MLB Player News

Smith-Shawver was removed from his start in the first game of Thursday's doubleheader against Philadelphia after getting hit in his lower right leg by a comebacker, Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports. He struck out a batter and gave up two earned runs on three hits and one walk over 2.2 innings prior to his exit.

A 96-mile-per-hour line drive off the bat of Bryson Stott connected with Smith-Shawver's foot/ankle during the third inning. The 22-year-old righty attempted to remain in the game after getting hit but faced just one additional batter before manager Brian Snitker pulled the plug on him. Atlanta will presumably take a look at the young starter to make sure he didn't suffer any structural damage, and the team should offer an update on his status relatively soon.

Gordon is scheduled to start Saturday's game against the Rays in Houston.

With the Astros recently announcing that both Hayden Wesneski and Ronel Blanco would need season-ending Tommy John surgery, Gordon and Ryan Gusto have moved into big-league rotation. The Astros will eventually get Spencer Arrighetti (thumb), Luis Garcia (elbow) and Cristian Javier (elbow) back from the injured list, but with none of their returns considered imminent, Gordon could have an extended run as a starter. Through his first three starts across two separate stints in the majors, Gordon owns a 5.52 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 14:2 K:BB over 14.2 innings.

Dobbins struck out one batter and allowed two earned runs on three hits and three walks over three innings out of the bullpen in Wednesday's 6-5 extra-inning loss to the Brewers.

On Tuesday, Red Sox manager Alex Cora told Mike Monaco of ESPN that Dobbins would at least temporarily move to the bullpen as a result of Richard Fitts making his return from the 15-day injured list. Cora emphasized that Dobbins' move to the bullpen wasn't necessarily permanent, but because the Red Sox will have at least one day off for every week through early July, the team appears unlikely to expand its rotation to six men to make room for the rookie. Though he was able to get some extended work in Wednesday after starter Brayan Bello was lifted midway through the bottom of the fifth, Dobbins could end up heading back to Triple-A Worcester to make regular starts if his opportunities out of the Boston bullpen become more sporadic.

Gusto is scheduled to start Thursday's game against the Rays in Houston.

Gusto will be making his second straight turn through the rotation and seventh start of the season after he struck out six and allowed two earned runs over 4.1 innings in a no-decision against the Mariners his last time out Friday. The righty owns a 5.96 ERA and 28:10 K:BB in 25.2 innings as a starter this season, but despite his poor numbers, he could have an extended runway in the rotation due to Hayden Wesneski (elbow) and Ronel Blanco (elbow) recently getting shut down for the season and with Spencer Arrighetti (thumb) and Luis Garcia (elbow) not especially close to returning from the injured list.

Atlanta recalled Dodd from Triple-A Gwinnett to serve as the 27th man for Thursday's doubleheader versus the Phillies.

Dodd will be available as an option out of the bullpen for both contests of the twin bill but will likely head back to Gwinnett on Friday. After making 20 starts at Gwinnett in 2024, the left-hander has made the full-time transition to a relief role in 2025. Through 18 appearances at Triple-A this season, Dodd owns a 5.00 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 24:3 K:BB in 18 innings.

Rodriguez (shoulder) is expected to start in a game at the Arizona Complex League on Friday, Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports reports.

Rodriguez is coming off a 55-pitch simulated game last Saturday and will get a chance to build upon that Friday in the ACL. The left-hander could rejoin the Diamondbacks rotation in time for next week's road series in Atlanta, although the team has not confirmed if additional starts (if any) may be required. That will likely be determined following Friday's outing.

Burnes will make his next start Sunday in the series final against Washington, per MLB.com.

Ryne Nelson had been expected to start Sunday, but he and Burnes will switch. This means Burnes will pitch on normal rest, while Nelson gets two extra days of recovery after throwing a season-high 84 pitches in Monday's win over the Pirates.

Kirby (0-2) took the loss against Washington on Wednesday, allowing six runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out four batters over five innings.

Kirby was hit hard in the outing -- four of the Nationals' seven hits against him went for extra bases, and three of those left the yard. The right-hander did go a little deeper with five innings after completing just 3.2 frames against Houston in his season debut May 22, but he's struggled in both outings and has now given up 11 runs through 8.2 innings this season. It's understandable that Kirby has some rust after missing nearly the first two months of the season with a shoulder injury, but his return to action has been frustrating for fantasy managers who held onto the hurler throughout his time on the IL. Kirby at least has a promising matchup lined up for him next, as he's tentatively scheduled to face the Orioles, who have scored the seventh-fewest runs in MLB so far this season.

Williams (3-5) earned the win over Seattle on Wednesday, tossing six scoreless innings during which he allowed three hits and struck out two batters without issuing any walks.

Williams was masterful despite notching only five whiffs and two punchouts, as he allowed just three baserunners, two of which reached in the third inning. The right-hander probably could have gone deeper -- he tossed a mere 77 pitches (54 strikes) -- but manager Dave Martinez chose to go to the bullpen after six innings with the Nationals comfortably ahead by six runs. This was the first quality start of the season for Williams, who has had a rough campaign with a 5.69 ERA and 1.45 WHIP through 55.1 frames.

Kikuchi (1-5) took the loss against the Yankees on Wednesday, allowing one run on four hits and five walks while striking out four batters over five innings.

Kikuchi struggled with his control throughout the outing, throwing just 51 of 93 pitches for strikes and tying a season high with five free passes -- though two of the walks were intentional (both to Aaron Judge). Still, the veteran hurler was able to mostly avoid damage, as he surrendered just a first-inning run. Kikuchi finished his outing on a high note by retiring the final eight batters he faced, but the Angels were unable to provide him with any run support, resulting in his fifth loss of the season. Despite a 1-5 record, Kikuchi has been solid as the ace of the Angels' staff, allowing two or fewer earned runs in each of his past six starts and registering a 3.06 ERA, 1.52 WHIP and 58:35 K:BB over 64.2 innings on the campaign.