MLB Player News

Waldron (oblique) began a rehab assignment in the Arizona Complex League on Thursday, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Waldron suffered an oblique strain in mid-March but returned to the mound Thursday. He allowed one earned run on two hits and a walk while striking out three across 1.2 frames. Waldron threw a total of 38 pitches, so he'll likely need a few more appearances before being activated.

Martinez (2-4) picked up the win Thursday against the White Sox, allowing two hits and no walks with three strikeouts across seven scoreless frames.

Martinez delivered his first scoreless start of 2025, shutting down the lowly White Sox and setting a season high in innings pitched. The 34-year-old righty has now logged four consecutive quality starts, and he hasn't allowed a walk in 19 innings. Through 51.2 innings this season, Martinez owns a 3.66 ERA, a 1.16 WHIP and a 40:11 K:BB.. He's scheduled to face the Pirates in Pittsburgh early next week.

Smith-Shawver (3-2) picked up the win Thursday against the Nationals, allowing one unearned run on two hits and two walks across six innings. He struck out six.

The only damage against Smith-Shawver came in the sixth inning, when a two-out fielding error by Austin Riley allowed CJ Abrams to score from second base. It was another excellent start from the 22-year-old, who's allowed just one earned run in his last 19.2 innings. On the year, Smith-Shawver has a 2.33 ERA and a 40:17 K:BB across 38.2 innings. He's in line to make his next start Thursday for a road matchup against Washington.

Williams (2-5) took the loss Thursday against Atlanta, allowing four runs (three earned) on five hits and no walks across 4.1 innings. He struck out four.

Williams allowed one unearned run on two hits through four innings before having a nightmare fifth frame. He hit Ozzie Albies with a pitch to begin the inning and later gave up three straight singles before being pulled. Williams has now allowed at least four runs in four consecutive starts, and he owns a 6.86 ERA and a 17:5 K:BB across 21 innings during that stretch. He's tentatively scheduled to pitch again Wednesday in a rematch with Atlanta.

Glasnow (shoulder) threw from flat ground Thursday, Matthew Moreno of DodgerBlue.com reports.

Glasnow resumed throwing Sunday, and this marked his second session. Manager Dave Roberts said that Glasnow's recovery is going as planned but provided no timeline for him to begin throwing off a mound.

Manager Dave Roberts said Thursday that Knack is likely to serve as the Dodgers' fifth starter in the short term, Matthew Moreno of DodgerBlue.com reports.

The Dodgers' rotation has been consistently shuffled early this season, and that continued with Roki Sasaki (shoulder) being placed on the injured list this week and Clayton Kershaw (toe) nearing activation. Those moves would still leave them one starter short, and Knack appears to be the preferred option over the likes of Ben Casparius and Matt Sauer. Knack has a 5.89 ERA and 1.53 WHIP with a more impressive 20:8 K:BB across 18.1 innings this season.

Holmes will remain in Atlanta's rotation after Bryce Elder was optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett on Thursday.

There was some speculation by David O'Brien of The Athletic that Holmes could shift to the bullpen to accommodate the return of Spencer Strider (hamstring), but ultimately the club decided to stick with Holmes in the rotation and send Elder down. Holmes has been up and down this season as a starter, posting a 4.23 ERA and 42:21 K:BB over 44.2 frames covering eight starts, but he brings more upside to the rotation than Elder. The 29-year-old Holmes' next start will come Saturday in Boston.

Atlanta optioned Elder to Triple-A Gwinnett on Thursday, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

Elder has put up a 3.10 ERA over his last five starts, including tossing six innings of one-run ball his last time out against the Nationals. However, Spencer Strider (hamstring) is due back next week and Atlanta will not go to a six-man rotation, so Elder having minor-league options left worked against him here. He'll likely be the next starter called upon when the big club needs a rotation reinforcement.

Holmes could be moved to the Atlanta bullpen when Spencer Strider (hamstring) returns from the 15-day injured list next week, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

Manager Brian Snitker said the club will not use a six-man rotation, so it seems either Holmes or Bryce Elder will lose their spot. Elder has minor-league options remaining, so sending him to Triple-A Gwinnett is a possibility. However, Elder has been more consistent than Holmes lately, and Holmes also had lots of success in a relief role last season. Atlanta's rotation intentions should become clearer in the coming days. Currently, Holmes is lined up to start Saturday in Boston.

Manager Brian Snitker said Thursday that Strider (hamstring) will be activated off the injured list to start one of Atlanta's games in Washington next week, 680 The Fan Atlanta reports.

It's still unclear exactly which game Strider will pitch in Atlanta's upcoming three-game series against the Nationals, but Snitker's comments confirm that the 26-year-old righty will return to the rotation without making a rehab start in the minors. Strider only built up to 65 pitches and experienced decreased velocity during his sim game Wednesday, so there's a chance he'll be working under some workload restrictions when he makes his return from a strained right hamstring.