Chase Petty’s MLB debut with the Cincinnati Reds was a tough introduction as he struggled against the St. Louis Cardinals, surrendering nine earned runs in just 2 1/3 innings during the second game of a doubleheader. The Reds faced a sweeping defeat, losing both games of the day-night doubleheader with scores of 6-0 and 9-1, placing them at a 16-15 record overall. Petty began well with a strike, but quickly fell behind, conceding a three-run home run to Willson Contreras. Despite the disappointing outing, Reds manager Terry Francona emphasized the importance of resilience and improving for their next matchup.

Tyler Callihan has been called up to the Cincinnati Reds from the Triple-A Louisville Bats, marking a significant milestone in his career. The 24-year-old third-round draft pick from 2019 expressed his excitement and shared how quickly his family arranged to see him play against the St. Louis Cardinals. Manager Terry Francona immediately placed him in the lineup as a left fielder, emphasizing Callihan's versatility in playing multiple positions.

Callihan's performance in Triple-A has been impressive, boasting a .303 batting average with four home runs in 24 games. His addition comes at a crucial time as Austin Hays deals with a minor hamstring issue. Francona is managing Hays' injury cautiously, aiming to keep him off the injured list while also working to keep the team's lineup strong. The Reds are navigating injuries to key players and are hopeful about Callihan’s contributions as they face the Cardinals.

The St. Louis Cardinals secured a commanding 6-0 victory over the Cincinnati Reds in the first game of a day-night doubleheader, aided by a ninth-inning offensive explosion. The Cardinals' Masyn Winn opened the scoring with a solo home run off Cincinnati starter Brady Singer, who pitched six strong innings, allowing just one run. However, it was Reds' reliever Alexis Diaz who faced the brunt of the Cardinals' late-game firepower, giving up three consecutive home runs. Miles Mikolas pitched 5.1 innings for St. Louis, contributing to the Reds' struggles with only one hit and striking out four batters.

The game marked the end of Cincinnati's five-game winning streak as the Cardinals improved their record to 13-17 while the Reds fell to 16-14. Key performances included a stellar outing from Mikolas and impactful swings from Victor Scott II and Lars Nootbaar, who each homered in the top of the ninth. The Reds, despite a strong start from Singer, could not capitalize on their chances, with only one hit through the first eight innings. The loss prompted Reds manager Terry Francona to reflect on Diaz's performance, noting the critical moment when the game slipped away.

The Cincinnati Reds have placed Jeimer Candelario on the 10-day injured list due to a lumbar spine strain. This setback comes after a sluggish start to the season, where Candelario has struggled offensively, hitting just .113 with 10 RBIs over his first month. The Reds have called up Tyler Callihan from Triple-A Louisville and added pitcher Chase Petty to their taxi squad as they prepare for their upcoming doubleheader against the St. Louis Cardinals.

Candelario, who signed a lucrative three-year, $45 million contract last year, has a career batting average of .237 and has hit over 100 home runs in his ten-year tenure in Major League Baseball. The Reds will need to find a way to cope without his contributions as they aim to turn around their season.

The second month of fantasy baseball is an ideal time for savvy managers to dive into the trade market, taking advantage of fluctuating player valuations. With many owners still closely monitoring their rosters, there's a ripe opportunity to find partners willing to trade. It's crucial to analyze players' early-season stats critically, as hot starts can often be deceptive.

Alec Bohm's April surge in 2024, for instance, inflated perceptions despite his history of underperformance. Similarly, Cedric Mullins' strong showings come with a warning; his inconsistency in past seasons suggests that his current form may not be sustainable. Ryan Pressly's early struggles with the Cubs raise doubts about his job security as closer. Conversely, players like Gavin Lux and Tyler Mahle present intriguing trade options, but their current performances may not reflect long-term value.