MLB Player News

Varsho went 2-for-4 with a double, a home run, three RBI and two runs scored in Friday's 5-2 win over the Marlins.

Varsho opened the scoring with an RBI double in the first inning before adding a two-run shot in the sixth. The 29-year-old has been swinging it well in August, batting .288 with nine extra-base hits and 17 RBI through 17 games. For the season, he's slashing .236/.294/.597 with 14 homers, 37 RBI, 25 runs scored and a stolen base across just 160 plate appearances.

Hoffman earned the save in Friday's 5-2 win over the Marlins, allowing one walk without recording a strikeout in a scoreless, hitless ninth inning.

Hoffman was called upon to protect a three-run lead in the ninth and worked around a two-out walk to slam the door. Aside from an ugly blown save Aug. 10 in which he issued five walks, the 32-year-old has now strung together nine straight scoreless outings. On the year, he's 28-for-33 in save chances with a 4.08 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 73:17 K:BB across 53 innings.

Gusto (7-6) took the loss against the Blue Jays on Friday, allowing five runs on seven hits and one walk over six innings. He did not record a strikeout.

Gusto battled through six innings after giving up three runs in the first, but he managed just six whiffs on 90 pitches and allowed 11 hard-hit balls. It was also the first time in 16 starts this year that the 26-year-old failed to record a strikeout. He'll take a 5.05 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 95:31 K:BB across 98 innings between starting duty and relief work into a home matchup with Atlanta next week.

Bieber (1-0) earned the win against the Marlins on Friday, allowing one run on two hits and no walks with nine strikeouts over six innings.

Bieber gave up a solo shot to Javier Sanoja in the third inning but was otherwise sharp in his first major-league start since last April. The 30-year-old tossed 55 of 87 pitches for strikes and racked up 15 whiffs, highlighted by seven on his slider. He looks fully healthy after a lengthy rehab stint and is lined up for a home matchup with the Twins next week.

Andujar is not in the Reds' starting lineup against the Diamondbacks on Friday.

Andujar will be out of the Reds' lineup for the second time in four games while Gavin Lux serves as the designated hitter and Matt McLain starts at second base. Andujar has gone 18-for-47 (.383) with nine runs, three home runs and 11 RBI in 15 games since Aug. 1.

Lopez was scratched from Friday's lineup against the Blue Jays due to a stomach illness, Kevin Barral of FishonFirst.com reports.

Lopez was a late scratch from Friday's lineup, though it sounds like he may not have to miss any additional games. Maximo Acosta will start at shortstop and bat ninth due to Lopez's illness.

Acosta will bat ninth and play shortstop Friday against the Blue Jays.

Acosta will enter the starting nine Friday after Otto Lopez (undisclosed) was scratched. Acosta has gone 1-for-10 with a solo home run in his first taste of MLB action. The 22-year-old posted a .711 OPS in 431 plate appearances with Triple-A Jacksonville.

Lopez was scratched from the Marlins' lineup against the Blue Jays on Friday for an undisclosed reason.

An update on why Lopez was removed from the lineup should come from the Marlins during or shortly after Friday's game. Maximo Acosta will take over at shortstop and bat ninth in Lopez's absence.

Evans had a cortisone shot in his elbow recently and is scheduled to resume throwing in the next couple of days, Adam Jude of The Seattle Times reported Friday.

Evans was placed on the injured list Aug. 15 with inflammation in his right elbow, and he received a cortisone shot to address the inflammation. He's close to resuming his throwing progression, but it's unclear how far behind he fell during the shutdown period. Evans shouldn't be expected back until September.

Santos (knee) is expected to begin a rehab assignment soon and is hopeful to return in mid-September, Adam Jude of The Seattle Times reports.

Santos has been sidelined since late April with a knee injury that required surgery. The 25-year-old is getting close to pitching in games, but he'll require a lengthy minor-league rehab assignment before being activated from the 60-day injured list. Santos has a 5.14 ERA in seven big-league innings this season.