MLB Player News

Contrary to a previous report, Kershaw (shoulder) threw to a crouching catcher, but did not throw off a mound Thursday, J.P. Hoornstra of the Los Angeles Daily News reports.

Multiple beat writers reported that Kershaw threw off a mound, but that turns out to be incorrect. He continues to make small positive strides, but it is unclear when he will be able to throw off a mound. Kershaw threw from 150 feet, in addition to throwing to a catcher from around 60 feet on flat ground.

Kershaw (shoulder) threw 12-15 pitches off the mound Thursday, to the surprise of manager Dave Roberts, and did not report any issues, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

Earlier in the day it was reported that there was no timetable for Kershaw to throw off a mound, yet he then proceeded to do just that later in the day. He also threw from 150 feet. These are both positive signs, but Roberts did say earlier in the day that it would be "tough" for Kershaw to get ready in time for Opening Day. If Kershaw starts the year on the injured list, Ross Stripling will be the next man up.

Wood (back) hopes to pitch Saturday against the Padres, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

He has been briefly sidelined with a tight back, but it sounds like a minor issue that could be in the rearview mirror after this weekend. Assuming he returns fairly soon, Wood will have no trouble breaking camp in the rotation.

Burnes is now working with a five-pitch mix, adding a changeup and sinker, in an effort to win a rotation spot out of camp, Robert Murray of The Athletic reports. "The most exciting part is getting through a lineup three times," Burnes said. "It'll be nice to work through an order, have to think through pitch sequencing. It'll be good."

He showed last season that his fastball/slider combo was deadly in relief, but he is going to need more than a couple pitches to turn a lineup over multiple times. The plan will be for Burnes to use the fastball, slider and occassional curveball the first time through before introducing the changeup and sinker. He apparently had an excellent changeup in college, but lost feel for the pitch after altering his mechanics in pro ball. Eight Brewers pitchers are competing for five rotation spots, but Murray concludes for a variety of reasons that it is highly likely Burnes wins one of the five spots.

Urias will not be the next man up if Clayton Kershaw (shoulder) is not ready for Opening Day, J.P. Hoornstra of the Los Angeles Daily News reports.

Manager Dave Roberts said Ross Stripling would step in if Kershaw opens the year on the injured list, which seems likely at this point. That's no slight on Urias -- Stripling just happens to be an extremely overqualified sixth starter. Of course, other injuries will surely pop up at some point, which should open the door for Urias. He will likely open the year in the Triple-A rotation unless other injuries strike during spring training.

Stripling will be the Dodgers' fifth starter if Clayton Kershaw (shoulder) is not ready to go for the start of the season, J.P. Hoornstra of the Los Angeles Daily News reports.

While this was a pretty safe bet, Julio Urias is also a deserving candidate, so it is good to get some clarity from manager Dave Roberts. The skipper also noted that it will be "tough" for Kershaw to be ready for Opening Day, so it seems like Stripling is a good bet to make at least one start in the first week of the season.

Kershaw (shoulder) will play catch Thursday from beyond 120 feet and remains without a timetable to throw off the mound, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

Thursday's session marks slight progress, as Kershaw only threw from 120 feet Wednesday. Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times reports that manager Dave Roberts said again that getting Kershaw ready for Opening Day would be "tough".

Toussaint tossed three scoreless, no-hit innings in Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Tigers, walking one and striking out four.

After a rough start to the spring, the right-hander gave a glimpse of his dominant upside. Toussaint is still in the lead for the Braves' fifth starter spot to begin the regular season, but he'll need to keep putting together strong efforts like this if he wants to stay ahead of the likes of Kyle Wright and Max Fried.

Ray allowed three runs on three hits and struck out eight Wednesday against the Brewers.

Ray allowed a pair of home runs, but both he and manager Torey Lovullo looked beyond the runs. The left-hander told Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic that he was pleased with his fastball command and the crispness of his curveball and slider. His manager echoed those sentiments. "Even though he gave up that two-run homer, I thought it was easily one of the best outings we've seen from a starting pitcher this year," said Lovullo. Understandably, the D-backs can afford to look past the home runs this spring, but Ray allowed 1.4 HR/9 in 2018, a couple of ticks above the league average 1.2.

Quintana tossed three scoreless innings in Wednesday's Cactus League win over the Royals. He gave up one hit and one walk while striking out two.

Quintana has now started his spring with five scoreless innings as he looks to take a step forward after consecutive seasons with an ERA over 4.00. Prior to that, the lefty had posted five straight seasons with an ERA below 4.00. Quintana will likely begin the year as the No. 4 starter in a stacked Chicago rotation.