MLB Player News

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said that Gray, who is set to receive a promotion from Triple-A Oklahoma City, will serve as a bulk reliever rather than a starter in Tuesday's game against the Giants, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

Roberts didn't name an opener, but he indicated that one of the four lefties in the bullpen (Garrett Cleavinger, Darien Nunez, Alex Vesia and Victor Gonzalez) will work ahead of the right-handed Gray in his MLB debut. This arrangement should increase Gray's chances of factoring into any decision, as he was unlikely to work especially deep into Tuesday's contest if he had been deployed as a traditional starter. Because he missed a large chunk of the Triple-A season while recovering from a shoulder impingement, Gray has only made four appearances for Oklahoma City in 2021. He's been sharp since being activated from the injured list in early July, though, posting a 2.53 ERA, 0.47 WHIP and 12:0 K:BB across 10.2 innings in three outings.

Gausman allowed two runs on three hits and three walks while striking out five over three innings Monday against the Dodgers. He did not factor into the decision.

The Dodgers worked Gausman to throw 80 pitches over three innings in what was his shortest outing since September of 2019. He started off very rocky by allowing back-to-back solo home runs to Max Muncy and Justin Turner in the first inning and would end up hitting and walking a batter before finally getting out of the frame. The 30-year-old righty has been one of the most dominant pitchers in the game this year but just didn't have his best stuff with him Monday evening, as he was missing spots and bouncing in too many off-speed pitches. He's allowed three runs or fewer in 18 of his 19 starts this season, which has led to a 1.84 ERA, 0.85 WHIP and 138:33 K:BB over 117.2 innings. Gausman currently lines up for an enticing matchup against the Pirates over the weekend.

Oviedo will be recalled from Triple-A Memphis to start Tuesday against the Cubs, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Oviedo has failed to impress in 11 starts and one relief appearance at the big-league level this season, posting a 5.09 ERA. That number looks well deserved, given his poor combination of a 16.4 percent strikeout rate and 12.3 percent walk rate. He could be needed for multiple starts down the stretch, however, as the Cardinals currently have four starters on the 60-day injured list.

Gonsolin (1-1) allowed three runs on five hits and four walks while striking out three over 3.1 innings as he took the loss Monday against the Giants.

Gonsolin got off to a horrible start, coughing up a two-run homer to Buster Posey and a solo blast to Wilmer Flores in back-to-back at-bats in the first inning. He was able to keep the Giants off the scoreboard for the remainder of his outing, but the righty still struggled to find the strike zone at times and was pulled in the fourth after back-to-back walks. Gonsolin continues to be on a limited pitch count as he builds back up to a normal workload, but he's done a good job of run prevention aside from Monday's performance. He's allowed one run or fewer in all of his other outings; however, he's only finished five innings once, and his 1.47 WHIP and 34:19 K:BB over 28.2 innings don't look great despite his 2.83 ERA. Gonsolin is projected for a favorable home start against the Rockies over the weekend.

Eickhoff didn't factor into the decision in Monday's wild 15-11 extra-innings win over the Reds, allowing seven runs (two earned) on six hits and a walk over 3.2 innings. He struck out three.

All the scoring against him came in the first two innings, and while Eickhoff created a lot of his own problems, three errors behind him -- including two by Luis Guillorme in place of the injured Francisco Lindor (oblique) at shortstop -- did the right-hander no favors. Eickhoff's time in the rotation could be running out with Carlos Carrasco (hamstring) nearing a return, and his 4.96 ERA through 16.1 innings masks a horrific 8.12 FIP.

Gutierrez didn't factor into the decision in Monday's wild 15-11 extra-innings loss to the Mets, surrendering six runs on nine hits -- including three home runs -- and two walks over four innings. He struck out only one.

The Reds' bullpen proceeded to serve up four more long balls after his exit, so Gutierrez was hardly alone in having difficulty keeping the ball in the yard, but his issues on that front are nothing new. It's the third time in his last six starts the 25-year-old rookie has been tagged for at least five earned runs, and over that stretch he has a rough 6.61 ERA, 1.72 WHIP, 18:15 K:BB and 2.6 HR/9 through 31.1 innings.

Woodford (2-1) allowed one run on six hits over 5.2 innings Monday, striking out six and earning a win over the Cubs.

Woodford cruised through four shutout innings before running into trouble in the fifth. He found himself in a bases-loaded jam with no outs after allowing three straight singles but managed to escape the threat with just one run scoring against him. It was his first start of the season and he turned in a very impressive outing, lowering his season ERA to 4.06 through 31 innings. Woodford is projected to take the mound in Cincinnati this weekend.

Muller won't start as scheduled Monday versus the Padres since the game was postponed due to rain.

The young lefty was recalled from Triple-A Gwinnett earlier in the day to make his first big-league start since July 3, but he'll need to wait a bit longer before retaking the mound. The game will be made up via a doubleheader Wednesday, so Muller still figures to start at some point against San Diego, though Atlanta has yet to announce it's updated pitching plans.

Darvish won't make his scheduled start Monday against the Braves, as the game has been postponed due to inclement weather, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

Darvish will have his start moved to Tuesday, per Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune. This puts the possibility for a two-start week in jeopardy, though the Padres have yet to solidify their pitching plans for later in the week.

Kershaw (forearm) played catch Monday, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

It's the first time the veteran left-hander has thrown since landing on the injured list with forearm inflammation July 7, so it's a significant step in his rehab work. Kershaw should continue his throwing program in the following days as he'll attempt to rejoin the rotation sometime in August.