MLB Player News

Kershaw said Sunday in the aftermath of the Dodgers' World Series loss to the Red Sox that he hasn't decided whether he'll opt out of the final two years of his contract and become a free agent this winter, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports. "I've got three days now to think about [the contract situation] before anything happens. And so it will be an eventful three days for me, and I'll try to figure it out."

With the 2018 season officially coming to a close, he'll have until Wednesday to make a decision on his contract status for the upcoming campaign. If he opts out, Kershaw will forgo the $65 million remaining on his deal, though he likely wouldn't have much trouble recouping that amount -- and then some -- in free agency while re-signing with the Dodgers or joining another club. Although a stark decline in velocity this season in addition to recurring health issues in recent years casts some doubt about Kershaw's ability to continue pitching at an elite level well into his 30s, he was still unquestionably an ace-level talent in 2018. The southpaw delivered a 2.73 ERA and 1.04 WHIP in his 26 starts, with the stellar ratios somehow representing his worst marks since 2010.

Kershaw was announced as the starter for Game 5 of the World Series against the Red Sox, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.

The Dodgers ace was roughed up a bit in the first game of the series, allowing five runs on seven hits in just four innings of work. Kershaw will get a chance to redeem himself in Game 5 at home, as he hopes to keep the Dodgers in the series before it goes back to Boston.

Rucinski was outrighted to Triple-A New Orleans on Saturday and will become a free agent at the conclusion of the season, Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald reports.

Across 32 appearances for the Marlins this past year, Rucinski posted a 4.33 ERA and 1.33 WHIP with a 27:13 K:BB in 35.1 innings. He also spent some time down at the Triple-A level and missed a month of action with a groin strain. The 30-year-old has bounced around teams the past few years and will likely join a fourth different organization in the past four years when he finds a new home this offseason.

Hill has been confirmed as the starting pitcher for Game 4 of the World Series against Boston on Saturday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

As expected, Hill will toe the rubber for the Dodgers in Game 4 after Walker Buehler aims to notch a win in Game 3. Hill has looked solid throughout the postseason, allowing three runs and fanning 10 over 10.1 innings (2.61 ERA).

Lewicki (elbow) was claimed off waivers by the Diamondbacks on Wednesday, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

Lewicki is set to miss the entire 2019 campaign after undergoing Tommy John surgery at the end of August. The Diamondbacks will either need to carry him on their 40-man roster until the start of the season (when he can be transferred to the 60-day DL) or attempt to pass him through waivers as the Tigers did. The 26-year-old posted a 4.89 ERA, 1.60 WHIP and 30:14 K:BB across 38.2 innings with the Tigers in 2018 prior to suffering the injury.

Manager Dave Roberts said Wednesday that the Dodgers' plan is for Urias to be built up as a starter in 2019, Bob Nightengale of USA TODAY Sports reports.

This piece of information doesn't come as a surprise but it's encouraging for the 22-year-old's fantasy prospects heading into next season. Urias spent a majority of the 2018 campaign on the disabled list while recovering from shoulder surgery and has exclusively been utilized as a reliever since returning to game action in late July. Prior to the injury he started five big-league games in 2017 and 15 the year before. At this point it's unclear whether Urias would begin next season in the majors or start the year in Triple-A Oklahoma City's rotation. His status will be worth monitoring throughout spring training.

General David Stearns said Burnes will enter the 2019 season as a starter, Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Burnes appeared strictly out of the bullpen after earning a promotion to the big club in July, posting a 2.61 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 35:11 K:BB across 38 innings. One of the team's top young arms, the Brewers view Burnes as a starter moving forward despite his big-league success as a reliever. The 24-year-old posted a 4.96 ERA and 9.3 K/9 across 13 starts with Triple-A Colorado Springs last season before transitioning to a relief role. Burnes should enter spring training with a chance to break camp in the starting rotation.

Buehler will start Game 3 of the World Series against the Red Sox on Friday, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

Buehler will follow Clayton Kershaw and Hyun-Jin Ryu, who are scheduled to pitch the first two games of the series. The young righty owns a 5.40 ERA and 22:4 K:BB through three starts (16.2 innings) this postseason. He most recently allowed one run on six hits while striking out seven across 4.2 innings in Game 7 of the NLCS against the Brewers.

Ryu will start Game 2 of the World Series against the Red Sox on Wednesday, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

Ryu will be sandwiched between Clayton Kershaw -- who will start Game 1 -- and Walker Buehler, who gets the ball for Game 3. The southpaw owns a 4.40 ERA and 15:2 K:BB through three starts (14.1 innings) this postseason. He was tagged for five runs on seven hits in just three innings in his most recent start (a loss to the Brewers in Game 6 of the NLCS).

Kershaw was confirmed as the starter for Game 1 of the World Series in Boston on Tuesday, Pedro Moura of The Athletic reports.

The decision was an expected one, despite Kershaw pitching Saturday to close out the Brewers in Game 7 of the NLDS. The Dodgers' ace threw just 15 pitches in that game, the equivalent of a standard bullpen session, so he should be ready to go without a pitch count on Tuesday. Kershaw made two starts and one relief appearance in last year's World Series, finishing with a 4.02 ERA in 15.2 innings.