MLB Player News

Phillips (shoulder) will throw a bullpen session Friday, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

It will be his first this spring, as Phillips is still working his way back from a right shoulder injury that kept him out of last year's World Series. While he has already been ruled out for the Dodgers' two-game series in Tokyo versus the Cubs on March 18-19, it's not clear whether he might have a chance to be ready for the team's domestic opener March 27.

Sasaki is slated to make his Cactus League debut sometime next week, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Sasaki is expected to start March 19, the Dodgers' second of two games in Tokyo against the Cubs to begin the regular season. With his first spring training outing coming soon, it would seem to line Sasaki up for three exhibition appearances before his outing in Tokyo.

Ortiz will start at shortstop and bat sixth in Saturday's Cactus League opener against the Reds, Sophia Minnaert of Bally Sports Wisconsin reports.

Manager Pat Murphy said to not look into the positional alignment too much, but it's still notable that the 26-year-old is getting the first exhibition start at shortstop following the offseason departure of Willy Adames. Ortiz provided strong defense at third base last season and had a .239/.329/.398 slash line with 11 homers and 11 steals in 142 regular-season games. Brice Turang is also being considered for a shift shift to shortstop, but it may make more sense to keep him at second base since that's where he won the Platinum Glove Award last year.

Miller (head) reported having a headache Friday, but Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said the club hopes the right-hander will be able to start throwing again soon, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Miller was involved in a scary situation in Thursday's Cactus League opener against the Cubs when a live drive struck him in the head. However, he avoided any fractures and does not have any concussion symptoms yet, although he will remain in concussion protocol to be safe. It's not yet clear when Miller might be ready to pitch in a game again.

Ohtani (shoulder/elbow) will face live pitching Friday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

It hasn't been determined yet whether it will be against a pitcher or a Trajekt machine, but either way it will be the first time Ohtani has swung a bat against live pitching, or at least simulated live pitching from a robot, this spring. Ohtani is being brought along slowly after November surgery to repair the labrum in his left shoulder, and he is not expected to pitch until around May 1. However, there are no concerns about his availability as a designated hitter for the Dodgers' season-opening set in Tokyo versus the Cubs on March 18 and 19.

Freeman (ankle) began a running progression Thursday and is on track to make his Cactus League debut next week, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

The 35-year-old has been a bit behind his fellow Dodger position players following December surgery to remove loose bodies in his right ankle. However, it would appear Freeman is close to being fully cleared for all activities, and the team remains confident he will be ready to go for a season-opening two-game series against the Cubs in Tokyo on March 18-19.

Holmes will be on the mound for the Mets' Grapefruit League opener Saturday against the Astros, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

The 31-year-old right-hander hasn't started a big-league game since 2018, making 195 relief appearances over the last three seasons while serving primarily as a closer for the Yankees, but Holmes is attempting to convert to the rotation this season after signing a three-year, $38 million deal with the Mets in December. It's not clear what kind of workload he'll handle in his spring debut, but Holmes projects to slot third in the Mets' rotation to begin the campaign behind Kodai Senga and Sean Manaea.

Soto will be in the lineup for the Mets' Grapefruit League opener against the Astros on Saturday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Manager Carlos Mendoza will be writing a number of regulars onto the lineup card, including Francisco Lindor and Pete Alonso, but all eyes will be on the Mets' new $765 million superstar. Soto slashed .288/.419/.569 over 157 games for the Yankees in 2024 with a career-high 41 homers, and while the switch in home ballparks could hurt his power numbers a bit, the 26-year-old should remain one of baseball's preeminent offensive threats.

Giants manager Bob Melvin announced Friday that Webb will start Opening Day against the Reds on March 27, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

The right-hander has firmly established himself as San Francisco's ace, so it's no surprise he'll be taking the ball in the season opener. It won't be the most favorable matchup at hitter-friendly Great American Ball Park, however. Webb made 33 starts in each of the past two seasons and posted a 3.47 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 172:50 K:BB across 204.2 innings during 2024.

Rojas (sports hernia) will start at third base and bat sixth versus the Cubs on Friday in his Cactus League debut, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

Rojas underwent sports hernia surgery early in the offseason and developed an infection that extended his recovery timeline. While he was slightly behind other Dodgers position players at the start of camp, it appears he's now all caught up. Rojas is projected to serve as a reserve infielder this season.