Atlanta Braves outfielder Jarred Kelenic retreats to the bench on Thursday against the division-rival Philadelphia Phillies at Truist Park with a left-handed pitcher on the mound. Adam Duvall will make the start in left field and will hit sixth for the Braves against Phillies left-hander Cristopher Sanchez. Duvall has never faced Sanchez in his career. Seven of his 10 long balls on the year have come against southpaws in 2024, but Duvall is also batting .178 (52-for-293) on the year with 98 strikeouts and 20 walks in 95 total games played. Now that Michael Harris II is back from his hamstring injury, the 25-year-old lefty swinging Kelenic will see more time off against southpaws. Only one of his 13 home runs this year have come against left-handed pitching, while he's hitting a weak .222 (14-for-67) against them. Kelenic has homered once in August while going 14-for-54 (.259).

Free-agent first baseman/outfielder Dominic Smith signed a major-league deal with the Cincinnati Reds on Thursday, according to sources. Smith was released by the Boston Red Sox recently after serving as their primary first baseman since May because of a rib-cage injury to Triston Casas. Smith's deal with the Reds is pending a physical. The 29-year-old left-handed hitter hit .237/.317/.390 with a .706 OPS, six home runs, 34 RBI and 29 runs scored in his 249 at-bats with Boston before being released this year. Smith has been a bit better since the All-Star break, though, and he could see some playing time in Cincy at first base against right-handed pitching now that Jeimer Candelario (toe) is on the injured list. The former 11th overall pick by the New York Mets in 2013 is a career .247/.314/.405 hitter in eight major-league seasons with a .719 OPS.UPDATE: Smith is making his Reds debut on Thursday against the Pittsburgh Pirates and rookie right-hander Paul Skenes, starting at first base and batting seventh at PNC Park.

The Cincinnati Reds announced on Thursday that they placed outfielder Jake Fraley (knee) on the 10-day injured list (retroactive to Aug. 21) with a right-knee sprain and signed first baseman Dominic Smith to a one-year major-league deal in a corresponding move. The club also designated right-hander Brooks Kriske for assignment. Fraley will require yet another trip to the IL in an injury-plagued 2024 season for the 29-year-old left-handed swinger. The move comes after he was scratched from Wednesday's lineup. In his absence, the lefty-hitting Will Benson figures to see more playing time in the outfield, at least against right-handed pitching. Benson, a former first-rounder, has plenty of power to spare but is hitting just .189 (57-for-302), adding 12 homers and 14 steals. Eleven of his 12 dingers in 2024 have come against righties.

Houston Astros shortstop Jeremy Pena will get the day off on Thursday in the series opener against the Baltimore Orioles at Camden Yards. Mauricio Dubon will start at shortstop for the Astros and will hit ninth against Orioles right-hander Corbin Burnes. In five career at-bats against Burnes, Dubon is hitting .200 with a home run and two RBI. He won't be a recommended DFS play on Thursday, though, in the tough matchup while residing at the bottom of the batting order. Pena has earned a much-needed day of rest, as this will be his first day off since June 21 and only his third day off of the season. The 26-year-old shortstop has been solid in the month of August for the first-place 'Stros, hitting .286 (20-for-70) with three home runs, three doubles, three stolen bases and nine RBI in 18 games played. He should be back in there on Friday.

Cincinnati Reds catcher Tyler Stephenson is taking the day off on Thursday in the series opener against the division-rival Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park. Luke Maile is doing the catching for left-hander Nick Lodolo and will bat ninth against Pirates rookie right-hander Paul Skenes. Despite the fact that Stephenson is currently in the midst of a seven-game hitting streak, the Reds will give the 28-year-old backstop a blow against one of the most dominant pitchers in the game. During his seven-game streak, Stephenson is hitting .310 (9-for-29) with a homer, three doubles and five RBI in 30 plate appearances. He should be back in action for the second game of the series on Friday in Pittsburgh. Maile is hitting only .162 (18-for-111) in backup duties with two homers and eight RBI. Avoid him as a DFS sleeper in a matchup against Skenes.