MLB Player News

Hendricks (2-2) earned the win Friday, allowing two runs on five hits over five innings against Baltimore. He struck out one and did not issue a walk.

Hendricks finished at least five innings and gave up two or fewer runs for the third time over his past four starts. The veteran missed the first two months of the campaign but has looked sharp since making his season debut May 25, posting a 3.18 ERA and 1.06 WHIP across 28.1 innings. He's never been a major strikeout guy, but when he's at his best, the right-hander is throwing a lot of strikes and inducing weak contact. Hendricks has walked just one batter over his last three outings and takes a two-game winning streak into his next start, which is tentatively scheduled as part of a three-game set in Pittsburgh.

Houser will work out of the Brewers' bullpen going forward, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

With Wade Miley (lat) set to return from the injured list Saturday, Houser will move to the bullpen to serve in a multi-inning relief role. He has allowed 13 runs (12 earned) across 15.1 innings over his last three starts.

Woodruff (shoulder) will throw a bullpen session Saturday, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Woodruff has been playing catch from 120 feet and will reportedly increase his distance to 135-150 feet before beginning mound work. He landed on the IL in mid-April and was cleared to resume throwing May 24. The Brewers will likely put Woodruff through multiple sessions and a rehab assignment before bringing him back to their rotation, so the 30-year-old ace is likely still a few weeks away from returning.

Steele (forearm) will be reinstated from the 15-day injured list to start Saturday against the Orioles, Jared Wyllys of AllCHGO.com reports.

Steele got through a bullpen session Thursday without any hiccups, clearing up any remaining concern about his ability to rejoin the rotation. The left-hander will be returning from the IL in the minimum 15 days and is skipping a rehab assignment, so it's possible he won't quite be ready for a full workload against Baltimore. Steele posted a 2.65 ERA in 12 starts before going down with a left forearm strain.

Smith-Shawver (1-0) earned the win Thursday, allowing three runs on six hits and one walk over 5.2 innings against the Rockies. He struck out six.

Smith-Shawver was solid Thursday, earning his first major-league win in his second start. Through his first two outings (13.1 innings), Smith-Shawver has a 2.03 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 11:4 K:BB after pitching to a 1.09 ERA in 33 innings in Triple-A. He's certainly earned a spot in Atlanta's rotation while Max Fried (forearm) and Kyle Wright (shoulder) are sidelined. Smith-Shawver tentatively lines up for a road matchup with the Phillies in his next outing.

Freeland (4-8) took the loss Thursday, allowing seven runs on nine hits and three walks over 4.1 innings against Atlanta. He struck out one.

Most of the damage against Freeland came in the second inning, when he was tagged for five runs on four hits. The 30-year-old southpaw had pitched well in his prior two starts, allowing three runs over 12 innings, though he's only logged five or more strikeouts once in his last six outings. Freeland's ERA is now up to 4.48 with a 1.34 WHIP and 50:22 K:BB through 15 starts (80.1 innings). He's currently slated for a road matchup with the Reds in his next outing.

Nola (6-5) earned the win Thursday, allowing four runs on six hits and one walk over 6.2 innings against the Diamondbacks. He struck out nine.

All of the damage against Nola came in the bottom of the third, when he allowed three consecutive hits to open the inning before eventually surrendering a three-run home run to Ketel Marte. He rebounded nicely, however, striking out the side in the very next inning after the Phillies' offense had retaken the lead. The right-hander has allowed at least four runs in six of his last nine starts, though he's now racked up 28 strikeouts to only six walks through 20 innings during three June outings.

Sheehan will be called up from Triple-A Oklahoma City to make his major-league debut against the Giants on Friday, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

Sheehan was promoted from Double-A Tulsa to Oklahoma City last weekend but will wind up making a start in the big leagues before he starts for OKC. The 23-year-old has been fantastic this season at Tulsa, putting up a 1.86 ERA and 88:23 K:BB over 53 innings. Questions remain as to whether Sheehan will be able to throw enough strikes, but he has a big fastball and an excellent changeup that he uses to miss plenty of bats. With the Dodgers' rotation battling multiple injuries, Sheehan could potentially get multiple starts if he pitches well.

Grove allowed four runs on seven hits and one walk while striking out seven batters over five innings in a no-decision against the White Sox on Thursday.

There's rarely a bright side when a pitcher gets blasted for four long balls, but in this case at least all four were solo blasts, and that the Guardians didn't push any runs across the plate otherwise. Grove did manage 18 whiffs and seven punchouts, which tied his season-high mark. The right-hander has given up exactly four runs in each of his past three starts, totaling 14 innings over that span, but Los Angeles may have no choice but to stick with him given its injury-burdened rotation. From a fantasy perspective, managers can probably do better than Grove's current 8.10 ERA, 1.60 WHIP and lack of any wins across seven outings.

Gore allowed four hits and three walks while striking out four batters over 5.2 scoreless innings in a no-decision against Houston on Thursday.

Gore threw just 51 of 95 pitches for a strike and walked more batters Thursday than he did in his previous three games combined, but he didn't allow any extra-base hits. That helped him keep the Astros off the board, and he finished with his second scoreless outing of the campaign. Since dominating the Royals with 11 punchouts in seven innings May 28, the southpaw has notched just 13 strikeouts over his subsequent 16.2 frames, and he's been inconsistent in that category throughout the season, though his overall 10.5 K/9 is solid. Gore's 3.74 ERA and 1.38 WHIP aren't exceptional, but the 24-year-old has shown improvement in his second MLB campaign, and he could yet fulfill the potential that made him one of the game's top pitching prospects just a few years ago.