MLB Player News

Kelly allowed three runs on six hits while striking out four over 2.2 innings in Monday's spring start against the Angels.

Kelly was tagged for all three runs in the second inning of his fourth Cactus League start. It was an efficient outing, as Kelly required 66 pitches to get those eight outs. He hinted to Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports that the high pitch count was partially due to a pitcher using spring contests to test out pitches he might not normally throw in certain situations during the regular season. Kelly worked on his slider Monday, throwing it 24 percent of the time. "I think that was one of the things I walked away with today, with how good it's been in spring," Kelly said. It's a pitch the right-hander hasn't used much during his career and only started introducing the last few seasons.

Roupp is still battling for a spot in the Giants' rotation, Maria Guardado of MLB.com reports.

Roupp was seen as the leading candidate for the final rotation spot earlier in camp, but Hayden Birdsong is making a strong push for the job with a 0.75 ERA, 0.50 WHIP and 18:0 K:BB over 12 Cactus League innings this spring. Lefty Kyle Harrison remains in the mix as well. "Look, all three of these guys are going to pitch for us this year," manager Bob Melvin said after Sunday's game. "I don't think there's any doubt about that. But it's kind of cool to have three guys that are as talented as they are pitching for that last spot. It means we have some depth, and it means we have a good rotation. To this point, nothing's been decided. Let's put it that way."

Birdsong struck out eight over five scoreless innings against the A's on Sunday and now has a 0.75 ERA, 0.50 WHIP and 18:0 K:BB over 12 Cactus League innings this spring.

The 23-year-old right-hander is making quite the case for the No. 5 spot in the San Francisco rotation, though manager Bob Melvin stressed after Sunday's exhibition that "to this point, nothing's been decided," per Maria Guardado of MLB.com. Landen Roupp was seen as the frontrunner for the fifth-starter role earlier in spring training, and lefty Kyle Harrison remains in the mix as well in what Guardado described as the "fiercest competition in Giants camp." However, Birdsong might have the most upside for the Giants, and he is arguably the most interesting of the bunch from a fantasy perspective.

Taillon traveled with the team to Tokyo but isn't listed on the 26-man roster ahead of the two-game series against the Dodgers, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

The Cubs sent out an updated roster after mistakenly including the right-hander on the Tokyo series roster, per Lee. Taillon will be officially added to the 26-man roster following the conclusion of the series due to the unique rules established for this two-game set. The right-hander started an exhibition game Sunday against a team from Nippon Professional Baseball and wouldn't have been available to pitch regardless of his roster status.

The Dodgers selected Sasaki's contract Tuesday ahead of the team's two-game series versus the Cubs in Tokyo.

Upon joining the Dodgers in January, Sasaki inked a minor-league deal that included a $6.5 million signing bonus, so his promotion to the majors is merely a technicality. The 23-year-old made his second appearance of the spring last Tuesday against the Reds in Los Angeles' final Cactus League game, allowing just one hit over four shutout innings while striking out two batters and walking two. He should be capable of giving the Dodgers around five innings when he makes his first MLB start in Wednesday's series finale versus the Cubs.

Sheehan (elbow) was placed on the 15-day injured list Monday, Sonja Chen of MLB.com reports.

Sheehan has been cleared to throw off a mound after undergoing surgery on his right forearm in May of 2024, though he's not expected to embark on a rehab assignment for a few more months, likely in May or June. The club should have a better idea on a return date as he continues to progress through his rehab.

Kershaw (toe) was placed on the 15-day injured list Monday, Sonja Chen of MLB.com reports.

It was reported earlier in camp that Kershaw expected to begin the regular season on the 60-day IL, so this may be a sign that he's further along in his recovery than expected. Even so, the Dodgers won't make any moves to rush him back from offseason left toe and left knee surgery.

Henriquez (foot) was placed on the 15-day injured list Monday, Sonja Chen of MLB.com reports.

Skipper Dave Roberts stated at the beginning of the month that Henriquez wouldn't be ready for the start of the regular season due to a metatarsal injury in his left foot, and the club announced Monday that he'll open the year on the injured list. The Dodgers have yet to disclose a timetable for the right-hander's return.

Grove (shoulder) was placed on the 60-day injured list Monday, Sonja Chen of MLB.com reports.

This move is simply procedural after the right-hander underwent season-ending surgery on his right shoulder March 9. A timetable for Grove's return to the mound is unlikely to come into focus until he begins to make progress in his rehab.

Gonsolin (back) was placed on the 15-day injured list Monday, Sonja Chen of MLB.com reports.

It was previously reported that Gonsolin was expected to begin the season on the injured list due to a back issue, and the team made the move official Monday. Dustin May will hold on to the fifth starter spot until Gonsolin is back at 100 percent, at which point the club will need to make a decision on whether to deploy Gonsolin in long relief or bump May from the rotation.