MLB Player News

The Cardinals activated Dobbins (knee) from the 15-day injured list Thursday.

Dobbins will start Thursday's game in Pittsburgh as the Cardinals shift to a temporary six-man rotation amidst a 17-day stretch with no off days. He'll be making his team and 2026 big-league debut after posting a 4.37 ERA and 19:9 K:BB over 22.2 innings in five rehab starts with Triple-A Memphis. Dobbins -- who was acquired from the Red Sox over the offseason -- is coming back from ACL surgery, which he underwent last July. He got his pitch count up to as high as 91 on his rehab assignment, so Dobbins should be capable of handling a full workload Thursday.

Ozuna is not in the lineup for Thursday's contest versus the Cardinals.

Ozuna is slumping again after a brief hot streak, having gone just 3-for-30 with a 1:11 BB:K over his last nine games. As a result, he has now been absent from the lineup three times in the last six contests. Ryan O'Hearn will get a start at designated hitter Thursday.

The Reds recalled Maxwell from Triple-A Louisville on Thursday.

Maxwell has collected a 5.91 ERA and 17:8 K:BB over 10.2 innings this season with Louisville. The hard-throwing right-hander will fill a middle-relief role in Cincinnati.

The Reds placed Williamson on the 15-day injured list Thursday due to left shoulder fatigue.

Williamson was removed from his start in Wednesday's 13-2 loss to the Rockies with the issue. Manager Terry Francona said Thursday that Williamson doesn't have structural damage to his shoulder and will resume a throwing program after being given a cortisone shot, per Charlie Goldsmith of Fox 19 Now Cincinnati. It's unclear how long the left-hander will be sidelined, but with Nick Lodolo (finger) due back from the IL soon, Williamson could be without a rotation spot once he's ready to return. Williamson holds a 6.11 ERA and 19:20 K:BB over six starts covering 28 innings this season.

Lopez (2-1) picked up the win Wednesday over the Tigers, striking out two batters in two perfect innings of relief.

The right-hander breezed through the eighth and ninth innings on just 17 pitches (12 strikes) and got rewarded when Matt Olson launched a walk-off homer. It was Lopez's first relief appearance since losing his spot in the rotation, but he wasn't showing increased velocity in his new role -- he topped out at 93.6 mph with his fastball Wednesday -- and he figures to be in the bullpen for a while. With Spencer Strider (oblique) set to come off the IL this weekend and rookie JR Ritchie making a good impression since his promotion, there's simply no room for Lopez in Atlanta's rotation right now.

Atlanta manager Walt Weiss said after Wednesday's 4-3 win over the Tigers that Ritchie won't be optioned back to Triple-A Gwinnett when Spencer Strider (oblique) returns from the injured list this weekend, Gabriel Burns of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Weiss was effusive in his praise of the rookie right-hander after he battled for a no-decision Wednesday, and the skipper made it clear Ritchie would take his next turn in the rotation early next week in his hometown of Seattle. Atlanta hasn't revealed if it will shift to a six-man rotation when Strider is activated, or whether Martin Perez -- who's been designated for assignment once already this season -- will get bumped instead. In either scenario, Ritchie will end up getting a longer look in the majors. Through his first two MLB starts, he's produced a 2.92 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 11:6 K:BB in 12.1 innings.

The Phillies recalled Hoffman from Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Thursday.

Hoffman was just optioned Tuesday, but he's back to serve as the 27th man for Thursday's doubleheader against the Giants. The righty reliever will provide bullpen protection before likely being sent back down following the twin bill.

The Mets are expected to place Robert (back) on the 10-day injured list, Chelsea Janes of SNY.tv reports.

Robert hasn't played since Sunday because of lower-back tightness and had to undergo an MRI. The results of that imaging haven't been revealed, but things are trending toward the outfielder requiring some extended down time. Tyrone Taylor and MJ Melendez will see more action in the outfield for the Mets while Robert is sidelined.

Jones (elbow) struck out five over three perfect innings in his first rehab start with Single-A Bradenton on Wednesday.

Jones overwhelmed the A-ball hitters, regularly reaching 100 mph and hitting 101.1 mph on his final pitch of the first inning, per Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. The right-hander required only 41 pitches as he cruised through his three frames. It's a very encouraging first rehab outing for Jones, who is coming back from internal brace surgery that he had last May. Jones is on the 60-day injured list and thus not eligible for activation until late May, so he will continue to deliberately build up stamina before rejoining the Pirates' rotation in a few weeks.

Franco allowed three runs on four hits and one walk while striking out three over three relief innings in Wednesday's 13-2 loss to the Rockies.

The Reds bullpen had a lot of work to do when starter Brandon Williamson was removed after three innings with left shoulder fatigue. Franco, who was a starter at Triple-A Louisville, could slot into the rotation pending the results of Williamson's MRI, which is scheduled for Thursday. Aside from Franco, the Reds could also reach down to Louisville for Chase Petty, who was removed early from his start Wednesday for what appears to be a potential recall should Williamson be unavailable when his next turn in the rotation comes due Monday.