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    Reds place McLain (calf) on 10-day IL

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    CIN 2nd Baseman #9
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    Reds placed 2B Matt McLain on the 10-day injured list retroactive to July 8, 2026 with a left calf strain.

    McLain’s calf injury helps the Reds activate Ke’Bryan Hayes. McLain was day-to-day with the calf as of last night. McLain has hit a disappointing .190/.293/.328 in 309 plate appearances this year, though he has provided 11 stolen bases and eight homers along the way. Managers in deeper leagues can probably cut bait at this point if they have better options on the wire.
Angels' Joyce firmly among MLB's 'best relievers'
James Schiano breaks down Ben Joyce's recent play after he recorded his third straight save on Tuesday night, sharing why he needs to be "scooped up" in fantasy leagues.

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  • CIN 2nd Baseman #9
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    He also picked up his 14th steal of the season. It’s a little insulting that the Reds have taken to hitting McLain ninth behind Ke’Bryan Hayes on occasion of late, but with that happening again tonight, the two actually hit back-to-back homers in the fifth. McLain’s homer was his third in nine games and 11th in 363 plate appearances on the season.
  • CIN 2nd Baseman #9
    McLain’s home run was his ninth of the year. He hit a solo shot off Jacob Lopez in the fifth inning. McLain is 4-for-19 (.210) in six games since returning from the injured list.
  • CIN 2nd Baseman #9
    The surprising part is that they also sent down Edwin Arroyo, giving McLain what appears to be another real chance at playing time at second base after he struggled mightily in 309 plate appearances so far this year. McLain has eight homers and 11 stolen bases despite hitting .190, so he may be of deep-league interest again if he can start hitting.
  • CIN 2nd Baseman #9
    Francona added that they want McLain to continue getting at-bats in the minors for a few additional games. The 26-year-old middle infielder has been out with a calf strain since mid-July. He generated a ton of hype with a stellar performance in spring training, but has really struggled at the dish this season, hitting .190 with eight homers and 11 steals in 309 plate appearances.
  • CIN 2nd Baseman #9
    McLain, who was dealing with a calf strain, looks likely to be back after just a short layoff if the Reds will have him. There’s not exactly a spot in the lineup for him with Edwin Arroyo essentially becoming the everyday second baseman while Ke’Bryan Hayes has been activated to play good defense at third base and get two hits every 10 at-bats. The Reds had started to try him in center field before the injury, so perhaps that’s another ticket to the lineup.
  • CIN 3rd Baseman #3
    It was a box score-stuffing night for Hayes, who also played the entire game at third base. He’s played only four rehab games so far, but he seems like he’ll be ready to go after the All-Star break. Since Hayes has no minor league options left, the Reds will likely need to decide whether to send down Edwin Arroyo or Matt McLain when Hayes is ready to come back. Another option could be Nathaniel Lowe, who has hit just .203/.313/.261 with a 34 percent strikeout rate in 27 games since June 1st.
  • CIN 2nd Baseman #9
    McLain made his first appearance in the outfield during Tuesday’s contest in Milwaukee and will draw his first start there during this one. The transition to more of a multi-position role feels like a clear indication that the Reds are going to roll with top prospect Edwin Arroyo as their primary second baseman. He’s made five consecutive starts at the keystone since last weekend.
  • CIN Shortstop #44
    There was reason for concern after De La Cruz sprained his left ankle during Sunday’s series finale against the Pirates. The 24-year-old fantasy superstar was able to finish out the contest, just his second since returning from a three-week stint on the injured list with a hamstring strain, and the Reds have apparently determined that he won’t require any additional time off to recover. It’s an extremely encouraging sign that he’s ready for Monday’s contest in Milwaukee at DH while Matt McLain handles shortstop with rookie Edwin Arroyo at the keystone.
  • CIN 2nd Baseman #2
    It’s challenging to read too much into a single lineup decision, but it qualifies as noteworthy that Arroyo is at the keystone during Elly De La Cruz’s first contest back from the injured list with Matt McLain on the bench. It’s also an extremely encouraging sign that Cincinnati chose to keep him around instead of shipping him back to the minors. It’ won’t be easy for Arroyo to carve out enough playing to make an impact in shallow fantasy leagues, but he’s clearly a significant part of Cincinnati’s future at second base.
  • CIN Shortstop #44
    De La Cruz went 2-for-8 with a home run during a brief three-game rehab stint with Triple-A Louisville over the weekend. The electrifying 24-year-old shortstop will rejoin Cincinnati’s lineup after missing just over three weeks with a low-grade hamstring strain. He was hitting .280/.346/.509 with 40 runs scored, 12 homers, 37 RBI and 10 steals through 58 games prior to the injury. The biggest question mark surrounding his arrival is whether top prospect Edwin Arroyo will remain in the big leagues as part of their second base rotation or wind up being shipped back to Triple-A.

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  • CLE Starting Pitcher #77
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    Parker Messick took the loss in Wednesday’s 1-0 defeat to the Giants, striking out 10 while pitching 6 2/3 innings of one-run ball.

    Messick allowed six hits without walking anyone but took a tough-luck loss. His 10 punchouts tied his career high, and the outing marked a full calendar year since his big-league debut on August 20, 2025. He entered Wednesday’s start with the sixth-lowest ERA among qualified starters during that span. He’ll aim to keep pitching like one of the best arms in the American League next time out in a favorable matchup versus the Angels.
  • SF Starting Pitcher
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    Matt Wilkinson allowed one hit while throwing two scoreless innings in Wednesday’s 1-0 victory over the Guardians.

    Wilkinson started but was effectively used as an opener, limited to 25 pitches before Adrian Houser took over and threw the next five frames. “Tugboat” didn’t record any strikeouts while averaging 90.1 mph with his four-seamer. He was drafted by the Guardians in 2023 but traded to the Giants earlier this season as part of a package for catcher Patrick Bailey. He won’t have fantasy value unless he gets stretched out at the big-league level.
  • SF Relief Pitcher #66
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    Dylan Smith struck out five over two scoreless innings to earn the save in Wednesday’s 1-0 win over the Guardians.

    Smith allowed just one hit and didn’t walk anyone. The save was his third of the season, and he has two of the Giants’ three this month. San Francisco’s bullpen has been a sore spot all season as nine different relievers have earned at least one save. Caleb Kilian leads the unit with eight, but Smith looks like the best bet for ninth-inning chances right now. That said, opportunities could be scarce if this remains a committee like it’s been all year.
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    Jeremy Peña was removed from Wednesday’s game against the Angels with a right hand contusion.

    It’s a bit unclear whether Peña underwent X-rays already, but he appears to have avoided serious injury after taking a 100-mph sinker from Angels starter Walbert Ureña off his right hand in the first inning. The 28-year-old shortstop came into this contest hitting .278 (32-for-115) with eight homers and 18 RBI in 27 games since last month’s All-Star break. There should be some additional clarity on his status leading into Thursday’s series finale.
  • KC Right Fielder #14
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    Jac Caglianone was removed from Wednesday’s game against the Athletics with right ankle soreness.

    It sounds like a precautionary exit, but there should be some additional clarity on Caglianone’s status following the contest. The 23-year-old slugger was hit by a pitch in the third inning, but it wasn’t anywhere near his ankle. He’s been tearing the cover off the ball recently, hitting .429 (27-for-63) with five homers and 20 RBI in 16 games to start the month of August. He’s presumably day-to-day for now, but fantasy managers should check back in ahead of Thursday’s series finale.
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    Jeremy Peña was removed from Wednesday’s game against the Angels after being hit by a pitch on the right hand.

    Peña took a 100 mph sinker from Angels starter Walbert Ureña off his right hand in the first inning, but managed to remain in the contest initially. He was lifted for a pinch-hitter in the third inning. The 28-year-old shortstop has been one of the hottest hitters in baseball during the second half. He’ll presumably head for imaging to determine whether he suffered any fractures. There should be an update on his status following the contest.
  • PHI Starting Pitcher #27
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    Aaron Nola picked up the win on Wednesday evening against the Marlins, throwing seven innings of one-run ball while striking out eight.

    Nola allowed five hits without walking anyone in his 100-pitch outing. The veteran right-hander has pitched far better lately after posting a 6.04 ERA through the end of June. Since then, he has given up more than three earned runs just once. Given that he’s 33 and signed through 2030, the turnaround has been a much-needed development for reasons beyond this season. Nola will look to continue his second-half rebound next time out against the Mariners in Seattle.
  • PHI Relief Pitcher #59
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    Jhoan Duran struck out one in a scoreless ninth to earn the save in Wednesday’s 4-1 victory over the Marlins.

    Duran allowed one hit and needed 18 pitches to retire the side. He earned his 28th save of the season and is closing in on his career high of 32, set last year. The Twins never used him as a full-time closer, but the Phillies have since trading for him at last summer’s deadline. Duran has responded with a career-high K-BB% in 2026, trailing only Mason Miller among qualified relievers.
  • MIA Starting Pitcher #22
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    Sandy Alcantara took the loss on Wednesday in Philadelphia, allowing three earned runs on eight hits and one walk over six innings pitched.

    Alcantara only struck out one batter on the evening but came away with a quality start. He has his lowest strikeout rate since 2019, but his run prevention has rebounded after last season’s 5.36 ERA. He leads MLB in innings pitched this season, a feat he also accomplished in 2022. He’ll carry a 3.46 ERA into his next matchup, a home start against the Red Sox.
  • PHI 2nd Baseman #4
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    Luis Arraez went 2-for-4 with a home run, two RBI, and two runs scored as the Phillies defeated the Marlins 4-1 on Wednesday evening.

    Arraez’s homer was a two-run shot off Sandy Alcantara in the bottom of the third. It was his second round-tripper with his new team. The lefty-hitting infielder has started at second base and hit cleanup in all 15 games since the Phillies acquired him before the trade deadline.