MLB Player News

Kershaw (toe/knee) will face live hitters Saturday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Saturday will mark the first time Kershaw has thrown against a live opponent since undergoing surgeries on his left knee and left big toe during the offseason. The Dodgers are going to progress the veteran lefty through his rehab slowly, but if all goes according to plan, he'll be able to head out on a rehab assignment by the end of May.

Arcia is not in Atlanta's starting lineup against San Diego on Friday.

Arcia started at shortstop on Opening Day and went 1-for-4 with two strikeouts. He'll begin Friday's contest in the dugout while Nick Allen gets the start at shortstop and bats eighth against Padres right-hander Dylan Cease.

Pfaadt signed a five-year, $45 million contract extension with the Diamondbacks on Friday that includes a club option for 2031 and a mutual option for 2032, Jesse Friedman of GoPHNX.com reports.

Pfaadt's extension won't kick in until 2026, but it will buy out all three of his arbitration years and possibly his first three years of free agency if all options are exercised. The 26-year-old finished last season with a 4.71 ERA and 1.24 WHIP alongside a 185:42 K:BB in 181.2 innings (32 starts); however, his 3.60 FIP is much more indicative of how well he performed on the mound. His first start of the new year is slated to come Saturday versus the Cubs, against whom he allowed two earned runs over 14 innings with a 13:1 K:BB in two appearances last season.

Diaz isn't in the lineup for Friday's game versus Atlanta.

Diaz went 2-for-3 with a strikeout during San Diego's Opening Day victory, but he'll give way behind the plate to Martin Maldonado in the team's second game of the season.

Gonsolin (back) threw against live hitters Friday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Gonsolin began the season on the 15-day injured list after suffering a back injury while lifting weights in early March. Friday was the second time he's thrown to hitters, and he told reporters after his session that his next outing will go three innings either in another simulated game or while on a rehab assignment.

Frazier is starting at second base and batting eighth against the Marlins on Friday.

Frazier replaced Nick Gonzales in the sixth inning of Thursday's win over Miami after the latter injured his left ankle. With Gonzales being placed on the 10-day injured list on Friday, Frazier looks to have a hold on the keystone position for the time being and could remain in lineups against southpaws, whom he's batted .246 against in his career.

Smith isn't in the lineup for Friday's game against the Tigers, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

After collecting a base hit in each of the Dodgers' first three regular-season games while drawing five walks, Smith will get a breather Friday. His absence will allow Austin Barnes to make his first start of the year behind the plate while batting ninth.

The Pirates recalled Valdez from Triple-A Indianapolis on Friday.

With Nick Gonzales (ankle) headed for the injured list, the Pirates will bring Valdez up from the minors to replenish their infield depth. The 26-year-old is likely to remain on the bench most days while Adam Frazier starts at the keystone until Gonzales returns.

The Pirates placed Gonzales on the 10-day injured list Friday due to a non-displaced fracture in his left ankle, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.

Gonzales appeared to injure himself when he smacked a two-run home run in the sixth inning of Thursday's game against the Marlins. Further tests revealed a fracture in his left ankle, and he will head back to Pittsburgh to see a foot specialist to determine a rehab schedule, per Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Enmanuel Valdez was recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis in a corresponding move, and Adam Frazier should get starts at the keystone for as long as Gonzales is sidelined.

Thomas is starting in center field and batting seventh in Friday's contest against the Cubs.

Thomas was on the bench in favor of Jake McCarthy for Thursday's opener versus lefty Justin Steele, but he'll get the call against right-hander Jameson Taillon on Friday as the Diamondbacks look to even the series. There will be some instances when both McCarthy and Thomas are in the lineup, with Lourdes Gurriel a candidate to shift to designated hitter those days.