MLB Player News

Smith-Shawver allowed three hits and two walks while striking out four over 4.1 shutout innings Thursday versus the Cubs, taking a no-decision.

Smith-Shawver pitched fairly well, aside from needing 87 pitches (55 strikes) to get 13 outs. It's a much better showing than his 6.10 ERA, 1.52 WHIP and 35:17 K:BB over 31 innings for Triple-A Gwinnett to begin 2024. The right-hander's call-up could have been merely for a spot start after Atlanta's doubleheader earlier in the week, so it's unclear if the team will make room for him beyond Thursday. Darius Vines, who is expected to take the mound Friday in Pittsburgh, is the other candidate for the vacant No. 5 starter job.

Montas allowed four runs on nine hits and a walk while striking out three over six innings in a no-decision versus the Padres on Thursday.

Montas has allowed 12 runs (11 earned) across 15.2 innings over his last three starts, though he's avoided taking a loss in any of those games. The Padres got to him early Thursday before he bounced back and finished strong. The right-hander is at a 4.61 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and 28:16 K:BB over 41 innings across nine starts this season. Montas is projected to make his next start at home versus the Cardinals.

Waldron allowed two runs on six hits and two walks while striking out seven over five innings in a no-decision versus the Reds on Thursday.

Waldron allowed a run in each of the first two innings before settling in. He's allowed a total of five runs over his last 16 innings while adding a 23:6 K:BB in that span. Waldron's overall numbers are still mediocre -- he has a 4.86 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 52:19 K:BB through 50 innings across 10 starts -- but he's shown improvement and resilience after a tough outing versus Arizona to begin May. He's projected to make his next start at home in a favorable matchup versus the Marlins.

Wheeler (6-3) earned the win Thursday over the Rangers, allowing two runs on five hits and two walks over seven innings. He struck out five.

After Adolis Garcia led off the second inning with a home run, Wheeler held the Rangers off the board until Ezequiel Duran's two-out RBI single in the seventh. It's the sixth win in Wheeler's last seven starts, and he's pitched at least seven innings in back-to-back outings and three of his last four. His ERA sits at 2.53 on the season with a 0.98 WHIP and 76:21 K:BB in 67.2 innings. Wheeler is currently lined up for a road matchup with the Giants in his next start.

Skenes didn't factor into the decision Thursday against the Giants, allowing one run on six hits and a walk over six innings. He struck out three.

While Thursday's outing wasn't as dominant as Skenes' 11-strikeout performance in his previous start, the rookie right-hander was still effective, coaxing a pair of key double-play balls to limit the Giants to just one run and post his second straight quality start. However, the Pirates bullpen would implode late, leaving Skenes with a no-decision in an eventual 7-6 loss. Skenes now sports a 2.25 ERA with a 1.00 WHIP and an impressive 21:4 K:BB through his first three starts (16 innings). He's currently in line for a road matchup with the Tigers in his next outing.

Gibson allowed three unearned runs on five hits and struck out three without walking a batter over four innings in a no-decision versus the Orioles on Wednesday.

Gibson exited the contest after a rain delay, and the Cardinals got him off the hook for the loss once play resumed. This was the first time in 10 starts this season he didn't walk a batter, though he was a little shaky with just 50 of 84 pitches thrown for strikes and one wild pitch in the contest. He's at a 3.81 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 46:23 K:BB over 59 innings this season, and he's allowed more than three runs just three times. Gibson is lined up to make his next start at Cincinnati.

The Giants placed Snell on the paternity list Thursday, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Snell will be off the active roster for a few days while welcoming a new baby, but he's expected to rejoin the Giants in time for his next start, which is slated for Monday against the Phillies at Oracle Park. Reliever Nick Avila was called up from Double-A Richmond to take over Snell's spot on the 26-man active roster.

Williamson (shoulder) struck out four and allowed one earned run on five hits and one walk over 3.2 innings Sunday in his rehab start with Triple-A Louisville.

Sunday's outing was Williamson's first with Louisville but the second overall of his rehab assignment, which he began with High-A Dayton on May 14. Williamson, who has been on the shelf all season with a left shoulder strain, is eligible for activation next week, but he'll likely need at least another rehab start or two to get fully stretched out for a traditional starting role. With Nick Lodolo (groin) tentatively in line to return from the 15-day injured list Monday to bring the Cincinnati rotation back to full strength, Williamson may have to settle for a bullpen role once activated, if the Reds don't elect to option him to Louisville to remain on a starter's schedule.

King (4-4) picked up the win Wednesday, giving up three runs on four hits and two walks over 6.2 innings in a 7-3 victory over the Reds. He struck out six.

The right-hander delivered his fifth quality start of the year, and his third in four May outings, on 92 pitches (62 strikes). King has had trouble maintaining consistency as he adjusts to being a full-time starting pitcher, but his 3.24 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 27:7 K:BB through 25 innings this month is encouraging. He'll look to put together another solid start in his next trip to the mound, which lines up to come at home early next week against the Marlins.

Lodolo (groin) threw a successful extended bullpen session Wednesday and is set to throw off the mound again Saturday, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Assuming he comes out of Saturday's session without any hiccups, Lodolo will be set to return from the 15-day injured list to start against the Cardinals on Monday, the first day he'll be eligible for activation. The left-hander is working his way back from a left groin strain.