MLB Player News

Quintana (thumb) has been playing catch from 90 feet recently and could be cleared for a bullpen session in the next seven to 10 days barring any setbacks, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Quintana has been out since having thumb surgery in early July. The lefty won't be ready for Opening Day, but it appears he could be back fairly soon if the bullpen session goes off without a hitch. In the meantime, Alec Mills is likely to fill Quintana's rotation spot.

Stripling will begin the season at the Dodgers' No. 5 starter, Michael J. Duarte of NBC LA reports.

Stripling had been battling Dustin May for the open rotation spot created when David Price opted out of the season, and manager Dave Roberts confirmed Monday that Stripling will be given first crack at holding down a starting role. The right-hander threw a simulated game Saturday and is lined up to pitch in the Dodgers' second game of the season against the Giants. Stripling has enjoyed success as a starter in the past and could be a strong option in both daily and season-long fantasy leagues.

Hendricks said he worked on his curveball while play was suspended due to the coronavirus, and he could use the pitch more in 2020, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Hendricks worked on his grip over the past few months, and the work has apparently paid off, as the righty noted that "it's the best my curveball's felt." In his final summer camp tune-up Sunday against the White Sox, he used the pitch 14 percent of the time, as compared to 9.5 percent of the time in 2019. Hendricks has primarily featured a sinker and changeup during his time in the majors, but increased confidence in his curveball could lead to an uptick in usage.

Paddack will start in the Padres' season opener against the Diamondbacks on Friday.

Paddack was expected to serve as the Opening Day starter, but manager Jayce Tingler made the decision official Monday. The right-hander made his final tune-up in an intrasquad matchup Sunday as he threw 87 pitches over six innings, allowing two runs and striking out eight. Given Paddack's steady increase in workload since camp resumed, he shouldn't have any pitch count limitations to begin the regular season. The 24-year-old posted a 3.33 ERA and 0.98 WHIP over 140.2 innings with the Padres during his first major-league season in 2019.

Hamels (triceps) is able to throw but isn't expected to pitch in a game any time soon, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

Hamels has battled shoulder issues since arriving in spring training back in February. He was recently diagnosed with triceps tendinitis and sent to the injured list. With such an uncertain timeline, and with his 3.81 ERA and 23.2 strikeout rate from last season representing solid but far from spectacular numbers, he can likely be safely ignored in shallower fantasy leagues.

Nola will be the Phillies' Opening Day starter Friday against the Marlins, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

A typical rest schedule should see Nola face the Marlins twice in his first two starts, with a much tougher assignment against the Yankees sandwiched in between. Nola's ability to pitch on Opening Day had been in some doubt, as his arrival in camp was delayed due to the fact that he'd been exposed to someone who had tested positive for COVID-19. Whether or not he'll be able to handle a full starter's workload right away is unclear, but he'll be on the mound for at least a fair number of innings against one of the weaker lineups in the league.

Senzatela gave up two runs and scattered seven hits while striking out two over 3.1 innings during his intrasquad start Friday, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

Senzatela looks in line to get his final tuneup of summer camp in Wednesday's exhibition versus the Rangers, which would seemingly put him on track to start the Rockies' fourth game of the regular season July 28 in Oakland. According to Kyle Newman of The Denver Post, Senzatela shed 15 pounds in the offseason and has shown a mid-90s fastball and sharper secondary offerings during spring training and summer camp, but the 25-year-old can probably be avoided outside of NL-only leagues until he delivers quality results in the games that count. Senzatela made 25 starts for the big club in 2019, posting a 6.71 ERA, 1.75 WHIP and 5.5 K/9.

Manager Bud Black confirmed Monday that Marquez will start the Rockies' Opening Day game Friday against the Rangers, Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post reports.

Black had strongly hinted earlier in camp that Marquez would get the nod for the season opener in Arlington, but Monday's announcement makes the decision official. The 25-year-old dealt with right arm inflammation in 2019 that shut him down for the final month of the season, but he was fully healthy during spring and summer work. Despite the injury, the right-hander pitched a team-leading 174 innings, and his 6.21 innings per start ranked 15th among qualified starters.

Manager Bud Black said that Gray will start the Rockies' second game of the season Saturday in Texas, Nick Groke of The Athletic reports.

Gray has actually fared slightly better at Coors Field (.319 wOBA) than on the road (.324) throughout his career, but fantasy managers in season-long leagues will still have reason to fear ratio damage any time he pitches at altitude. While no park factor data is available yet on the Rangers' new home, Globe Life Field, the fact that it has a retractable roof is expected to make it a more pitcher-friendly venue than its predecessor. At least in NL-only or deeper mixed leagues, Gray looks like a viable streaming option in his first start of 2020.

Rockies manager Bud Black confirmed Freeland will start the team's third game of the season Friday in Texas, Nick Groke of The Athletic reports.

After turning in a 2.85 ERA over 33 starts in 2018, Freeland regressed in a major way in 2019, submitting a 6.73 ERA and 1.58 WHIP across 22 outings. The massive decline in performance wasn't enough to prevent Freeland from breaking summer camp with a spot in the middle of the rotation, which speaks to the Rockies' lack of attractive alternative starting options more than anything. In deeper leagues, Freeland may be a more reliable fantasy option in favorable road matchups, and at least for his first start, he should benefit from the Rangers' new ballpark (Globe Life Field) likely playing more pitcher-friendly than its predecessor. Like most starters, Freeland is best left avoided when he takes the hill at Coors Field, where he sports a 4.34 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and 7.2 K/9 in 228.1 career innings.