Reds lose Brandon Phillips, Billy Hamilton to injuries - MLB

The Reds are one of the hottest teams in the majors and beat the Cubs on Wednesday night by a score of 4-1, but there won’t be much of a celebratory mood in the clubhouse afterward …

Billy Hamilton left the game with tight left hamstring, Phillips left with sprained left thumb. X-rays negative on Phillips. #Reds

— ctrent (@ctrent) July 10, 2014

Billy Hamilton tweaked his hamstring on a seventh-inning at-bat after walking and stealing a base in the bottom of the third and smacking an RBI triple in the bottom of the fifth. Brandon Phillips rolled over his left hand while attempting to make a play on an Anthony Rizzo grounder in the top of the eighth. Phillips looked to be in a good deal of discomfort as he walked off the field with a trainer stabilizing his left hand and wrist.

The Reds wrap up a five-game series with the Cubs on Thursday afternoon and it’s a safe bet that neither player will be available. Then comes a hugely-important three-game weekend set against the Pirates.

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LOS ANGELES — Giancarlo Stanton, Josh Donaldson, and Tommy Kahnle were activated by the New York Yankees ahead of their weekend series against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

New York cleared three roster spots after a 1-0 loss at Seattle, optioning infielder-outfielders Oswaldo Cabrera and Franchy Cordero to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre along with left-hander Matt Krook.

Stanton, Donaldson and Kahnle all played in a rehab game for Double-A Somerset. Stanton was hitless in three at-bats in his first appearance since injuring his left hamstring on April 15.

Donaldson went 1 for 4 in his fourth rehab game as he comes back from a strained right hamstring originally sustained on April 5.

Kahnle pitched one inning, giving up one run and one hit and walking two. He has been out since spring training with right biceps tendinitis.

Aaron Boone said he wasn’t concerned about Stanton returning after playing in just one rehab game. He did say that Stanton likely will be a designated hitter for a couple of weeks after rejoining the Yankees.

New York is missing centerfielder Harrison Bader, who strained his right hamstring against the Mariners and went on the injured list the next day.

Left-hander Carlos Rodón, sidelined since spring training by a sore left forearm and an ailing back, was transferred to the 60-day injured list.