MLB Player News

The Marlins optioned Garrett to Triple-A Jacksonville on Monday, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Garrett was one of seven players sent to minor-league camp in the Marlins' latest round of cuts as Opening Day approaches. The 2016 first-round pick got the chance to make his MLB debut during the abbreviated 2020 campaign, making two starts and giving up five earned runs while striking out eight over 7.2 innings. Miami is expected to continue developing Garrett as a rotation option, but a move to the bullpen might represent his most realistic path back to the big leagues if the Marlins' starters enjoy generally good health this season.

Urias pitched 2.1 innings against Kansas City in Sunday's Cactus League contest, allowing five runs (one earned) on two hits and two walks while striking out five.

The Dodgers' defense did little to help Urias get off to a smooth start Sunday, committing a pair of errors and a passed ball in the first inning. Though the southpaw was charged with five runs, only one was earned, and that came on a solo home run in the second frame. Urias is attempting to secure the fifth spot in the starting rotation heading into the campaign, and he has held his own so far, giving up two earned runs and striking out six over 6.1 spring innings.

May will start for the Dodgers in Monday's Cactus League contest versus Colorado and is scheduled to pitch three innings, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

May has pitched in only one game so far this spring, tossing two scoreless innings versus San Francisco on March. 2. The right-hander is a candidate for a spot in the Dodgers' rotation heading into the campaign, though the team's pitching depth makes it more likely that May instead begins in a bullpen role.

Darvish hurled three scoreless and hitless innings Sunday in a Cactus League contest versus Cincinnati. He struck out three batters.

The only baserunner Darvish allowed in the sharp appearance came on a hit batsman in the third inning. The veteran right-hander is making a strong case for Opening Day pitching honors -- he has held opponents scoreless while striking out seven across five innings through two spring starts.

Kershaw has been named the Opening Day starter for the Dodgers, Jorge Castillo of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Kershaw led the Dodgers to a World Series title in 2020, and it's only fitting that the southpaw will take the mound against the Rockies to begin the regular season in 2021. Kershaw was electric during the abbreviated season last year and posted a 2.16 ERA, 0.84 WHIP and 62:8 K:BB over 58.1 innings across 10 regular-season starts.

Houser (thumb) is expected to be fine after leaving Sunday's spring game against the Mariners, Will Sammon of The Athletic reports.

Houser was diagnosed with right thumb discomfort after leaving Sunday's game, but manager Craig Counsell said that the injury is more like a cramp. The right-hander could be shut down for a few days, but the issue isn't expected to impact his availability for Opening Day.

Strasburg has been diagnosed with a strained plantaris muscle in his left calf, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

Strasburg exited Sunday's spring start against the Astros after his calf "grabbed," but he said that he would have pitched through the issue during a more meaningful game. The right-hander could be brought along slowly in the coming days to preserve his long-term health, but Strasburg doesn't anticipate missing significant time. "Luckily, I feel like I'm a fast healer," Strasburg said. "So I don't think it would be something that could be a prolonged absence."

Houser exited Sunday's spring game against the Mariners due to right thumb discomfort.

Houser was sharp in Sunday's start but was removed from the game with two outs in the second inning. It's not yet clear whether the right-hander will be forced to miss additional time as a result of the injury.

Houser left Sunday's spring start against the Mariners with an apparent injury, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Houser had an awkward follow through with two outs in the third inning Sunday, and he exited the game after a short visit with a trainer. The nature and severity of the injury isn't yet known. Prior to his departure, Houser allowed no runs and two walks while striking out one over 2.2 scoreless innings.

Gray doesn't expect to be ready for the first week of the season due to back spasms, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

The 31-year-old hasn't pitched in a Cactus League game since March 4 and won't pick up a ball for three or four days, though he could apparently return to spring games sometime next week. Gray indicated he could be game ready for the opening series of the season against the Cardinals, but he'd likely only be stretched out to three innings. The right-hander doesn't sound overly concerned about the injury but would rather have a brief delay to his start of the season rather than risk a longer absence later on.