Cincinnati Reds News Roundup — September 4, 2026

The Cincinnati Reds promoted 22-year-old outfielder Carlos Jorge from Triple-A Louisville to the major leagues on Friday, marking his first call-up after a strong minor league season. Jorge batted .308 with 33 stolen bases and elite defensive skills across Double-A and Triple-A this year, though he did not appear in the lineup for Friday's game against Milwaukee due to the Brewers starting a left-handed pitcher. The Reds created roster space by optioning infielder Ivan Johnson and moving Michael Toglia to the 60-day injured list following shoulder surgery.

The team also signed veteran outfielder Dominic Fletcher to a minor league contract and assigned him to Triple-A Louisville. Fletcher, 29, had triggered a release clause with Pittsburgh in August and spent time with Arizona, Chicago, and Pittsburgh since debuting in 2023. He hit .301 with a .386 on-base percentage in 63 games for Pittsburgh's Triple-A affiliate this season after struggling with the White Sox in 2024.

Cincinnati's playoff hopes remain dire heading into the weekend series against division-leading Milwaukee. The Reds entered Friday with a 67-73 record, 6½ games back in the Wild Card standings and facing an elimination number of 16. Their remaining schedule features top NL teams including the Brewers, Dodgers, Cubs, Braves, and Blue Jays, making a postseason return mathematically possible but practically improbable. The team's offensive struggles have been particularly acute, with the lineup ranking 24th in runs scored and batting .218 with runners in scoring position, though young players like Sal Stewart and Elly De La Cruz provide hope for future seasons.