St. Louis Cardinals vs. Cincinnati Reds - News - July 25, 2021 | FOX Sports

Edmundo Sosa - Struggling through most of July Sosa is hitting .176 (3-for-17) with six strikeouts and one hit-by-pitch over his last 10 games.

Impact Sosa has seen fairly steady work as an in-game defensive replacement over that span; however, he hasn't exactly been discerning at the plate, as both his average and complete lack of walks suggest. Sosa still carries a serviceable .324 on-base percentage for the season, but his average has dropped 10 points to .247 during his current skid.

JULY 26, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Daniel Ponce de Leon - Solid in second rehab appearance Ponce de Leon (shoulder) started Triple-A Memphis' win over Louisville on Sunday, firing two scoreless innings during which he allowed two hits, issued two walks and recorded two s...

Impact The rehabbing right-hander worked up to 39 pitches, 22 which found the strike zone. Ponce de Leon now has three scoreless frames with the Redbirds under his belt, and with the team's official site reporting the Cardinals would like him to build up to around 50 pitches before activation, it appears very likely the 29-year-old is due for at least one more rehab outing.

JULY 26, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Shogo Akiyama - Behind Aquino in outfield picture Akiyama is on the bench for Monday's game against the Cubs.

Impact After a recent stretch in which he picked up three consecutive starts, Akiyama will now remain on the bench for the fifth time in six games. The hot-hitting Aristides Aquino appears to have emerged as manager David Bell's preferred choice to fill a spot in the Reds' everyday outfield alongside Jesse Winker and Tyler Naquin while Nick Castellanos (wrist) is on the injured list.

JULY 26, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Paul DeJong - Running hot in July DeJong is hitting .359 (14-for-39) with a double, three home runs, seven RBI, two walks and nine runs over his last 12 games.

Impact DeJong went 3-for-8 with an RBI and two runs over the last two games of the three-game weekend set against the Reds, keeping his average over the Mendoza Line (.203) for the time being. The slugging shortstop's recent surge at the plate was long overdue, considering he was hitting a miserable .157 as recently as June 24.

JULY 26, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Andrew Knizner - On base four times in win Knizner went 1-for-2 with a double, three walks and a run in a win over the Reds on Sunday.

Impact Knizner drew another start for Yadier Molina (neck) and was a thorn in the side of Reds pitching all afternoon long. The reserve backstop has taken advantage of his current three-game stretch behind the dish in Molina's stead, going 3-for-7 with two doubles, two RBI, six walks and two runs over that span.

JULY 26, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Miles Mikolas - Excellent in first rehab start Mikolas (forearm) started and threw three perfect innings in Triple-A Memphis' win over Louisville on Saturday.

Impact The recovering right-hander's first taste of game action since his only 2021 big-league start May 22 went off without a hitch. Mikolas logged 29 offerings overall, and he'll presumably look to build up to the 35-to-40-pitch range in his next turn with the Redbirds.

JULY 26, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Alejo Lopez - Sent back to minors The Reds optioned Lopez to Triple-A Louisville on Monday, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

Impact Lopez's second stint in the big leagues lasted just for the weekend, as he'll give up his spot on the active roster to reliever Amir Garrett (personal), who was reinstated from the paternity list. The 25-year-old infielder appeared in two games during the Reds' series with the Cardinals, going 1-for-2 with a base hit.

JULY 26, 2021 • ROTOWIRE