MLB Player News

Walker is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Marlins.

Walker will head to the bench for the first time since April 22 in what appears to be a routine off day. Lars Nootbaar will shift over from left field to make the start in right field in place of Walker, who has enjoyed a breakout campaign in 2026 with a .290/.343/.516 slash line, 18 home runs, 10 steals, 58 RBI and 47 runs through 79 games.

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

The 30-year-old was optioned to Triple-A in early June after posting a .179/.259/.256 slash line through 178 plate appearances, but he'll get another chance with the Reds after Blake Dunn (elbow) landed on the injured list. Friedl filled the strong side of a platoon in center field at the start of the season, though it's unclear if he'll slide back into that role after posting an .841 OPS in 18 games for Louisville. The Reds will include him in the starting lineup and batting eighth versus right-hander Mitch Keller during Sunday's series finale in Pittsburgh.

The Reds placed Dunn on the 10-day injured list Sunday due to a right elbow sprain.

Dunn was sent in for an MRI on Saturday after being lifted from Friday's 6-4 win over the Pirates due to elbow discomfort, and though the severity of the injury isn't yet known, he's been diagnosed with a sprain and will remain out until at least July 7. Cincinnati recalled TJ Friedl from Triple-A Louisville in a corresponding move, but it's unclear if he'll be deployed in the strong side of a platoon in center field in Dunn's stead, or if Dane Myers will step in as the preferred option at the position against both righties and lefties. Noelvi Marte has also made two starts in center field this season but is more ideally suited for a corner-outfield spot.

Myers started in center field and went 1-for-3 with a walk and a run scored in Saturday's 9-6 win over the Pirates.

Myers replaced Blake Dunn (elbow) during Friday's game when the latter was removed and remained in center field Saturday. An MRI on Dunn's elbow Saturday did not lend clarity to his condition, and he could head back to Cincinnati for further testing. Until Dunn is ready to return, Myers is expected to get most of the work in center field. He's slashing .252/.356/.374 with three home runs, 13 RBI, five steals and 18 runs over 135 plate appearances (62 games).

Dunn underwent an MRI on his right elbow Saturday and is likely to return to Cincinnati for further testing, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Dunn was held out of the lineup for Saturday's 9-7 win over the Pirates after being removed from Friday's 6-4 victory due to elbow discomfort. The Reds want to conduct further tests before landing on a diagnosis for his injury. Dunn was replaced in center field Saturday by Dane Myers and as the team's leadoff hitter by Elly De La Cruz.

Kepler started in left field and went 0-for-3 in Saturday's 4-2 loss to Tampa Bay.

Kepler, who was in left field for a second consecutive day since being reinstated from an 80-game suspension, is still looking for his first hit in an Arizona uniform. The left-handed batter may be the preferred option in left field against right-handers. The Diamondbacks finish out the series with the Rays on Sunday, when they are scheduled to face Tampa Bay right-hander Drew Rasmussen. The right-handed hitting Lourdes Gurriel, who is also in the left field mix, was given Saturday off after serving as the designated hitter Thursday and Friday.

Valdez went 1-for-1 with a solo home run Saturday against the Reds.

Valdez was out of the lineup after starting Pittsburgh's last two contests, but he still managed to impact the game off the bench. He entered Saturday's contest as a pinch hitter in the eighth inning and blasted a go-ahead solo home run, his second straight appearance going yard. Valdez still has a very inconsistent role in the Pittsburgh offense, but his recent performance at the plate could start to earn him playing time over Tyler Callihan.

Tucker went 3-for-5 with a home run and four RBI in Saturday's 15-3 win over the Padres.

Tucker lifted a two-run homer in the sixth inning and added two more RBI with a single in the eighth. This was his second game back in the lineup after he missed two full contests due to back spasms. Saturday's performance was his first three-hit game since June 3, and it included just his third homer in the month. The outfielder is batting .238 with a .718 OPS, seven homers, 44 RBI, 45 runs scored, 16 doubles, two triples and six stolen bases over 77 games this season.

Ramos (quadriceps) is expected to be activated from the 10-day IL on Sunday, and he's likely to see more playing time in right field, Justice delos Santos of The Mercury News reports.

Ramos last saw action for San Francisco on May 15 before being placed on the IL due to a right quad strain the following day. The 26-year-old kicked off a rehab assignment June 17 and has gone 9-for-26 with one home run, three doubles and two RBI over seven games. Since Ramos has been sidelined, Bryce Eldridge has thrived as the Giants' designated hitter while Casey Schmitt has played well while starting in left field. With that in mind, Schmitt is set to retain his role in that position, which will likely push Ramos to right field and move Jung Hoo Lee from right to center. That setup should remain consistent until Harrison Bader (foot), who doesn't have a clear timetable for a return, per delos Santos, is able to get back on the field.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Saturday that Hernandez (hamstring) will be activated off the injured list ahead of Monday's series opener versus the Athletics, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Hernandez has been sidelined since May 27 due to the hamstring strain, but he began a rehab stint with Triple-A Oklahoma City on Tuesday and has gone 3-for-11 with three homers and six RBI through three games. The veteran slugger has started in left field in all three of those minor-league contests, so he's had the opportunity to test out the hamstring on defense. Hernandez's return to the Dodgers will likely mean that Ryan Ward will get significantly less playing time, and Alex Call's opportunities could shrink as well. However, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports that Los Angeles is expected to limit Hernandez to "roughly 3-to-4 games a week" initially upon his activation, so there should still be opportunities for Ward and/or Call to get some starts.