MLB Player News

Bieber allowed one run on three hits across 4.2 innings but did not factor into the decision Thursday against the Royals. He struck out four and didn't register a walk.

Bieber was limited to just 16 starts last season due to a shoulder strain, and it appears like the Guardians will be cautious with their ace to start the season, as he only threw 72 pitches and was replaced by Bryan Shaw in the fifth after giving up a game-tying double to Nicky Lopez. He's lined up to face the Reds in his next outing, which figures to be an advantageous matchup for the 26-year-old even if he still has some workload restrictions coming off a shortened spring training.

Gonsolin will start Saturday's game against the Rockies, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

Gonsolin was previously projected to take either the fourth or fifth turn through the rotation, which would have lined him up for a start in the team's second series against the Twins. However, Clayton Kershaw won't start during the Dodgers three-game set at Colorado, with Gonsolin instead stepping in. Gonsolin has an excellent career 2.85 ERA, though he has yet to throw more than 55.2 innings during his three-year run in the majors.

Kershaw is not starting in the team's opening series against the Rockies, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

The Dodgers will use Walker Buehler, Tony Gonsolin and Julio Urias as the starters for the opening series of the season at Colorado. There has been no indication that Kershaw suffered an injury, and this move could simply be a method of managing his innings early in the campaign. There has been no official announcement, but Kershaw is expected to draw his first start Tuesday against the Twins, according to David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports.

Hendricks allowed one run on five hits across 5.1 innings but did not factor into the decision Thursday against the Brewers. He walked three and struck out seven.

Hendricks pitched well in the 2022 season opener and actually outperformed his counterpart, 2021 Cy Young Award winner Corbin Burnes. However, the Chicago middle relief corps couldn't hold the lead, so Hendricks had to settle for the no-decision in a game the Cubs ended up winning 5-4. The seven strikeouts are a nice sign for the righty, who is looking to turn the page after recording a career-worst 4.77 ERA a season ago. He's lined up to take the hill again Wednesday against the Pirates on the road, which looks to be a favorable matchup.

Detmers will start Friday against the Astros, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Detmers was originally scheduled to start Tuesday against the Marlins, though he's flipping spots in the rotation with Patrick Sandoval. Detmers got some limited experience in the majors last season, posting a poor 7.40 ERA and 1.79 WHIP across 20.2 innings. However, he had an impressive 43.1 percent strikeout rate across 54 frames at Double-A Rocket City in 2021, which, combined with his prospect pedigree, suggests there is significant room for improvement at the big-league level.

Sandoval is having his first start of the season pushed back to Tuesday against the Marlins, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Sandoval was originally slated to start Friday against the Astros, though he's flipping spots in the rotation with Reid Detmers. Sandoval's 2021 campaign ended prematurely due to a back injury, though he claims that the decision to push him back is unrelated. Instead, he needs more time to stretch out prior to his initial start of the regular season. Assuming Sandoval is healthy enough to take his newly scheduled turn through the rotation, he could benefit with a better matchup against Miami as opposed to Houston.

President of baseball operations Derek Falvey said Thursday that Paddack will be one of six starters the Twins will use in the first turn through the rotation to begin the season, Phil Miller of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

Before he was dealt to Minnesota on Thursday, Paddack appeared to be on the outs for a spot in a crowded San Diego rotation, but the right-hander looks like he'll make at least one start for his new team. Falvey said that after all six starters have had a start, the Twins will re-evaluate the rotation ahead of the second turn. While Falvey's comments perhaps hint that the Twins could eventually revert to a five-man rotation, Paddack should have a starting role so long as he's pitching well. It can't be taken as a certainty that he'll be able to do that, given that he's turned in a 4.95 ERA over 167.1 innings between the past two seasons.

The Athletics placed Kaprielian (shoulder) on the 10-day injured list Thursday, Matt Kawahara of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Kaprielian's move to the IL was a formality after he didn't make any Cactus League appearances following the diagnosis of AC joint inflammation in his right shoulder early in spring training. The 28-year-old was able to complete a 30-pitch live batting practice session Tuesday, so he could be ready to head out on a minor-league rehab assignment as soon as next week if his shoulder continues to respond well. He'll likely need at least two or three outings in the minors to get fully stretched out for starting duty with the big club.

Reds manager David Bell said Castillo (shoulder) will play catch Thursday and is likely to throw a bullpen session over the weekend, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Cincinnati officially moved Castillo to the 10-day injured list Thursday, but the right-hander doesn't look like he'll reside there for a lengthy period to open the season. Though Castillo isn't on pace to make it back on the active roster in the minimum 10 days, Bell said that the Reds are optimistic the 29-year-old will be ready to go by late April. While Castillo and Mike Minor are on the IL, top prospects Hunter Greene and Nick Lodolo will hold down spots at the back end of the rotation.

Manager Mike Matheny said Thursday that Lynch will open the season as the Royals' No. 5 starter, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Lynch won out in the battle for the final spot in the rotation over Brady Singer, who is expected to fill a hybrid role out of the bullpen. The 25-year-old lefty earned his place in the rotation despite an uneven spring in which he surrendered four home runs and struck out seven over 12.1 innings. Lynch is set to make his first start of the season Tuesday in St. Louis and lines up for a two step, with his second turn of the week coming next Sunday at home versus Detroit.