The Reds expect Stephenson (hand) to return Friday against the Orioles, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Stephenson is hitting .231/.338/.415 with three homers and 10 RBI, but his Statcast metrics (20.4% barrel rate, 93.4 mph average exit velocity) suggest better results could be forthcoming. Moreover, Stephenson has been considerably better than his backup Luke Maile, who is hitting just .163/.250/.256 so far on the season.

Smith went 1-for-5 with a solo home run Wednesday in an 8-0 win over Arizona.

Smith hit one of two homers in the game for Los Angeles, taking Jordan Montgomery deep to left field for a fifth-inning solo shot. The All-Star catcher went deep just once over his first 23 games of the season but has picked up the power since, swatting three long balls over his past five contests. Smith has complemented his four homers on the campaign with a .355/.395/.555 slash line, 24 RBI and 18 runs over 124 plate appearances.

Contreras went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Wednesday's 4-1 loss to the Tigers.

Contreras also struck out three times Wednesday for the third consecutive game. He'll likely be happy to put the Tigers in the rear-view mirror after going 1-for-13 with nine strikeouts during the three-game series in Detroit. That poor stretch has dropped Contreras to a .258/.373/.505 slash line on the year, and he's added five homers, 10 RBI, 14 runs scored, eight doubles and a stolen base through 110 plate appearances. Contreras has caught four of the Cardinals' last six games, so it appears he's managing his lingering soreness from a left hand injury fairly well.

Nido is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Cubs.

Nido will get a breather for Thursday's afternoon game after he caught all nine innings of Wednesday's 1-0 loss. Omar Narvaez will handle catching duties in the series finale.

Amaya is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Mets.

Amaya looks to be getting a breather for the day game after he caught all nine innings of Wednesday's 1-0 win while going 0-for-2 with a walk. Yan Gomes will get the nod behind the plate Thursday.

The Yankees optioned Narvaez to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Thursday.

Narvaez was up for three games while Alex Verdugo was on paternity leave but didn't make an appearance. The catcher will return to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, where he's collected a .718 OPS with two homers in 101 plate appearances this season.

Singleton went 2-for-3 with a two-run home run, an additional run and an additional RBI in Thursday's 8-2 win against the Guardians.

Singleton gave Houston its first lead with a two-run blast in the sixth inning and plated the team's final run with a sacrifice fly in the seventh. The first baseman has gone deep in two of his past three games, driving in six runs over that span. Though Joey Loperfido was called up Tuesday in correspondence with Jose Abreu being demoted to the minors Wednesday, the rookie has made both of his starts thus far in left field. As such, Singleton could have a path to near-everyday playing time at first base moving forward.

Encarnacion-Strand (hand) and teammate Tyler Stephenson are expected to return Friday when the Reds host the Orioles, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

The Reds' bats went quiet on their 2-4 road trip against the Rangers and Padres, hitting .201 as a team while averaging 10 strikeouts per game on the trip. Of course, Encarnacion-Strand has been struggling this year in both aspects, hitting .196 with a troubling 3:31 BB:K ratio in 108 plate appearances. Perhaps with better health and better weather he will come close to displaying the form he showed in 2023, when he hit .270/.328/.477 in 241 plate appearances at the big league level.

Mountcastle went 2-for-4 with a home run, two total RBI and an additional run scored in Thursday's 7-2 win over the Yankees.

Mountcastle got the Orioles on the board in the third inning with a solo shot off Carlos Rodon, tying the game 1-1. He'd add a second RBI with a base hit in the fifth, extending the lead to 4-1, before scoring on a Jordan Westburg triple. It was a nice finish to the series for the 27-year-old Mountcastle, who'd gone 0-for-12 in the first three games against New York. The first baseman boosted his slash line to .290/.345/.495 with five homers, 16 RBI and 18 runs scored through 28 games this season.

The Red Sox will option Dalbec to Triple-A Worcester on Friday, Rob Bradford of WEEI.com reports.

Dalbec no longer had a path to clear playing time after the Red Sox signed Dominic Smith to split time at first base with Garrett Cooper, so he will head to the minors to serve as an organizational depth piece. The 28-year-old has slashed just .137/.200/.176 across 56 plate appearances with Boston this season.

Wade is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Red Sox, Shayna Rubin of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Wade went 0-for-6 with three walks and an RBI while starting at first base in each of the last three games, but he'll get a day off as the Giants and Red Sox wrap up their series with an afternoon contest. Wilmer Flores will join the San Francisco infield as a replacement for Wade.

Smith is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Giants, Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald reports.

After he was granted his release from his minor-league deal with the Rays earlier Wednesday, Smith quickly landed with the Red Sox on a one-year contract and was included in the lineup upon joining the team. He started at first base in Wednesday's 6-2 win, going 1-for-4 with an RBI. While Masataka Yoshida (thumb) is on the shelf along with Triston Casas (ribs), the Red Sox could have room in the lineup at designated hitter and first base for both Smith and Garrett Cooper (wrist), though the lefty-hitting Smith will still likely sit against most left-handed pitchers. Smith finds himself on the bench Thursday with the Giants bringing southpaw Kyle Harrison to the hill.

Altuve went 3-for-5 with a run, an RBI and two stolen bases in an 8-2 victory versus Cleveland on Thursday.

Altuve continued his recent stretch of hot hitting, notching his third multi-hit effort over his past four contests. The veteran second baseman added a pair of thefts Thursday, and he's now swiped six bags over his past 15 games after failing to record a steal across his initial 16 contests of the campaign. Altuve ranks seventh among qualified hitters with a .352 average on the season and is tied for second with 45 hits.

Mateo went 1-for-2 with a solo home run, an additional RBI and a hit-by-pitch in Thursday's 7-2 win over the Yankees.

Mateo's first homer of the year gave the Orioles a 2-1 lead in the fourth inning, and they never looked back. He tacked on another RBI with a sacrifice fly in the fifth. His playing time has trended up since Jackson Holliday was demoted to Triple-A Norfolk, but Mateo has gone a modest 3-for-11 with two extra-base hits over his last five games. The utility man is slashing .268/.340/.488 with three RBI, seven runs scored, four stolen bases and six doubles over 47 plate appearances.

Torres went 1-for-3 with a solo home run and a walk in Thursday's 7-2 loss to the Orioles.

Torres led off the sixth inning with a 418-foot shot to center field off Keegan Akin, cutting the Yankees' deficit to 7-2. While it didn't ultimately impact the final score, the home run was certainly a weight off of Torres' shoulders -- he'd gone 32 games without a long ball to start the campaign, a homerless streak of 53 regular-season games if you go back to Torres' last home run Sept. 7. The 27-year-old second baseman is now slashing a disappointing .218/.295/.274 to open the year with 15 runs scored, seven RBI and three stolen bases.

Polanco went 2-for-5 with a pair of RBI singles in a loss to Atlanta on Wednesday.

Polanco's contributions ended up leading to the only runs of the afternoon for the Mariners, who were otherwise stymied by Chris Sale and a quartet of relievers. Despite the lack of extra-base hits, Polanco's performance was impactful from an individual perspective, as it extended his on-base streak to six games and qualified as the veteran's second straight two-RBI tally. Polanco's .181/.317/.295 slash line naturally has no shortage of room for improvement, but perhaps his current surge is the start of a long-awaited breakout in his first Seattle campaign.

The Red Sox optioned Valdez to Triple-A Worcester on Thursday, Alex Speier of The Boston Globe reports.

The 25-year-old will head back to the minors to make room on the roster for infielder Zack Short, who was acquired via trade Wednesday and has now been added to the 26-man active roster. Valdez has slashed just .156/.186/.267 across 28 games with the big club this season. He will add to his versatility while at Worcester, as the plan is to use him at third base, first base and potentially the outfield in addition to second base.

Massey went 1-for-4 with a home run and four RBI in Wednesday's 6-1 win over the Blue Jays.

After bringing home a run in the sixth inning with a groundout, Massey lofted a Nate Pearson curveball off the right-field foul pole in the eighth for a three-run shot. The second baseman has homered in back-to-back games, his first long balls since making his season debut April 19, and he's hit safely in five straight contests.

Jones has appeared in just nine games for the Yankees this season, going 1-for-6 with one run and four strikeouts.

Jones has remained on the big-league roster throughout the campaign, but he's made just one start, functioning almost exclusively as a pinch runner or defensive replacement. The 26-year-old's speed and defensive versatility make him useful in those roles, though his ability to remain with the big club may be more strongly tied to the fact that he's out of minor-league options. It's difficult to envision Jones becoming a viable fantasy asset given his very limited work and his career .178/.229/.451 slash line as a major-leaguer.

Berti (groin/back) is back in the lineup with Double-A Somerset on Thursday as he resumes his rehab assignment, Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News reports.

Berti couldn't play Wednesday due to a back issue but is back in there following a one-day absence. He's coming back from a groin strain and should rejoin the Yankees within the next few days.

Wade went 1-for-4 with two runs and a stolen base in Wednesday's 6-2 victory against the Reds.

Wade got a start at second base in place of the resting Xander Bogaerts and scored two of San Diego's six runs. The veteran began the campaign logging regular time at third base due to Manny Machado being relegated to DH duties following offseason shoulder surgery, but Machado has since returned to playing the field, cutting into both Wade's and Eguy Rosario's playing time. Wade is batting just .230 over 71 plate appearances, but he's stolen five bags and posted a useful 11.6 percent walk rate.

Lipscomb is absent from the lineup for Thursday's contest versus the Rangers.

Lipscomb had made six straight starts at third base, but he'll give way to Ildemaro Vargas at the hot corner Thursday. The rookie infielder is slashing .267/.325/.320 in 22 contests thus far at the major-league level.

Urias is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Yankees.

Though he's seen his playing time in the infield pick up of late after second baseman Jackson Holliday was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk last Friday, Urias will head to the bench Thursday after starting at third base in three of the previous four games. Jordan Westburg will occupy the hot corner Thursday, opening up a spot at the keystone for Jorge Mateo.

Rivera will start at third base and bat eighth in Thursday's game against the Rockies, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Rivera will be awarded a sixth consecutive start after he went 2-for-2 with a walk and two runs scored in Wednesday's 4-1 win. Each of his past four starts have come at third base, and he'll continue to vie with Vidal Brujan for playing time at the position until Jake Burger (oblique) is cleared to return from the 10-day injured list. Burger began a rehab assignment Wednesday, and it's possible that he'll be ready to join the Marlins at some point during their six-game West Coast road trip that begins Friday in Oakland.

Rocchio went 1-for-3 with a walk, a stolen base and one run scored in Thursday's 8-2 loss to the Astros.

Rocchio is up to five steals on the year, four of which have come over his last six games. In that span, he's hitting .294 (5-for-17) with a 5:6 BB:K and four runs scored. Rocchio is up to a .218/.317/.310 slash line with no home runs, four RBI, 14 runs scored and seven doubles through 102 plate appearances. He continues to hold down the starting job at shortstop while hitting at the bottom of the order.

McLain (shoulder) is about a week away from a follow-up appointment that will give the Reds a better idea on his timetable, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

If all goes well with his exam, McLain could start working out at the Reds' spring training facility in Arizona. He doesn't have an official return date yet. "It's still way too early to determine a time when he would get back to us, but the goal would still be early August ideally," manager David Bell said.

Lindor (illness) went 2-for-3 with a pair of two-run doubles and a run scored in Thursday's 7-6 extra-innings win over the Cubs.

Lindor was held out of the lineup Thursday after departing Wednesday's contest with an illness. However, he'd come off the bench as a pinch hitter for Joey Wendle in the sixth inning, pulling a two-run double to cut the Mets' deficit to 5-4. Lindor would then deliver his biggest hit so far this season in the 11th, doubling down the left-field line to drive in two more and give New York a 7-6 walk-off victory. Lindor's struggles early this year have been well documented, though he's starting to show signs of turning things around at the plate -- the 30-year-old shortstop's gone 9-for-29 with three doubles and three home runs in his last eight contests. Lindor's now slashing .207/.287/.380 through 136 plate appearances with five home runs, 17 runs scored, 15 RBI and four stolen bases.

Betts went 3-for-5 with two RBI against the Diamondbacks in Wednesday's 8-0 victory.

Betts hasn't homered over his past 17 games, but he continues to be productive, collecting seven multi-hit efforts over that stretch while slashing .406/.481/.536. The move to shortstop this season hasn't impacted the All-Star's offensive production, as Betts is leading MLB in hits (49) and OBP (.481) while tying for first in runs (29) and walks (26). Betts' 1.104 OPS also leads all major-leaguers.

Grissom (hamstring/illness) is feeling much better and will travel with the Red Sox to Minnesota for their weekend series against the Twins, Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald reports.

Grissom has had his season debut delayed after he came down with an illness earlier this week. However, it sounds like he's feeling back or close to 100 percent and is in line to make his Red Sox and season debut Friday. Grissom -- who was acquired from Atlanta over the offseason in the Chris Sale trade -- is set to take over as Boston's primary second baseman.

Swanson is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Mets.

Swanson will get a chance to rest up for the day game after a night game, with Nico Hoerner moving over from second base to replace him at shortstop. The off day comes while Swanson has gone 3-for-17 with eight strikeouts against one walk over his last five games.

Brennan went 3-for-4 in Thursday's 8-2 loss to the Astros.

Brennan's playing time has steadied lately with the Guardians facing five straight right-handed pitchers. The outfielder's results are still all over the place -- Brennan has five multi-hit efforts and three home runs over his last nine games, but he's gone 0-fer in the other four contests in that span. His trio of singles Thursday lifted his batting average from .228 to .253, and he's added four homers, 11 RBI, 13 runs scored and two stolen bases through 90 plate appearances on the year. Brennan remains in a strong-side platoon role with the majority of his playing time coming in right field.

Yastrzemski went 1-for-2 with a solo home run Thursday in a 3-1 win over the Red Sox.

Yastrzemski gave the Giants their first run with a third-inning solo shot. It was his third homer of the campaign, two of which have come over his past four contests. Yastrzemski has hit almost exclusively against right-handed hurlers this season -- he's logged just six at-bats against southpaws and was lifted for a pinch hitter against a lefty in the seventh inning Thursday despite his earlier long ball.

McKenna went 1-for-2 with a solo home run in Thursday's 7-2 win over the Yankees.

McKenna has gone 2-for-3 over three contests since he was promoted from Triple-A Norfolk on April 26. His homer in the fourth inning Thursday was the decisive run. McKenna got the start in center field versus southpaw Carlos Rodon in this game, but manager Brandon Hyde hasn't been hesitant to play Cedric Mullins against lefties, so it's unlikely a platoon situation develops.

Freeman is not in the lineup for Thursday's contest in Houston.

In a 1-for-14 stretch at the plate over his last four contests, Freeman will take a seat in the series finale. Gabriel Arias will occupy center field for the Guardians on Thursday.

Loperfido is not in the lineup for Thursday's game versus the Guardians.

He started each of the first two games following his promotion against right-handers, but with southpaw Logan Allen starting Thursday, the left-handed hitting Loperfido will take a seat. The Astros are going with Mauricio Dubon in left field, Jake Meyers in center field and Jon Singleton at first base.

Profar went 4-for-4 with a run and two RBI in Wednesday's 6-2 win against Cincinnati.

Profar recorded his first four-hit game of the campaign and his third multi-hit performance over his past four contests. He's thrived since moving into the leadoff spot April 28, going 10-for-16 with a homer, three runs and three RBI over the four-game stretch. Profar is in the midst of an eight-game hitting streak during which he is batting an even .500 (15-for-30), lifting his season average to .342.

Allen (2-1) allowed three runs (two earned) on seven hits and one walk while striking out five batters over 5.2 innings in a loss against Houston on Thursday.

Allen allowed just one run through five frames, but Jon Singleton launched a two-out, two-run homer against him in the sixth to send him to the showers and put him in line for the loss. The left-handed hurler fell one out shy of his second quality start of the campaign, though he's pitched more than five innings in three of his past four outings. After a promising rookie campaign last year, Allen has fallen back a bit in 2024 with a 5.11 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and 31:12 K:BB through 37 frames.

Arrighetti allowed two runs on four hits and three walks while striking out six batters over 5.2 innings in a no-decision against Cleveland on Thursday.

Arrighetti struggled with a trio of losses and a 10.97 ERA over his first three starts, but he was much more effective against the Guardians on Thursday. The right-hander went a season-high 5.2 frames and tied a season low with two runs allowed, falling just one out shy of a quality start. Despite the promising outing, Arrighetti could drop out of Houston rotation soon with Cristian Javier (neck) making progress toward a return from the injured list.

Parker (2-1) took the loss against Texas on Thursday, allowing three runs on six hits and two walks while striking out five batters over 5.1 innings.

Parker had his least-effective outing through four big-league starts, giving up a season-high three runs while taking his first career loss. The southpaw still managed to keep Washington within striking distance, but the Nationals' offense failed to scratch against four Rangers pitchers. Parker's ERA is still a commendable 2.53, and it's supported by a strong 1.08 WHIP and 19:4 K:BB through 21.1 frames.

Harrison allowed one run on three hits and five walks while striking out seven batters over five innings in a no-decision against Boston on Thursday.

Harrison issued a season-high five free passes -- as many as he had handed out over six starts coming into the contest -- but managed to continuously get out of trouble, as none of the batters he put on base via walk came around to score. The southpaw thus managed to emerge with a no-decision, though his high pitch count of 95 offerings limited him to five frames and prevented him from picking up what could have been his fifth quality start of the campaign. Though Harrison has settled for a no-decision in each of his past two appearances, he's allowed just one run while fanning 14 batters over 11 frames during that span.

Cole (elbow) is expected to throw a bullpen session Saturday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

Cole will throw off a mound for the first time since being placed on the 60-day injured list with nerve irritation and edema in his right elbow in late March. The 33-year-old is reportedly targeting a return in "mid June," according to Heyman. The right-hander is eligible to be activated from the IL on May 27, but it appears as if he will remain sidelined for awhile longer than that. With his pedigree, it comes as no surprise that the Yankees are being cautious with their ace, who produced a 2.63 ERA with a 9.6 K/9 over 209 innings in 33 starts last year.

The Diamondbacks transferred Kelly (shoulder) to the 60-day injured list Thursday.

Kelly was placed on the 15-day IL on April 23 after sustaining a teres major strain in his right shoulder. Due to his transfer to the 60-day IL, Kelly will be on the shelf until at least late June, and his rehab progress over the next few weeks could determine whether the right-hander will need more time beyond that window. Kelly started the season with a 2-0 record, 2.19 ERA and 0.93 WHIP over 24.2 innings through four starts.

Rogers picked up a hold by pitching a perfect eighth inning in Thursday's 3-1 win over the Red Sox.

As expected, Rogers has served as a setup man for the Giants this year. He's pitched fairly well with a 2.63 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 9:0 K:BB over 13.2 innings while adding six holds in 15 appearances. He's yet to pick up a save, as Camilo Doval has yet to miss out on a save opportunity. Rogers' lack of a high strikeout rate limits his appeal in most fantasy formats, though it's encouraging that the submariner has avoided issuing free passes so far.

Walker (3-2) allowed a hit and struck out one without walking a batter in a scoreless inning to earn the win Thursday over the Red Sox.

Walker is on a seven-inning scoreless streak, and he's racked up an 11:3 K:BB with two wins and two holds in that span. The right-hander is putting together a solid season in a versatile role, pitching to a 2.65 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and 21:4 K:BB over 17 innings. He's added three holds, and while he doesn't see steady high-leverage usage, he's displayed the ability to limit baserunners and protect leads.

Winckowski allowed one run on two hits and two walks without striking out any batters over 4.1 innings in a no-decision against San Francisco on Thursday.

Winckowski's short outing can be explained by the fact that he began the campaign in a relief role and isn't stretched out to a starter's full workload. Still, the right-hander was able to give Boston 4.1 useful frames Thursday, with the only run against him coming on a third-inning Mike Yastrzemski solo homer. With Nick Pivetta (elbow) nearing a return to the rotation and and Brayan Bello (lat) not far behind, Winckowski could be moving back to a bullpen role relatively soon.

Doval earned a save against the Red Sox on Thursday, striking out one batter in a perfect inning of work.

Doval entered in the bottom of the ninth frame with a two-run lead and retired the side in order on 14 pitches. He's given up just two runs over 11 innings since a rough season debut against San Diego on March 30. Doval is locked in as the Giants' closer, as he's now 6-for-6 in save opportunities on the campaign.

Akin (1-0) allowed a run on one hit and one walk over 1.1 innings, earning the win Thursday versus the Yankees. He did not record a strikeout.

Kyle Bradish went 4.2 innings in his return from an elbow injury, failing to qualify for the win. Akin was able to get the last out of the fifth inning, and while he gave up a solo home run to Gleyber Torres in the sixth, the Orioles' lead was never in danger. Akin has been scored on in just three of his 15 appearances this season, pitching to a solid 3.60 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 19:4 K:BB over 15 innings while adding four holds. Akin is serving more as a regular reliever than a multi-inning option in 2024, though the southpaw can handle longer assignments when necessary.

Walston was optioned to Triple-A Reno on Thursday.

It was a brief stint for Walston, who was recalled by the Diamondbacks on Wednesday. He threw for 3.2 innings in Wednesday's loss to the Dodgers, allowing two runs on three hits and four walks while striking out five. The move corresponds with Arizona acquiring right-hander Matt Bowman from the Twins on Thursday, while Merrill Kelly (shoulder) was transferred to the 60-day IL.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Thursday that Yoshida might require surgery on his injured left thumb, Alex Speier of The Boston Globe reports.

Yoshida was placed on the injured list Wednesday with what has been termed a left thumb strain. Cora noted Thursday that the medical staff is still gathering information regarding the injury before a decision is made on next steps for Yoshida, but it appears surgery is one of the possibilities. More clarity on the designated hitter's status should be available by the weekend.

O'Hearn is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Yankees.

The lefty-hitting O'Hearn will head to the bench for the series finale while the Yankees bring southpaw Carlos Rodon to the bump. Adley Rutschman will receive a day off behind the plate and will fill in for O'Hearn as the Orioles' designated hitter.

Mervis is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Mets.

Patrick Wisdom will get the nod at designated hitter while Mervis sits for the second time in three games. Mervis has still started in seven of the Cubs' last 10 games overall, but he's gone just 3-for-23 with one walk over that stretch. The 26-year-old could soon be at risk of a demotion to Triple-A Iowa if he doesn't turn things around in the near future.

Martinez is out of the lineup for Thursday's game versus the Cubs.

Martinez has been given one day off in each of his first two series since joining the Mets as the club eases him back into action. That plan could continue for a bit longer before he assumes everyday duties at designated hitter. DJ Stewart will serve as the Mets' DH on Thursday.

Stanton is absent from the lineup for Thursday's game in Baltimore, Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News reports.

Stanton is getting Thursday off after he went 1-for-10 with a 3:2 K:BB in the first three games of the series. Aaron Judge will get a day out of the outfield and will replace Stanton as the Yankees' designated hitter.

Martini went 0-for-4 in Wednesday's 6-2 loss to San Diego.

Martini is hitless in 10 at-bats and 4-for-41 (.098) over the last 13 games. He's been a regular in the lineup against right-handers but is hitting just .170 against them.