MLB Player News

Pepiot has won the final spot in the Dodgers' starting rotation, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports.

The 25-year-old right-hander might only hold that spot for a couple of turns as Tony Gonsolin works back from a left ankle sprain, but Pepiot should carry considerable fantasy streaming appeal for however long he's in the Dodgers' rotation. He posted a cool 3.47 ERA with 42 strikeouts over his first 36.1 major-league innings in 2022.

Grove was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City by the Dodgers on Thursday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Grove did not win the final spot in the Dodgers' rotation, and instead it will be Ryan Pepiot who will be the fifth starter for Los Angeles. Grove will begin the year back in the Pacific Coast League, and the 26-year-old could be an option if Pepiot falters or there's an injury to another member of the rotation.

Freeland is lined up to start the second game of the regular season for the Rockies, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

German Marquez was announced Friday as the team's Opening Day starter next Thursday at San Diego, and Freeland will then follow him in the Colorado rotation mix. This also puts Freeland on track to start the Rockies' home opener April 6 versus the Nationals. The 29-year-old left-hander worked to a 4.53 ERA and 131:53 K:BB over 174.2 innings (31 starts) last season.

Verlander will start the third game of the Mets' season against Miami on April 1, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Starting in the Mets' third game puts Verlander in line to pitch in New York's home opener, which manager Buck Showalter said was the goal. The reigning AL Cy Young Award winner has been looking like his usual self this spring with a 2.25 ERA and 0.88 WHIP through 16 innings.

Matz allowed one run on three hits and struck out five over six innings in Thursday's Grapefruit League game versus the Yankees.

The one run allowed by Matz came on a solo home run by Oswaldo Cabrera. Over 17.2 innings this spring, Matz has a 1.53 ERA, 0.74 WHIP and 17:3 K:BB. After knee and shoulder injuries limited the southpaw in 2022, his strong spring has him poised for a bounce-back season. He's a lock for the Cardinals' rotation, though he has reached 150 innings only three times in his major-league career.

Senzatela (knee) is scheduled to throw live batting practice Saturday, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

It'll be his first time facing live hitters since he suffered a torn left ACL last August. If all continues to go well on the rehab front, Senzatela could hop into the Rockies' starting rotation sometime in early May.

Shuster gave up two runs on two hits and two walks over six innings in Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Mets. He struck out two.

Facing most of New York's Opening Day lineup, Shuster wasn't dominant but kept the opposition off-balance, and the young lefty rebounded nicely after allowing two runs in the third inning. His competition for Atlanta's fifth starter job, Dylan Dodd, will get his chance to make a final statement Friday against the Red Sox. Shuster, a first-round pick in 2020, has posted an 18:4 K:BB through 18.2 innings this spring while serving up only one home run.

Cueto (arm) threw 61 pitches over 4.2 innings in a minor-league game Friday, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Cueto had to be scratched from an appearance earlier this week due to some arm soreness, but he has thrown a bullpen session and now made a minor-league appearance since without issue. He's back on track to open the season in the Marlins' rotation.

Gonsolin (ankle) threw a bullpen session Friday, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports.

It's the first time he's been on the bump since suffering a sprained left ankle back on March 6. Gonsolin could miss most, if not all, of April as the Dodgers take things slowly with his recovery, but he seems to be progressing well.

Overton will begin the season as the Reds' fourth starter, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Overton started well for the Reds last season before a back injury shut him down for multiple months, but his 2.73 ERA in 33 innings was fueled by a .204 BABIP and supported by a mere 11.3 percent strikeout rate. Regression and opposing hitters could both hit him very hard in 2023.