MLB Player News

Smith went 1-for-3 with a solo home run and a walk in a 5-2 win against San Francisco on Thursday.

For the first time in his career, Smith was inserted into the lineup as the Dodgers' leadoff hitter. He wasted little time making the move look like a stroke of genius, launching his fourth homer of the campaign to lead off Los Angeles' half of the first inning. Smith's eye at the plate and contact skills are befitting of a leadoff hitter, but he isn't likely to slot into that role often. Shohei Ohtani, who typically bats atop the order, was given a second straight day off from hitting Thursday as part of a plan to help him reset, but the two-way star is expected to be back in the lineup Friday versus the Angels.

Rodriguez went 2-for-3 with a double, a walk and two RBI on Thursday against the Rockies.

Rodriguez was recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis on Tuesday, but his start behind the plate Thursday was his season debut. He immediately made a strong impression, doubling in his first at-bat before driving in two with a single one frame later. Rodriguez is likely to remain behind Henry Davis on the depth chart for the time being, but Rodriguez could force his way into the lineup if he continues to deliver at the dish.

Roupp (5-4) allowed four runs on six hits and two walks while striking out seven batters over 5.1 innings in a loss to the Dodgers on Thursday.

Roupp gave up a homer to the first batter he faced (Will Smith) in the first inning but was locked in a 2-2 tie entering the sixth. The righty put two Dodgers aboard in his final frame before being lifted with one out, and both runners came around to score following his departure. Despite being tagged with the defeat, Roupp continued to show promising strikeout stuff with 15 whiffs and seven punchouts. He's struck out at least six batters in eight of his nine outings this season and is tied for 12th in the majors with 58 punchouts on the campaign. Roupp also has a 3.49 ERA and 1.14 WHIP through 49 innings.

O'Brien earned the save Thursday against the Athletics, striking out two over a scoreless and hitless ninth inning.

O'Brien was called upon in the ninth inning and worked around plunking leadoff batter Nick Kurtz to lock down his 13th save of the season, tying him for the MLB lead. The right-hander has responded well after a rough stretch in which he blew three saves over eight appearances, bouncing back with hitless saves in his past two outings. O'Brien continues to dominate overall, sporting a 2.57 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and an outstanding 25:2 K:BB across 21 innings.

Scott earned a save against the Giants on Thursday, striking out two batters in a perfect ninth inning.

Scott had a relatively low-stress assignment, as the Dodgers held a three-run lead when he entered in the ninth inning. The left-hander needed just nine pitches (seven strikes) to set down the side in order. Scott struggled as the Dodgers' closer last season, which led to Los Angeles bringing in Edwin Diaz (elbow) via free agency. Diaz has since landed on the 60-day IL, and Scott has shined since retaking the closer role. Over 10 outings in Diaz's absence, Scott has gone 4-for-4 on save opportunities while giving up just two runs and posting a 10:2 K:BB across 9.2 innings.

Sheehan (3-1) earned the win over San Francisco on Thursday, allowing two runs on two hits and two walks while striking out six batters over six innings.

Sheehan didn't give up a hit until the fourth inning and entered the fifth with a 2-0 lead. The Giants tied the score in that frame, but that wasn't entirely Sheehan's fault -- Jung Hoo Lee hit a two-out blooper to left field that was misplayed by Teoscar Hernandez for an inside-the-park, two-run homer. Sheehan responded nicely with a 1-2-3 frame in his sixth and final inning, and Los Angeles plated three runs in the bottom of the sixth to move him into position for the win. The quality start was the third of the season for Sheehan, who had gone just 4.2 innings in each of his previous two outings. He's at a 4.54 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 49:12 K:BB over 41.2 innings spanning eight starts this season.

Lopez did not factor into the decision Thursday against the Cardinals, allowing three runs (two earned) on four hits and three walks while striking out two over five innings.

Lopez was effective through the first four innings, allowing just one hit before trouble arrived. Victor Scott tied the game with a solo homer in the fifth, and Jordan Walker added another solo shot an inning later before a throwing error helped bring home an additional run that ended Lopez's outing. The left-hander threw 56 of his 86 pitches for strikes but continued to struggle with keeping the ball in the yard, as he's now allowed multiple homers in three straight appearances. Lopez also has yet to complete six frames in a start this season. He owns a 5.80 ERA, 1.71 WHIP and 30:27 K:BB across 40.1 innings and is slated to face the Angels in his next turn through the rotation.

McGreevy did not factor into the decision Thursday against the Athletics, allowing one run on five hits and one walk while striking out three over six innings.

McGreevy served up a leadoff homer to Nick Kurtz along with two additional hits in the first inning, but he settled in afterward and limited the Athletics to just two hits over the final five innings of his outing. The right-hander has now turned in four straight starts of at least six innings while allowing one run or fewer. However, he continues to rely heavily on his defense and allow a concerning amount of hard contact, as six balls against him Thursday were hit over 100 mph, though only one resulted in a hit. That trend aligns with the sizable gap between his excellent surface stats and far shakier predictive metrics. McGreevy owns a 2.10 ERA and 0.88 WHIP across 51.1 innings this season but carries a lofty 5.05 xERA. He's scheduled to face Pittsburgh next, a lineup that has swung the bat well in May.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Thursday that Glasnow (back) won't be ready to come off the injured list when first eligible, Jack Harris of the California Post reports.

The good news for Dodgers fans (and Glasnow's fantasy managers) is that the hurler has been playing catch the last few days. However, Roberts indicated Thursday that the team plans to have Glasnow take his time in his recovery, and it's unclear when the right-hander will throw off a mound again. He's eligible to come off the injured list May 22, but Roberts' comments indicate that Glasnow won't be activated immediately. However, Roberts didn't share when the team expects the 32-year-old to be inserted back into the rotation.

Marquez (forearm) is scheduled to begin a throwing program in mid-May, per MLB.com.

Marquez landed on the injured list May 3 following a rough outing two days earlier. If all goes to plan, he'll have had about two weeks of rest before he begins a throwing program. Marquez will likely need considerable time to build back up, so he probably won't be ready to be activated until at least early June.