MLB Player News

May (side) is being viewed as a starter, but he is likely to open the campaign in the minor leagues, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.

The news comes on the same day manager Dave Roberts indicated that southpaw Julio Urias has all but locked up a spot in the starting rotation, per David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports. That leaves one slot in the starting rotation up for grabs with a mix of veterans -- including Alex Wood and Jimmy Nelson -- competing with May and fellow prospect Tony Gonsolin. While May is unlikely to begin the season in the majors, there is a good chance he will be summoned to the big club at some point during the campaign.

Keller hurled two scoreless innings in Pittsburgh's Grapefruit League opener Saturday. He allowed two hits with no walks or strikeouts.

He was sitting mid-90s with his fastball. Keller was torched for 10 earned runs in four spring innings last year and perhaps the outing helps to give the righty a bit of confidence in an otherwise meaningless game. Keller compiled a 7.13 ERA and 1.83 WHIP in 11 starts and 48 innings in 2019. He did show promise with 65 whiffs and a 28.6 strikeout percentage.

Urias is expected to begin the season as one of the Dodgers' starting pitchers, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

Urias has been shuffled between the bullpen and the starting rotation over his career, but manager Dave Roberts confirmed Saturday that the 23-year-old will begin the season in the starting rotation. The southpaw posted a 2.49 ERA and 1.08 WHIP over 37 appearances (eight starts) in 2019.

May (side) could throw a bullpen session Sunday, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.

May has been dealing with side tightness since early in spring training, but he recently began throwing and could throw a bullpen Sunday. The Dodgers reportedly view May as a starter heading into 2020, and he could still be in the mix for a spot in the Opening Day rotation.

Flaherty was confirmed as the starter for Opening Day on Saturday, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Manager Mike Shildt declined to confirm Flaherty as the starter for Opening Day on Wednesday, but he gave the confirmation Saturday ahead of his scheduled start in the Grapefruit League opener. The 24-year-old was dominant last season, logging a 2.75 ERA and 0.97 WHIP over 196.1 innings in 2019.

Wainwright will start Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Mets and throw two innings or 35 pitches, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

The veteran right-hander returned to the Cardinals in November on a one-year contract after a resurgent 2019, one in which he forged his best win total (14) since the 2014 campaign. Wainwright projects as the No. 4 starter in the rotation when it's at full health, but with Miles Mikolas (forearm) not projected to be ready for Opening Day, the former will bump up to the No. 3 role temporarily.

Suarez is building up as a starter this spring, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

Like many pitchers, Suarez was a starter in the minors but switched to relief after reaching the big leagues. In 37 relief appearances last season, he recorded a 3.14 ERA, though his 20.5 percent strikeout rate wasn't particularly impressive. It doesn't appear likely that he'll move ahead of both Vince Velasquez and Nick Pivetta for the team's No. 5 starter role, meaning the Phillies may have to send him to the minors to open the season if they want him to stay stretched out.

Gutierrez will start Saturday's Cactus League opener against the Indians, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Gutierrez spent 2019 at Triple-A Louisville but struggled with a 6.04 ERA and 1.40 WHIP over 137 innings. The 24-year-old will have a tough time competing against the Reds' more established options for a spot in the starting rotation.

Lugo (toe) expects to throw off a mound over the weekend, Mike Puma of the New York Post reports.

Lugo suffered a fractured pinky toe in his hotel early in the week, but the issue was never considered particularly serious. He's already thrown off flat ground, and by returning to the mound over a month before Opening Day, it seems as though he'll have plenty of time to build up for the start of the regular season.

Urias will not be restricted this season, Cary Osborne of Dodger Insider reports.

Urias has bounced between the bullpen and the starting rotation throughout his major-league career as he has dealt with both injuries and age-related innings limits. After compiling a 2.49 ERA in 79.2 frames last season, he has a legitimate chance to begin the campaign as one of the Dodgers' five starting pitchers. Though that may seem like a long time coming, Urias is still young by MLB standards -- he won't turn 24 until mid-August.