MLB Player News

Snell is slated to pitch in one of two exhibition games in Tokyo, Japan on March 15 and 16, and Dodgers manager Dave Roberts implied that the southpaw will start the team's home regular-season opener in Los Angeles on March 27, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

A pair of Japanese-born hurlers -- Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Roki Sasaki -- have been tabbed to start for the Dodgers in the regular-season-opening two-game series against the Cubs in Tokyo on March 18 and 19, but it doesn't appear that either of those pitchers will get the ball again for the team's stateside opener against Detroit on March 27. Instead, Snell is likely to get the call for that contest after joining Los Angeles on a five-year, $182 million contract in late November. Snell made his second spring start Sunday against the Athletics and gave up four runs on five hits over 3.2 innings, but he struck out five batters, averaged 95.2 mph on his fastball and threw 67 pitches, so he appears to be ramping up well for the regular season.

Freeland has allowed one earned run and maintained a 3:1 K:BB across five innings in Cactus League play.

Freeland has made two starts this spring, ramping up to 42 pitches in the latter. Despite the solid results, he allowed five baserunners across three frames in his second outing and has not missed many bats. Freeland has also had a WHIP of 1.40 or worse in seven of his eight seasons in the majors, making him very difficult to trust for fantasy purposes.

Herz gave up four runs (two earned) on four hits and a walk over 3.1 innings during Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Cardinals. He struck out one.

While his defense did him no favors -- Jacob Young in center field was the only likely Opening Day starter on the diamond behind him -- Herz also wasn't sharp, something that has been the story of his spring so far. The 24-year-old southpaw tweaked his mechanics this offseason, and he may still be getting comfortable with his new delivery. Through 6.2 innings this spring, Herz has stumbled to an 8.10 ERA and 3:7 K:BB. He still appears set for a spot in the Opening Day rotation, particularly if Mitchell Parker (neck) ends up on the shelf, but a good spring outing or two before camp breaks would go a long way toward reassuring fantasy investors that Herz's promising rookie campaign in 2024 wasn't a mirage.

Boyd allowed four runs on four hits and two walks across 3.2 innings in Saturday's Cactus League game against the Mariners. He struck out three.

Boyd's first spring start went well, but over his last two outings, he's allowed seven runs in six innings. The veteran lefty should still have a rotation spot locked up, but the Cubs will be cautious with Boyd, who has dealt with a handful of injuries the past few years. His fantasy upside may be somewhat limited if he isn't able to go very deep into games.

The Brewers optioned Patrick to Triple-A Nashville on Sunday.

After Milwaukee acquired him from Oakland in November 2023, Patrick delivered a breakout 2024 campaign in the minors, finishing with a 2.90 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 145:39 K:BB over 136.1 innings with Nashville. His efforts earned him a spot on the Brewers' 40-man roster over the winter, but the 26-year-old righty didn't gain much traction this spring in his bid for a spot in Milwaukee's Opening Day rotation. He'll likely need an injury or two to hit the Milwaukee rotation before he gets the chance to make his MLB debut.

Grove recently underwent surgery on his right shoulder and will miss the entire 2025 season, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Grove's shoulder issue dates back to October, when the Dodgers removed him from the roster for their NLDS matchup with the Padres. Manager Dave Roberts said earlier in the spring that Grove was on track to open the upcoming season on the injured list since because the shoulder issue had delayed his throwing program over the winter, but it's unclear if the right-hander's decision to get surgery was the result of a setback or simply a lack of progress in his recovery. He's in store for a lengthy rehab program that could extend into the 2026 season.

Schwellenbach gave up three runs on six hits and a walk over three innings in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Pirates. He struck out four.

After beginning his spring with two scoreless outings, Schwellenbach stumbled a bit in his third. The 24-year-old right-hander has produced an impressive 9:1 K:BB through eight Grapefruit League innings as he builds up ahead of Opening Day, and there's been no hint in camp he's headed for a sophomore slump after his breakout 2024 performance.

Dollander allowed five runs on two hits and four walks across 1.2 innings in Saturday's Cactus League game against the Athletics.

Dollander had a tough beginning to his spring from a run prevention standpoint, but he did manage a 7:1 K:BB across five innings. However, that changed Saturday when he struggled significantly with his control. Dollander entered the spring as a candidate to earn a rotation spot, but it's unclear if his current form will affect his chances.

Strider (elbow) will throw at least one more live batting practice session before getting into a spring game, either in Grapefruit League action or in a minor-league contest, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

The ace right-hander looked very good in his first live BP session Friday, tossing two simulated innings as he continues his recovery from an internal brace procedure on his elbow. "I think it's gone super well," Strider said about his rehab after the BP session. "In hindsight, there's always going to be things we could have done differently, places where we should have slowed down and places where we should have sped up. But I think it's been a really seamless process so far." If Strider is able to begin building up by the final week of camp, it's possible he could come off the IL and rejoin the Atlanta rotation by the end of April, although the team's schedule presents an added wrinkle on that front. Atlanta will be playing in Coors Field on April 28-30, hardly an ideal environment for a pitcher to make his return from a serious arm injury.

The Padres optioned Bergert to minor-league camp Sunday.

Bergert was added to the Padres' 40-man roster during the offseason and could be a candidate to make starts for the big club at some point in 2025. He figures to begin the season at Triple-A El Paso after he spent the entire 2024 campaign at Double-A San Antonio, turning in a 4.78 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 87:33 K:BB over 98 innings.