MLB Player News

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.

Wheeler did not factor into the decision Thursday, allowing an unearned run on one hit and a walk over 7.1 innings against the Tigers. He struck out eight.

Wheeler nearly added his name to the history books Thursday, no-hitting the Tigers before Tyler Nevin singled with one out in the seventh inning. Detroit would later tie the game 1-1 in the frame, leaving Wheeler with a no-decision. It was quite a bounce back from the 33-year-old right-hander, who allowed seven runs in just 3.2 frames in his last outing against the Nationals. Wheeler's been dominant at times this season, though he's lacked consistency. His ERA is now at 3.91 with a 1.12 WHIP and 87:17 K:BB through 13 starts (76 innings) this season.

Anderson did not factor into the decision Thursday, allowing three runs on six hits and a walk over 5.1 innings against the Giants. He struck out seven.

It's the first time through five starts that Anderson has allowed more than two runs, though he still set a season high with seven strikeouts. The veteran right-hander has been solid since he was claimed off waivers from Tampa Bay, pitching to a 2.67 ERA with a 1.07 WHIP and 17:6 K:BB. However, a .222 BABIP against compared to an expected batting average of .273 indicates that Anderson is likely due for some regression.

Cobb battled minor hip tightness during his start Thursday at Colorado, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Cobb told reporters afterward that it's a minor issue and will not prevent him from taking his next scheduled turn in the Giants' rotation. He looked a little uncomfortable in parts of Thursday's outing while surrendering four earned runs on eight hits and one walk over five innings in a no-decision versus the Rockies. Cobb did manage to tally seven strikeouts in what became a 6-4 comeback victory for San Francisco. He holds a solid 3.01 ERA with 71 strikeouts through 74.2 total innings this year.

Rea did not factor into the decision Thursday, allowing three hits and a walk over five scoreless innings in a 6-3 loss to the Orioles. He struck out eight.

Rea seemed well on his way to a fourth straight win, but Milwaukee's bullpen couldn't hold a 3-0 lead, leaving the 32-year-old right-hander with a no-decision despite a dominant performance. Rea's been inconsistent overall since slotting into the Brewers' rotation. He allowed seven earned runs over 11 innings in his last two starts heading into Thursday, despite picking up wins in both outings. His ERA is now down to 4.47 with a 1.22 WHIP and 48:19 K:BB through 10 starts (52.1 innings) this season.

Smith-Shawver will make his first major-league start Friday against the Nationals, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Smith-Shawver worked 2.1 hitless innings of relief in his big-league debut Sunday versus the Diamondbacks and will now officially step into Atlanta's rotation for the recently demoted Michael Soroka. The fast-rising 20-year-old was a seventh-round pick out of high school in 2021 and a 1.09 ERA with 45 strikeouts through 33 innings (seven starts) this season between High-A Rome, Double-A Mississippi and Triple-A Gwinnett. He's a must-add for a favorable matchup in Atlanta against the visiting Nats.

Ashcraft (calf/knee) indicated Thursday that he'll be fine for his next turn in the rotation, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Ashcraft took a comebacker to the calf in the third inning of his start Thursday afternoon against the Dodgers and said his knee locked up on him in the aftermath. He was eventually pulled from the game, having allowed three earned runs in 2.2 innings as his season ERA rose to 6.78. The 25-year-old currently lines up for a favorable matchup next week in Kansas City, but he's still a risky fantasy option at best.

Ashcraft was removed from his start Thursday versus the Dodgers after taking a comebacker off his leg, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

Ashcraft was struck by a ball off the bat of Austin Barnes in the top of the third inning. He tried to gut it out through another handful of hitters but looked to be in discomfort until Reds manager David Bell finally yanked him. The 25-year-old pitched well over the first two frames but ultimately got charged with three earned runs on three hits and two walks in 2.2 innings. He also plunked two batters and finished with only one strikeout.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Thursday that Syndergaard will be built up slowly once his blister heals, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Syndergaard was placed on the 15-day injured list Thursday morning due to a blister on his right index finger, and the Dodgers will use this as a sort of season reset for him. He's struggled to a 7.16 ERA through 55.1 innings (12 starts) this year and seems likely to remain on the shelf through at least the end of June. It's unclear whether there will be a rotation spot available to Syndergaard whenever he's ultimately deemed fit to return to a major-league mound.

Kelly and the Diamondbacks won't face the Nationals on Thursday after the game was postponed due to hazardous air conditions in Washington, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

As a result of the postponement, the Diamondbacks will likely move Kelly back a day in the schedule and have him pitch Friday's series opener in Detroit. The veteran right-hander has been fantastic this season, posting a 2.80 ERA across his first 12 outings.