MLB Player News

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts further clarified Kershaw's "arm irritation" from earlier in the week, saying Kershaw's left shoulder didn't feel right during his throwing session earlier in the week, Pedro Moura of The Athletic reports.

The Dodgers expect Kershaw to resume throwing again sometime soon next week. Now that we have a better idea of what was bothering him, we can better evaluate how serious this is. For those that were already down on him heading into the season, it probably serves as confirmation to stay away from him. Over the last four days at the NFBC, his ADP has dropped to 44.85, though the latest he has been picked is 56th overall.

Soroka (shoulder) expects to be able to return to game action at some point late in spring training, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

Soroka has been shut down due to shoulder soreness, though the soreness is reportedly in a different area than the soreness he suffered last season, an issue that wound up cutting his rookie season short in late June. Last year's injury was caused by pitching, but this year's problem was apparently caused by Soroka overworking himself during offseason lifting. While it's certainly not great that shoulder issues have popped up twice in a short span, the fact that the injuries are unrelated is considered good news, at least according to the pitcher himself.

Pitching coach Rick Honeycutt said Saturday that Kershaw is dealing with "an arm kind of thing," which Honeycutt went on to describe as "irritation," Jorge Castillo of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Kershaw, who is said to be taking medication to treat the issue, hopes to resume throwing early next week. He was shut down after struggling in a live batting batting practice session and then reporting not feeling right. Manager Dave Roberts said Friday, "No one is alarmed or concerned about it," but with Honeycutt stating explicitly that this is indeed a physical issue, it's reasonable to be concerned. This situation should be monitored closely.

Flexen (knee) is listed among the Mets' available bullpen arms for Saturday's Grapefruit League opener versus the Braves, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Flexen ended the 2018 campaign on the shelf after requiring surgery in early August to repair a torn meniscus. Based on his availability for the exhibition opener, Flexen didn't incur any major setbacks in his recovery over the winter and should get the opportunity to compete for a multi-inning relief gig in camp. It's more likely he opens the season in the Triple-A Syracuse rotation, however.

Manager Mike Shildt said Saturday that Mikolas would serve as the Cardinals' starter for the team's regular-season opener March 28 versus the Brewers, Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com reports.

Shildt made the announcement just hours before Mikolas was scheduled to take the hill for the Cardinals' Grapefruit League opener in Miami. The selection of Mikolas doesn't come as much of a surprise after the right-hander performed brilliantly in his return to North America in 2018 after a detour in Japan, compiling a 2.83 ERA across 200.2 innings. Per Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, general manager Mike Girsch also noted that it's a possibility the Cardinals will reach an extension with Mikolas prior to the regular season. Mikolas will be headed for free agency next winter while he finishes out the final season of his two-year, $15.5 million contract.

Musgrove (abdomen) completed a bullpen session Wednesday, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports.

Musgrove is only slightly behind schedule compared to the rest of his projected rotation mates, who all tossed live batting practice this week. The right-hander, who underwent surgery in October to repair his right abdominal wall, could have his innings monitored carefully during the spring but looks well on his way to being ready for Opening Day. The Pirates are tentatively lining Musgrove up to start their third game of the season March 31 in Cincinnati.

Soroka will be shut down from throwing for four or five days after his shoulder discomfort returned Friday, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Shoulder inflammation ended Soroka's rookie season prematurely, and the issue hasn't gone away. He felt some discomfort while lifting weights in January, and while he was able to begin spring training normally, the issue quickly resurfaced. If he's able to return to his throwing program without further delays and if his spring proceeds without further setbacks, he'll still have time to compete for a rotation spot. The Braves may take a longer-term outlook with the young pitcher, though, especially given that Touki Toussaint should be an adequate fifth starter in Soroka's place.

Kershaw won't throw for at least a few days following an unsuccessful live batting practice session Wednesday, Pedro Moura of The Athletic reports.

Manager Dave Roberts downplayed the fact that Kershaw didn't feel right following the bullpen session, saying, "No one is alarmed or worried about it." It doesn't appear to be an injury issue at this point, but according to Moura, the Dodgers' skipper also said, "Is it dead arm? It could be. We'll see about that as we get moving forward." Both Roberts and Kershaw have declined to offer much in the form of specifics, so hopefully there will be some clarity on Kershaw's status in the near future.

Gray (elbow) was scratched from Saturday's spring training opener as a precaution, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

The team announced Friday morning Gray would not pitch as originally scheduled Saturday due to right elbow stiffness. The right-hander downplayed it as a non-serious injury, indicating he expects to begin throwing again within a day or two, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Gray was scratched from Saturday's spring training opener against the Indians due to right elbow stiffness, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Gray was set to start and throw one inning during Saturday's spring training opener versus the Indians, but will now have to wait to make his spring debut. The severity of the injury remains unclear, but it is nonetheless concerning that the 29-year-old's spring is beginning with any kind of injury related to his throwing elbow. Tanner Roark will start instead for the Reds as Gray's status should receive some additional clarity in the coming days.