MLB Player News

Stripling was optioned to minor league camp Thursday.

The Dodgers added Stripling to the 40-man roster in November, but he was never a serious candidate to break camp with a rotation spot. Stripling did impress this spring, capping off his run with the big club with four strikeouts in two scoreless innings against Kansas City on Thursday. "There's a lot to like," manager Dave Roberts told the Los Angeles Times. "We see him as a major-league starter."

Urias was reassigned to minor league camp Thursday.

When asked about the No. 5 starter options early Thursday, manager Dave Roberts refused to rule Urias out as a candidate, but the 19-year-old never had a realistic chance to break camp. Urias didn't look quite ready in a couple appearances with the big club this spring, allowing four runs on five hits in three innings. Michael Bolsinger, Brandon Beachy, and Zach Lee remain in the hunt for the final rotation spot.

Perez allowed one hit and one walk while striking out two over three scoreless innings against the Astros on Thursday.

The 24-year-old right-hander has now turned in three straight scoreless appearances with just two hits allowed over six innings since giving up a run in his Grapefruit League debut. Manny Banuelos was also sharp Thursday in relief, but Perez and Jhoulys Chacin look like the favorites to round out the Braves' rotation a little past the halfway point of spring training.

Urena has struggled during Grapefruit League action, allowing five earned runs in 5.1 innings pitched with three walks and two strikeouts.

The 24-year-old looked solid in his spring debut, but has yielded five runs on five hits and three walks over his past two appearances (3.1 innings pitched). While he'll continue to be worked out as a starter in camp, Urena's clearest path to the majors is in the bullpen. At this stage, however, his chances at an Opening Day roster spot are slim.

Urias was not ruled out as a possible No. 5 starter option by manager Dave Roberts, though at the same time, Roberts maintained that they don't want to "rush" him, Eric Stephen of True Blue LA reports.

Interesting, but it's hard to see Urias taking the bump in April for any team other than Triple-A Oklahoma City. He's 19 and tossed just 80.1 innings last year while allowing three runs in four innings this spring. Expect the nod to go to Mike Bolsinger.

Cueto (head) passed concussion tests Wednesday and said he will make his next scheduled start, CSN Bay Area reports.

Cueto, who was struck in the head by a line drive Monday, assured reporters that he is 100-percent fine. The Giants haven't announced their probable starters for this weekend's games, but it sounds like Cueto won't miss his turn in the rotation. More importantly, he should be ready for Opening Day and should be ranked and drafted accordingly.

Nicasio, who struck out 10 batters in four scoreless frames Wednesday, continues to see his stock rise. "That kind of outing will get your attention," Pirates manager Clint Hurdle told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Pittsburgh signed Nicasio to a one-year, $3 million deal over the winter, and the move could pay big dividends. While the righty is set to open the season in the bullpen, the team is stretching him out as a starter. "I'm working hard for a chance in the rotation, but I can't control all that," Nicasio said. "I'll try to do my job. I can't make that decision." With Ryan Vogelsong and Jeff Locke the only two starters blocking his path from the rotation, it's easy to envision Nicasio joining the starting staff -- provided his Grapefruit League success (10 shutout innings, 16 strikeouts) isn't a fluke.

DeGrom (back) will start Thursday's spring game, Adam Rubin of ESPN reports.

DeGrom had his start pushed back from Monday due to a stiff back, but he was still able to throw a bullpen session, apparently without incident. He allowed one run and struck out three batters over three innings in his first Grapefruit League appearance.

Finnegan allowed two runs over 4.1 innings Tuesday against the Royals, pitching better than in his previous spring training start. "A thousand times better than last week," Finnegan said. "Everything was working."

Between injuries to others and the drop-off of other competitors, Finnegan is likely to begin the season in the Reds' rotation. "Finnegan looks good," manager Bryan Price said. "I anticipate him having a very strong chance to make our club and be in our starting rotation."

Manager Bryan Price said Wednesday that Lorenzen (elbow) has a chance to be ready for Opening Day, but it would be as a reliever, Zach Buchanan of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Lorenzen sprained the UCL in his pitching elbow Tuesday and will need some time to rest the ailment before getting back on the mound. As a result, Lorenzen might not get the necessary amount of reps to stretch out to a starter's workload before Opening Day, meaning he could be starting the season in a relief role. It seems another spot in the Reds' rotation is up for grabs over the final weeks of spring training.