MLB Player News

Grove is in line to serve as a bulk reliever for the Dodgers on Friday against the Phillies, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

He had been the projected starter, but the Dodgers have elected to use Victor Gonzalez as an opener instead with lefties Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper at the top of the Phillies' batting order. Grove holds a 5.14 ERA over five starts with the big club this season, although that's come with a 21:7 K:BB in 25 innings.

Woodford (shoulder) was activated from the 15-day injured list Friday and optioned to Triple-A Memphis.

Woodford is recovered from the bout of shoulder inflammation that sent him to the injured list in early May, but the Cardinals will keep him in the rotation at Memphis for now. The 26-year-old right-hander posted a 3.38 ERA with six strikeouts in three rehab starts covering eight innings.

Ashcraft was placed on the 15-day injured list Friday with a left calf contusion.

Ashcraft had indicated after taking a comebacker off the calf Thursday versus the Dodgers that he would be fine for his next turn in the rotation. However, given his struggles over the last month -- the right-hander has surrendered seven or more runs in four of his last six outings -- it makes sense to give him some downtiime to get healthy and also work on things. With Ashcraft on the shelf, Andrew Abbott should remain in the Reds rotation.

The Dodgers are planning to activate Urias (hamstring) from the 15-day injured list to have him start Sunday's series finale in Philadelphia, MLB.com reports.

He'll get the green light to rejoin the rotation despite not heading out on a minor-league rehab assignment, as manager Dave Roberts said he felt confident about the left-hander's health after Urias completed a two-inning simulated game Tuesday and then threw two more innings in the bullpen. Though Roberts acknowledged that Urias' left hamstring still occasionally feels tight, the skipper suggested that the 27-year-old is no longer limited by the issue.

Grove is scheduled to start Friday's game against the Phillies in Philadelphia.

He'll be making his second straight turn through the Dodgers rotation. Grove returned from a stint on the 15-day injured list June 3 and allowed four runs over five innings while striking out seven in a loss to the Yankees. The Dodgers could get Julio Urias (hamstring) back from the IL on Sunday, but with Noah Syndergaard (finger) sidelined, Grove's spot in the rotation appears safe for now.

Smyly (5-4) took the loss Thursday, allowing three runs (two earned) on seven hits and three walks over six innings against the Angels. He struck out four.

Smyly suffered from a lack of run support as he delivered his fifth quality start of the season. The southpaw has been fairly consistent in 2023, not allowing more than two earned runs in 10 of his 13 outings. The veteran is tentatively slated to face the Pirates at home in his next start.

Verlander allowed five runs (four earned) on seven hits and four walks while striking out three batters over three innings in a no-decision against Atlanta on Thursday.

The veteran struggled to get the ball over the plate, throwing just 45 of 82 pitches for a strike. Verlander's final line could actually have been much worse -- Atlanta left six runners on base during the three frames in which he pitched. The reigning AL Cy Young award winner hasn't really lived up to that billing in his first campaign with the Mets, posting a 4.85 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 33:13 K:BB over 39 innings and seven starts.

Strider allowed eight runs on eight hits and two walks while striking out eight batters over four innings in a no-decision against the Mets on Thursday.

Strider had his usual swing-and-miss stuff working, as he racked up 17 whiffs. However, he was hit hard by the Mets, who tagged him for a pair of homers. Both the eight hits and eight runs Strider allowed were season-worst marks, and this was just the second time in 13 starts that he's served up multiple long balls. Strider's ERA jumped to 3.79 as a result of the poor outing, but he has a good chance of bouncing back in what lines up to be a juicy matchup against Detroit his next time out.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Thursday that May (forearm) is still weeks away from being cleared to pick up a baseball, per MLB.com.

May suffered a right forearm strain during a start against the Twins on May 17 and was subsequently placed on the 60-day IL. That rules him out until at least mid-July, though it's uncertain if he'll be ready to go then. May received a PRP shot in hopes of avoiding surgery, but Roberts clarified that the team won't have a clear picture of his status for the remainder of the season until he's able to start throwing again.

Kershaw (8-4) earned the win Thursday, allowing five hits and two walks over seven scoreless innings against the Reds. He struck out nine.

Kershaw cruised through the Reds lineup Thursday, allowing just six baserunners over seven shutout innings to notch his National League-leading eighth win. The veteran lefty struck out nine batters in the contest for the second straight start, while it was his third time throwing seven scoreless frames this season. Kershaw continues to show no signs of slowing down in his 16th season, producing 17 swinging strikes in Thursday's win.