GOODYEAR, Ariz. (AP) — Tucker Barnhart read about the Reds' interest in Miami catcher J.T. Realmuto and hoped that they wouldn't be able to swing a deal for the All-Star. Having endured the hardest part of a rebuild, he wanted to be in Cincinnati for a turnaround.Barnhart got his wish. Realmuto was dealt to Philadelphia — another team seemingly on the rise after a rebuild — and Barnhart got to stay with the Reds and handle a rotation that's been overhauled. After four straight 90-loss seasons, the Reds are trying to become competitive in the NL Central."I want to be a part of the finished product of the rebuild that was started when I came up inBarnhart thought he would be an important part of the rebuild when the Reds gave him a $16 million, four-year contract that runs through 2021 and includes a club option for 2022. He was coming off a 2017 season in which he became only the third catcher in franchise history to win a Gold Glove.Last season, Barnhart batted .248 and set career highs... [More]

CINCINNATI (AP) — The Cincinnati Reds have activated All-Star first baseman Joey Votto from the 10-day disabled list before Thursday's game against the Milwaukee Brewers.Votto had been out since Aug. 17 with a sore right knee, which was hit by a pitch on Aug. 4.He is hitting .284 with nine home runs and 55 RBIs over 118 games.The Reds also optioned outfielder Preston Tucker to Triple-A Louisville, recalled right-handed pitcher Austin Brice from Louisville and placed right-hander Robert Stephenson on the 10-day disabled list with right shoulder tendinitis.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/tag/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Paul DeJong hit a go-ahead, two-run homer off Kenley Jansen in the ninth inning, lifting the St. Louis Cardinals to a 3-1 victory and a three-game sweep of the Los Angeles Dodgers on Wednesday night.The Cardinals' eighth straight road win helped them improve to 17-4 this month, the most wins in the majors. They've homered in 15 straight games, one off the current season mark of 16 in a row by Philadelphia.St. Louis remained 2½ games behind the NL Central-leading Cubs.For Jansen, it was a familiar ending.The All-Star closer, who became a father for the third time earlier in the day, gave up consecutive homers to Jedd Gyorko and Matt Carpenter in the series opener Monday. That was Jansen's first game back after missing time because of an irregular heartbeat.This time, Gyorko singled off Jansen (0-5) and DeJong followed with a drive to left-center to give the Cardinals their first lead.Jordan Hicks struck out Cody Bellinger, Brian Dozier and Chris Taylor to earn his fifth... [More]

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Rookie Freddy Peralta tossed seven scoreless innings and drove in a run with his first career hit, combining with two relievers on a five-hitter to lead the Milwaukee Brewers past the Cincinnati Reds 4-0 on Wednesday.Christian Yelich homered and finished a triple shy of the cycle, reaching base five times and driving in two runs for Milwaukee. He opened the first with his 21st homer, doubled in the third, walked in the fourth and singled in the sixth and eighth.Peralta (6-4) allowed just three singles, striking out seven and walking two to win for the second time in seven starts. The 22-year-old right-hander did not allow a hit until Jose Peraza's single to open the fourth.Peralta was 0-for-22 with 11 strikeouts this season before he drove in the Brewers' second run with a fourth-inning single.Robert Stephenson (0-2) allowed four runs on nine hits in five innings, walking three and striking out four.The Reds loaded the bases in the eighth against Taylor Williams, but Jeremy... [More]

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Rookie Freddy Peralta tossed seven scoreless innings and drove in a run with his first career hit, combining with two relievers on a five-hitter to lead the Milwaukee Brewers past the Cincinnati Reds 4-0 on Wednesday.Christian Yelich homered and finished a triple shy of the cycle, reaching base five times and driving in two runs for Milwaukee. He opened the first with his 21st homer, doubled in the third, walked in the fourth and singled in the sixth and eighth.Peralta (6-4) allowed just three singles, striking out seven and walking two to win for the second time in seven starts. The 22-year-old right-hander did not allow a hit until Jose Peraza's single to open the fourth.Peralta was 0-for-22 with 11 strikeouts this season before he drove in the Brewers' second run with a fourth-inning single.Robert Stephenson (0-2) allowed four runs on nine hits in five innings, walking three and striking out four.The Reds loaded the bases in the eighth against Taylor Williams, but Jeremy... [More]

SEATTLE (AP) — Rookie Freddy Peralta tossed seven scoreless innings and drove in a run with his first career hit, combining with two relievers on a five-hitter to lead the Milwaukee Brewers past the Cincinnati Reds 4-0 on Wednesday.Christian Yelich homered and finished a triple shy of the cycle, reaching base five times and driving in two runs for Milwaukee. He opened the first with his 21st homer, doubled in the third, walked in the fourth and singled in the sixth and eighth.Peralta (6-4) allowed just three singles, striking out seven and walking two to win for the second time in seven starts. The 22-year-old right-hander did not allow a hit until Jose Peraza's single to open the fourth.Peralta was 0-for-22 with 11 strikeouts this season before he drove in the Brewers' second run with a fourth-inning single.Robert Stephenson (0-2) allowed four runs on nine hits in five innings, walking three and striking out four.The Reds loaded the bases in the eighth against Taylor Williams, but Jeremy... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Francisco Lindor connected for a three-run homer with two outs in the ninth inning as the Cleveland Indians again moved 10 games ahead of Minnesota in the AL Central with a 5-2 win over the Twins on Wednesday night.Lindor, who struck out with the winning run at second base in the ninth in a loss on Tuesday, drove the first pitch from Trevor Hildenberger (2-3) over the wall in right to trigger a wild celebration.Jason Kipnis singled with one out in the ninth before Twins right fielder Max Kepler robbed Yan Gomes of extra bases with a leaping catch before crashing into the wall. Brandon Guyer followed with a single to bring up Lindor, who capped a wild ninth inning with his 29th homer.The All-Star shortstop skipped around the bases before being mobbed at home plate by his teammates.Down 2-1, Minnesota tied it in the ninth on Miguel Sano's leadoff homer against Cody Allen (4-4), who wound up with a blown save and win.DIAMONDBACKS 6, PHILLIES 0PHOENIX — Patrick Corbin struck... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Francisco Lindor connected for a three-run homer with two outs in the ninth inning as the Cleveland Indians again moved 10 games ahead of Minnesota in the AL Central with a 5-2 win over the Twins on Wednesday night.Lindor, who struck out with the winning run at second base in the ninth in a loss on Tuesday, drove the first pitch from Trevor Hildenberger (2-3) over the wall in right to trigger a wild celebration.Jason Kipnis singled with one out in the ninth before Twins right fielder Max Kepler robbed Yan Gomes of extra bases with a leaping catch before crashing into the wall. Brandon Guyer followed with a single to bring up Lindor, who capped a wild ninth inning with his 29th homer.The All-Star shortstop skipped around the bases before being mobbed at home plate by his teammates.Down 2-1, Minnesota tied it in the ninth on Miguel Sano's leadoff homer against Cody Allen (4-4), who wound up with a blown save and win.DIAMONDBACKS 6, PHILLIES 0PHOENIX — Patrick Corbin struck... [More]

PHOENIX (AP) — Patrick Corbin struck out nine in a combined four-hitter, David Peralta had four hits and two RBIs, and the Arizona Diamondbacks rolled over the Philadelphia Phillies 6-0 on Wednesday.Corbin (10-4) had the Phillies guessing most of the game, allowing four hits in 7 1/3 innings while reaching a career-high 183 strikeouts this season. The left-hander did not give up a home run for the ninth straight start, the longest stretch by an Arizoba Diamondbacks pitcher since Brandon Webb in 2003.Peralta hit a two-run triple off Vince Velasquez (8-9) in the third inning, sending the Phillies right-hander to his first loss since June 25.Peralta had his fourth four-hit game of the homestand and tied the franchise record with 10 hits in the three-game series. He is 18 for 31 since taking two days off with shoulder tightness last week.Eduardo Escobar had three RBIs for the NL West-leading Diamondbacks.METS 8, REDS 0NEW YORK (AP) — Jacob deGrom struck out 10 in six innings, received rare... [More]

GOODYEAR, Ariz. (AP) — The Cincinnati Reds have claimed slugger Kennys Vargas off waivers from the Minnesota Twins.The Reds announced the acquisition Thursday. The 27-year-old Vargas batted .253 with career highs of 11 home runs and 41 RBIs in 78 games last season. The 6-foot-5, 290-pound switch-hitter made all his starts with Minnesota at either first base or designated hitter.Vargas was designated for assignment by the Twins last week to make room when Jake Cave was acquired from the New York Yankees.The Reds also optioned right-handers Jackson Stephens and Robert Stephenson to Triple-A Louisville and reassigned to minor league camp right-handers Dylan Floro and Tanner Rainey, left-hander Oliver Perez, catcher Joe Hudson, outfielders Ben Revere and Mason Williams and utility player Rosell Herrera.

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Arizona ace Zack Greinke's start against Cincinnati was cut short Wednesday after one inning because of right groin tightness.Greinke had been scheduled to throw five innings. The 2009 AL Cy Young Award winner retired Ben Revere on a groundout, allowed Jesse Winkler's single, then struck out Joey Votto and Scooter Gennett.Albert Suarez relieved to start the second.Greinke was making his just second big league exhibition appearance this year. The 34-year-old right-hander pitched 1 2/3 innings against Milwaukee on Feb. 25, then made a pair of appearances in "B'' games.RED SOX 2, TWINS 1Chris Sale pitched five shutout innings of two-hit ball and struck out seven, lowering his ERA to 1.00. Mitch Moreland homered in the third off Tyler Duffey, who gave up two runs — one earned — and four hits in three innings. Mookie Betts, batting .130, singled and drove in a run. Miguel Sano doubled.CARDINALS 3, ASTROS 1Adam Wainwright allowed one run and four hits in five innings... [More]

GOODYEAR, Ariz. (AP) — The Reds opened camp on Wednesday with one unclaimed spot in the rotation, a major improvement over last year. The question is whether their three veteran starters can make it to opening day without any setbacks.Cincinnati is counting on Anthony DeSclafani, Homer Bailey and left-hander Brandon Finnegan to stay healthy for a change, anchoring a rotation that has little experience beyond those three. Luis Castillo impressed as a rookie and is expected to get the fourth spot, leaving one open to competition."The good thing is that it's not open tryouts," manager Bryan Price said. "But it's not a get-your-arm-ready-for-the-season spring training, either."DeSclafani, Bailey and Finnegan are in camp and appear to be fully recovered from injuries that limited them to a combined 22 starts.DeSclafani missed the entire season with a sore elbow, a year after being limited to 20 starts because of a strained left oblique. Bailey had elbow surgery before the start of spring training... [More]

RHP Robert Stephenson (0-4, 6.64 ERA) returns to the rotation to start against the Braves on Saturday after following up a stint on the disabled list with two scoreless innings of relief against Milwaukee last Sunday. He bruised his right shoulder Aug. 2 diving for a pop up and was placed on the DL two days later. Stephenson had made three starts and 17 relief appearances for the Reds.

RHP Robert Stephenson was recalled from the 10-day disabled list Sunday. He'd been out since suffering a bruised right shoulder diving for a bunt at Pittsburgh on Aug. 5. Manager Bryan Price said Stephenson will be available out of the bullpen for the time being but is expected to return to Cincinnati's starting rotation in the near future. Stephenson is 0-4 with a 6.98 ERA in 18 appearances for the Reds this season, including an 0-2 mark and 5.28 ERA in three starts.

Stephenson might get a September callup, but it will probably have to wait until Triple-A Louisville ends their season on September 7.

Both Louisville and Double-A Pensacola end on the 7th, and with the Reds not contending, there's no need to rush the callups and deplete their affiliates' rosters over the last week.

Stephenson (forearm) will come off the DL to start Thursday's game for Triple-A Louisville, and could be in line to join the Reds' rotation when rosters expand in September, the Cincinnati Enquirer's C. Trent Rosecrans reports.

While Stephenson is not currently on the 40-man roster, he will have to be added this offseason anyway, so that will not be a deterring factor in the decision to give him a taste of the big leagues this year. He has thrown 120.1 innings between Double-A Pensacola and Triple-A Louisville after throwing 136.1 innings last season, so innings won't be much of a concern going forward. While few pitching prospects still in the minors can match Stephenson's upside, he has had issues with his command at times, so there is certainly some risk involved in using him in single-season leagues if he is added to the big league rotation this season.

Stephenson was placed on the 7-day DL at Triple-A Louisville with a right forearm strain, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

The injury that forced Stephenson off the hill after 50 pitches last week was initially labeled a wrist cramp. Needless to say, this diagnosis is much more concerning. It's uncertain when Stephenson may be able to resume throwing, but it seems highly unlikely he'll pitch again this season given the nature of the injury. Stephenson has posted a 3.59 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 131:64 K:BB in 22 starts between Double-A and Triple-A this year.

Stephenson left his start for Triple-A Louisville on Wednesday with cramping in his right wrist, C. Trent Rosecrans of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Reds manager Bryan Price said the team does not think it's a serious issue, though he also suggested Stephenson will likely take a couple days off from throwing to let any lingering discomfort subside. Stephenson only made it two innings (50 pitches) in his eighth start for Louisville before the cramping forced him off the hill.

Stephenson left Wednesday's start for Triple-A Louisville with an apparent injury.

Cincinnati's top pitching prospect issued back-to-back walks to open the third inning, and after a brief visit from the trainer, Stephenson exited the game. The nature and extent of the injury are uncertain, but it would be a shame if it turned out to be something significant, as Stephenson appeared in good position for a September callup.

Reds GM Walt Jocketty said Friday that Stephenson will likely remain at Triple-A Louisville for now, C. Trent Rosecrans of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Stephenson fanned 10 over eight scoreless innings in his last start and the Reds just had two rotation spots open up with Johnny Cueto and Mike Leake traded, but it doesn't sound like Stephenson is a candidate to come up at the moment. Dylan Axelrod and Keyvius Sampson are possibilities to start Sunday against Pittsburgh. A September callup is entirely possible for Stephenson, but it's not guaranteed.