MLB Player News

Knack is scheduled to start Friday's game against the Giants in San Francisco, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

Due to off days Thursday and next Monday, the Dodgers could have gotten by with a four-man rotation until next weekend, but Knack will earn another turn as Los Angeles' No. 5 starter coming off a solid showing in his return to the big club last week. After being called up from Triple-A Oklahoma City last Friday, Knack tossed five scoreless innings while taking a no-decision against the Angels. Knack's stay in the rotation will likely last as long as Walker Buehler (hip) is on the injured list.

Priester (lat) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Indianapolis on Wednesday, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.

Priester has been on the 15-day injured list since June 6, but he has been given the green light to test his injured lat in a competitive setting. The Pirates haven't specified how many rehab outings the 24-year-old will need, but it's likely he returns from the IL before the All-Star break.

Ashcraft (4-4) took the loss Wednesday as the Reds were downed 6-1 by the Pirates, surrendering six runs on nine hits and a walk over 5.1 innings. He struck out three.

Making his first start in the big leagues since June 5, Ashcraft served up a solo shot to Rowdy Tellez in the fourth inning and a two-run blast to Andrew McCutchen in the fifth. The right-hander has been touched up for 11 long balls in 67.2 innings with Cincinnati this season, helping to fuel his 5.45 ERA. It's not clear how long Nick Lodolo will be sidelined with a blister, but the Reds don't seem to have a better option for his rotation spot. Assuming he gets another start, Ashcraft's homer issues will make him a very risky fantasy play in his next outing, which lines up to come on the road early next week in Yankee Stadium.

Atlanta appointed Elder as the 27th man for Wednesday's doubleheader, and he'll start Game 2 against the Cardinals.

The right-hander was previously announced as the starter for Wednesday's nightcap, and he's now officially been added to the roster. Elder has struggled in his five starts for Atlanta this season with a 6.46 ERA, 1.94 WHIP and 19:11 K:BB across 23.2 innings. He'll likely be sent back to Triple-A Gwinnett following the contest.

The Giants selected Birdsong's contract from Triple-A Sacramento ahead of his start Wednesday versus the Cubs, Andrew Baggarly of The Athletic reports.

Birdsong earned a promotion to Triple-A in mid-June after putting up a 2.05 ERA and 1.12 WHIP with Double-A Richmond, and he'll now be launched into the majors due to the Giants' injury situation. Mason Black was optioned to Sacramento in a corresponding move, and Raymond Burgos was DFA'd to create a 40-man roster spot.

The Giants optioned Black to Triple-A Sacramento on Wednesday, Andrew Baggarly of The Athletic reports.

Black was recalled from Sacramento ahead of Tuesday's contest, but he will now return to the minors without appearing in a game. The 24-year-old right-hander owns an 8.79 ERA and 1.95 WHIP in 14.1 innings with the Giants this season, but the lack of depth in San Francisco's rotation could allow him to return to the majors if needed for a spot start. Hayden Birdsong was selected from Triple-A in a corresponding move.

Gibson (5-3) allowed four runs on four hits and five walks while striking out four over four innings to take the loss versus Atlanta in the first game of Wednesday's doubleheader.

Gibson made his first start since June 14 -- a stint on the bereavement list, a bout of back tightness and a rainout combined to keep him out of game action for 12 days. He wasn't sharp, throwing 50 of 87 pitches for strikes Wednesday, with the five walks being a season high. This was his first loss since April 13 and the first time he's given up more than three runs since May 17. Gibson has a 3.70 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 77:36 K:BB over 87.2 innings across 15 starts this season. He's projected to make his next start at Pittsburgh.

Lopez (6-2) allowed two runs on four hits and four walks while striking out five over five innings to earn the win in Game 1 of Wednesday's doubleheader versus the Cardinals.

By his lofty standards this season, this wasn't a great performance for Lopez, but it was still enough for his third straight win. He hadn't allowed a run over his last two starts, and he's walked multiple batters just twice in his last seven outings. The right-hander is now at a 1.70 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 81:27 K:BB through 79.1 innings over 14 starts in 2024. His next start is projected to be at home versus the Giants.

Gray (elbow) struck out four and allowed one run on four hits and zero walks over six innings in his rehab start Tuesday with Triple-A Rochester.

Gray held Indianapolis scoreless through five frames before letting in a run in the sixth, but the right-hander still delivered the lengthiest and best of his four rehab starts since starting his minor-league assignment June 9. He covered 73 pitches in Tuesday's outing, a workload that should put him in line to handle a traditional starter's role when he returns from the 15-day injured list. Gray appears likely to rejoin the Washington rotation Monday or Tuesday against the Mets, as the Nationals are listing Patrick Corbin as the starter for Sunday's series finale in Tampa Bay, per Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com.

Brewers general manager Matt Arnold confirmed Wednesday that Gasser (elbow) underwent a traditional Tommy John surgery Monday, Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

As expected, Gasser wasn't a candidate for an internal brace procedure, which would have shortened his timetable. A return for Gasser late in the 2025 season would still appear possible, but he likely won't be an integral part of the team's plans until 2026.