MLB Player News

Dodd (2-1) allowed three runs on eight hits and three walks while striking out one over six innings, earning the win over Miami on Thursday.

Jorge Soler accounted for the damage on Dodd's line, tagging him for a two-run home run in the first inning and an RBI double in the fifth. It was a solid outing for Dodd, who replaced Kyle Wright (shoulder) in Atlanta's rotation for this game. He owns a 6.46 ERA, 1.83 WHIP and 7:4 K:BB over 15.1 innings across three starts this season, but it was confirmed that he was only used for a spot start Thursday, per Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Dodd will likely be a candidate to pitch May 16 against the Rangers, the next time Atlanta will need a fifth starter.

Rucinski (0-2) allowed five runs on four hits and five walks while striking out three over 3.2 innings, taking the loss Thursday versus the Mariners.

Rucinski opened with a pair of scoreless innings, but Taylor Trammell hit a two-run home run off the right-hander in the third. Rucinski then created a mess and allowed three runs in the fourth. The 34-year-old had a hamstring injury to start the season, and he hasn't shown much in his first two starts with a 7.71 ERA, 2.25 WHIP and 4:6 K:BB through 9.1 innings. If he gets another turn in the rotation, he's tentatively projected for a road start versus the Yankees next week.

Rodriguez (3-2) earned the win Thursday, allowing two hits and one walk over eight scoreless innings against the Mets. He struck out nine.

Rodriguez picked up his third win in his last four starts, fanning nine over eight scoreless innings. The 30-year-old has been off to a blazing start to 2023, holding a 1.81 ERA through six outings after finishing the last two seasons with a 4.05 and 4.74 ERA, respectively. Rodriguez has filled the role of Detroit's top arm thus far and has allowed just two runs over his last five starts (34.2 innings) while striking out 33 batters. The southpaw has also logged quality starts in four of his last five appearances and should remain a strong fantasy option until he shows otherwise.

Kirby (3-2) allowed three runs on seven hits and a walk while striking out two over seven innings to earn the win Thursday over the Athletics.

It was a fifth straight quality start for Kirby, who bounced back from a tough-luck loss in his last outing versus the Phillies. While it was a solid performance, the two strikeouts were a season low for the right-hander. He's at a solid 3.11 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 26:3 K:BB across 37.2 innings over six starts, again displaying excellent control. Kirby's next start is projected to be at home versus the Rangers next week.

Teheran signed a minor-league contract Thursday with the Padres, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Teheran opted out of a previous minor-league agreement with the Padres on Tuesday, but he's back with the organization 48 hours later and could stay right on his normal rotation turn at Triple-A El Paso. The 32-year-old has struggled to a 6.84 ERA, 1.72 WHIP and 29:9 K:BB through 25 innings (five starts) this season in the Pacific Coast League.

Blackburn (finger) threw all his pitches during a bullpen session Wednesday morning, the Associated Press reports.

The development is naturally an encouraging one for Blackburn after a scheduled rehab start for Triple-A Las Vegas was postponed twice over a three-day period in late April due to a blister. Blackburn is expected to either throw another bullpen or finally restart his rehab assignment with another start for the Aviators in the coming days.

Velasquez said he's optimistic about the right elbow discomfort that led to his early exit Thursday against the Rays, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

Velasquez called it "just a little freak accident" and "nothing too severe," though Pirates manager Derek Shelton noted that further testing is scheduled for Friday. The 30-year-old right-hander had a 19-inning scoreless streak in the works before he gave up a solo home run to Taylor Walls in the bottom of the second inning Thursday afternoon at Tropicana Field. It was the only run he allowed before his departure prior to the bottom of the fourth.

Flaherty's exit from Thursday's game against the Angels was not due to the comebacker that struck his left hand, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

Flaherty was lit up Thursday, yielding 10 earned runs over just 2.1 innings, so it's easy to believe poor performance was the reason for his early exit rather than the comebacker. The right-hander will likely be able to make his next scheduled start, though the team may still keep an eye on his hand over the next few days as a precaution.

Taillon didn't factor in the decision during Thursday's loss to the Nationals after he allowed three runs on three hits and no walks over three innings. He struck out four.

The 31-year-old was sidelined the past couple weeks by a groin strain, but he rejoined Chicago's rotation Thursday and threw just 42 pitches. The only damage against him came via a three-run homer by Lane Thomas during the second inning. Taillon returned from the injured list without a minor-league rehab assignment, so he should remain on a limited workload for his next couple starts as he builds back up his arm.

Corbin didn't factor in the decision in Thursday's win against the Cubs after he gave up two runs on three hits over seven innings. He struck out six and did not walk a batter.

The left-hander cruised through the first seven innings with just one hit allowed, but he was pulled in the eighth after giving up a pair of singles, both of which came around to score. Chicago tied the game 3-3 later in the frame, robbing Corbin of his second win of the year. Still, it was the 33-year-old's best start of the season, and he generated 12 swinging strikes on 80 pitches. His 5.17 ERA for the year remains unsightly, though he's pitched well in his past four outings with a 2.96 ERA and 18:3 K:BB across 24.1 frames.