MLB Player News

Toussaint could see consistent usage as part of the Atlanta staff this season if rosters are expanded beyond 26 players, Gabriel Burns of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

The 23-year-old right-hander failed to win a rotation spot in camp and had already been optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett when play was suspended, but Toussaint would be one of the top candidates to handle a long relief or sixth starter role for the team, along with Kyle Wright and Bryse Wilson. Toussaint has strikeout upside, but his control and command remain an issue and he has a 77:47 K:BB in 70.2 career big-league innings. He did at least appear to take a small step forward on that front with an 8:3 K:BB in 8.2 Grapefruit League frames this spring.

Wright could see consistent usage as part of the Atlanta staff this season if rosters are expanded beyond 26 players, Gabriel Burns of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

The team's No. 3 fantasy prospect, Wright was still competing for the final spot in the rotation when spring training was suspended, but he appeared to be behind Felix Hernandez in the race. The delayed start to the regular season also makes it likely Cole Hamels (shoulder) will be ready, pushing the 24-year-old right-hander further down the depth chart. Wright would be one of the top candidates to handle a long relief or sixth starter role for the team, however, along with Bryse Wilson and Touki Toussaint. Wright has struggled in his brief cups of coffee in the majors but posted a solid 4.17 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 116:35 K:BB in 112.1 innings last year for Triple-A Gwinnett, including a dominant 2.60 ERA and 10.5 K/9 over his final 13 starts.

Gonsolin's spot on the Opening Day roster could be helped by an abbreviated campaign, Pedro Moura of The Athletic reports.

Gonsolin was considered on the 26-man bubble before spring training was suspended, though he had been all but eliminated from consideration for the starting rotation. That could change if a 2020 season takes place, as such a scenario would potentially include expanded rosters and fewer off days. Per Moura, the Dodgers have discussed using "as many as eight starting pitchers" depending on how the schedule plays out, making Gonsolin a contender for a spot in the rotation. The right-hander started six games for the big club last season, posting a 2.89 ERA and 24:10 K:BB over 28 innings.

May could begin the 2020 campaign as a starter for the Dodgers if the abbreviated season necessitates a deeper starting rotation, Pedro Moura of The Athletic reports.

Though there are no firm details about how a potential 2020 season might play out, the possibility of expanded rosters and more frequent games -- including doubleheaders -- remains viable. Per Moura, the Dodgers have discussed using "as many as eight starting pitchers" to account for such a scenario. That would likely allow May to claim a spot in the big-league rotation as he was preparing to stretch out as a starter in the minor leagues before spring training was suspended. The 22-year-old fared well as a starter last season, posting a 2.82 ERA and 17:3 K:BB over 22.1 innings.

Gomber would be a surefire candidate to benefit from a roster expansion up to 30 players, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch opines.

Goold's assessment comes as part of a response to a reader question about which players would be the best candidates to fill out the extra four spots were they to be made available. Gomber was already pushing for a bullpen job were rosters to have remained at 26 after posting a 2.25 ERA across eight Grapefruit League innings before spring training was suspended, and he also has the ability to make spot starts whenever necessary. Therefore, the projection about his job security seems reasonable at this juncture.

Mikolas (forearm) would be pitching in either a rehab assignment or actual regular-season games by this point if the opportunity existed, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

The veteran right-hander was already back to throwing from 120 feet by early April, and at this point, Goold reports Mikolas is essentially game-ready and is just "sustaining his health" until he can start facing hitters. Mikolas' forearm strain was going to create an extra vacancy in the starting rotation had the season started March 26 as originally planned, but it's now possible he could test and stretch out his arm sufficiently during any ramp-up period ahead of a rescheduled Opening Day.

Kershaw has begun to ease up on his workouts while waiting for news about a resumption of play, he stated in an interview on the podcast "Off Air" with Joe Davis and Orel Hershiser.

"When I came home, I was still just kind of full-go, you know, throwing every day, lifting like I would. And then the past two weeks, I've kind of taken it a little easier, only throwing four days a week and kind of did some lighter workouts just to try and, you know, if this season goes longer than it should, just to try and be able to maintain it throughout. And then, this past week, I've started to ramp up again this week, these past two days, and, you know, with the thought of a potential maybe, you know, July start date, or something like that," Kershaw said on the podcast. The southpaw is currently at his home in Texas and noted that he has been limited to mostly throwing in his backyard. Kershaw is slated to be the Dodgers' Opening Day starter for the ninth time in his career when the 2020 season commences.

Quintana worked on a new changeup grip in spring training and might use the pitch more often when the 2020 season is able to begin, Tim Stebbins of NBC Sports Chicago reports.

Quintana said he worked on a new grip that he hopes will disguise his changeup better. Opponents hit .354 against the pitch in 2019, and the lefty admitted he often doesn't have a good feel for it. Quintana ended up with a career-worst 4.68 ERA last season, though his 3.79 FIP suggests a rebound could be in order, especially if he has more success with his changeup.

Chicago manager David Ross said Hendricks had a "phenomenal" early part of spring, Steve Greenberg of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Ross was expecting a big season out of the righty, though it's unclear when that season will be able to begin due to the coronavirus pandemic. Hendricks posted a 3.46 ERA in 177 innings (30 starts) for the Cubs last year, his fourth straight sub-3.50 ERA season. The 30-year-old doesn't post eye-popping strikeout totals, but he's still one of the most consistent and effective starters in the National League.

May reported that he has completely recovered from a side injury that sidelined him this spring in an interview with John Hartung of SportsNet LA.

"Right now I'm ready to go. No issues. I'm completely healed," May indicated in Tuesday's interview. He also stated that he is throwing "as much as possible" and "right on cue" with the pitching schedules of other Dodgers starters. May will likely open the season at Triple-A in order to stretch out as a starter, but it wouldn't be a surprise to see him make an impact with the big-league club at some point during the campaign.