MLB Player News

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.

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.

Matz did not factor in the decision Sunday after allowing two runs on five hits and two walks over 5.1 innings. He struck out three in the Cardinals' loss to the Dodgers.

Matz rolled through five shutout frames before the Dodgers finally got a couple of runs home in the sixth inning. He threw 51 of 81 pitches for strikes and forced 11 swings-and-misses, including seven with the changeup. The 32-year-old posted a solid 3.86 ERA over 105 frames last year and will be relied upon at the back end of the Cardinals' rotation this season. Matz is currently projected to face the Marlins next.

Stone allowed three runs on seven hits and a walk over five-plus innings and did not factor in the decision Sunday. He struck out six while the Dodgers beat the Cardinals.

Stone struck out the side in the first inning and yielded just one run through four frames. He gave up another in the fifth and was charged with a third run after walking the leadoff batter in the sixth. Stone's velocity was up across the board, with his fastball averaging just over 95 mph. He forced 16 whiffs on 85 pitches, including nine with a dominant changeup. Stone is currently projected to make his next start against the Cubs.

Wicks pitched four innings, allowing five runs (two earned) on five hits and three walks while striking out six batters in Sunday's 9-5 win over the Rangers. He did not factor into the decision.

Wicks had a quite the mixed bag of a performance Sunday. On one hand, striking out six batters over four innings is impressive, but on the other hand, he also allowed eight batters to reach base. The defense behind Wicks committed two errors, so he had to work a little harder to make it through four frames. The left-hander is tentatively set to return to the mound Saturday for a tough matchup at home versus the Dodgers.

Feltner (0-1) yielded five runs (three earned) on five hits and two walks over five innings Sunday, striking out four and taking a loss against Arizona.

Feltner struggled out of the gate Sunday, coughing up three runs in the first frame, including a two-run homer from Christian Walker. After following with three shutout innings, Feltner gave up two unearned runs in the fifth. The 27-year-old should have a spot in the rotation for now but shouldn't be trusted in most fantasy formats.

Falter did not factor into the decision Sunday, allowing six runs on five hits and three walks over four innings against the Marlins. He struck out two.

Falter allowed five runs in the first inning, capped by a grand slam by Jazz Chisholm, but settled down thereafter in allowing just one more run through four innings and giving the Pirates an opportunity for the comeback win. Falter earned the starting role out of spring training, but with the likes of Luis Ortiz and Roansy Contreras nipping at his heels on the big-league roster, along with Quinn Priester and Paul Skenes at Triple-A, Falter will need far better outings than what he produced Sunday to remain in the rotation. His next start won't get any easier, as he's tentatively slated for a home matchup against the Orioles next weekend.

Pfaadt (1-0) yielded a run on five hits over five frames Sunday, striking out six and earning a win over the Rockies.

Pfaadt cruised through four shutout innings before the Rockies finally pushed a run home in the fifth. The 25-year-old righty had just six punchouts through 10.2 frames in Cactus League play but showed better strikeout stuff Sunday. While he threw 61 of 87 pitches for strikes, only eight of those were whiffs. Pfaadt is riding momentum from the 2023 postseason and will look to keep it rolling in his next outing, which is projected to be in Atlanta.

Jefferies left his start against the Padres on Sunday a little worse for wear, as he is dealing with left hip discomfort, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Jefferies had a rough go of it against San Diego, allowing nine runs (five earned) on nine hits while striking out a batter over two innings. To make matters worse, he's now dealing with an injury that will be evaluated again Monday.

Irvin did not factor into the decision Sunday against the Reds, allowing three runs on seven hits and two walks over five innings. He struck out four.

Irvin cruised through the first two innings of his start with three strikeouts while facing the minimum six batters. However, the Reds lineup broke through to post three runs on six hits over his final three innings. Irvin allowed plenty of hard contact, as all batted balls in the fourth and fifth innings were over 95 mph. However, he should be a mainstay in the Nationals rotation after making 24 starts for the team in 2023. Irvin's next outing is scheduled to be against the Phillies on the road.