MLB Player News

Kopech (shoulder) threw a bullpen session Tuesday, per MLB.com.

The bullpen was Kopech's second since he had his throwing program stalled in late March. The veteran reliever has recently stated that he "feels good" as he ramps up toward a return from the right shoulder injury that has kept him from seeing any game action so far this season. Kopech will presumably need a minor-league rehab assignment before he's ready to be activated off the IL, and when he eventually rejoins the Dodgers' big-league bullpen, he could be eased back into a high-leverage role considering the amount of time he has missed.

Veen is not in the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Dodgers.

Veen started all eight games since being called up for his MLB debut April 8 versus the Brewers, and he'll receive a day off after going 3-for-28 with 11 strikeouts in his first 30 big-league plate appearances. The 23-year-old will likely have a decent leash as one of the Rockies' top prospects, but he may need to settle in a bit in the near future to avoid a return trip to the minors. Sean Bouchard is starting in left field and batting eighth in the series finale against Los Angeles.

Doyle (quadriceps) is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Dodgers.

It's the sixth straight absence for Doyle as he continues to manage soreness in his left quadriceps. The 26-year-old will have Thursday's team off day to aid in his recovery before Friday's series opener with the Nationals, though it's possible the Rockies are considering a stint on the injured list given how much time he's already missed. Mickey Moniak is receiving another start in center field Wednesday.

Baldwin went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Wednesday's 3-1 loss to the Blue Jays.

Getting the start at DH and batting sixth while Sean Murphy handled duties behind the plate, Baldwin got hold of a Jeff Hoffman splitter and lofted it down the left-field line in the ninth inning for his first career long ball. Baldwin has started only two of nine games at catcher since Murphy came off the IL, but with Marcell Ozuna nursing a sore hip, there could be more opportunities for Baldwin to get into the lineup in the short term. The 24-year-old rookie is batting .216 (8-for-37) through his first 10 big-league games with two RBI and a 4:10 BB:K.

Strider (0-1) took the loss Wednesday, giving up two runs on five hits and a walk over five-plus innings as Atlanta was downed 3-1 by the Blue Jays. He struck out five.

Making his first big-league start since April 5 of last season after completing his recovery from an internal brace procedure on his elbow, Strider looked strong early and topped out at 97.9 mph with his fastball on a strikeout of Vladimir Guerrero in the first inning. The Toronto slugger got his revenge though, taking Strider deep on a slider in the top of the sixth to help chase the right-hander from the game. Strider handled a full workload, tossing 58 of 97 pitches for strikes, and his final strikeout of the day was the 500th of his career. He lines up to make his next start at home early next week against the Cardinals.

Smith is not in the Dodgers' starting lineup against the Rockies on Wednesday, Kirsten Watson of Spectrum SportsNet LA reports.

Smith will take a seat Wednesday while Austin Barnes starts behind home plate and bats ninth against Rockies right-hander German Marquez. Smith has gone 6-for-12 with one home run and five RBI over his last three games.

Hernandez (illness) is starting in right field and batting cleanup against the Rockies on Wednesday, Kirsten Watson of Spectrum SportsNet LA reports.

Hernandez missed the Dodgers' last two games while battling through a stomach bug, but he's progressed enough in his recovery to return to the lineup for Wednesday's series finale. He's begun the season slashing .286/.309/.563 with two stolen bases, nine runs scored, five home runs and 16 RBI in 68 plate appearances.

The Dodgers optioned Knack to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Wednesday.

The move creates room on 26-man roster for the Dodgers to recall Bobby Miller from Triple-A, who will start in Wednesday's series finale against the Rockies. Knack went 1-0 across three games (two starts) for the Dodgers and registered a 7.27 ERA, 1.73 WHIP and 7:6 K:BB across 8.2 innings. The 27-year-old right-hander will head to Triple-A but could return to the big club should the Dodgers need depth in the rotation.

The Dodgers recalled Miller from Triple-A Oklahoma City to start Wednesday's game against the Rockies.

Miller never quite got his feet underneath him in the majors last season, turning in an 8.52 ERA and 1.77 WHIP across 56 innings in 13 outings. He's off to a much better start in the minors this year with three runs allowed through 12 frames, and he'll get another chance to prove he can stick with the big-league squad. Landon Knack was optioned to Triple-A in a corresponding move.

Frazier is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Nationals.

Frazier had been included in the lineup in the last three games, but the lefty-hitting veteran will take a seat Wednesday while the Nationals send southpaw Mitchell Parker to the hill. With Frazier on the bench, Jared Triolo (back) will draw the start at second base in his first game back from the IL.