MLB Player News

Stripling will be the Dodgers' fifth starter if Clayton Kershaw (shoulder) is not ready to go for the start of the season, J.P. Hoornstra of the Los Angeles Daily News reports.

While this was a pretty safe bet, Julio Urias is also a deserving candidate, so it is good to get some clarity from manager Dave Roberts. The skipper also noted that it will be "tough" for Kershaw to be ready for Opening Day, so it seems like Stripling is a good bet to make at least one start in the first week of the season.

Kershaw (shoulder) will play catch Thursday from beyond 120 feet and remains without a timetable to throw off the mound, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

Thursday's session marks slight progress, as Kershaw only threw from 120 feet Wednesday. Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times reports that manager Dave Roberts said again that getting Kershaw ready for Opening Day would be "tough".

Toussaint tossed three scoreless, no-hit innings in Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Tigers, walking one and striking out four.

After a rough start to the spring, the right-hander gave a glimpse of his dominant upside. Toussaint is still in the lead for the Braves' fifth starter spot to begin the regular season, but he'll need to keep putting together strong efforts like this if he wants to stay ahead of the likes of Kyle Wright and Max Fried.

Ray allowed three runs on three hits and struck out eight Wednesday against the Brewers.

Ray allowed a pair of home runs, but both he and manager Torey Lovullo looked beyond the runs. The left-hander told Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic that he was pleased with his fastball command and the crispness of his curveball and slider. His manager echoed those sentiments. "Even though he gave up that two-run homer, I thought it was easily one of the best outings we've seen from a starting pitcher this year," said Lovullo. Understandably, the D-backs can afford to look past the home runs this spring, but Ray allowed 1.4 HR/9 in 2018, a couple of ticks above the league average 1.2.

Quintana tossed three scoreless innings in Wednesday's Cactus League win over the Royals. He gave up one hit and one walk while striking out two.

Quintana has now started his spring with five scoreless innings as he looks to take a step forward after consecutive seasons with an ERA over 4.00. Prior to that, the lefty had posted five straight seasons with an ERA below 4.00. Quintana will likely begin the year as the No. 4 starter in a stacked Chicago rotation.

Gray gave up just one hit, struck out five and issued no walks over four innings in Colorado's 6-5 Cactus League defeat against the Angels on Wednesday.

It was a sharp outing for the 27-year-old, who breezed through four innings allowing just one baserunner before exiting the contest. Gray is coming off a season in which he logged 183 strikeouts but posted subpar ratios with a 5.12 ERA and 1.35 WHIP that offset the lofty punchout total. The 6-foot-4 righty bulked up to 235 pounds in the offseason and has had a strong spring so far. He will look to lower those ratios and hold down the No. 4 starter role for Colorado.

Gray (elbow) is listed as the Reds' expected starter for Saturday's spring game against the Padres, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Gray threw a successful live batting practice session Tuesday and the Reds apparently saw enough to list him as the probable starter for Saturday. Assuming Thursday's scheduled side session goes smoothly, the 29-year-old will make his return to game action from the right elbow stiffness that's sidelined him for nearly two weeks.

Buehler threw a bullpen session Wednesday, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

Buehler isn't dealing with any sort of injury, but the Dodgers are taking things slow with the young right-hander in camp after he saw his innings jump from 98 to 177 (including the playoffs) last year. He's expected to face hitters for the first time this spring in a few days, and if everything goes as planned during his live batting practice session, Buehler could be cleared to make his Cactus League debut shortly thereafter.

Kershaw (shoulder) threw from 120 feet Wednesday, Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Kershaw has apparently been playing catch every day, gradually increasing the distance and intensity of his throws with each session. While the southpaw is certainly trending in the right direction, it's still unclear when he'll be cleared to resume mound work, leaving his status for the start of the season up in the air.

Gray (elbow) will throw a side session Thursday and could return to game action soon after, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Elbow stiffness delayed Gray's spring buildup in late February, though he'll still have time to make at least several Cactus League starts. Barring setbacks, he should be ready to go by the start of the regular season.