The Reds, meanwhile, are stuck in the mud at 35-38 and just got dunked on 9-1 by the Mets on Wednesday to drop a series at home. They are, however, on the verge of getting their best player back — Elly De La Cruz is set to start a rehab assignment in Triple-A this weekend, with Terry Francona telling reporters the earliest activation is June 23. Translation: he is probably NOT in the lineup for Monday's opener, which is brutal timing for Cincinnati.
Ke'Bryan Hayes (back) is also still on the IL and just started hitting again in Arizona, so the Reds infield is taking the field shorthanded against a Brewers team that punishes mistakes. The bullpen is a little dinged too with Emilio Pagan and Pierce Johnson both working their way back. Singer is going to need to give Francona length.
- Day-To-DayBrandon Sproat (SP) — Manager Pat Murphy said after Wednesday's win over Cleveland that Sproat's hamstring cramps are minor and won't impact his next scheduled start, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.06/18
- 10-Day-ILBrandon Lockridge (LF) — Lockridge received a platelet-rich plasma injection in his right knee Thursday, MLB.com reports.06/15
- 15-Day-ILBrandon Woodruff (SP) — Woodruff (shoulder) allowed three runs over 5.1 innings while notching six strikeouts in a rehab start with High-A Wisconsin on Tuesday.06/17
- 15-Day-ILColeman Crow (SP) — Crow said Sunday that an MRI on his right forearm revealed a mild flexor strain, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.06/15
- 15-Day-ILDL Hall (RP) — Hall received an anti-inflammatory injection for his left pectoral strain Friday, MLB.com reports.06/15
- 15-Day-ILJared Koenig (RP) — Koenig (elbow) transferred his rehab assignment to Triple-A Nashville on Tuesday and could be activated from the injured list in about a week, Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.06/10
- 15-Day-ILCarlos Rodriguez (RP) — The Brewers placed Rodriguez on the 15-day injured list Monday due to a right shoulder impingement, MLB.com reports.06/09
- 15-Day-ILLogan Henderson (SP) — Henderson received an injection in his back Tuesday, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.06/03
- 15-Day-ILRob Zastryzny (RP) — The Brewers reinstated Zastrzyny (shoulder/ribs) from the 60-day injured list Sunday.06/03
- 60-Day-ILQuinn Priester (SP) — Priester will undergo thoracic outlet compression surgery on Monday and is expected to be sidelined 8-to-10 months, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.06/18
- 60-Day-ILBrian Fitzpatrick (RP) — Fitzpatrick (elbow) has been diagnosed with a left UCL strain and will get a second opinion to determine if he needs Tommy John surgery, MLB.com reports.06/09
- 60-Day-ILAngel Zerpa (RP) — The Brewers transferred Zerpa (elbow) to the 60-day injured list Sunday.05/31
- Day-To-DayConnor Burns (C) — no05/08
- 10-Day-ILKe'Bryan Hayes (3B) — Hayes (back) has begun hitting at the Reds' training facility in Arizona, MLB.com reports.06/18
- 10-Day-ILElly De La Cruz (SS) — De La Cruz (hamstring) is scheduled to begin running Tuesday and Wednesday, and he will begin a rehab assignment Friday with Triple-A Gwinnett, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.06/16
- 15-Day-ILEmilio Pagan (RP) — Pagan (hamstring) threw a bullpen session Tuesday and is scheduled to pitch in a simulated game/live batting practice session at Yankee Stadium on Friday, MLB.com reports.06/17
- 15-Day-ILPierce Johnson (RP) — Johnson (elbow) is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Louisville on Thursday, MLB.com reports.06/17
- OutCarson Spiers (SP) — The Reds re-signed Spiers (elbow) to a minor-league contract with an invitation to spring training Monday.05/08
- 60-Day-ILHunter Greene (SP) — Greene (elbow) is slated to begin a rehab assignment Thursday in the rookie-level Arizona Complex League, Charlie Goldsmith of Fox 19 Now Cincinnati reports.06/14
- 60-Day-ILGraham Ashcraft (RP) — Ashcraft (elbow) received a platelet-rich plasma injection Tuesday, MLB.com reports.06/03
- 60-Day-ILBrandon Williamson (SP) — The Reds transferred Williamson (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Wednesday.05/08
The bet here is whether you trust the Reds to claw out a series opener at home without their superstar and with a depleted infield. Milwaukee's been the more complete team for two months and Sproat's stuff has flashed even on the bad days. If you want a reason to fade the chalk, it's the home park — Great American is a launching pad, Sproat is a 2nd-year arm, and one swing changes this game in a hurry.