MLB Player News

Falter (3-2) earned the win Friday over Atlanta, allowing three runs on six hits and a walk over 7.1 innings. He struck out four.

Ronald Acuna broke up Falter's shutout bid with a three-run homer in the eighth. The southpaw has pitched into the eighth inning in back-to-back outings while delivering three straight quality starts, lowering his ERA to 3.55 with a 0.98 WHIP and 33:14 K:BB across 10 starts (58.1 innings) this season. Falter's currently lined up for a road matchup with the Blue Jays in his next outing.

Smith-Shawver was diagnosed with a Grade 2 left oblique strain Friday, Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Smith-Shawver was placed on the 15-day injured list earlier Friday, though a Grade 2 strain likely means a six-to-eight-week recovery timeline. The 21-year-old righty was called up Thursday to make a spot start against the Cubs, and Atlanta's pitching needs will likely dictate whether he remains in Atlanta or heads to Triple-A Gwinnett once he returns from the IL -- likely sometime in July.

Gray (elbow) will throw a two-inning live batting practice Saturday, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.

Gray continues to recover from a flexor strain in his right elbow that has kept him out of action since April 4. His session Saturday is the next step in his throwing program, and if all goes well, the Nationals could look to send the 26-year-old right-hander on a rehab assignment.

Ray (elbow) will throw live batting practice Saturday, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Ray began throwing bullpen sessions during spring training, but Saturday will mark the first time he has faced hitters since undergoing Tommy John surgery in May of 2023. The 32-year-old southpaw still isn't expected to pitch for the Giants until around the All-Star break, but he appears to be trending in the right direction. He will throw a few additional rounds of live BP before beginning a minor-league rehab assignment, at which point a firmer return date could become clear.

Wicks (forearm) is making a rehab start at Triple-A Iowa on Friday, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Wicks started throwing off a mound a week ago and has made it through several bullpen sessions without a setback. He may need to make one or two additional starts at Iowa before rejoining the Cubs. Wicks owns a 4.70 ERA across five starts this season with Chicago.

Freeland (elbow) was moved to the 60-day injured list Friday.

Freeland was placed on the 15-day injured list back in the middle of April, but despite throwing a bullpen session Wednesday, he has been shifted to the 60-day IL. He'll be eligible for activation in mid-June.

Senga (shoulder) has been shut down from throwing for three-to-five days after he received a cortisone shot Friday for inflammation in his triceps, Tim Britton of The Athletic reports.

The 31-year-old was scratched from a bullpen session last weekend due to triceps tightness, and he underwent an MRI this week that revealed the inflammation. Senga appeared to be close to beginning a rehab assignment as he works his way back from a shoulder capsule strain, but the triceps issue has halted his progress and further clouds his return timeline.

Abbott's next start will come Tuesday against St. Louis, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Abbott was initially scheduled to start Sunday against the Dodgers, but he'll instead get a full week off between starts after tossing seven innings in back-to-back appearances. He'll also trade in a tough matchup with the Dodgers for a significantly easier opponent in the Cardinals. The 25-year-old has a 3-4 record on the season but boasts a 2.68 ERA across 57 innings.

Black was optioned to Triple-A Sacramento on Friday.

Black will make room for the newly signed Drew Pomeranz, exiting the big leagues after four appearances (three starts). During that time, he submitted an 8.79 ERA and a 10:7 K:BB across 14.1 innings.

Parker's next projected start will be pushed back to Monday at Atlanta, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports. Parker was initially scheduled to face the Mariners on Sunday.

Parker will have a full week in between starts, getting the series opener against Atlanta instead of Patrick Corbin. On the year, Parker owns a 3.32 ERA and a 1.16 WHIP across 38 innings.