MLB Player News

Smith-Shawver did not factor into the decision Wednesday against the Dodgers, allowing three runs on five hits and three walks while striking out three over five innings.

Smith-Shawver allowed a run in the second inning before Tommy Edman took him deep for a two-run homer in the third. Atlanta has made it clear that the right-hander will get an opportunity to show what he can do as part of a six-man rotation, and any further success could give him a shot at a permanent role should the club eventually return to five starters. Smith-Shawver has allowed nine runs across 13.2 innings through three starts this season. He's lined up for another difficult matchup Tuesday against the Nationals.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said after Wednesday's 6-5 loss to Atlanta that Lauer will move back into the rotation next week as a replacement for Roki Sasaki (finger), who is set to be placed on the injured list, Jack Harris of the California Post reports.

Just a few days after the team announced that Lauer would shift to the bullpen to accommodate Tyler Glasnow's return from the IL, the 31-year-old southpaw will now reclaim a spot in the rotation after Sasaki exit his start Wednesday due to a blister. Lauer, who gave up one run over two innings of relief following Sasaki's departure, owns a 3.78 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 44:18 K:BB in 69 innings since being acquired by the Dodgers in May.

Manager Dave Roberts said after Wednesday's 6-5 loss to Atlanta that Sasaki will be placed on the injured list after sustaining a blister on his right middle finger, Jack Harris of the California Post reports.

Sasaki exited in the fourth inning of his start after developing the blister, and the team has already determined that the issue is severe enough to warrant a trip to the IL. The right-hander took a no-decision Wednesday, striking out three while allowing four earned runs on six hits and two walks across 3.1 innings. Rather than moving forward with a five-man rotation, the Dodgers will shift Eric Lauer back into the rotation to fill in as the team's sixth starter until Sasaki returns, per Harris.

Stock (0-3) took the loss Wednesday against the Brewers, allowing seven runs on 10 hits and two walks while striking out two over four innings.

Stock ran into major trouble in the second inning, allowing six consecutive singles to open the frame as Milwaukee plated four runs. He was hurt again in the fourth when Brice Turang launched a three-run homer, just the second long ball Stock has surrendered in five starts since his call-up. The right-hander has allowed 18 runs (17 earned) across 20.2 innings during that span, though much of that damage came from Wednesday's outing and an eight-run performance against Pittsburgh on August 8. Stock will look to regroup and earn his first win of the season in his next scheduled start Monday against Tampa Bay.

Webb didn't factor into the decision in Wednesday's 10-9 loss to the Reds, allowing two runs on five hits and a walk over six innings. He struck out six.

The right-hander produced his 16th quality start of the season on 97 pitches (64 strikes) and seemed comfortably on his way to his ninth win of the season until the Giants' bullpen imploded in the ninth inning and squandered a 9-3 lead. Webb has delivered quality starts in six of eight outings since the All-Star break, posting a 3.42 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 38:10 K:BB over 47.1 innings during that span. He'll look to stay locked in for his next trip to the mound, which is scheduled to come on the road early next week in Atlanta.

Fairbanks received injections to alleviate nerve irritation in his right hand after visiting a specialist Tuesday, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Fairbanks will head to the Marlins' facility in Jupiter, Fla. to conduct his rehab after he landed on the injured list Tuesday for the second time this season due to nerve-related issues. He'll wait a few days for the injections to take effect before being re-evaluated, at which point he could be cleared to start throwing again. While Fairbanks is on the shelf, the Marlins will likely take a committee approach to the ninth inning, with Michael Petersen and Calvin Faucher representing two potential candidates to receive save chances.

De La Cruz went 3-for-6 with a double, a run scored and a stolen base in Wednesday's 10-9 win over the Giants.

The star shortstop was one of three Reds to put together three-hit days, but most of the team's offense came in a stunning ninth-inning rally that saw Cincinnati erase a 9-3 deficit. De La Cruz is up to 23 steals on the season but has only three in August, and on the month he's batting just .212 (21-for-99) with five doubles, three homers, 10 RBI and 15 runs over 25 contests.

Rodriguez went 3-for-6 with two solo home runs in Wednesday's 10-9 win over the Giants.

Getting the start in right field and batting leadoff against Logan Webb, Rodriguez took the San Francisco ace deep in the third inning before leading off the ninth with another solo shot off Spencer Bivens that sparked a stunning seven-run rally for the Reds. It was the first time in Rodriguez's brief MLB career that he hit atop the order, and through his first 16 games for Cincy, the 22-year-old is batting .220 (11-for-50) with two doubles, three homers, five RBI and six runs.

Pagan gave up a hit and struck out two in a scoreless ninth inning Wednesday to record his 17th save of the season in a 10-9 win over the Giants.

It looked like the veteran right-hander would get the afternoon off as the Reds headed into the ninth down 9-3, but a shocking seven-run rally created a save situation for Pagan, which he breezed through on 16 pitches (11 strikes). Pagan has been scored upon just once in his last 14 appearances, posting a 1.29 ERA, 0.64 WHIP and 15:1 K:BB in 14 innings over that stretch while converting all 10 of his save opportunities and picking up three wins along the way.

Gasser (4-5) earned the win Wednesday against the Mets, allowing one run on six hits and two walks while striking out six over 5.1 innings of relief.

The left-hander was called into action after Dustin May took a line drive off the back of his shoulder and exited just one pitch into the game. Gasser responded with a strong outing, throwing 59 of his 82 pitches for strikes while picking up his first win since July 25. Gasser has pitched well since the All-Star break, posting a 3.75 ERA with a 35:11 K:BB across 36 innings over seven starts. Manager Pat Murphy said Tuesday that Gasser would be available out of the bullpen this week against the Mets while being tentatively scheduled to pitch this weekend versus the Rangers, but his emergency appearance Wednesday will mean that his next turn through the rotation won't come until at least early next week versus the Cubs.