MLB Player News

Manager Pat Murphy said Wednesday that Peralta will start Opening Day, March 27 against the Yankees, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Peralta will presumably be opposed by Gerrit Cole, although the Yankees have not yet confirmed as much. It will be the second straight Opening Day assignment for Peralta, who collected a 3.68 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 200:68 K:BB over 173.2 innings covering 32 starts during the 2024 regular season.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Wednesday that Kopech (forearm) is behind schedule in his throwing program and admitted that the right-hander could begin the season on the injured list, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Kopech experienced right forearm inflammation over the winter, and though Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes previously said in January that the 28-year-old wasn't on track to miss time to begin the season, the organization's stance on the matter has seemingly changed as spring training has gotten underway. On a positive note, Kopech hasn't been shut down from throwing, but it's unclear when he might be cleared to face hitters and eventually make his Cactus League debut. After being acquired from the White Sox in July, Kopech pitched to a 1.13 ERA, 0.79 WHIP and 29:10 K:BB while going 6-for-6 in save chances over 24 innings for the Dodgers to close out the regular season, then struck out 10 batters while allowing three runs over nine postseason innings. Despite his dominant showing during his time with the Dodgers last season, Kopech's uncertain health in addition to the team's deep stable of capable high-leverage relievers renders him primarily an NL-only or deep mixed-league consideration in 2025 fantasy drafts.

Manager Dave Roberts said Wednesday during his appearance on MLB Network that he anticipates Sasaki pitching in the Dodgers' second game of the season March 19 against the Cubs in Tokyo.

The Dodgers will be taking a cautious approach to Sasaki's workload this season, but they also recognize the importance of giving him a start in his native country. Fellow Japanese hurler Yoshinobu Yamamoto is expected to take the hill for the Dodgers' first game of the series March 18, and Japanese lefty Shota Imanaga is expected to start one of the two games for the Cubs.

Manager Dave Roberts said Wednesday on MLB Network that he expects Yamamoto to pitch during the Dodgers' March 18-19 series versus the Cubs in Tokyo.

Roberts anticipates Yamamoto's countryman, Roki Sasaki, pitching during the two-game series, as well. Cubs manager Craig Counsell has said previously that Shota Imanaga will get the ball for one of the two contests, and it seems likely that he and Yamamoto will match up in the first game.

Harrison and Hayden Birdsong will be among the candidates competing for the fifth spot in the Giants' rotation, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Logan Webb, Justin Verlander, Robbie Ray and Jordan Hicks are locked into the first four rotation spots. Harrison is likely the favorite to fill the fifth slot after making 24 starts for San Francisco last season, but the gig won't be handed to him. The left-hander posted a 4.56 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 118:42 K:BB over 124.1 frames in 2024 before his season ended prematurely due to shoulder inflammation. He has no restrictions at the start of spring training.

Woodruff (shoulder) will face hitters Friday, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

It will mark Woodruff's first time facing hitters since he underwent surgery in October of 2023 to repair the anterior capsule in his right shoulder. While Woodruff is considered a full participant at the beginning of spring training, he acknowledged that his buildup will be slower than other pitchers'. The expectation is that he will need a stint on the injured list to begin the season, but more clarity on the righty's timetable should be available later in spring training.

Alcantara (elbow) threw his first live batting practice session of spring training Wednesday, Kevin Barral of FishonFirst.com reports.

The Marlins' willingness to let Alcantara face off against hitters in the first week of spring training suggests that he experienced no setbacks over the offseason while he completed the final stages of his recovery from his Oct. 6, 2023 Tommy John surgery. Miami could still elect to slow play Alcantara's integration into the Grapefruit League pitching schedule as a matter of caution, but the 2022 National League Cy Young Award winner looks well on his way to being ready to go for Opening Day. Alcantara could struggle to immediately recapture his pre-surgery velocity and command, though the fact that his arm operation was more than 16 months ago should help his chances of regaining form more quickly than if he were attempting to return on a shorter recovery timeframe.

Stone (shoulder) was placed on the 60-day injured list by the Dodgers on Tuesday, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

Stone was already expected to miss the entirety of the 2025 season after undergoing right shoulder surgery in October, so his move to the 60-day IL was an expected one. The transaction cleared a spot for Enrique Hernandez to join the 40-man roster after the Dodgers and Hernandez officially agreed on a one-year, $6.5 million contract Tuesday.

Kershaw (toe/knee) agreed to a one-year contract with the Dodgers and is in camp Tuesday, Alden Gonzalez of ESPN.com reports. The veteran lefty will earn between $5 million and $10 million guaranteed on the deal, which is expected to contain multiple performance-related bonuses.

The 36-year-old declined his 2025 player option in November, but it's always been the expectation that he would remain in Los Angeles. Kershaw underwent surgery on both his left knee and left toe during the offseason and still has to receive a physical exam before the deal is finalized. He doesn't have an official return timeline but isn't expected to be in game-ready shape by Opening Day.

Lowder's throwing program is being limited due to right elbow soreness, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

An MRI on Lowder's elbow showed no structural damage, which is certainly good news. However, any elbow-related issue is cause for concern. If healthy, Lowder will be competing for a spot in the Reds' rotation, but this injury could throw a wrench into that even if it's ultimately not serious. Slated to turn 23 in March, Lowder, posted a 1.17 ERA over six regular-season starts last season, although that came with a 22:14 K:BB across 30.2 innings.