MLB Player News

Atlanta optioned Dodd to Triple-A Gwinnett on Tuesday.

Dodd pitched well in his major-league debut but was knocked around in his second outing. With Kyle Wright (shoulder) returning from the 15-day injured list and rejoining the rotation, Dodd will now head to Gwinnett as he waits for another opportunity.

Atlanta activated Wright (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list Tuesday.

After missing his first two turns through the rotation while rehabbing a shoulder injury, Wright has been cleared to make his season debut Tuesday versus the Reds in Atlanta. The right-hander's velocity was down during his lone rehab start last week at Triple-A Gwinnett, during which he allowed five runs over six frames. With that in mind, fantasy managers might want to wait on activating him until he gets through Tuesday's outing.

Matz (0-2) took the loss against Colorado on Monday, allowing six runs on nine hits and two walks while striking out four batters over 5.2 innings.

Matz surrendered just two extra-base hits -- both of which were doubles -- in the outing, but he allowed 12 total baserunners to put himself in constant trouble. Half of those baserunners came across the third and fourth frames, during which the Rockies piled up four combined runs. Matz has struggled to get runners out during his first two appearances of the campaign, yielding a combined 19 hits and 10 runs over 11 innings. He's posted a decent 11:3 K:BB over that span, but after registering a 5.25 ERA in his first campaign as a Cardinal last year, it's becoming increasingly difficult to see him as a viable fantasy asset.

Smyly pitched five innings against Seattle on Monday, allowing one run on two hits and one walk while striking out seven batters. He did not factor in the decision.

Smyly did not fare well in his first appearance of the campaign, yielding six earned runs over 4.2 innings against the Reds. The left-hander turned things around Monday, limiting the Mariners to just three baserunners, all of whom reached in the fourth inning. Smyly finished his outing by striking out the side in the fifth, and he racked up 11 swinging strikes in the contest. Though the Cubs weren't able to get him the win, this was a positive bounce-back for the veteran hurler, who tentatively lines up for a tough road start against the Dodgers his next time out.

Ashcraft allowed two runs on six hits and three walks over six innings during Monday's extra-inning loss to Atlanta. He struck out seven and did not factor in the decision.

The 25-year-old righty rolled through five shutout frames before Sean Murphy broke the scoreless tie with a sixth-inning double. Ashcraft was then charged with a second run in the seventh and was in line for a loss before the Reds forced an extra inning with their rally in the ninth. He's sporting a 2.08 ERA with a 13:4 K:BB through two starts to begin the season. Ashcraft is projected to face the Phillies at home this weekend.

Elder allowed six hits and a walk over 6.1 innings during Monday's extra-inning win over the Reds. He struck out seven and did not factor in the decision.

Elder was in line for his second win before Atlanta's bullpen blew a lead in the ninth inning. He worked out of a few potentially dangerous situations to keep the Reds off the board. Elder forced 14 swinging strikes on 103 total pitches, including seven with the slider. He's fired 12.1 shutout frames with a 13:4 K:BB through two starts. Elder is currently lined up to start in Kansas City this weekend.

Contreras (1-1) took the loss Monday, allowing seven runs on nine hits and four walks over 3.1 innings against the Astros. He struck out three.

Contreras was unable to get into any sort of rhythm with the Astros' offense jumping all over him from the beginning. He surrendered one run in the first inning, three in the second, one in the third and two in the fourth before departing a 7-1 game. Monday's outing was a much different story for Contreras, who held Boston to one run on three hits, a walk and a pair of strikeouts over 5.2 frames in his first start of 2023.

Darvish (0-1) allowed five runs on six hits and a walk over 6.1 innings Monday, striking out five and taking a loss against the Mets.

The veteran righty coughed up a two-run double to Jeff McNeil in the third inning. That was the only damage against Darvish until the Mets plated three runs in the seventh. It's been a rocky start for him in 2023; he's given up six runs with an 8:5 K:BB through 11.1 frames. Darvish is projected for another tough matchup next week with a home outing against Atlanta.

Wright (shoulder) will be activated from the 15-day injured list to start Tuesday's game against the Reds, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

It was reported earlier in the day that Wright remained on track to make his season debut Tuesday, and this news simply confirms his return. The right-hander posted a 3.19 ERA and 1.16 WHIP with a 174:53 K:BB across 180.1 frames a season ago.

Alcantara (1-1) allowed nine runs on 10 hits and a walk over four innings Monday, striking out four and taking a loss against Philadelphia.

Alcantara looked like his usual self early and worked through two perfect innings to start the game. The Phillies then jumped on him for five runs in the third inning before tagging him with four more in the fifth. Alcantara tossed 77 pitches and forced just five whiffs on 36 swings. His ERA ballooned to 5.79 with an 11:6 K:BB through 18.2 frames. He's lined up for a home start against Arizona this weekend.