MLB Player News

Kim (back) played catch from 90 feet Monday and will throw from 120 feet Tuesday, Zachary Silver of MLB.com reports.

He was scratched from Saturday's start with a tight back, but it's encouraging to see that he's already ramping back up. Kim could get into a spring training game in the coming days.

Miley (hamstring) threw 35 pitches in a bullpen session Sunday and will start Tuesday's game against the Rockies, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Miley left his previous start with a left hamstring injury, but he said he wasn't concerned and that his removal was purely precautionary. That optimism seems accurate, as he'll remain on schedule Tuesday and should be set to take his place near the back of the Opening Day rotation.

Gray allowed one run on three hits and two walks while striking out three over 2.2 innings in Sunday's spring loss to the Rangers. He didn't factor into the decision.

Gray was scheduled to pitch four innings Sunday, but an abundance of foul balls by Texas resulted in the right-hander reaching his pitch limit with two outs in the third inning. He got into some trouble in the second inning but only allowed one run via a sacrifice fly, and he recorded strikeouts in every inning. Gray had a career-low 94 mph average fastball velocity in 2020 before he was shut down due to right shoulder inflammation, but he consistently reached 96 and 97 mph during his outing Sunday, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports. Assuming he remains healthy this spring, Gray should begin the regular season as a back-end starter for Colorado.

The Marlins optioned Garrett to Triple-A Jacksonville on Monday, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Garrett was one of seven players sent to minor-league camp in the Marlins' latest round of cuts as Opening Day approaches. The 2016 first-round pick got the chance to make his MLB debut during the abbreviated 2020 campaign, making two starts and giving up five earned runs while striking out eight over 7.2 innings. Miami is expected to continue developing Garrett as a rotation option, but a move to the bullpen might represent his most realistic path back to the big leagues if the Marlins' starters enjoy generally good health this season.

Urias pitched 2.1 innings against Kansas City in Sunday's Cactus League contest, allowing five runs (one earned) on two hits and two walks while striking out five.

The Dodgers' defense did little to help Urias get off to a smooth start Sunday, committing a pair of errors and a passed ball in the first inning. Though the southpaw was charged with five runs, only one was earned, and that came on a solo home run in the second frame. Urias is attempting to secure the fifth spot in the starting rotation heading into the campaign, and he has held his own so far, giving up two earned runs and striking out six over 6.1 spring innings.

May will start for the Dodgers in Monday's Cactus League contest versus Colorado and is scheduled to pitch three innings, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

May has pitched in only one game so far this spring, tossing two scoreless innings versus San Francisco on March. 2. The right-hander is a candidate for a spot in the Dodgers' rotation heading into the campaign, though the team's pitching depth makes it more likely that May instead begins in a bullpen role.

Darvish hurled three scoreless and hitless innings Sunday in a Cactus League contest versus Cincinnati. He struck out three batters.

The only baserunner Darvish allowed in the sharp appearance came on a hit batsman in the third inning. The veteran right-hander is making a strong case for Opening Day pitching honors -- he has held opponents scoreless while striking out seven across five innings through two spring starts.

Kershaw has been named the Opening Day starter for the Dodgers, Jorge Castillo of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Kershaw led the Dodgers to a World Series title in 2020, and it's only fitting that the southpaw will take the mound against the Rockies to begin the regular season in 2021. Kershaw was electric during the abbreviated season last year and posted a 2.16 ERA, 0.84 WHIP and 62:8 K:BB over 58.1 innings across 10 regular-season starts.

Houser (thumb) is expected to be fine after leaving Sunday's spring game against the Mariners, Will Sammon of The Athletic reports.

Houser was diagnosed with right thumb discomfort after leaving Sunday's game, but manager Craig Counsell said that the injury is more like a cramp. The right-hander could be shut down for a few days, but the issue isn't expected to impact his availability for Opening Day.

Strasburg has been diagnosed with a strained plantaris muscle in his left calf, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

Strasburg exited Sunday's spring start against the Astros after his calf "grabbed," but he said that he would have pitched through the issue during a more meaningful game. The right-hander could be brought along slowly in the coming days to preserve his long-term health, but Strasburg doesn't anticipate missing significant time. "Luckily, I feel like I'm a fast healer," Strasburg said. "So I don't think it would be something that could be a prolonged absence."