RADIO
Eugenio Suarez Back From Personal Matter on Friday
Cincinnati Reds third baseman Eugenio Suarez is serving as the designated hitter and is batting fifth for Friday's contest against the division-rival Milwaukee Brewers and left-hander Shane Drohan at Great American Ball Park, per MLB.com. Suarez missed the final two games of the series against the San Diego Padres on Tuesday and Wednesday to take his US naturalization test, but he is back now and ready for the weekend series in Cincy. The Reds placed the 35-year-old Venezuelan on outright waivers recently, but he was not picked up and will finish out the 2026 season with the Reds before becoming a free agent this winter. Suarez still has some pop, but he is striking out 35% of the time in his 13th MLB season. The two-time All-Star is also hitting just .206 (77-for-373) with a .298 on-base percentage, 20 home runs, 59 RBI, and 36 runs scored across 107 games and 426 plate appearances this year. It has been a steep decline for Suarez, who tied a career high with 49 round-trippers in 2025 with the Arizona Diamondbacks and Seattle Mariners.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Elly De La Cruz Serving as the DH on Monday
Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz (quadriceps) is serving as the designated hitter and is batting second for the Reds in Monday's series opener against the visiting San Diego Padres and right-hander Michael King at Great American Ball Park, according to MLB.com. Matt McLain will start at shortstop and bat seventh. Fantasy managers had a scare in Sunday's series finale at Wrigley Field against the division-rival Chicago Cubs when De La Cruz was pulled early with tightness in his left quad, but he will be back a day later as the DH. Even if the 24-year-old Dominican switch-hitter is not as aggressive on the base paths on Monday, he needs to be in all starting fantasy lineups in traditional leagues. The two-time All-Star is a five-category contributor and is currently slashing .271/.350/.479 with an .828 OPS, 21 homers, 60 RBI, 24 stolen bases, and 81 runs scored across 468 at-bats this year. De La Cruz will be looking to finish off August on a strong note. He has gone hitless in just five career at-bats against King.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Hunter Greene Undergoes Tommy John Surgery, Expected to Miss All of 2027
Cincinnati Reds right-hander Hunter Greene (elbow) underwent Tommy John surgery on Wednesday and is expected to miss the rest of 2026 and the entire 2027 season, according to Gordon Wittenmyer of the Cincinnati Enquirer. Greene missed the start of the 2026 season after undergoing elbow surgery to remove bone chips and loose bodies in March. It was announced last week that the 27-year-old would require a second elbow surgery, which it now appears was indeed the second Tommy John procedure of his career. It's a devastating blow for the Reds, as Greene has shown elite upside when healthy. Across 107 2/3 innings (19 starts) in 2025, Greene recorded a 2.76 ERA, 0.94 WHIP, and 132 strikeouts. Given his extremely uncertain health outlook going forward, Greene's future fantasy value is difficult to project until he gets back onto a mound.
Source: Cincinnati Enquirer - Gordon Wittenmyer
Source: Cincinnati Enquirer - Gordon Wittenmyer
Elly De La Cruz in the Lineup After Injury Scare
Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz (ankle) is serving as the designated hitter and is batting leadoff on Monday for the series opener against the division-rival Milwaukee Brewers and left-hander Robert Gasser, according to MLB.com. De La Cruz twisted his ankle in Sunday's loss to the division-rival Pittsburgh Pirates, but he stayed in the game after having his ankle taped. With the star shortstop serving as the DH, Matt McLain will start at the 6 and bat eighth, with Edwin Arroyo playing second base and hitting in the nine-hole. De La Cruz might not be exactly 100% healthy, but the 24-year-old Dominican should be in all starting lineups in traditional leagues as a five-category contributor. The two-time All-Star is hitting .268/.339/.480 with a career-high .819 OPS, 12 home runs, 38 RBI, 10 stolen bases, and 42 runs scored across 63 games and 280 plate appearances. De La Cruz has gone 21-for-71 (.296) at the plate against southpaws this year, adding five of his 12 home runs against them in 78 plate appearances.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
