MLB Player News

Stripling (illness) played catch Saturday and will do the same Sunday, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.

Stripling's arrival at spring training had been delayed due to an upper-respiratory illness, but it seems like he's made at least a limited return. This doesn't seem like an issue that will keep him out much longer, so he figures to resume his normal preparation for a swingman role relatively soon.

The Pirates tabbed Taillon as their Opening Day starter in Cincinnati on Mar. 28, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports.

"It's a big honor," Taillon said. "I get to kick off the season for the boys, set the tone." He pitched well in the Bucs' 2018 home opener, limiting the Twins to two earned runs in 5.2 innings with nine strikeouts. Taillon lost two of three starts in Cincinnati last season, allowing 10 earned runs in 17.1 innings.

Stripling hasn't reported to camp as of Saturday morning due to an upper respiratory issue, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.

The issue isn't expected to be a major one, as Stripling reportedly could return as early as later in the day Saturday. The illness is unlikely to significantly affect his preparation in 2019, a season in which he's expected to fill a swingman role.

Buehler is being held back early in spring training but is expected to be up to speed by Opening Day, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.

No specific reason was given for the decision to bring Buehler along slowly, so this appears to be a case of general workload management for the young righty. The 24-year-old threw 177 innings across all levels (including the playoffs) last season after throwing just 98 the year prior.

Soroka will not be held back by his shoulder this spring and will take part in normal throwing sessions, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

Soroka missed the second half of his rookie campaign with shoulder inflammation and was expected to take it easy this spring. He's been able to undergo a normal offseason throwing program, however, and has had no issues during early sessions in camp, so the team feels confident moving him forward without restrictions. The 21-year-old is expected to battle for the Braves' fifth starter job.

Urias is expected to open the season as a starter at Triple-A Oklahoma City or as a reliever for the big club after manager Dave Roberts suggested Wednesday that no rotation spots will be up for grabs for the Dodgers during spring training, Jorge Castillo of the Los Angeles Times reports.

The Dodgers are likely to have Urias get stretched out as a starter in camp, but he and All-Star Ross Stripling will both merely be insurance options to begin the season after Roberts declared that he intends to include Kenta Maeda in the rotation. With Maeda's role now established, he'll join a starting staff that already included four pitchers guaranteed spots in Clayton Kershaw, Walker Buehler, Hyun-Jin Ryu and Rich Hill. While the blocked path to the rotation figures to limit Urias' early-season fantasy upside, it probably won't take long for an opening to arise after all five starters spent time on the disabled list in 2018.

Manager Dave Roberts indicated Wednesday that the Dodgers won't hold an open competition for any rotation spots in spring training, meaning Stripling will likely open the 2019 campaign in the bullpen, Jorge Castillo of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Clayton Kershaw, Walker Buehler, Rich Hill and Hyun-Jin Ryu were already assured starting gigs entering camp, and Roberts' declaration that Kenta Maeda would also begin the season as a starter leaves no spots left up for grabs. Given that all five pitchers spent time on the disabled list last season, the Dodgers will presumably keep Stripling, Julio Urias and potentially a few other arms on the 40-man roster stretched out in the likely event another healthy arm is needed in the rotation. Stripling should get the first look should an opening arise after compiling a 3.39 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 10.1 K/9 over 21 starts in 2018, earning an All-Star nod along the way.

Manager Craig Counsell said Woodruff will be stretched out as a starter during camp, Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Woodruff is set to transition back to the rotation after being used primarily as a reliever in 2018. The 26-year-old righty seems like a good bet to break camp in Milwaukee's rotation after posting a 3.61 ERA and 10.0 K/9 in 42.1 innings (four starts, 15 relief appearances) last season.

Cueto (elbow) will begin playing catch next week, Andrew Baggarly of The Athletic reports.

The veteran hurler underwent Tommy John surgery in August of 2018, but it seems like he's making good progress in his rehab program. Cueto is still on track to miss most if not all of the 2019 season, though his timetable for return will likely become clearer once he gets back onto the mound.

Houser was granted a fourth minor-league option Thursday, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Typically, players on the 40-man roster are only allotted three minor-league options. However, since Houser missed nearly the entire 2017 season -- an option year -- due to Tommy John surgery, he is eligible for a fourth minor-league option. This certainly bodes well for the Brewers, as it gives them a bit more roster flexibility, though it could hurt Houser's chances of breaking camp with the big-league club since he's now able to be stashed in the minors a bit longer.