MLB Player News

Smith got a late start to the season because of a strained flexor tendon and was placed back on the disabled list earlier Friday with more elbow issues. Obviously this is all trending in a bad direction. The Red Sox could have more on the reliever’s status later Friday.

De La Cruz exited Sunday’s game against Atlanta with tightness in the hamstring. The 24-year-old told Reds manager Terry Francona that he believes he pulled up before causing a serious injury, but Cincinnati will undergo the imaging to be sure.

Dobbins was scheduled to start at Triple-A Memphis on Sunday, instead he’ll join the big league club to presumably work as a long man out of the bullpen. The 26-year-old right-hander holds a 6.23 ERA, 1.62 WHIP and a 4/5 K/BB ratio over 4 1/3 innings in his lone appearance with the Cardinals this season.

The Cardinals needed to free up a spot on their active roster for the return of Hunter Dobbins on Sunday and it looks like Pushard drew the short straw this time around. The 28-year-old hurler posted a 5.14 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and a 6/4 K/BB ratio over seven innings in six appearances with the big league club.

Cowser plated a run with a ground out in the second inning that extended the O’s early advantage to 2-0. He then broke the game wide open in the third with a 424-foot (108.0 mph EV) three-run blast off of Spencer Miles that made it a 6-0 ballgame. He also walked in the ballgame, finishing the afternoon 2-for-3. His bat has started to show signs of life after a miserable start to the season, as he’s now hitting .227/.312/.364 with four homers and 18 RBI on the year.

Alonso opened the second inning with a single off of Spencer Miles and scored the game’s first run as Colton Cowser grounded out. He then extended that early lead with an RBI single in the third inning before scoring on Cowser’s three-run blast. With his two-hit attack, the 31-year-old slugger is now slashing .237/.318/.434 to go with 11 homers and 36 RBI on the season.

Bradish struck out four batters on the afternoon while issuing three free passes. The lone tally against him came on a throwing error by Ernie Clement in Bradish’s final inning of work. The right-hander generated 11 swings and misses on 94 pitches on the day — six of those on his slider — while registering a CSW of 28 percent. Now 3-6 on the season, he’ll carry a 3.44 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and a 65/33 K/BB ratio (65 1/3 innings) into Saturday’s rematch against the Blue Jays in Toronto.

The 24-year-old outfielder didn’t even start the game, he entered after Jesus Sanchez was struck by a fan-thrown ball while in the outfield during the fifth inning. He made the most of his time in the lineup though, smacking a single to center in the seventh inning and then a 421-foot two-run shot off of Tyler Wells in the eighth. On the season, Pinango is now slashing .294/.333/.447 with three homers and 16 RBI in his first 90 plate appearances.

Miles also issued three walks on the afternoon while striking out a pair. The O’s scratched out a run against him in the second inning, then really broke the game open with five runs in the third — including a three-run blast off the bat of Colton Cowser. The 25-year-old hurler got just five swings and misses on 70 pitches, posting a CSW of 24 percent. After having considerable success out of the bullpen and behind an opener, it’s interesting that Miles struggled working as a traditional starter in this one. Perhaps he moves back to a bulk role for a rematch against the Orioles in Toronto on Saturday.

He’s undergoing additional evaluation. The severity of the injury is not yet known, so it remains unclear how much time (if any) the dynamic 24-year-old shortstop may have to miss. Matt McLain replaced him at shortstop on Sunday and could be in line for increased run at the position if De La Cruz is forced to miss any time.

The 24-year-old superstar singled to open the fifth inning, but came up hobbling as he rounded first base and was ultimately lifted for a pinch runner after a discussion with the training staff. He’ll head for further evaluation. All fantasy managers and Reds’ fans can do now is wait and hope for the best. The Reds should have an update on his status shortly.