MLB Player News

Sheehan earned a save against the Athletics on Thursday, allowing two runs on two hits and one walk while striking out three batters over four innings.

In Sheehan's first big-league appearance out of the bullpen, he piggybacked with starter Julio Urias, who was limited to five frames due to a recent fingernail issue. Sheehan gave up a pair of solo homers but kept Oakland at arm's length, tossing 56 pitches over the game's final four innings to record a save. The rookie right-hander worked as a starter for each of his first seven big-league appearances, but Thursday's outing may be a signal that he's no longer needed in that role with the Dodgers' recent acquisitions of Lance Lynn and Ryan Yarbrough and the looming return of Clayton Kershaw (shoulder).

Urias (8-6) earned the win over Oakland on Thursday, pitching five scoreless innings during which he allowed three hits and one walk while striking out five batters.

Urias was originally slated to start Tuesday in the series opener, but the outing was pushed back due to a split nail on his pitching hand. Per Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times, manager Dave Roberts indicated prior to the contest that he didn't expect the left-handed hurler to go more than five frames, and that's exactly how things played out with Urias departing after five innings despite having thrown just 68 pitches. Though that kept him from notching a quality start, it didn't prevent Urias from picking up a victory to improve to 8-6. Assuming he emerges from the outing without a setback, Urias should be able to go deeper in his next outing, which tentatively lines up to come in Arizona early next week.

Taillon (6-6) earned the win over Cincinnati on Thursday, allowing two runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out five batters over five-plus innings.

It wasn't the breeziest outing for the right-hander, as he notched just one 1-2-3 inning and needed 92 pitches to get through five-plus frames. However, Taillon got the job done, collecting his fourth win in his past five starts to get his record to .500 for the first time this season. The veteran hurler has turned things around since a poor July 2 outing against Cleveland that pushed his season ERA to 6.93 -- over his subsequent five starts, he's posted a 2.08 ERA over 30.1 innings despite a mediocre 23:10 K:BB. Taillon will look to keep rolling in his next start, which currently lines up to be a road matchup against the Mets.

Keller (9-8) took the loss Thursday, allowing eight runs on nine hits and three walks over five innings against the Brewers. He struck out five.

It was another rough outing for Keller -- he's now allowed 24 runs over his last four starts (21.2 innings). Overall, his ERA is now up to 4.35 with a 1.25 WHIP and 150:43 K:BB across 23 starts (138.2 innings) this season. Keller will look to right the ship in his next start, currently scheduled for next week against Atlanta.

Houser (4-3) earned the win Thursday, allowing a run on four hits and two walks over six innings against Pittsburgh. He struck out five.

Houser allowed a lone run in the first inning before blanking the Pirates over his final five frames. The Brewers' offense would provide more than enough run support in a 14-1 victory. It was an impressive bounce-back effort from Houser after he allowed six runs over four innings in his last outing against Atlanta. The 30-year-old right-hander lowered his ERA to 4.19 with a 1.52 WHIP and 57:25 K:BB across 13 starts (73 innings) this season. Houser's currently in line to face the Rockies at home in his next start.

Pfaadt (0-5) took the loss Thursday, allowing one run on two hits and one walk over seven innings in a 1-0 loss against the Giants. He struck out seven.

Pfaadt turned in the best start of his young career, generating an absurd 31 called plus swinging strikes on just 84 pitches. The 24-year-old rookie's only blemish came on a LaMonte Wade, Jr. solo shot in the fourth inning; however, he didn't receive any run support and was saddled with the loss. In three outings since being recalled from the minors, Pfaadt has posted a 3.42 ERA, 0.82 WHIP and 16:2 K:BB across 18.2 innings. He is currently projected for a tougher matchup against the Dodgers next week.

Richardson was scratched from his start Thursday at Triple-A Louisville with no reason provided, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

It's possible the Reds are considering Richardson as a rotation replacement for Ben Lively, who landed on the injured list Wednesday with a right pectoral strain. A second-round pick in the 2018 MLB Draft out of a Florida high school, Richardson missed the entire 2022 season following Tommy John surgery but has roared back to deliver a 1.86 ERA with 81 strikeouts in 58 innings (19 starts) this season between Low-A, Double-A and Triple-A. Connor Phillips and Levi Stoudt are among the other -- less exciting -- possibilities to get the call to Cincinnati.

Cueto (0-3) took the loss Thursday, allowing four runs on five hits and two walks over six innings against Philadelphia. He struck out four.

Cueto got himself into trouble in the top of the second after walking Nick Castellanos to start the inning. The right-handed veteran then served up a hanging cutter to J.T. Realmuto two batters later, leading to a two-run shot to put the Marlins down 2-0. Cueto would actually go on to shut out the Phillies over the next four innings before surrendering back-to-back singles and a walk to open the seventh, which led to two more runs coming home. He's now allowed four runs in each of his last two starts, though he's also made it through six innings in three straight.

Lorenzen (1-0) earned the win Thursday, allowing two runs on six hits and one walk over eight innings against the Marlins. He struck out five.

Lorenzen was terrific in his Phillies debut, holding the Marlins to just two runs over a season-high eight innings of work. The newly acquired right-hander retired 10 consecutive batters after giving up his first run, before then allowing a solo home run off the bat of Bryan De La Cruz. Lorenzen has now conceded two runs or fewer in six of his last eight starts, while the home run he allowed Thursday was the first he's given up since June 25.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Thursday that Buehler (elbow) is "on the verge" of beginning a rehab assignment, Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Buehler is scheduled to throw a bullpen session Friday in San Diego and could then head out next week to one of the Dodgers' minor-league affiliates as he prepares to return to live games. Roberts told reporters that they are expecting the 29-year-old back -- as a starting pitcher -- in the early part of September. He is closing in on the 12-month mark from his August 2022 Tommy John surgery.