MLB Player News

Dodd is among the top candidates to make a spot start for Atlanta on Tuesday against the Astros, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

Dodd had a tough start Thursday night for Triple-A Gwinnett, allowing five earned runs across 4.2 innings while allowing six hits and two walks to go along with five strikeouts. However, he pitched well in two prior outings with Gwinnett, putting himself in the conversation for a promotion. His start Thursday notably puts him on turn with the vacated spot in the big-league rotation. Darius Vines and Bryce Elder are also vying for the job, and they are scheduled to pitch Friday and Saturday, respectively, for Gwinnett. If either is scratched, it could be an indication that they will get the call in place of Dodd.

Walker (shoulder) allowed two earned runs on two hits and no walks while striking out four across four innings during a rehab appearance with Single-A Clearwater on Thursday, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

Walker is expected to make four rehab appearances, with Thursday's start being the first. While he was able to work deep into the game, he sat at 91 mph with his fastball -- 1.7 mph below his average from 2023. Walker projects to return from the injured list in early May.

Singer (2-0) earned the win over the Astros on Thursday, allowing one run on five hits over five innings. He struck out four.

A Yainer Diaz home run in the fourth inning was the lone mark against Singer on Thursday. The 27-year-old right-hander has allowed just two runs through his first three starts (18.1 innings) this season, lowering his ERA to a pristine 0.98 with a 0.76 WHIP and 18:4 K:BB. Singer looks to be back on track after a tough 2023 campaign, during which he went 8-11 with a 5.52 ERA. He's tentatively lined up for a road matchup with the White Sox in his next outing.

Brown (0-2) took the loss against the Royals on Thursday, allowing nine runs on 11 hits and a walk in just two-thirds of an inning.

Brown could only record two outs Thursday while the Royals nearly batted around twice en route to a nine-run opening frame. The 25-year-old right-hander hasn't missed many bats to start the season -- he's now allowed 14 runs on 19 hits over just 3.2 innings in his last two starts, pushing his ERA up to 16.43. Brown is currently in line for another tough matchup next week versus Atlanta, though a trip to the minors could be in order if he can't right the ship.

Winans was optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett by Atlanta on Thursday, Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

The move comes immediately after Winans was torched for seven runs (six earned) over five innings in a loss to the Mets. Atlanta will need a starter again next week to fill the spot vacated by Spencer Strider (elbow). Bryce Elder, AJ Smith-Shawver, Darius Vines, Dylan Dodd and Hurston Waldrep are candidates to step in.

Winans (0-1) took the loss Thursday against the Mets, allowing seven runs (six earned) on eight hits and two walks over five innings. He struck out one.

The Mets got to Winans quickly Thursday, scoring three runs in the first two innings before putting up a four spot in the third. Winans would ultimately tough out five innings, though Atlanta couldn't climb out of the early 7-0 hole, leaving the 28-year-old right-hander with the loss. Winans made six starts for Atlanta as a rookie in 2023, going 1-2 with a 5.29 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and 34:8 K:BB. While he may have a chance to stick in the rotation with Spencer Strider (elbow) presumably out long-term, Atlanta could turn to top prospects AJ Smith-Shawver or Hurston Waldrep if Winans continues to struggle.

Quintana (1-1) earned the win Thursday over Atlanta, allowing three runs on five hits and two walks across 5.1 innings. He struck out four.

Quintana held Atlanta scoreless while allowing just one hit through his first four innings. The left-hander would surrender three runs in the fifth, but the Mets provided more than enough run support in an eventual 16-4 victory. Quintana's gotten off to a nice start this year, holding opponents to three runs or fewer in each of his first three outings despite consistent traffic. He sports a 3.45 ERA, 1.53 WHIP and 12:8 K:BB through his first 15.2 innings. Quintana is currently in line for a home matchup with the Pirates early next week.

Plesac cleared waivers Thursday and was sent outright to Triple-A Salt Lake.

The Angels designated Plesac for assignment Monday, but the 29-year-old righty will remain with the organization after passing through waivers. He has turned in a 4.66 ERA and 1.41 WHIP through his first two Triple-A starts, and some improvement will likely be necessary before he gets another opportunity in the majors.

The Tigers are expected to call up Manning from Triple-A Toledo to start the second game of Saturday's doubleheader with the Twins, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

Even before the series opener with the Twins was officially postponed Thursday, the Tigers were seemingly prepared for the possibility of a doubleheader being created this weekend due to a rainout. As Jason Beck of MLB.com notes, Manning was scratched from his scheduled start with Toledo on Wednesday for what appear to be non-injury-related reasons, so he's the logical choice to fill the opening in the rotation with Saturday's doubleheader creating a stretch of six games in five days for Detroit. Manning previously made his season debut with the Tigers on April 4, striking out three over 5.2 scoreless, no-hit frames in a no-decision against the Mets in the second game of a twin bill.

Peralta and the Brewers won't face the Reds on Thursday after the game was postponed due to inclement weather in CIncinnati.

The game will be made up as part of a split doubleheader Aug. 30. According to Adam McCalvy of MLB.com, the Brewers will push each of their starting pitchers back one day in the pitching schedule as a result of the postponement, so Peralta will take the hill for Friday's series opener in Baltimore.