MLB Player News

Cortes (4-2) earned the win Thursday, allowing two runs on five hits and one walk over six innings against the Blue Jays. He struck out six.

Cortes rolled through the Toronto lineup, posting his best start in over a month. The lefty hadn't completed six innings over his previous four starts. Despite the quality start, Cortes has allowed at least two runs in every start since his season debut back on April 3. After consecutive seasons with an ERA under 3.00, Cortes is sporting a 5.21 ERA in 2023.

Sheehan struck out a season-high 10 batters Wednesday for Double-A Tulsa and has a 1.85 ERA and 0.82 WHIP in 34 innings this season.

His 58 strikeouts lead all Double-A pitchers and are second only to Andrew Abbott (65) in the minor leagues. Sheehan was a trendy sleeper in dynasty leagues coming into the season, but he has pitched his way into the mix for the distinction of best pitcher in the minors. His fastball is an 80-grade offering in the mid-90s that has similar shape to Joe Ryan's low-90s fastball.

Lugo was placed on the 15-day injured list Thursday due to a left calf strain.

Lugo was forced to leave his last start Tuesday after straining his calf and will now officially miss multiple turns through the rotation. The severity of his injury seems to be relatively minor, so a minimum stay on the IL is likely. Ryan Weathers was recalled from Triple-A El Paso to replace Lugo on the roster.

Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol confirmed Thursday that Liberatore will remain in the rotation, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

Liberatore was terrific in his season debut with the Cardinals on Wednesday, tallying six strikeouts over five scoreless frames in a 3-0 win over the Brewers. The schedule, as currently sorted, calls for him to pitch early next week in a favorable matchup versus the Reds. The 23-year-old left-hander seems like a must-have in fantasy when you also factor in how well he was pitching at Triple-A Memphis prior to his promotion.

Manager Dave Roberts said Thursday that Pepiot is still experiencing soreness in his left oblique, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Pepiot began throwing to live hitters earlier this month, but a setback has returned him to playing catch on flat ground. Originally expected to return in late May or early June, Pepiot could now be held out of action through the All-Star break.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Thursday that Stone "makes the most sense" to replace Dustin May (forearm) in the starting rotation, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Michael Grove (groin) is traveling with the Dodgers, but only on the taxi squad for now, and it sounds like he'll be used in relief if -- or when -- he is activated. Stone racked up 10 strikeouts over 5.2 innings in his last start Tuesday at Triple-A Oklahoma City and can comfortably slot into May's spot Monday at Atlanta. May is out for at least a month with a flexor strain, so both Grove and Stone could ultimately get rotation turns. Bobby Miller might eventually be an option as well.

Cease (2-3) took the loss Thursday, allowing three runs on five hits and one walk over 6.1 innings against the Guardians. He struck out three.

Cease didn't get much help Thursday, as during the seventh inning Tim Anderson misplayed a groundball with the infield drawn in that allowed the go-ahead run to score. Gregory Santos then relieved Cease and gave up a single to plate Cleveland's third run. The righty has had a wild month of May, allowing 11 runs in his first two starts but just three in his last two outings. Cease is still sitting on a bloated 4.78 ERA as he tries to regain his form that led to a 2.20 ERA last season.

Allen did not factor into the decision Thursday, allowing one run on seven hits and one walk over 5.2 innings in a 3-1 win over the White Sox. He struck out five.

Allen nearly had a disaster outing, as he loaded the bases in the second inning with no outs. But the lefty induced a pop up before two strikeouts to strand all three runners. Allen has flirted with danger recently, allowing seven or more hits in each of his last three starts. His 29 strikeouts in 26.2 innings have helped him keep a 3.04 ERA in his rookie season.

Grove (groin) has joined the Dodgers in St. Louis after throwing a bullpen session in Arizona on Wednesday, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

The 26-year-old might be an option to help fill Dustin May's (forearm) spot in the rotation, which comes around again Monday at Atlanta. That would mean skipping a minor-league rehab assignment. Grove had posted an ugly 8.44 ERA through 16 major-league innings (four starts) with Los Angeles prior to suffering a right groin strain in late April.

The Dodgers placed May on the 15-day injured list Thursday with a right flexor pronator strain.

May suffered the forearm strain in the first inning of his start Wednesday against the Twins and is expected to miss at least a full month. He's going to try platelet-rich plasma (PRP) treatment in an effort to avoid surgery and expedite the healing process. Gavin Stone seems like the best bet to fill May's spot in the Dodgers' rotation, though Michael Grove (groin) could eventually be an option.