MLB Player News

Dodd (back) is expected to begin a minor-league rehab assignment with Triple-A Gwinnett in the coming days, Lindsay Crosby of BravesToday.com reports.

Dodd has been on the 15-day injured list since April 23 while recovering from left thoracic spine inflammation, but the southpaw now appears to be nearing a return to action. Dodd has made two appearances with Atlanta this season, giving up one run on three hits and a walk while striking out four batters over four innings.

The Marlins are expected to option Ramirez to Triple-A Jacksonville on Monday, Craig Mish of FanDuel Sports Network Florida reports.

Ramirez will head to Jacksonville after posting a disappointing .230/.318/.345 slash line with two home runs, 14 RBI, 14 runs scored and three stolen bases over 129 plate appearances in 31 contests with the Marlins this season. The 24-year-old hasn't shown improvement of late with a .200 average and 13 strikeouts over his last 14 games, so the Marlins appear ready to send him to Triple-A for a reset. In a corresponding move, the Marlins are expected to promote top catching prospect Joe Mack from Triple-A, and he could end up serving as Miami's primary catcher while Liam Hicks sees more starts at designated hitter and/or first base.

The Marlins are expected to call up Mack from Triple-A Jacksonville on Monday, Craig Mish of FanDuel Sports Network Florida reports.

Mack will get a chance to make his MLB debut during Monday's series finale against the Phillies. The 23-year-old catcher is considered one of Miami's top prospects, and he's slashed .244/.388/.378 with three home runs and one stolen base over 103 plate appearances with Jacksonville this season. Agustin Ramirez is set to be sent down to Triple-A Jacksonville in a corresponding move, so Mack will share reps behind the plate with Liam Hicks for the time being.

Manager Pat Murphy said Sunday that Zerpa (forearm) is deciding whether or not to undergo Tommy John surgery, Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

The left-hander landed on the injured list Wednesday due to forearm tightness, and he could end up being out for the season and beyond. Even if Zerpa doesn't end up needing Tommy John surgery, he seems likely to be sidelined for multiple months.

Dubin signed a minor-league contract with the Nationals on Friday.

Dubin made his organizational debut Sunday with Triple-A Rochester, tossing a scoreless inning out of the bullpen. The right-handed reliever most recently saw action at the big-league level with Houston and Baltimore in 2025, when he turned in a 5.08 ERA and 1.43 WHIP across 33.2 innings.

The Nationals claimed Kent off waivers from the Twins on Sunday and optioned him to Triple-A Rochester.

Kent has bounced around aplenty over the last six months, with Washington now marking the fifth different stop for the righty reliever during that stretch. Though Kent will head to Triple-A, a strong showing in his initial appearances with Rochester could put him on the fast track to a Washington bullpen lacking in dependable arms.

Atlanta outrighted Payamps to Triple-A Gwinnett on Sunday after he cleared waivers.

The right-hander was designated for assignment by Atlanta on Friday, but he'll remain in the organization after passing through waivers unclaimed. Payamps has surrendered seven earned runs over 7.2 innings during his time in the big leagues this year.

Nationals manager Blake Butera said after Sunday's 3-2 win over the Brewers that Garcia will undergo an MRI on his sore right wrist Monday, Mark Zuckerman of NatsJournal.com reports.

Garcia went 0-for-2 with a strikeout before he was lifted from Sunday's contest in advance of the sixth inning. The MRI should provide more clarity on the severity of the wrist injury, which Butera said that Garcia sustained while swinging the bat rather than playing the field.

Betts (oblique) is focusing on increasing his swing speed and is getting closer to kicking off a minor-league rehab assignment, MLB.com reports.

Betts has been stuck on the injured list since April 5 due to a right oblique strain. He had a brief setback in late April but seems to be back on track. Though he'll need some time in the minors to knock off rust before he's activated, Betts could still be back with the big-league club before the middle of May.

Sheets is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the White Sox.

The left-handed-hitting Sheets will hit the bench for the series finale while the White Sox send southpaw Anthony Kay to the bump. Ty France will fill in for Sheets as the Friars' starter at first base.