MLB Player News

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.

Smith-Shawver was removed from his start in the first game of Thursday's doubleheader against Philadelphia after getting hit in his lower right leg by a comebacker, Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports. He struck out a batter and gave up two earned runs on three hits and one walk over 2.2 innings prior to his exit.

A 96-mile-per-hour line drive off the bat of Bryson Stott connected with Smith-Shawver's foot/ankle during the third inning. The 22-year-old righty attempted to remain in the game after getting hit but faced just one additional batter before manager Brian Snitker pulled the plug on him. Atlanta will presumably take a look at the young starter to make sure he didn't suffer any structural damage, and the team should offer an update on his status relatively soon.

Gordon is scheduled to start Saturday's game against the Rays in Houston.

With the Astros recently announcing that both Hayden Wesneski and Ronel Blanco would need season-ending Tommy John surgery, Gordon and Ryan Gusto have moved into big-league rotation. The Astros will eventually get Spencer Arrighetti (thumb), Luis Garcia (elbow) and Cristian Javier (elbow) back from the injured list, but with none of their returns considered imminent, Gordon could have an extended run as a starter. Through his first three starts across two separate stints in the majors, Gordon owns a 5.52 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 14:2 K:BB over 14.2 innings.

Dobbins struck out one batter and allowed two earned runs on three hits and three walks over three innings out of the bullpen in Wednesday's 6-5 extra-inning loss to the Brewers.

On Tuesday, Red Sox manager Alex Cora told Mike Monaco of ESPN that Dobbins would at least temporarily move to the bullpen as a result of Richard Fitts making his return from the 15-day injured list. Cora emphasized that Dobbins' move to the bullpen wasn't necessarily permanent, but because the Red Sox will have at least one day off for every week through early July, the team appears unlikely to expand its rotation to six men to make room for the rookie. Though he was able to get some extended work in Wednesday after starter Brayan Bello was lifted midway through the bottom of the fifth, Dobbins could end up heading back to Triple-A Worcester to make regular starts if his opportunities out of the Boston bullpen become more sporadic.

Gusto is scheduled to start Thursday's game against the Rays in Houston.

Gusto will be making his second straight turn through the rotation and seventh start of the season after he struck out six and allowed two earned runs over 4.1 innings in a no-decision against the Mariners his last time out Friday. The righty owns a 5.96 ERA and 28:10 K:BB in 25.2 innings as a starter this season, but despite his poor numbers, he could have an extended runway in the rotation due to Hayden Wesneski (elbow) and Ronel Blanco (elbow) recently getting shut down for the season and with Spencer Arrighetti (thumb) and Luis Garcia (elbow) not especially close to returning from the injured list.

Atlanta recalled Dodd from Triple-A Gwinnett to serve as the 27th man for Thursday's doubleheader versus the Phillies.

Dodd will be available as an option out of the bullpen for both contests of the twin bill but will likely head back to Gwinnett on Friday. After making 20 starts at Gwinnett in 2024, the left-hander has made the full-time transition to a relief role in 2025. Through 18 appearances at Triple-A this season, Dodd owns a 5.00 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 24:3 K:BB in 18 innings.

Rodriguez (shoulder) is expected to start in a game at the Arizona Complex League on Friday, Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports reports.

Rodriguez is coming off a 55-pitch simulated game last Saturday and will get a chance to build upon that Friday in the ACL. The left-hander could rejoin the Diamondbacks rotation in time for next week's road series in Atlanta, although the team has not confirmed if additional starts (if any) may be required. That will likely be determined following Friday's outing.

Burnes will make his next start Sunday in the series final against Washington, per MLB.com.

Ryne Nelson had been expected to start Sunday, but he and Burnes will switch. This means Burnes will pitch on normal rest, while Nelson gets two extra days of recovery after throwing a season-high 84 pitches in Monday's win over the Pirates.