MLB Player News

Smith-Shawver allowed seven runs on eight hits and three walks while striking out one over three-plus innings in a no-decision versus Washington on Thursday.

Smith-Shawver's start was pushed back a day after Wednesday's rainout, and he didn't pitch well. The right-hander endured his worst start of the season, with the second and fourth innings being particularly troublesome. One silver lining was that he didn't allow a home run, but this start was discouraging after he'd allowed just two runs (one earned) across his first 19.2 innings in May. He's now at a 3.67 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 41:20 K:BB through 41.2 innings over eight starts this season. Smith-Shawver's next outing is projected to be at Philadelphia, which is a tough matchup but one that will allow fantasy managers to see if he can bounce back effectively.

Hassell went 2-for-5 with a stolen base and two runs scored in Thursday's 8-7 extra-inning win over Atlanta.

This was Hassell's major-league debut, and it didn't take him long to make an impact. He hit a leadoff single in the second inning and stole second before scoring on a CJ Abrams single. Hassell is getting a look in the Nationals' outfield while the team is missing Dylan Crews (oblique) and Jacob Young (shoulder), though it's possible he could stick around longer if he makes a strong first impression. The 23-year-old Hassell slashed .288/.337/.405 across 43 games with Triple-A Rochester this year prior to his call-up after struggling over 17 games at that level to end 2024.

Finnegan allowed an unearned run on two hits over one inning, taking a blown save in Thursday's 8-7 extra-inning win over Atlanta.

An error allowed Atlanta to continue its push in the ninth inning, and Matt Olson ultimately doubled home Luke Williams to force extras. Finnegan has made 19 appearances this season, and he's 15-for-18 in save chances after this outing. That speaks to the Nationals' reliance on close wins given their 23-27 record, and while Finnegan hasn't been elite, he's had plenty of opportunities to close out games. He hasn't been scored on in back-to-back appearances yet, but he also hasn't stretched a scoreless streak beyond a 4.2-inning stretch from April 6-15. Finnegan has a 2.41 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 17:7 K:BB over 18.2 innings this season as Washington's closer.

Williams allowed five runs on four hits and three walks while striking out three over 3.2 innings in a no-decision versus Atlanta on Thursday.

Williams was originally scheduled to start Wednesday, but that day's contest was rained out. The right-hander didn't benefit from the extra rest, struggling out of the gate by allowing first-inning solo home runs to Matt Olson and Marcell Ozuna. The Nationals bounced back from that, but Williams was charged with three more runs in the fourth. He's now surrendered at least four runs in five straight starts, with Thursday being his shortest outing of the season. Williams has a 6.39 ERA, 1.56 WHIP and 41:15 K:BB across 49.1 innings over 10 starts. He's tentatively projected for a road start in Seattle next week.

Acuna (knee) will be activated from the injured list Friday and be in Atlanta's lineup against the Padres.

Acuna was scratched from Thursday's lineup with Triple-A Gwinnett, suggesting he would be back at some point during Atlanta's weekend series versus San Diego. That move has now been announced by the team, though he'll still need to be officially activated from the injured list. Acuna hit .417/.632/.833 across 19 plate appearances with Gwinnett and will be set to appear in a big-league game for the first time since May 26, 2024.

Montes De Oca was optioned to Triple-A Reno on Thursday, Alex D'Agostino of SI.com reports.

Montes De Oca had his contract selected Friday but did not appear in a game while up in the majors. Justin Martinez (shoulder) is expected to be activated from the injured list in the corresponding move.

Acuna (knee) was a healthy scratch for Triple-A Gwinnett on Thursday, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Acuna's scratch from the Triple-A lineup indicates that he will be rejoining Atlanta for his 2025 MLB debut Friday against the Padres. If the superstar does indeed make his return, it will come three days shy of the one-year anniversary of his ACL tear. The outfielder has looked good in his rehab stint, going 6-for-15 with two home runs, two doubles and seven free passes. Defensively, the 27-year-old played a full nine innings as an outfielder for the first time during his rehab Wednesday. It appeared he was going to play a full nine innings in the outfield Tuesday, but the game was cut short in the fifth inning due to rain.

The Rockies are expected to recall Gordon from Triple-A Albuquerque to start Friday's game against the Yankees, Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post reports.

Gordon will be taking the place of Chase Dollander (forearm), who landed on the 15-day injured list Thursday. The 27-year-old Gordon gave up four earned runs in 6.1 innings during his season debut against the Tigers earlier this month, and he hasn't had much success in Triple-A either, logging a 6.23 ERA and 1.72 WHIP across 39 frames. Given his recent body of work and an upcoming matchup against one of the most formidable offenses in the majors, fantasy managers are safe to keep Gordon off their radar.

The Brewers designated Payamps for assignment Thursday.

After turning in a 2.78 ERA and 1.01 WHIP across his first two seasons with the Brewers, Payamps hasn't been anywhere near as effective in 2025, giving up 17 earned runs in only 18.1 innings. His poor performance will ultimately cost him his spot on the 26-man and 40-man rosters, though his previous success could make him a waiver target for other teams in need of bullpen help.

The Brewers optioned McGee to Triple-A Nashville on Thursday.

McGee made just one appearance after being called up May 18. He allowed no baserunners and struck out a batter across a full inning of relief. The 27-year-old is set to return to Nashville with Carlos Rodriguez getting recalled from Triple-A.