MLB Player News

Stripling in lined up to start the Dodgers' second game of the regular season, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.

Stripling has yet to be announced as the Dodgers' fifth starter, but given the staff's current work schedule -- Stripling will throw a simulated game Saturday while his primary competition for the role, Dustin May, piggybacked with Walker Buehler in an intrasquad game Friday -- the most likely scenario is that Stripling starts and follows Clayton Kershaw in the rotation in order to give Buehler additional time to ramp up to a full workload. Meanwhile, May could continue to piggyback with Buehler early in the campaign, per Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register.

Kershaw unofficially threw 90 pitches over 6.1 innings in an intrasquad game Friday, allowing four runs on five hits while striking out 11 batters, per Alanna Rizzo of Spectrum SportsNet LA.

Kershaw reached the 90-pitch mark for the second straight outing and struck out a combined 19 hitters over those appearances. He appears fully healthy and ready to handle a regular workload when he takes on the Giants on Thursday in the Dodgers' first game of the regular season.

May could be part of a piggyback pairing with Walker Buehler early in the season as Buehler builds up to a full workload, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

May remains in contention for the Dodgers' fifth-starter role, but he may instead form a 1-2 punch with Buehler while the latter builds up to a regular workload. May looked strong in an intrasquad appearance Friday, pitching four scoreless innings while allowing two hits and two walks and striking out five, per Alanna Rizzo of Spectrum SportsNet LA.

Buehler and Dustin May could form a piggyback pairing early in the season while Buehler builds up to a full workload, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

Buehler reportedly followed a less frequent pitching schedule than his rotation mates during the MLB shutdown and thus needs more time to ramp up to a full starter's workload. He tossed two innings in an intrasquad game Friday, which puts him well behind schedule with Opening Day less than a week away. As such, May -- who also remains in contention for the fifth starter spot -- could be called upon early to form a 1-2 punch with Buehler until the latter is no longer limited.

Mahle went four innings in Friday's scrimmage, allowing four runs on three hits, with the big shot coming on a three-run homer by Matt Davidson. But he also struck out seven without allowing a walk, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Mahle was paired up against Wade Miley, whom he might work in tandem with early in the season as Miley builds up his endurance.

Miley pitched four scoreless innings in Friday's intrasquad scrimmage, allowing two hits and three walks while striking out seven, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

It was interesting to see Miley matched up against Tyler Mahle, who could work in tandem with him during the regular season. Miley will be the Reds' fourth starter to begin the season, with his first start coming against the Cubs if everything goes according to plan.

Gonsolin was optioned to the Dodgers' alternate training site Friday, Jorge Castillo of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Gonsolin had missed the first several days of camp for an undisclosed reason, but he was still able to work at the team's major-league camp. However, Friday's transaction signals that he won't begin the season in the majors as he'll continue developing among some of the Dodgers' top prospects. The right-hander made 11 appearances (six starts) in the big leagues last year, posting a 2.93 ERA and 1.02 WHIP over 40 innings. He could be one of the team's top options if injuries occur on the major-league pitching staff.

Woodruff was named the Brewers' Opening Day starter Friday, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Woodruff will get the nod July 24 against the Cubs at Wrigley Field. It's no surprise to see him earn the honor, as he's clearly the Brewers' top starter, having cruised to a 3.62 ERA and 29.0 percent strikeout rate last season.

Toussaint (illness) was cleared to return to the field Friday, Gabe Burns of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Toussaint hadn't been able to report to camp after testing positive for COVID-19. He's since cleared MLB protocol by testing negative twice and is now back on the field. It's unclear whether or not the lost time will prevent him from playing a role early in the season, though he doesn't project as a key member of the Braves' staff after struggling to a 5.62 ERA and a 1.68 WHIP in 41.2 innings last season.

DeGrom (back) felt loose following his bullpen session Friday and will throw a simulated game Sunday, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports.

Barring setbacks, it doesn't appear that the back soreness that deGrom has been dealing with in recent days will wind up costing him any starts. He'd been lined up to pitch in an exhibition game against the Yankees on Sunday, but the Mets adjusted their plans slightly. He'll still pitch that day, however, and is expected to throw 50-60 pitches, which lines him up to throw somewhere close to 80 pitches Opening Day against the Braves.