MLB Player News

May will be the starting pitcher for Game 5 of the NLCS against the Braves on Friday, Eric Stephen of SBNation.com reports.

May worked 1.2 innings in relief during Game 1 on Monday, allowing no runs on a hit and a walk while fanning two. The right-hander has not pitched more than two innings in any of his three appearances this postseason, so it's unclear how much length the Dodgers will look to get out of him Friday.

Wright lasted just two-thirds of an inning at the start of Wednesday's blowout loss to the Dodgers in Game 3 of the NLCS, allowing seven runs on five hits and two walks.

Wright allowed the first seven of the playoff-record 11 runs the Dodgers scored in the first inning. He seemed to be settling down after allowing a single and a double to start the game, recording a pair of groundouts, but he proceeded to allow the next five batters to reach base, including back-to-back homers by Joc Pederson and Edwin Rios. While the Braves likely didn't anticipate Wright struggling quite this much, they presumably didn't have particularly high expectations for him, as he owns a career 6.22 ERA in 63.2 big-league innings.

Urias earned the win in Game 3 of the NLCS on Wednesday, allowing one run on three hits in five innings while striking out five and walking two.

Urias didn't need to be nearly as good as he was, as the Dodgers held a 11-0 lead by the time he threw his first pitch in the bottom of the first inning. The lead had been stretch to 15-0 by the time he allowed his only run, a solo homer by Cristian Pache. He now owns a 0.69 ERA in 13 inning this postseason, striking out 16 batters while walking just three.

Manager Dave Roberts announced Kershaw (back) will start Game 4 of the NLCS against the Braves on Thursday, J.P. Hoornstra of the Los Angeles Daily News reports.

The veteran southpaw was originally poised to start Tuesday in Game 2 before being scratched with back spasms, but he'll end up taking the mound a couple days later. It's a pivotal game for Kershaw and the Dodgers, as they trail the Braves 2-1 through the first three games of the NLCS.

Kershaw (back) showed improvement Wednesday and is a "likely possibility" to start Game 4 of the NLCS against Atlanta on Thursday, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.

Manager Dave Roberts provided an encouraging update regarding Kershaw's back issue, and he appears to be in line to start the fourth game of the series if all goes well. The southpaw was scratched from Game 2 due to back spasms, but he was still able to throw Tuesday. Roberts said that the team will wait to see how Kershaw feels Thursday before making a firm decision regarding his status.

Padres general manager A.J. Preller said Wednesday that he doesn't expect Clevinger (elbow) to require offseason surgery, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Clevinger endured a couple setbacks with his right elbow/biceps after the injury first surfaced Sept. 19, with the 29-year-old most notably exiting his Game 1 start against the Dodgers in the NLDS last week after working just one inning. Fortunately for Clevinger, he appears to have avoided any significant structural damage to his elbow, as subsequent tests haven't revealed anything overly concerning. As a result, Clevinger should be able to recover from the injury with rest and rehab, putting him on track to enter spring training at full health. Given that Clevinger's velocity was well down from its normal level in his last few appearances of 2020 while he battled the elbow injury, fantasy managers may want to keep an eye on reports of how the right-hander looks in the spring before investing with confidence.

Gonsolin allowed five runs on three hits and three walks while striking out seven over 4.1 innings Tuesday as he was charged with the loss in Game 2 of the NLCS against Atlanta.

Gonsolin started Game 2 on short notice and held Atlanta's potent offense in check over the first three innings. However, he faltered over the fourth and fifth innings prior to his removal. The right-hander was forced to settle for the loss in his first postseason appearance, but he had a relatively high strikeout rate during his start. It's unclear whether Gonsolin could start later in the postseason.

Anderson tossed four scoreless innings Tuesday as he didn't factor into the decision in the win over the Dodgers in Game 2 of the NLCS. He allowed one hit and five walks while striking out five.

Anderson had his second scoreless outing of the postseason during Tuesday's contest, but he didn't qualify for the win during his four-inning appearance. He struggled with command, as only 48 of his 85 pitches went for strikes while he issued five walks. However, his strikeout rate remained high against the Dodgers. The right-hander could make another start during the NLCS if necessary.

Urias will start Game 3 of the NLCS against Atlanta on Wednesday, Eric Stephen of SBNation.com reports.

The Dodgers had to alter their plans after Clayton Kershaw was scratched from his scheduled Game 2 start due to back spasms. Tony Gonsolin will handle that game, with Urias lined up for Game 3. Kershaw may be ready to pitch by Game 4, though the Dodgers have yet to announce their plans for him. Urias has struck out 11 and walked just one in eight scoreless innings of relief so far this postseason.

Kershaw (back) won't start Game 3 of the NLCS against Atlanta on Wednesday but is still expected to pitch at some point during the series, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.

Kershaw was scratched from his scheduled Game 2 start Tuesday due to back spasms, but he was able to play catch and do dry work in the bullpen, so the issue doesn't appear to be particularly serious. It appears as though Game 4 on Thursday is the earliest he'll be asked to take the mound. Tony Gonsolin starts in his place Tuesday.