MLB Player News

Abbott (1-2) earned the win Thursday against the Rockies, allowing two runs on five hits and two walks in six innings. He struck out five.

Abbott turned in one of his best performances of the year so far, matching a season high in innings and punchouts. Thursday was only his second quality start and his first since his season debut, and it was also just the third time that the 26-year-old left-hander gave up fewer than three runs. Abbott still has work to do in order to improve upon his 5.97 ERA, 1.67 WHIP and 24:15 K:BB (34.2 innings), and he could have his work cut out against the Cubs in his next scheduled outing at Wrigley Field.

Woodruff was removed from Thursday's game against the Diamondbacks with an apparent injury, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Woodruff didn't give up a run during his start Thursday, but he managed to record just four outs while averaging 85 mph with his fastball -- a significant decrease from his 92.6-mph season average. The veteran righty battled problems with his lat coming into the season and missed time last year with shoulder, ankle and elbow injuries, though it's currently unknown what was troubling him Thursday.

The Diamondbacks list Gallen (shoulder) as their starting pitcher for Friday's game against the Cubs, Jack Sommers of SI.com reports.

Gallen had to be removed from his last outing after he was struck in the right shoulder by a comebacker, but he threw a bullpen session Wednesday without issue and will not have to miss a turn in the rotation. The veteran right-hander should be ready for a normal workload at Wrigley Field.

The Giants recalled McDonald from Triple-A Sacramento on Thursday.

He will be the team's 27th man for Thursday's doubleheader versus the Phillies. The Giants have not announced a starting pitcher for the nightcap, but McDonald is a candidate to draw that assignment or eat some innings in long relief. He holds a 5.40 ERA and 12:15 K:BB in 15 innings this season with Sacramento.

The Cardinals activated Dobbins (knee) from the 15-day injured list Thursday.

Dobbins will start Thursday's game in Pittsburgh as the Cardinals shift to a temporary six-man rotation amidst a 17-day stretch with no off days. He'll be making his team and 2026 big-league debut after posting a 4.37 ERA and 19:9 K:BB over 22.2 innings in five rehab starts with Triple-A Memphis. Dobbins -- who was acquired from the Red Sox over the offseason -- is coming back from ACL surgery, which he underwent last July. He got his pitch count up to as high as 91 on his rehab assignment, so Dobbins should be capable of handling a full workload Thursday.

The Reds placed Williamson on the 15-day injured list Thursday due to left shoulder fatigue.

Williamson was removed from his start in Wednesday's 13-2 loss to the Rockies with the issue. Manager Terry Francona said Thursday that Williamson doesn't have structural damage to his shoulder and will resume a throwing program after being given a cortisone shot, per Charlie Goldsmith of Fox 19 Now Cincinnati. It's unclear how long the left-hander will be sidelined, but with Nick Lodolo (finger) due back from the IL soon, Williamson could be without a rotation spot once he's ready to return. Williamson holds a 6.11 ERA and 19:20 K:BB over six starts covering 28 innings this season.

Atlanta manager Walt Weiss said after Wednesday's 4-3 win over the Tigers that Ritchie won't be optioned back to Triple-A Gwinnett when Spencer Strider (oblique) returns from the injured list this weekend, Gabriel Burns of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Weiss was effusive in his praise of the rookie right-hander after he battled for a no-decision Wednesday, and the skipper made it clear Ritchie would take his next turn in the rotation early next week in his hometown of Seattle. Atlanta hasn't revealed if it will shift to a six-man rotation when Strider is activated, or whether Martin Perez -- who's been designated for assignment once already this season -- will get bumped instead. In either scenario, Ritchie will end up getting a longer look in the majors. Through his first two MLB starts, he's produced a 2.92 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 11:6 K:BB in 12.1 innings.

Jones (elbow) struck out five over three perfect innings in his first rehab start with Single-A Bradenton on Wednesday.

Jones overwhelmed the A-ball hitters, regularly reaching 100 mph and hitting 101.1 mph on his final pitch of the first inning, per Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. The right-hander required only 41 pitches as he cruised through his three frames. It's a very encouraging first rehab outing for Jones, who is coming back from internal brace surgery that he had last May. Jones is on the 60-day injured list and thus not eligible for activation until late May, so he will continue to deliberately build up stamina before rejoining the Pirates' rotation in a few weeks.

Franco allowed three runs on four hits and one walk while striking out three over three relief innings in Wednesday's 13-2 loss to the Rockies.

The Reds bullpen had a lot of work to do when starter Brandon Williamson was removed after three innings with left shoulder fatigue. Franco, who was a starter at Triple-A Louisville, could slot into the rotation pending the results of Williamson's MRI, which is scheduled for Thursday. Aside from Franco, the Reds could also reach down to Louisville for Chase Petty, who was removed early from his start Wednesday for what appears to be a potential recall should Williamson be unavailable when his next turn in the rotation comes due Monday.

Sugano (3-1) earned the win Wednesday against the Reds, allowing four hits and three walks while striking out two over 5.1 scoreless innings.

Sugano turned in his first scoreless outing of the season, relying more on command than swing-and-miss stuff. The right-hander threw 51 of his 91 pitches for strikes and generated just five whiffs but made up for it with 24 called strikes to keep hitters off balance. He continues to show consistency, now holding opponents to two or fewer runs in five of his six outings. Sugano owns a 2.84 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 21:9 K:BB across 31.2 innings in a strong debut season with Colorado and is slated to face the Mets in his next start early next week.