MLB Player News

Stripling is set to make his next start on Sunday in the Freeway Series, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

Stripling started Monday night, throwing 4.2 innings and allowing two earned runs on five hits. He also walked four and struck out one. Stripling continues to stretch out as a starter, and with Clayton Kershaw's (shoulder) return date in question, he has a strong chance to begin the season in the rotation.

Freeland allowed two earned runs on seven hits while striking out four and walking one across 4.2 innings Monday against the Reds.

Freeland surrendered a home run to Scott Schebler to begin the game Monday. However, he settled in from there, with the only other run he allowed coming in the fourth inning. Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post also noted that Freeland was experimenting with a two-seam fastball that led to three of his four strikeouts.

Mahle will be the likely beneficiary of Alex Wood (back) beginning the season on the injured list, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports. He was hit hard Monday against the Rockies, however, giving up four runs on seven hits, many of them barreled, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports. "It wasn't good. A lot of hard-hit balls and bad pitches," Mahle said. "Nothing was coming out of my hand right."

The Reds won't need a fifth starter until April 6 due to scheduled days off, but Mahle is likely to slide into that role while Wood works his way back to the mound. Mahle's past work in the major leagues hasn't gone particularly well -- he posted a 4.98 ERA across 112 innings in 2018 -- but he has looked capable this spring, posting a 3.60 ERA with 14 strikeouts and two walks in 10 innings of work.

Wood (back) is expected to start the season on the injured list, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Wood threw off of a mound for the first time in 10 days Monday and can now start ramping up for the season. Manager David Bell gave a targeted return of early-to-mid April. Tyler Mahle is expected to join the rotation in Wood's absence, though the Reds won't need a fifth starter until April 6 due to scheduled days off.

Nix felt soreness in his elbow while playing catch Monday, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

Nix was shut down last week after experiencing right arm soreness, and the issue resurfaced while he was playing catch Monday, prompting the Padres to shut him down indefinitely. This all but guarantees the right-hander will open the season on the shelf, leaving Robbie Erlin, Logan Allen and Cal Quantrill to compete for the team's final rotation spot.

Manager Dave Roberts said Buehler is still in the mix to start for the Dodgers on Opening Day, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.

The Dodgers have yet to decide who will take the ball on Opening Day in place of Clayton Kershaw (shoulder), but the young right-hander seems like a viable option if he's able to prove his health. Buehler, who is being slow played this spring after a sizable innings jump in 2018, is set to make his spring debut Tuesday against the Indians.

Manager Dave Roberts confirmed Kershaw (shoulder) will not start for the Dodgers on Opening Day, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.

This comes as no surprise, as Kershaw has been behind other pitchers all spring while battling shoulder issues. Per Gurnick, the southpaw is slated to face live hitters Wednesday, though it's still unclear when he'll be cleared for game action, leaving his return date murky. The good news is Kershaw will be in Los Angeles during the team's season-opening series, suggesting he could be available to make an abbreviated start during the first week of the season, if all goes as planned. The Dodgers have yet to announce who will start in place of Kershaw on Opening Day.

Flaherty will start the second game of the season, March 29 against the Brewers, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

This was expected with Carlos Martinez (shoulder) on the mend and Miles Mikolas tabbed to start Opening Day. Flaherty has been stellar this spring, compiling a 2.77 ERA and 19:3 K:BB through 13 innings. Flaherty is also lined up to get the ball for the Cardinals' home opener against the Padres on April 4.

DeGrom (illness) allowed one run on seven hits while striking out 12 across 6.1 innings of work in Monday's intrasquad game, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

DeGrom looked unbothered by the illness that forced him to push his start back by a day. The right-hander fired 96 pitches and issued no free passes. DeGrom is scheduled for one last abbreviated spring outing before getting the ball against the Nationals on Opening Day (March 28).

Lyles (side) threw a successful four-inning simulated game Monday, John Perrotto of DKPittsburghSports.com reports.

Lyles, who was removed from his previous Grapefruit League appearance due to a side cramp, fired 60 pitches in Monday's session and reported no issues afterwards. Assuming he checks out OK in the coming days, Lyles could rejoin the rotation later in the week. He's the leading candidate to open the season as the Pirates' fifth starter.