MLB Player News

DeSclafani was scheduled to throw off a mound Wednesday at extended spring training, marking his first bullpen session since straining his left oblique in early March, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

It sounds as though DeSclafani has fully healed from the injury after remaining idle for more than a month, but the extended break will essentially force him to go through spring training all over again. DeSclafani will need to complete multiple bullpen sessions before gaining clearance to face hitters and then begin what will likely be a multi-start rehab assignment in the minors. If DeSclafani experiences no setbacks as he builds back up to a starter's workload, he could come off the 60-day disabled list when or shortly after he's first eligible to return May 28.

Lorenzen (shoulder) has progressed to long tossing up to 90 feet, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Lorenzen is expected to resume mound work by the end of April and then report to extended spring training in Arizona to face hitters and work on his mechanics in an effort to reduce the strain on his right shoulder. Given the multiple hurdles Lorenzen still has to clear in his recovery from the shoulder issue, it seems unlikely that he'll be able to return from the 10-day disabled list until mid-May.

Gonzalez was recalled from Double-A Jacksonville on Thursday, Joe Frisaro of MLB.com reports.

The pitching prospect doesn't have absurd pitching numbers this season (4.50 ERA, 7:4 K:BB in 10 innings pitched), but he provides much-needed length to the Marlins' bullpen. Gonzalez will replace the team's current long reliever Chris O'Grady (shoulder), who was placed on the disabled list in a corresponding move.

The Mets signed Copeland to a minor-league contract Wednesday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Copeland will likely report to Triple-A Las Vegas, where he and the newly signed Vance Worley will presumably vie for the rotation spot vacated by A.J. Griffin, who was cut loose earlier this week. The 30-year-old Copeland spent the entire 2017 campaign at Triple-A New Orleans in the Miami organization, accruing a 4.97 ERA, 1.54 WHIP and 118:53 K:BB over 137.2 innings.

The Mets signed Worley to a minor-league contract Wednesday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Worley attended spring training with the Reds but failed to make the Opening Day roster, prompting him to opt out of his contract with the club. After weighing his options, Worley likely recognized an easier path back to the majors with the Mets, whose big-league rotation includes multiple members with checkered medical histories. Worley is expected to report to Triple-A Las Vegas and will likely serve in a starting role.

Buehler is an option to start for the Dodgers on Monday against the Marlins, Eric Stephen of TrueBlueLA.com reports.

With Rich Hill (finger) landing on the disabled list and the Dodgers lined up for a doubleheader against the Giants on April 28, Los Angeles will need an extra starter for at least one game next week. Buehler, who last pitched for Triple-A Oklahoma City on Monday, is one of two options, along with Brock Stewart. The highly regarded Buehler has made three starts for Oklahoma City so far this year, compiling a 2.08 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 16:4 K:BB across 13 innings. If Buehler is called upon to make a spot start Monday, he could stick in the rotation to pitch one of the two doubleheader games, depending on how he performs Monday.

Manager Dave Roberts said that Kershaw will have his start moved up to Friday against the Nationals to fill in for Rich Hill (finger), Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

With an off-day Thursday, Roberts has the luxury of deploying his ace on regular rest Friday after Hill was placed on the disabled list with a cracked fingernail Wednesday. The Dodgers haven't provided Kershaw with the run support required to post a record better than 1-2 through four starts. Fortunately for his fantasy owners, the southpaw has delivered the dominant ratios to help alleviate the lack of wins with a 1.73 ERA, 0.88 WHIP and a 10.3 K/BB ratio over 26 innings.

Maeda (2-1) allowed four runs on eight hits and two walks and struck out 10 through 5.2 innings to pick up the win Wednesday over the Padres.

For the second time in 2018, Maeda lasted into the fifth inning, and for the second time, he struck out at least 10 batters. When healthy, Maeda can be nasty against right-handed hitters, but reliability has been an issue both throughout his entire career and already thus far in 2018. His 24:5 K:BB in 14.1 innings to begin the season is awfully hard to ignore.

Ray struck out nine and held the Giants to two runs on five hits and three walks through six innings Wednesday night, but was stuck with a no-decision.

Ray reached nine strikeouts for the second time in just four starts, but he was outdueled by Chris Stratton and left facing a deficit despite his excellent effort. Control also continues to be an issue for Ray. He walked at least three batters for the fourth time in as many starts, and perhaps the biggest problem is the resulting impact on his pitch count. Ray needed 99 pitches to get through six innings, and that will make it harder for him to make sure he can stay in games long enough to rack up wins, even when he's as nasty as he was Wednesday night.

Velasquez (1-2) allowed three runs on seven hits and a walk with seven strikeouts over six innings but still took the loss Wednesday to Atlanta.

Since a 2.2-inning stinker against the same Atlanta lineup on Opening Day, Velasquez has been on fire, as he has delivered three straight quality starts with a 20:3 K:BB. Unfortunately, the Phillies have only been able to provide run support for one win in those three starts, and that may wind up becoming a theme for Velasquez as 2018 continues.