MLB Player News

The Dodgers promoted Sheehan from Double-A Tulsa to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Saturday, Josh Thomas of DodgersDigest.com reports.

The hard-throwing right-hander has emerged as the top pitching prospect in the Los Angeles system this season and will be rewarded with a move to the top rung of the minors after he submitted a 1.86 ERA, 0.89 WHIP and 88:23 K:BB across 53.1 innings in the Texas League. The 23-year-old complements his upper-90s fastball with a plus changeup and a slider that flashes as a plus pitch, giving him the sort of repertoire that could give him a chance at becoming a high-end starter in the big leagues if he can keep his walks in check. Though a promotion to the majors didn't seem to be in the cards for Sheehan at the onset of the 2023 season, the myriad injuries to the Dodgers rotation along with his own dominant start to the campaign suddenly make him a name to at least monitor in redraft leagues, if not stash on a roster.

Oviedo (3-5) took the loss Saturday, giving up two runs on four hits and two walks over 6.1 innings as the Pirates were downed 5-1 by the Mets. He struck out five.

The right-hander tossed 90 pitches (55 strikes) en route to his second straight quality start and sixth of the season, but Pittsburgh's batters provided him with little support and managed only three hits on the night. Oviedo hasn't allowed more than three runs in any of his last six outings, posting a 2.62 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 30:19 K:BB through 34.1 innings over that stretch. The 25-year-old will look to keep rolling in his next start, likely to come on the road next week against the Cubs.

Senga (6-3) picked up the win in Saturday's 5-1 victory over the Pirates, allowing one unearned run on two hits and four walks over seven innings. He struck out six.

The right-hander continues to have trouble getting the ball over the plate -- he's issued at least three walks in 10 of his first 12 MLB starts -- but Senga has been mostly successful lately in making sure the free passes don't come back to bite him. Since the beginning of May, he's posted a 2.79 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 47:22 K:BB while serving up only two homers in 38.2 innings. He's next set to take the mound at home next weekend against the Cardinals.

Freeland didn't factor into the decision in Saturday's 3-2 loss to the Padres, allowing one run on six hits and two walks over five innings. He struck out five.

The southpaw continues to pitch surprisingly well at Coors Field, but the Rockies' bullpen couldn't protect a 2-1 lead and cost Freeland his fifth win. The 30-year-old will carry a 3.91 ERA and 49:19 K:BB through 76 innings into his next outing, likely to come next week in Atlanta.

Gore (3-5) took the loss against Atlanta on Saturday, allowing five runs on four hits and one walk while striking out three batters over five innings.

Four of the five runs Gore gave up came in the second inning, when Atlanta tagged him for a pair of two-run homers. This marks the first time in 2023 that the southpaw has given up more than four runs in an outing, and the performance snapped a streak of two straight quality starts. Gore hasn't picked up a win since April 26, and he's posted a 4.71 ERA with a 48:13 K:BB over 42 innings during the drought. He's made some positive strides this season, though his overall 4.04 ERA and 1.39 WHIP are only slight improvements over his final 2022 numbers.

Shuster (3-2) earned the win over Washington on Saturday, allowing three runs on eight hits and no walks over five-plus innings. He didn't strike out any batters.

Shuster wasn't exactly overpowering -- he induced only four swinging strikes and, for the first time in his career, didn't record a single punchout -- but the rookie nonetheless pitched well enough to push his record above .500 for the first time. The southpaw gave up only one run over 4.2 frames, but a two-run double by Lane Thomas with two outs in the fifth scuffed up Shuster's final line a bit. The hurler still came out for the next frame, but he was removed after giving up back-to-back singles to begin the inning. After surrendering four runs in each of his first two outings, Shuster has given up three or fewer runs in each of his subsequent five starts. That should be good enough for him to keep a spot in Atlanta's rotation, though he's a shaky fantasy option in redraft leagues given his overall 5.05 ERA and especially his poor 21:19 K:BB over 35.2 frames.

Hendricks (1-2) allowed a hit and a walk while striking out three over eight shutout innings to earn the win Saturday over the Giants.

Hendricks had a no-hitter going into the eighth before Mitch Haniger's two-out double broke up the bid for history. This was the best of Hendricks' four starts this season, and it earned him his first win. He's now at a 3.09 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 15:6 K:BB over 23.1 innings, and he got through Saturday's start with 94 pitches (61 strikes). He's lined up for a tough home start versus the Orioles next week.

Nelson (3-3) earned the win Saturday, allowing four hits and two walks over 5.2 scoreless innings against the Tigers. He struck out four.

It was mostly smooth sailing for Nelson through the first five innings as Arizona's offense provided him with solid run support early. He was relieved by Austin Adams in the sixth after issuing back-to-back walks to load the bases, though the latter was able to get out of the jam unscathed. Nelson, who threw a season-high 98 pitches Saturday, has now won two of his last three starts, while Saturday marked the second time this season in which he didn't allow a run.

Rogers (biceps) was scratched from his scheduled rehab start Saturday with discomfort in his non-throwing shoulder, MLB.com reports.

Rogers has been out since mid-April with biceps soreness. He's made a pair of rehab starts, giving up just two hits in nine scoreless innings, but the Marlins wanted him to make one more before activating him. He felt discomfort in his right shoulder during warm-ups and did not wind up making his scheduled appearance, and it's not yet clear how the Marlins will proceed.

Painter (elbow) threw a 20-pitch bullpen session Saturday, Alex Coffey of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Painter entered spring training with a shot to crack the Phillies' Opening Day rotation as a teenager, but a sprained UCL derailed those plans. He avoided surgery and has been steadily building up over the last two months. He began playing catch in early April and had worked his way to bullpen sessions by late May, though those came from the front of the mound. He's ready for the real thing now, but Painter still has steps to go in his recovery before the Phillies consider activating him from the injured list.