MLB Player News

Gray (1-0) gave up one run on three hits and two walks while striking out nine over six innings in a win over the Tigers on Friday.

C.J. Cron golfed a low pitch for a home run, but otherwise the Tigers couldn't touch Gray. The right-hander induced ugly swing after ugly swing and froze hitters with late movement on his pitches. While Gray was not treated as a fantasy ace during draft season, he's been getting closer to that conversation seemingly with every start since joining Cincinnati prior to the 2019 season. Up next is a home start against the Cubs on Wednesday.

Soroka tossed six scoreless innings in Friday's loss to the Mets but didn't factor into the decision. He allowed four hits and no walks while striking out three.

Soroka served as the youngest Opening Day starter in franchise history Friday, and he rose to the occasion by stifling the Mets' offense as he picked up a quality start. However, Atlanta's bats were also quieted by Jacob deGrom, so Soroka had to settle for a no-decision. The 22-year-old posted a 2.68 ERA and 142:41 K:BB over 174.2 innings last season. His next start should come at home Wednesday against the Rays.

Kershaw (back) played catch up to 90 feet Friday, Alanna Rizzo of Spectrum SportsNet LA reports.

Kershaw's MRI came back clean Friday, and he was able to resume throwing just one day after being placed on the 10-day injured list with back stiffness. The southpaw didn't sound too concerned about the injury after throwing and said that he hopes to return shortly after spending the minimum of 10 days on the injured list.

DeGrom fired five scoreless innings in Friday's win over Atlanta but didn't factor into the decision. He allowed one hit and one walk while striking out eight.

DeGrom's health was a question heading into Opening Day as he dealt with back tightness over the end of camp, but he was in fine form Friday. The back-to-back NL Cy Young Award winner threw 72 pitches but was unable to get much run support, a problem that's plagued him over the past few seasons. The 32-year-old's next start should come Wednesday against the Red Sox.

Kershaw (back) underwent an MRI on Friday that came back clean, Alanna Rizzo of Spectrum SportsNet LA reports.

Kershaw was placed on the 10-day injured list with back stiffness Thursday after suffering the injury in the weight room Tuesday, but he appears to have avoided a major issue. The southpaw continues to receive treatment, but no timetable has been set for his return. Dustin May should serve in the starting rotation while Kershaw is sidelined.

Anderson will serve as the Giants' opener Friday against the Dodgers, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

Jeff Samardzija was expected to get the start in Friday's contest, but Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said that Anderson will start with Samardzija serving as the primary pitcher. Anderson underwent knee surgery last June, but the delayed start to the season allowed him to fully recover for the 2020 campaign. The southpaw struggled with the Rockies prior to his injury in 2019, logging an 11.76 ERA and 2.13 WHIP over 20.2 innings across five starts.

Eflin (back) will start Tuesday against the Yankees, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

Back spasms popped up for Eflin in mid-July and put his readiness for the start of the season at some risk, though he was never shut down from throwing and has evidently continued to progress well. He threw 60 pitches in his final preseason tune-up, so he's likely to wind up throwing no more than 75 or 80 in his season debut.

Irvin was recalled from Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Thursday and will be part of the Phillies' Opening Day roster.

Irvin started three games for the Phillies last year and was almost exclusively a starter in the minors, but he's likely to fill a bullpen role in Philadelphia this year. That role is unlikely to be a particularly significant one, as he struggled to a 5.83 ERA in his 41.2-inning debut in 2019.

Cueto did not factor into the decision during Thursday's Opening Day loss at Dodger Stadium, scattering one run on five hits and a walk while striking out three across four innings.

Cueto came out strong, retiring the side in the first inning. With two outs in the fourth, the right-hander gave up a double to Corey Seager and put the Dodgers on the board by allowing an RBI single to Enrique Hernandez. A single by Joc Pederson put runners at the corners but Cueto found his way out of the jam by forcing a groundout to Austin Barnes. After sitting out most of last year following Tommy John surgery, Cueto made four late season starts in September, during which he put together a 5.06 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 13:9 K:BB across 16 frames.

May took a no-decision during Thursday's Opening Day win over the Giants, allowing one run on seven hits while striking out four across 4.1 innings.

May was recalled to make the Opening Day start for the Dodgers on Thursday following Clayton Kershaw's move to the injured list (back). The 22-year-old, who became the first Dodgers rookie to start on Opening Day since Fernando Valenzuela (1981), held the Giants at bay until the third inning. After surrendering three consecutive singles to Tyler Heineman, Mike Yastrzemski and Wilmer Flores, May handed San Francisco the first lead of the game on a sacrifice fly to Pablo Sandoval. That would be the only damage of the night for the right-hander, who should maintain his spot in the rotation during Kershaw's absence. Across 14 games last season, May posted a 3.63 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 32:5 K:BB across 34.2 innings.