CIN • 3B • #
Wow. It definitely seems like the right move, but we’re shocked the Reds did it. After all, Candelario’s three-year, $45 million contract is only just reaching the midway point. Candelario was bad in hitting .225/.279/.429 last season and far worse in opening this year at .113/.198/.213 in 91 plate appearances before going on the IL with a lumbar strain. He’d since played 17 games on a rehab assignment and hit .211/.318/.333 in the 15 of those that took place in Triple-A. The Reds could have brought him back and plugged him into the lineup with neither Spencer Steer nor Christian Encarnacion-Strand playing very well at the moment, but there wasn’t any reason to believe he’d be an upgrade. He’ll go unclaimed on waivers and become a free agent, at which point maybe the Red Sox or Mariners would be interested in giving him a look. A return to the Nationals might also be an option; he excelled there in 2023, and both Nathaniel Lowe and Josh Bell will be very much available in trade.
about 9 hours ago
June 23, 2025 6:57 PM
CIN • 2B
1 day ago
McLain’s home run was his ninth of the year. The 25-year-old second baseman hit a solo shot off Miles Mikolas in the first inning. McLain now has hits in 10 consecutive games and is 13-for-34 (.382) with two home runs and five RBI over that time. His season average is still an ugly .209, but McLain hit .154 in his first 21 games and is hitting a more palatable .236 over his last 47 games.
CIN •
1 day ago
Pagan bounced back from a blown save on Saturday with a perfect ninth inning to pick up his 18th save of the year on Sunday. The 34-year-old right-hander has a 3.27 ERA on the year, but has only blown two saves this season.
CIN •
1 day ago
Abbott gave up three hits, walked none and struck out three. The 26-year-old left-hander lowered his ERA on the year to 1.79. Abbott is greatly out-pitching his 3.98 xFIP as he’s benefited from a .226 BABIP allowed, 85 percent left on base percentage and 7.8 percent home run per fly ball percentage. Abbott was able to have a 3.72 ERA in 25 starts despite a 4.91 xFIP last year, but at some point he’s likely to pitch more to his underlying numbers. He’s lined up to face the Padres at home next weekend.
NYM • 3B
about 8 hours ago
Vientos needs a few additional rehab contests before returning to New York’s lineup. He’s scheduled to play on Tuesday and Wednesday in the minors, which puts him on track to be activated for Thursday’s series finale against Atlanta at Citi Field. It’s notable that Luisangel Acuña has already been optioned to the minors and Ronny Mauricio seems to be the logical move to get him back on the active roster.
Source: Anthony DiComo
TEX • 3B
about 8 hours ago
Smith has been limited to DHing in three games since returning from a mild hamstring injury, and given that it seems he’s not 100 percent, the Rangers might as well sit him against a lefty. It was a poorly timed injury for Smith, given that he had really heated up and collected 13 hits in the seven games before he got hurt.
HOU • 3B
about 12 hours ago
Whitcomb has crushed Triple-A pitching this year but can’t seem to get a shot with the Astros. At this point, it feels like his lack of defensive home is more of an indictment on his ability to be an MLB-quality defender. It remains to be seen if/when he gets a real look with Houston.
