MLB Player News

The Dodgers optioned Feyereisen to Triple-A Oklahoma City on March 22.

Feyereisen missed the entire 2023 season while recovering from shoulder surgery, but he received a clean bill of health for spring training and pitched well enough early on in camp to earn a spot on the Dodgers' 31-player travel squad for the two-game Seoul Series in South Korea with the Padres. He ended up making his Dodgers debut in the second game of the series March 21 and was roughed up over his lone inning of relief work, as he served up three earned runs on three hits and one walk in the 15-11 loss. The Dodgers sent him to minor-league camp one day later, and Feyereisen will now look to right the ship at Oklahoma City with the hopes of earning a longer-term stay in the big-league bullpen.

Thompson entered as a pinch runner and stole a base in Sunday's 6-5 win over the Nationals.

For the second straight game, Thompson entered as a pinch runner and stole a base. His stay with the team may be a short one -- TJ Friedl (wrist) could return by May 1 -- but Thompson's speed could be helpful while he's on the roster.

The Dodgers optioned Knack to Triple-A Oklahoma City on March 22.

Knack was included on the Dodgers' 31-player travel squad for the two-game Seoul Series in South Korea with the Padres, but he went unused out of the bullpen in both of the contests and was sent to minor-league camp once the team returned to the United States. The 26-year-old righty will be a mainstay in the Oklahoma City rotation this season and could make his big-league debut if the Dodgers require a spot starter or long man out of the bullpen at any point.

The Dodgers optioned Varland to Triple-A Oklahoma City on March 22.

Varland closed the 2023 season on the 60-day injured list due to right knee inflammation, but he was healthy for the start of spring training and pitched well enough in the early part of camp to earn a spot on the Dodgers' 31-player travel squad for the two-game Seoul Series in South Korea with the Padres. He came on in relief during the second game of the series March 21 and retired the only batter he faced in a 15-11 loss. He was one of three players sent back to minor-league camp upon the Dodgers' return to the United States and is now set to pitch out of the Oklahoma City bullpen before he awaits his next opportunity with the big club.

Encarnacion-Strand went 1-for-5 with a solo home run in Sunday's 6-5 victory over Washington.

The Reds made a dramatic comeback in the bottom of the ninth, plating three runs after the first two batters were retired to gain the win. After Will Benson tied the game with a two-run shot, Encarnacion-Strand walked it off with a solo blast. The homer was his first hit after going 0-for-12 to start the season.

Grichuk (ankle) started in center field and went 2-for-5 with a home run, two RBI and an additional run scored in a rehab game for Triple-A Reno on Sunday.

Grichuk made his second start while on rehab assignment at Reno. After playing five innings Friday, he was on the field for seven innings Sunday. "I spoke to him a short time ago and he said he feels really good," Lovullo told Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports. "He was in the field two nights ago and made plays, did what he was supposed to do. Everything is pushing in a very positive direction." The manager said earlier this spring that Grichuk could have served as the DH on the major-league roster to start the season, but the organization wanted him to get some time in the field while on rehab. That suggests a return at or soon after the 10-day minimum.

Barnhart went 1-for-2 with a walk, a stolen base and one run in Sunday's 5-1 win over the Rockies.

Barnhart made his first start of the regular season, giving Gabriel Moreno a day off in the final game of the season-opening four-game set against Colorado. Moreno made 99 starts behind the plate in 2023 and should see a similar workload this season.

Thompson allowed one hit over a scoreless eighth inning in Sunday's 5-1 win over Colorado.

Thompson made his second appearance, both coming in the eighth inning as a leadup to presumptive closer Kevin Ginkel, who is the most logical fill-in for the injured Paul Sewald (oblique). Neither game developed into a save situation, but it offers a glimpse into how manager Torey Lovullo plans to deploy the backend of the bullpen without Sewald. The side-arming Thompson was a revelation for the Diamondbacks in 2023, and he logged nine appearances in the postseason.

McCarthy came off the bench and entered Sunday's 5-1 win over the Rockies after Alek Thomas was removed with a hamstring injury. He went 0-for-2 with a strikeout.

Thomas injured the hamstring while running out a double-play ball in the first inning and was eventually removed after the third inning. McCarthy entered to play right field while Corbin Carroll moved to center. Thomas is expected to be evaluated Monday and may not be available for the Diamondbacks' series opener with the Yankees later that day. McCarthy is the most likely replacement if Thomas isn't available.

Paxton is scheduled to start Monday's series opener versus the Giants at Dodger Stadium.

The oft-injured southpaw has opened both of the past two seasons on the injured list, but he made it out of spring training unscathed and is set to make his Dodgers debut Monday as the team's No. 5 starter. Paxton, who received a $2 million bonus by virtue of being included on the Opening Day roster, will now be guaranteed $9 million in 2023 and can pocket up to $4 million in incentives based on number of games started. The 35-year-old built up to five innings and 80 pitches in his final spring start March 26, so he should be capable of working deep enough into Monday's outing to qualify for a win.