MLB Player News

The Nationals recalled Ribalta from Triple-A Rochester on Sunday.

Ribalta has absorbed the roster spot vacated by Cole Henry (back), who was placed on the 15-day injured ilst. The 27-year-old holds a 5.48 ERA and 21:15 K:BB across 21.1 innings out of the Nationals bullpen in 2025.

The Nationals placed Henry on the 15-day injured list Sunday with a back strain.

The injury will end Henry's season, but he should be fully recovered from the back issue early in the offseason. Henry became a high-leverage reliever for the Nationals this season, though that had more to do with the team's lack of other options rather than his performance. He finished with a 4.27 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 52:32 K:BB over 52.2 innings, picking up two saves and 10 holds along the way.

Happ went 2-for-4 with a solo home run in Sunday's 4-3 win over the Rays.

Happ took Adrian Houser deep in the sixth inning for his 22nd home run of the season. The veteran outfielder is approaching his career high of 25 long balls, which he recorded back in 2021 and then matched last year. Happ has gone deep five times in his last 13 games, and with the Cubs set to play 13 more contests during the regular season, he has a chance to set a new career best in homers if he keeps up his recent pace and stays in the lineup most days.

Tarnok (ankle) struck out one in a perfect inning in his first rehab appearance with Triple-A Jacksonville on Sunday.

Tarnok has missed most of September with a left ankle sprain but was cleared to return to game action over the weekend. He will be eligible for activation from the 15-day injured list Thursday, and the righty has a good chance to return that day.

Stewart started at first base and went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Sunday's 7-4 loss to the Athletics.

Stewart launched his third homer in 10 games since being called up when rosters expanded in September. He's started four of the last five games and six of the last seven at first base, as the prospect has nudged Spencer Steer out of the way. The Reds, who were swept by the A's, are still in the hunt for a playoff spot, but manager Terry Francona appears to be juggling two missions -- develop young talent while not abandoning the quest for the postseason.

Tovar went 2-for-5 with a double, an RBI and two runs scored Sunday against the Padres.

Tovar entered Sunday's game hitless in his last six starts -- all of which came on the road -- while also striking out 12 times across 19 at-bats in that span. He ended that stretch with a single in the sixth inning and then delivered an RBI double one frame later. Tovar is still hitting .250 since Sept. 1 and now has three RBI and five runs scored with a stolen base in that 13-game span.

Benson started in left field and went 1-for-2 with a two-run home run in Sunday's 7-4 loss to the Athletics.

Benson upped Cincinnati's lead to 3-0 with his second-inning home run. He's started four of the last five contests and gone deep three times during that stretch. The bump in playing time came out of nowhere for Benson, who rode the bench for the first 20 games after being called up in mid-August.

Lowder (oblique/forearm) will make his next rehab start Friday for Triple-A Louisville, MLB.com reports.

Lowder began a rehab assignment Saturday, throwing 34 pitches over two innings and allowing one run for Louisville. Per Mark Sheldon of MLB.com, Reds manager Terry Francona has been non-committal about Lowder returning from the 60-day injured list before the end of the regular season to aid the team in its bid for a wild-card spot, but that could change if he performs well in his upcoming rehab start. Even if he comes off the IL for the final week of the season, Lowder would likely be deployed out of the bullpen.

Vargas replaced Blaze Alexander (elbow) at second base in the fourth inning Sunday and went 1-for-3 in a 6-4 win over Minnesota.

Alexander was removed from the game after getting hit by a pitch in the elbow/forearm area. Testing came back negative, but the elbow showed significant swelling, per Steve Gilbert of MLB.com. Vargas could benefit from any time Alexander misses, but second base is typically Ketel Marte's realm.

Lawlar started at third base and went 1-for-3 with a double and a run scored in Sunday's 6-4 win over the Twins.

Lawlar lined a double to left field and scored in the Diamondbacks' three-run fourth inning. Following an initial 0-for-11 run upon being called up in late August, Lawlar is batting .304 (7-for-23) with five doubles, three RBI, two steals and four runs scored over last eight contests. He hasn't been an everyday member of the starting lineup, but that could change in the short term after Blaze Alexander (elbow) was removed from Sunday's game. Testing on Alexander's elbow came back negative, but it was very swollen postgame, per Steve Gilbert of MLB.com. He'll undergo further testing Monday and is day-to-day heading into that night's series opener against the Giants. Lawlar stands to benefit from any time Alexander misses, as those two have shared third base since the beginning of the month.