MLB Player News

Heaney (arm) is listed as the Dodgers' scheduled starter for Thursday's series finale in Milwaukee.

As anticipated, Heaney won't be forced to miss a turn through the rotation after he exited his most recent start Saturday against the Rockies when he took a line drive off his left arm. He escaped with nothing more than a bruise to his pitching arm, and he's apparently been able to resume throwing without any discomfort. Though injuries have limited Heaney to just seven starts this season, he's been dominant when available, as he's produced a 1.16 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 42:10 K:BB across 31 innings.

Kikuchi (4-7) took the loss Monday as the Blue Jays were downed 7-3 by the Orioles, coughing up six runs (three earned) on four hits and three walks over 3.1 innings. He struck out three.

The southpaw's own error on a pickoff attempt in the fourth inning was just one of Toronto's defensive miscues on the night, helping to soften the blow to his ERA, but Kikuchi was hit hard when he did allow contact -- three of the four hits off him went for extra bases, including a two-run homer by Jays nemesis Ryan Mountcastle. Since returning to the rotation at the end of July, Kikuchi has a 5.71 ERA thanks to a 2.6 HR/9 despite an otherwise solid 1.33 WHIP and 17:8 K:BB through 17.1 innings.

Sears is scheduled to start Tuesday's road game against the Rangers.

Sears is receiving a second straight turn through the rotation while Paul Blackburn (finger) remains on the injured list. In his Athletics debut last week versus the Angels, Sears took a no-decision while striking out three and allowing two earned runs on three hits and no walks over 5.1 innings.

Bradish didn't factor into the decision in Monday's 7-3 win over the Blue Jays, giving up three runs on six hits and four walks over 4.2 innings. He struck out five.

Baltimore handed the right-hander a 6-2 lead heading into the fifth inning, but Bradish couldn't hang around long enough to collect the win, getting the hook after tossing only 54 of 96 pitches for strikes. He hasn't lasted longer than 5.1 innings in any of his four starts since coming off the IL in late July, posting a 4.05 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 21:9 K:BB through 20 innings over that stretch while failing to record a decision in any of them.

The Dodgers promoted Stone from Double-A Tulsa to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Monday, Kyle Glaser of Baseball America reports.

He'll be one of two elite Dodgers pitching prospects moving up to Triple-A, as right-hander Bobby Miller is also set to join Stone in the Oklahoma City rotation. After getting promoted from High-A Great Lakes in mid-May, the 23-year-old Stone dazzled over 73.1 innings with Tulsa, pitching to a 1.60 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 107:30 K:BB.

Gray did not factor into the decision Monday, allowing three runs on five hits and two walks over six innings in a 5-4 win over the Cubs. He struck out 10.

Ian Happ took him deep twice, but otherwise it was a strong outing for Gray, as he tossed 105 pitches (67 strikes) en route to his second straight quality start and eighth of the season. Long balls remain the right-hander's Achilles' heel, however -- he's served up at least one homer in nine straight starts and has a 5.94 ERA over that stretch thanks to a 3.1 HR/9, despite a 1.34 WHIP and 11.5 K/9.

The Dodgers promoted Miller from Double-A Tulsa to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Monday, Kyle Glaser of Baseball America reports.

As he makes the jump to Triple-A, Miller will presumably take over the spot in the rotation that had belonged to the rehabbing Dustin May (elbow), who is on track to return from the 60-day injured list to rejoin the Dodgers this weekend for his 2022 MLB debut. Miller generated a 4.45 ERA and 1.20 WHIP in his 20 outings (19 starts) at Tulsa this season, but he was especially dominant over his final seven appearances with the affiliate. In 34.1 innings, he produced a 3.67 ERA and 1.08 WHIP while striking out 54 and issuing just 10 walks.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts confirmed that May (elbow) will be activated from the 60-day injured list to start Saturday's game against the Marlins in Los Angeles, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

On the same day the Dodgers announced that Walker Buehler (elbow) would require season-ending surgery, the team at least got some welcome news in the form of May's impending return from the IL. May, who has been on the shelf all season while recovering from May 2021 Tommy John surgery, will presumably take over the spot in the rotation presently being filled by Ryan Pepiot, who was called up from Triple-A Oklahoma City when Clayton Kershaw (back) went on the IL. May wrapped up a dominant six-start rehab assignment in the minors with a five-inning, 10-strikeout performance Sunday at Triple-A. He built up to 70 pitches in that outing, so the Dodgers may be inclined to keep him in the 80-to-90 range when he takes the hill Sunday for his 2022 MLB debut.

Cobb (4-6) earned the win over Arizona on Monday, allowing one run on five hits and three walks while striking out five batters over six innings.

Cobb breezed through five scoreless innings without giving up an extra-base hit. He was tagged for a solo homer by Christian Walker in the sixth but finished the frame without allowing any additional damage. Cobb began the campaign with three wins over his first six starts but then went 12 straight appearances without a victory before getting off the schneid Monday. Despite the difficulties moving into the win column, Cobb has been effective since returning from a stint on the injured list June 19, posting a 2.92 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 58:19 K:BB over 61.2 innings.

Castillo pitched six innings against the Angels on Monday, allowing two runs on six hits and one walk while striking out nine batters. He did not factor in the decision.

Castillo and opposing starter Shohei Ohtani dueled to a dead heat over six frames, with both pitchers allowing two runs and Castillo finishing with one more strikeout than Ohtani. The bullpens ended up being the difference in the contest, as Seattle produced four runs to the Angels' zero over the final three innings. Castillo finished with his second straight no-decision but was nonetheless impressive, racking up 16 swinging strikes. The nine punchouts were his most in four games as a Mariner, and he's given up only eight runs across 27.2 frames since moving to the American League.