MLB Player News

Wood (shoulder) threw a two-inning bullpen session Monday, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Wood made just a single appearance this season before landing on the injured list with shoulder inflammation. He's still quite a while from being built up to a starter's workload, though it's possible the Dodgers could have him build up in a relief or piggyback role before he's ready to pitch deep into games. It remains unclear when he's expected to be activated, however.

Stroman (calf) elected to opt out of the season Monday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Stroman had been working his way back from a strained calf, but he evidently changed his plans and won't be returning until next season. He called his opt out a "collective family decision," per Tim Healey of Newsday, related purely to the COVID-19 pandemic. His calf is reportedly fully healthy, but he'll still enter free agency having spent an entire year without pitching in a game, which could certainly suppress his value on the open market. The Mets will place Stroman on the restricted list to clear a spot on the 40-man roster.

Quintana (thumb) will throw three innings in a simulated game Tuesday, Bruce Levine of 670TheScore.com reports.

The southpaw continues to work his way back from thumb surgery. He threw 35 pitches in a simulated game Thursday and should throw roughly 50 on Tuesday. He appears to be preparing to handle a starter's workload, though the Cubs haven't ruled out using him in a relief role, which could potentially see him back in action soon but which would almost certainly hurt his fantasy value.

Velasquez and Spencer Howard are both preparing to start Friday's game against the Mets, Matt Breen of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Both pitchers are in line to start Friday after each starting one half of Sunday's doubleheader against Atlanta. The Phillies appear to be leaning towards Velasquez getting the nod, though a piggyback role appears possible. The Phillies will need a six-man rotation at times down the stretch, as they're expected to play quite a few doubleheaders to make up for their lost week of games early in the season. Piggybacking the pair would keep both pitchers stretched out.

Webb will start the Giants' series opener in Houston on Monday, Amy Gutierrez of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

After Jeff Samardzija (shoulder) and Drew Smyly (finger) moved to the injured list last week, Webb gained some added security in the rotation now that the Giants' starting pitching depth is being tested. The right-hander has posted a 2.13 ERA through his first three outings, but his lackluster peripherals (8.9 K-BB%, 4.08 FIP) suggests some regression could be headed his way. He'll at least have the opportunity to provide fantasy managers in weekly leagues with more value than usual, as Webb tentatively lines up for two starts this week. After Monday's outing, Webb will be on tap for a home start against the Athletics on Saturday or Sunday.

Woodruff allowed two runs on three hits and two walks while striking out five over four innings in a no-decision against the Reds on Sunday.

The Reds made Woodruff work; he needed 30 pitches to get through the first inning and 91 pitches to get through four. He has a sparkling 26:5 K:BB in 20.1 innings this season, so his believers are looking pretty smart early on even though Woodruff still sits with just one win through four starts. Up next is a road matchup against the Cubs, who stuck Woodruff with the loss Opening Day.

Williams won't start until at least Thursday since the Pirates' upcoming series against the Cardinals was postponed due to COVID-19-related concerns, Buster Olney of ESPN reports.

Williams was slated to take the mound for the series opener against St. Louis, but the Cardinals' season will remain on hold amid their COVID-19 outbreak. It's unclear what the Pirates' rotation will look like once the team returns to action, but Williams could be on track to start early in the team's upcoming series against the Reds.

Flaherty won't start early this week after the Cardinals' upcoming series against the Pirates was postponed due to COVID-9-related concerns, Buster Olney of ESPN reports.

Flaherty had been scheduled to start the series opener against Pittsburgh, but the Cardinals' season will be put on hold for at least three more games as the team deals with a COVID-19 outbreak. The earliest that the team could resume action is in a doubleheader on the road Thursday against the Tigers. The team hasn't made any announcements regarding the plans for the rotation once games resume, but Flaherty will presumably be the first Cardinals starter to take the mound.

Lorenzen did not retire any of the four batters he faced in Sunday's loss to the Brewers. He was charged with three runs on a hit and three walks.

The right-hander has now given up at least one run in six of his seven appearances this season, resulting in a 16.88 ERA. Reds players and coaches backed Lorenzen in postgame interviews, though manager David Bell suggested the team will discuss Lorenzen's role. "Looking forward, we will re-evaluate what we can do to get him back to where he needs to be," Bell told Mark Sheldon of MLB.com. "We'll be thinking about that. At this point, for the team and for Michael, we've just got to do whatever's best for him." It would not be a surprise to see Lorenzen move down a few rungs in the bullpen until he gets right. With Pedro Strop (groin) out, that leaves the Reds with Nate Jones, Lucas Sims and maybe even Tyler Mahle to handle key spots in the middle innings against righty-heavy portions of the opposing lineup.

Gray (3-1) allowed four runs on six hits and three walks while striking out seven over 5.1 innings in a loss to the Brewers on Sunday.

The sixth inning was the trouble spot; Gray allowed hits to three of the first four batters he faced before being pulled. Michael Lorenzen allowed both inherited runners to score, marring Gray's line with two additional earned runs. Gray was among the best pitchers in baseball out of the gates with a 0.96 ERA and 28:5 K:BB in his first three starts (all at home) and will return to Great American Ball Park for his next start, Aug. 14 against the Pirates.