MLB Player News

McCullers (forearm) will get an MRI on Friday after reporting discomfort, Julia Morales of AT&T SportsNet Southwest reports.

McCullers had been on target for a mid-July return before being shut down from throwing off a mound in late May. His new timetable remains unclear, but the Astros are hoping to have a better idea once the imaging results come in early next week. The 29-year-old righty has been shelved all season with a right forearm stain.

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.

Bradish did not factor into the decision Thursday, allowing three runs on six hits and a walk over five innings in a 6-3 victory over Milwaukee. He struck out 10.

It looked like it would be a rough outing for Bradish after he allowed three runs on four hits during the opening frame. However, he responded by retiring 12 consecutive batters while recording a season-high 10 strikeouts as the Orioles rallied for the comeback win. Bradish has pitched to a solid 3.24 ERA over his last six outings. Overall, he's 2-2 with a 4.25 ERA, 2.36 WHIP and 51:16 K:BB through 11 starts (53 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.

Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins said Thursday that Manoah will be away from the club for at least two turns through the rotation, Rob Longley of the Toronto Sun reports.

In all likelihood, it's going to be many more turns than that. Manoah is headed to the Blue Jays' Florida Complex League affiliate Thursday as he begins the process of trying to get back on track. The club will be working with the right-hander on his delivery and other things before he eventually returns to game action.

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.

Irvin looks to be the "most likely option" to start for the Orioles on Saturday versus the Royals, Jacob Calvin Meyer of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Manager Brandon Hyde has professed a desire to use a traditional starter rather than employ a bullpen game, and Irvin seems to line up best given the recent usage of all potential options. The left-hander has struggled mightily in the majors this season (10.38 ERA) but holds a 3.21 ERA with just four walks in seven starts with Triple-A Norfolk.

Cortes was placed on the 15-day injured list Thursday, retroactive to June 5, with a left rotator cuff strain.

Cortes was diagnosed with the injury earlier this week and is going to be shut down from throwing for at least the next 13 days or so. The best-case scenario probably puts him back in the Yankees' rotation just before the All-Star break. Randy Vasquez will be up to make a spot start in the second half of Thursday's doubleheader against the White Sox, but New York won't need a dedicated fifth starter again until closer to the end of June.

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.