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Justin Verlander surrendered four runs in 5 2/3 innings against the Phillies on Tuesday.
Verlander was terribly unlucky to give up six runs against the Reds last time out. Tonight, though, he was fortunate to allow only four, considering that he gave up eight hits, walked three and struck out only one. The Giants ought to be kicking themselves for not taking him out with a 3-2 lead after five. Verlander went on to give up four hits that inning while facing the middle of the Phillies lineup for a third time. The loss is his first decision in four starts this year. He’ll take a 6.75 ERA into a road start against the Angels this weekend.
Braves optioned RHP Bryce Elder to Triple-A Gwinnett.
With Spencer Strider coming back, Elder is getting bounced from the rotation in spite of a run that’s seen him post a 3.10 ERA in his five turns. The Braves might have been better off sticking with Elder and shifting Grant Holmes to the pen, but they weren’t willing to go that route right now.
Braves recalled LHP Dylan Dodd from Triple-A Gwinnett.
Dodd, up for the first time this year, had a 5.74 ERA but a 21/3 K/BB in 15 2/3 innings out of the pen for Gwinnett. It’s the first real go at relieving for the 2021 third-round pick.
Victor Mederos tossed six shutout innings for Triple-A Salt Lake on Thursday.
Mederos has been on a roll since joining Salt Lake after a brief major league callup last month; he’s allowed a total of three runs in 17 2/3 innings over three starts. The 23-year-old has only pitched in relief in brief major league stints since debuting in 2023, but he’s a rotation candidate now if anything opens up.
Ezequiel Tovar doubled twice and walked for Triple-A Albuquerque on Thursday.
He also had a 107-mph lineout. Tovar, on the IL with a hip contusion, should return this weekend. He’s gone 4-for-18 in five rehab games to date.
Hao-Yu Lee went 4-for-6 with a triple and a double for Triple-A Toledo on Thursday.
The four hits ranged from 101.1 to 110.5 mph off the bat. Lee, 22, is batting .257/.345/.398 with three homers and five steals in his first Triple-A stint, and the Tigers have him splitting time evenly between second and third. He’s probably not going to help the major league club this year, but he could be a factor in 2026, especially if Jace Jung continues to have issues.
Matt Shaw hit a pair of homers in the second game of a doubleheader for Triple-A Iowa on Thursday.
He also went 1-for-3 with a walk in the first game. Shaw is up to .284/.408/.519 with four homers in 98 plate appearances for Iowa. Throw out his first five games following his demotion, when he was just 1-for-17, and he’s at .344/.440/.641 in his last 17 games.