Cincinnati Reds

The Reds sent TJ Friedl on a rehab assignment to Triple-A Louisville. (Source: Cincinnati Reds on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: It was reported last weekend that Friedl was ramping up baseball activities. He has been sidelined since fracturing his wrist during spring training.

The Reds sent Alex Young on a rehab assignment to Triple-A Louisville. (Source: Cincinnati Reds on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Young was transferred to the 60-day injured list last week. It is unclear how many appearances he'll need to make on his rehab stint.

Graham Ashcraft delivered a strong performance, tossing six scoreless innings while allowing five hits and two walks, striking out four against the Padres on Wednesday.

Fantasy Impact: Despite his solid outing, Ashcraft didn't factor into the decision as the Reds fell 6-2. This performance should reassure fantasy managers after a somewhat rocky start to the season, evidenced by his 3.63 ERA and 1.27 WHIP coming into the game. His ability to suppress runs in this outing while maintaining a decent strikeout rate and a strong strikeout-to-walk ratio highlights his potential value in fantasy lineups, especially in deeper leagues. However, the inconsistency in run support from the Reds' lineup could be a concern for his win potential moving forward.

Spencer Steer went 1-for-4 in the Reds' 6-2 defeat to the Padres, contributing with a home run, a run scored, an RBI, and a stolen base.

Fantasy Impact: Despite the team's loss, Steer's performance was a bright spot, showcasing his ability to impact the game both on the bases and at the plate. His season-long stats, including a .252 average and a .814 OPS, suggest he's been a solid contributor, though his power numbers have room for improvement. Fantasy managers should note his blend of moderate power and speed, which could be valuable in deeper leagues, especially if he continues to find ways to score and drive in runs.

Nick Lodolo delivered a masterful performance, allowing just one earned run on one hit and two walks while striking out 11 over seven innings in Monday's 5-2 victory over the Padres.

Fantasy Impact: This outing not only secured his third win of the season but also bolstered his already impressive early-season stats. With a 1.88 ERA, 0.88 WHIP, and a K/9 of 11.6, Lodolo continues to solidify his status as a top-tier fantasy starter. His ability to maintain a high strikeout rate paired with minimal walks enhances his value in all formats. Fantasy managers should view Lodolo as a must-start option, as he consistently demonstrates the ability to dominate lineups and accumulate fantasy points.

Elly De La Cruz went 1-for-4 with a home run and an RBI in the Reds' 5-2 victory over the Padres.

Fantasy Impact: His solo shot contributed to the team's win, marking his eighth homer of the season. De La Cruz's performance this season has been a mixed bag of high power and speed, with a solid .280 batting average and impressive totals in home runs (8) and stolen bases (18). His strikeout rate remains a concern, potentially limiting his batting average upside. However, his significant contributions in multiple categories keep his fantasy value high, especially in formats that reward power-speed combinations.

Nick Martinez will start for the Reds on Tuesday against San Diego. (Source: MLB.com)

Fantasy Impact: Martinez will make his second straight start for the Reds, taking the place of Frankie Montas who is on the injured list. The 33-year-old veteran has a 5.48 ERA and a 1.39 WHIP in five games this season.

Andrew Abbott allowed four runs on six hits over 5 1/3 innings on Sunday against the Rangers.

Fantasy Impact: Abbott added seven strikeouts to zero walks, but he still took the loss. He allowed a pair of home runs, including one inside the park.

Christian Encarnacion-Strand is missing from the lineup for the Cincinnati Reds against the Texas Rangers Sunday. (Source: Cincinnati Reds on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Encarnacion-Strand will take a seat on the bench for rest purposes, with Spencer Steer starting at first base and batting third against the Rangers for manager David Bell Sunday.

Jeimer Candelario is back in the lineup for the Cincinnati Reds against the Texas Rangers Sunday. (Source: Cincinnati Reds on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Candelario returns after sitting out for general rest Saturday, starting at third base and batting seventh for manager David Bell against the Rangers Sunday.

Will Benson went 2-for-5 with a home run and two RBI in the Reds' 8-4 victory over the Rangers.

Fantasy Impact: His performance included a crucial home run that contributed to the team's win, though he also struck out twice. Despite a challenging season with a batting average lingering around the Mendoza Line at .198, this game could be a sign of potential turnaround for Benson. His power numbers are decent with four homers and 10 RBI in 25 games, but his high strikeout rate of .392 remains a significant concern for fantasy managers. Benson's ability to mix in some power and speed (five stolen bases) keeps him on the radar in deeper leagues, but he'll need more consistent contact to become a reliable fantasy starter.

Jonathan India went 4-for-4 with a home run and four RBI in the Reds' 8-4 win over the Rangers.

Fantasy Impact: This performance marks a significant uptick for India, who has been struggling with a mere .222 batting average this season. His flawless hitting today, including driving in half of his season's RBI total in just one game, could be a sign of turning things around. Fantasy managers should keep an eye on India to see if this game sparks a hot streak, especially considering his ability to contribute across multiple categories. However, his high strikeout rate and low walk rate this season suggest a cautious approach until more consistent production is evident.

Hunter Greene delivered a masterful performance, allowing just one hit and one walk while striking out six over seven scoreless innings in the Reds' 8-4 victory over the Rangers on Saturday.

Fantasy Impact: This outing was a significant display of efficiency and control, as he threw 98 pitches to secure his first win of the season. Greene's season ERA now improves to 3.63, with a WHIP of 1.10, and his strikeout prowess continues to impress with a 10.9 K/9 rate. His FIP at 3.06 suggests that his strong performances are well-supported by underlying metrics, and his low BABIP of .289 indicates some level of sustainability. Fantasy managers should feel increasingly confident in Greene's role as a high-strikeout starter who can anchor their pitching staff, especially given his ability to dominate games as evidenced by this latest outing.

Alexis Diaz secured his sixth save of the season, tossing a clean frame without allowing any hits or runs in the Reds' 8-4 victory over the Rangers.

Fantasy Impact: Diaz needed just seven pitches to close out the game, though he didn't record any strikeouts. This performance continues to solidify his role as the Reds' closer, especially after a season showing a solid 3.27 ERA and a commendable 1.09 WHIP. His ability to maintain a low BABIP (.231) and a decent strikeout rate (9.0 K/9) should keep him relevant in fantasy leagues, particularly for those in need of saves. However, his modest strikeout-to-walk ratio (1.83) suggests there might be some volatility in his performances, so fantasy managers should remain cautiously optimistic.

Tyler Stephenson was removed from Saturday’s game after being hit-by-pitch on his right hand. (Source: Gordon Wittenmyer on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Stephenson was removed as a precaution, per manager David Bell. It does not appear the issue will cause Stephenson to miss any time.

Frankie Montas (forearm) is scheduled to throw off a mound this weekend. (Source: MLB.com)

Fantasy Impact: This is a great sign considering the veteran was just placed on the injured list on April 21. He is eligible to be activated on May 7 and could miss the minimum amount of time, barring any setbacks.

Ian Gibaut (forearm) is scheduled to throw in consecutive games next week. (Source: MLB.com)

Fantasy Impact: Gibaut recently had his rehab assignment paused after having discomfort in his forearm. Fantasy managers should expect Gibaut to be activated if he can get through both games without any issues.

The Reds have optioned Casey Legumina to Triple-A Louisville. (Source: Reds on Twitter )

Fantasy Impact: Legumina allowed two runs on Monday and will return back to Louisville after just one day on the Reds’ roster. Sam Moll, who was activated from the IL, will take his spot in the bullpen.

Sam Moll was activated from the injured list Tuesday. (Source: Reds on Twitter )

Fantasy Impact: Moll has not pitched this season due to a left shoulder injury. Fantasy managers should expect him to work in middle relief out of the Reds’ bullpen.

Jake Fraley is not in the lineup Monday due to an illness. (Source: Reds on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: This will mark the third straight game that Fraley has missed due to an illness. Stuart Fairchild will get the start in right field and leadoff against the Phillies.