MLB Player News

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.

Gray and the Nationals won't play the Diamondbacks on Thursday after the game was postponed due to hazardous air quality in Washington.

Canadian wildfires continue to spill smoke and haze over parts of the east coast. Thursday's game will be made up June 22, which had been a shared off day for the Nationals and Diamondbacks. Gray is now lined up to take the ball for the Nationals in Friday's series opener at Atlanta. Meanwhile, MacKenzie Gore will pitch Saturday and Trevor Williams will take the hill Sunday.

Atlanta optioned Munoz to Triple-A Gwinnett on Thursday.

Munoz was only up in Atlanta's bullpen for a couple of days and did not make an appearance. The 23-year-old right-hander has posted a 4.94 ERA and 24:20 K:BB in 27.1 innings this season between the Double-A and Triple-A levels.

Reds manager David Bell said Thursday that Greene (hip) "felt great" during his bullpen session and is on track to start Sunday in St. Louis, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Greene had a start skipped because of hip stiffness, but pushing him back was viewed as precautionary, and he now looks ready to roll this weekend versus the Cardinals. The flamethrowing right-hander has been excellent of late, posting a 2.37 ERA and 29:8 K:BB over 19 innings covering his last three starts.

Syndergaard was placed on the 15-day injured list Thursday with a blister on his right index finger, Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Syndergaard has dealt with a blister problem off and on for the last month or so and also cracked a fingernail during Wednesday's outing versus the Reds. He'll be eligible to return later this month, but this could offer an opportunity for a reset for the struggling right-hander. With Julio Urias (hamstring) due back soon, Syndergaard's place in the rotation may have been tenuous regardless of the finger issues.