MLB Player News

Woodruff (ankle) struck out six and allowed one unearned run on five hits and no walks over seven innings in his rehab start Wednesday with High-A Wisconsin.

Woodruff took the hill Wednesday for his eighth rehab start and his second since resuming his assignment May 21 after a brief shutdown due to right ankle tendinitis. The right-hander's surgically repaired shoulder doesn't seem to be much of a concern at this stage, and after an efficient 74-pitch performance Wednesday, his ankle issue seemingly isn't causing him any problems either. Even so, the Brewers are still expected to have Woodruff make another rehab start next Tuesday with Triple-A Nashville, per MLB.com. If all goes well in that outing, Woodruff will likely be cleared to return from the 15-day injured list and slot into the Milwaukee rotation June 8 or 9 for what would be his first MLB appearance since Sept. 23, 2023.

The Reds optioned Mey to Triple-A Louisville on Thursday.

After starting his MLB career with a 1.80 ERA and 0.90 WHIP through 10 innings, Mey has given up four earned runs in three frames across his last three appearances. He'll now head back to the minor leagues in order to right the ship, and the Reds will presumably make a corresponding addition to their bullpen ahead of Friday's series opener against the Cubs.

Fairchild was removed from the first game of Thursday's doubleheader versus the Phillies after suffering an apparent finger injury on his right hand, Lindsay Crosby of AthlonSports.com reports. He went 1-for-1 with a walk prior to departing.

Making a start in right field in place of a resting Ronald Acuna, Fairchild was pulled from the contest after he seemingly injured himself while sliding into second base on a steal attempt in the fourth inning. The team hasn't provided an official update on the severity of his injury just yet, but more details will likely come at some point during Thursday's twin bill.

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.

Payamps cleared waivers Thursday and was sent outright to Triple-A Nashville, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

The Brewers kicked Payamps off their 40-man roster last Thursday after he'd accumulated an 8.35 ERA and 1.69 WHIP through 18.1 innings. No team was willing to take on the remainder of his $2.995 million salary for that level of performance, so he'll remain in the organization and attempt to earn his way back into the big leagues with Nashville.

Vargas signed a major-league contract with the Diamondbacks on Thursday, John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports 98.7 FM Phoenix reports.

Vargas opted out of his minor-league deal with Arizona on Tuesday but will now return to the organization on a big-league deal, replacing Jordan Lawlar on the MLB roster. The 33-year-old utility man slashed .261/.330/.397 across 221 plate appearances during his time in Triple-A and will give the D-backs extra depth at every infield position. He's also capable of playing in left field.

The Diamondbacks optioned Lawlar to Triple-A Reno on Thursday, John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports 98.7 FM Phoenix reports.

Lawlar earned a promotion to the big leagues May 12 after slashing .336/.413/.579 through 173 plate appearances in Triple-A. However, he failed to record a hit over 19 at-bats at the MLB level and never had a clear path to playing time with the Diamondbacks, so he'll head back to the minors. Ildemaro Vargas signed a major-league contract with Arizona on Thursday and will fill Lawlar's place on the active roster.

Harrison is slated to start Friday's game against the Marlins in Miami.

After getting called up from Triple-A Sacramento on May 4, Harrison initially worked out of the bullpen, but he moved into the rotation last week following Justin Verlander's (pectoral) placement on the injured list. Harrison took a loss to the Nationals in his first start with the Giants last Saturday, giving up two runs in four innings while striking out four batters. The lefty should have a longer leash in his second start after tossing just 57 pitches against Washington, but he may not be guaranteed any turns through the rotation beyond Friday. Verlander threw a 40-pitch bullpen session Tuesday and could be ready to return from the IL as soon as next week.

Edwards (back) will start at second base in his first rehab game with Triple-A Jacksonville on Thursday and is expected to serve as the Marlins' primary option at the keystone once he's reinstated from the 10-day injured list, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Edwards broke into the big leagues as a second baseman in 2023 but has primarily played shortstop since the beginning of the 2024 season. While the Marlins don't seem opposed to occasionally using Edwards at shortstop moving forward, Otto Lopez has fared well defensively at the position since returning to action May 18 following an IL stint of his own, so Edwards will prepare for a full-time role at second base with Miami during his rehab assignment. Edwards is expected to need only a couple games with Jacksonville before potentially being activated at some point over the weekend.

Garcia went 1-for-4 with a walk, a solo home run and a second run scored in Wednesday's win over the Mariners.

The second baseman got Washington on the board by taking George Kirby deep in the second inning, one of four long balls on the night by the Nats. Garcia has found a groove at the plate since returning from paternity leave in mid-May, batting .281 (9-for-32) over his last nine games with two of his five homers on the season, as well as four doubles, five runs and seven RBI.