MLB Player News

Atlanta recalled Dodd from Triple-A Gwinnett on Friday.

Dodd was optioned after firing a scoreless two-thirds of an inning during Thursday's doubleheader, but he'll make a quick return to the big club as bullpen depth for the weekend series against the Red Sox. The southpaw may not have a lengthy stay in the majors, since Atlanta will have to fill the rotation spot of AJ Smith-Shawver (elbow) early next week.

Atlanta transferred Smith-Shawver (elbow) to the 60-day injured list Friday.

The right-hander landed on the 15-day IL after suffering an elbow strain during the first game of Thursday's doubleheader against the Phillies, and his quick move to the 60-day IL is an indication it isn't a minor issue. The severity of the strain isn't yet known, but Smith-Shawver will be sidelined for at least the next two months.

Gore didn't factor into the decision Thursday against the Mariners after allowing four hits and no walks in six scoreless innings. He struck out eight.

It was Gore's first scoreless start since his first appearance of the season, and he racked up an impressive 18 whiffs. The left-hander has fanned at least eight in six of his last eight outings, during which he boasts a 2.98 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 69:15 K:BB covering 45.1 innings, and he's worked fewer than five frames on a lone occasion in 2025. Gore is the first pitcher in MLB this season to reach triple digits in strikeouts with 101, and he has offered a fairly safe fantasy floor in most instances this year, but he's in for a tough test versus the Cubs in his next scheduled start.

Darvish (elbow) played catch from 90 feet Monday, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

Darvish had his throwing program temporarily halted after experiencing some soreness following a minor-league rehab start May 14, but the issue was never deemed a setback, and the right-hander has since been able to resume playing catch. Per Cassavell, Darvish "didn't look inhibited" in Monday's throwing session, and manager Mike Shildt said after the hurler played catch that "he's in a good spot" and is "making steps forward." Still, there doesn't seem to be a set timeline for Darvish to restart his rehab assignment, which makes his 2025 debut date for the Padres equally hazy.

Dodd was returned to Triple-A Gwinnett following Thursday's doubleheader against the Phillies, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

Dodd provided extra depth out of Atlanta's bullpen and retired both of the batters he faced in the eighth inning of the opening contest. That appearance marked his season debut in the majors, though he could be an option for a low-leverage role at some point during the summer.

Sale (3-3) earned the win Thursday in the second game of a doubleheader against the Phillies, allowing two hits and three walks over six scoreless innings. He struck out eight.

Sale was dominant Thursday, holding a potent Phillies offense scoreless en route to his third win this season. With his eight Ks in Thursday's nightcap, the southpaw reached 2,500 strikeouts for his career, doing so in 2,026 innings -- the fastest pitcher in MLB history to hit that milestone, breaking Randy Johnson's record of 2,107.2 innings, per Anthony Sanfilippo of the Associated Press. After a shaky start to the year, Sale has posted a 1.42 ERA with 54 strikeouts in his last seven outings (44.1 innings). Overall, the reigning NL Cy Young winner's ERA sits at 3.06 with a 1.24 WHIP and 86:19 K:BB across 12 starts (67.2 innings) this season. He'll look to keep rolling his next time out, tentatively scheduled for next week at home against the Diamondbacks.

Wheeler (6-2) took the loss Thursday in the second game of a doubleheader with Atlanta. He allowed six runs on four hits and four walks while striking out six over 5.1 innings.

It was a tough night for Wheeler, who gave up season highs in runs and walks while failing to make it through six innings for just the second time in 12 starts this year (both coming against Atlanta). The 35-year-old Wheeler's ERA now sits at 2.96 with a 0.92 WHIP and 94:18 K:BB across 76 innings. He'll look to bounce back in his next outing, currently scheduled for next week in Toronto.

Smith-Shawver was placed on the 15-day injured list Thursday with a right elbow strain.

It initially seemed like Smith-Shawver was dealing with a foot/ankle injury after getting hit by a comebacker in the third inning, but the 22-year-old said he felt a pop in his elbow during the game, which could potentially signal a much more serious issue. Manager Brian Snitker said that the right-hander will travel back to Atlanta to undergo imaging but added that "it doesn't look good," per Mark Bowman of MLB.com. Smith-Shawver has been a key contributor for Atlanta's rotation this year, but recent struggles have elevated his ERA to 3.86 to go with a 1.42 WHIP through 44.1 innings this year.

Sanchez did not factor into the decision in the opening game of Thursday's doubleheader against Atlanta. He allowed two runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out five over 5.2 innings.

Sanchez got off to a strong start, holding Atlanta scoreless through his first five innings. However, the southpaw would run into trouble in the sixth, when he'd ultimately allow two runs on three hits before leaving the game one out shy of a quality start. Overall, it was a step in the right direction for Sanchez after he allowed three runs on eight hits in just 4.2 innings during his last outing against the A's. His ERA now sits at 3.32 with a 1.31 WHIP and 70:22 K:BB through 11 starts (59.2 innings) this year. Sanchez is currently lined up to face the Blue Jays on the road in his next start.

Woodruff (ankle) struck out six and allowed one unearned run on five hits and no walks over seven innings in his rehab start Wednesday with High-A Wisconsin.

Woodruff took the hill Wednesday for his eighth rehab start and his second since resuming his assignment May 21 after a brief shutdown due to right ankle tendinitis. The right-hander's surgically repaired shoulder doesn't seem to be much of a concern at this stage, and after an efficient 74-pitch performance Wednesday, his ankle issue seemingly isn't causing him any problems either. Even so, the Brewers are still expected to have Woodruff make another rehab start next Tuesday with Triple-A Nashville, per MLB.com. If all goes well in that outing, Woodruff will likely be cleared to return from the 15-day injured list and slot into the Milwaukee rotation June 8 or 9 for what would be his first MLB appearance since Sept. 23, 2023.