MLB Player News

Diaz is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Red Sox.

Diaz will receive a routine day off after starting behind the plate or at designated hitter the last five games. Christian Vazquez will handle catching duties in the series finale in Boston.

Diaz (side) is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Giants, Ryan Bass of Rays.tv reports.

Diaz is sitting Sunday for a second straight contest after exiting Friday's game due to tightness in his left side. Jonathan Aranda is receiving a turn at designated hitter in Diaz's place, which opens up first base for Ryan Vilade.

Walker (head) will start at first base and bat cleanup in Sunday's game against the Red Sox.

Walker was lifted from Saturday's 6-3 win in the ninth inning after taking a fastball to the head during his final at-bat of the day, but the veteran first baseman passed all concussion testing following the game and has been given the green light to play in the series finale. The 35-year-old has been in the midst of a heater over the past two weeks, slashing .409/.447/.750 with four home runs, 10 RBI and eight runs over his last 11 games.

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

The right-hander was optioned to Louisville after Friday's game but will quickly rejoin Cincinnati's bullpen with Pierce Johnson being placed on the bereavement list. Maxwell surrendered four earned runs over one inning during his season debut for the Reds against the Pirates on Friday.

The Cubs designated Rios for assignment Sunday.

During his week-long stint in the majors, Rios made just one appearance out of the bullpen, tossing 1.2 scoreless innings last Sunday. The 32-year-old will be subject to waivers, and if he goes unclaimed, he'll have the option of electing free agency.

The Reds recalled Dunn from Triple-A Louisville on Sunday.

The 27-year-old will get his first look in the big leagues this season with Rece Hinds being demoted to Louisville. Dunn has a .151/.298/.256 slash line across 49 career MLB games and isn't likely to see significant playing time while up with the Reds, though he could net some starts versus left-handed pitching.

The Cubs reinstated Palencia (lat) from the 15-day injured list Sunday, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Placed on the shelf April 17 due to a lat strain, Palencia ended up missing just over the minimum amount of time. The righty will rejoin the Cubs after making a 19-pitch rehab appearance for Triple-A Iowa on Friday, when he retired two of the three batters he faced and averaged 100.4 miles per hour with his fastball. Given the brevity of his absence, Palencia should settle back in as the Cubs' closer right away.

The Astros optioned Murray to Triple-A Sugar Land on Sunday.

Murray will give up his spot on the 26-man active roster to right-hander Ryan Weiss, who was reinstated from the paternity list. After being recalled from Triple-A on April 19, Murray made three appearances out of the bullpen but had gone unused over the Astros' last six games.

The Astros reinstated Weiss (personal) from the paternity list Sunday.

The right-hander was away from the team for the last three days while welcoming a new addition to his family. The Astros haven't clarified what Weiss's role will look like, but he could be available out of the bullpen to cover multiple innings behind Cody Bolton, who will open Sunday's contest. If Weiss isn't used Sunday, he'll be a candidate to start or work in bulk relief during Monday's series opener versus the Dodgers.

The Reds placed Johnson (personal) on the bereavement list Sunday.

The 34-year-old will step away from the team for a few days for personal reasons. Johnson could rejoin the Reds toward the end of the upcoming road series versus the Cubs, which ends Thursday.