceded Tuesday by left-handed opener PJ Poulin.

Farmer (forearm) will begin a rehab assignment with Double-A Columbus on Tuesday.

Farmer went down a little over a month ago with a right forearm strain but has progressed enough to try things out in a game setting. Interestingly, Atlanta manager Walt Weiss said Monday that Farmer is "gonna catch a lot" on his rehab assignment, Chad Bishop of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports. The 35-year-old Farmer has not seen any action at catcher since 2019, and it's unlikely Atlanta would use him behind the plate on a regular basis even if Drake Baldwin gets hurt.

McLain started at shortstop and went 0-for-3 in Monday's 2-1 extra-inning loss to Milwaukee.

McLain's started 17 of the last 19 games while operating as the primary fill-in for the injured Elly De La Cruz (hamstring), who is expected to be activated from the injured list Tuesday. De La Cruz's return should put an end to McLain's time as a regular presence in the starting nine. The offensive production he generated during the first week of his residency at shortstop (1.319 OPS over seven games) suggested McLain was moving past a season-opening slump, but he's slipped back since, going 5-for-33 (.152) with a .475 OPS and zero RBI over the last 11 contests.

Santillan (1-4) was the losing pitcher Monday, allowing two runs (one earned) while walking one in a 2-1 extra-inning loss to the Brewers.

Santillan, who entered a scoreless tie in the 10th inning, gave up runs for the first time in eight outings. Monday's results aside, he appears to have settled in as the Reds fill-in closer until Emilio Pagan (hamstring) returns, which could happen within a week. Pagan threw a second live batting-practice/simulated-game session Monday and is expected to begin a brief rehab assignment Thursday.

Troy started in left field and went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Monday's 3-2 loss to St. Louis.

Troy crushed a fastball 444 feet to dead center field in the seventh inning, his third homer in 25 games. This was the third consecutive start in left field for Troy, who is in line for a regular role in starting lineups and may eventually see time in center field following the injury to Jordan Lawlar (hamstring). Lourdes Gurriel, who normally starts in left field and recently returned from a stint on the injured list due to a hamstring issue, operated as the DH for the second time in the last three contests.

Tawa started in center field and went 1-for-3 with a double in Monday's 3-2 loss to the Cardinals.

Tawa moved into the starting lineup for the first time since being recalled from Triple-A Reno over the weekend. He defended center field, which has become a hole following the injury to Jordan Lawlar (hamstring). Jorge Barrosa started there in the first two games without Lawlar on Saturday and Sunday.

McCarthy went 1-for-4 with a three-run triple in Monday's 3-2 win over Boston.

McCarthy's lone hit was the biggest of the game for Colorado, as he delivered a walk-off triple in the ninth inning with the bases loaded. The 28-year-old punched an Aroldis Chapman fastball to the opposite field that Jarren Duran struggled to field cleanly, allowing all three runners to score. McCarthy has been swinging a hot bat of late, hitting safely in each of his past seven appearances while going 11-for-30 (.367) with four extra-base hits, four RBI and five runs scored. In his first season with the Rockies, the outfielder has put together some of the best numbers of his career, slashing .294/.335/.471 with 22 extra-base hits (five homers), 31 RBI, 27 runs scored and 11 stolen bases across 64 games.