MLB Player News

Roberts also noted that the team is considering flying Betts back to Los Angeles early so that he can continue recovering. The Dodgers have plenty of options that they can mix and match with in their infield in Betts’ absence, but the most likely scenario is that Miguel Rojas draws a start or two at shortstop in his place.

Shaw has officially made Chicago’s season-opening roster and will likely make his MLB debut on Tuesday against the Dodgers in the first game of the season-opening Tokyo Series. The 23-year-old top prospect takes over as the Cubs’ starting third baseman and boasts legitimate 20-homer, 25-steal upside after batting .284/.379/.488 with 21 homers and 31 steals in 523 plate appearances last year between Triple-A Iowa and Double-A Tennessee.

Thompson has been jettisoned from Chicago’s 40-man roster ahead of the club’s season-opening Tokyo Series against the Dodgers to make room for top prospect Matt Shaw. The 30-year-old righty will open the year back at Triple-A Iowa, if he clears waivers.

As expected, Assad opens the regular season with a trip to the injured list after suffering a mild oblique strain back in mid-February. The 27-year-old righty should be ready to rejoin Chicago’s starting rotation at some point in April.

It’s merely a formality, but Sasaki has been officially added to Los Angeles’ active roster in advance of his highly-anticipated MLB debut on Wednesday in Game 2 of the Tokyo Series agains the Cubs. The 23-year-old phenom was extremely impressive in a handful of Cactus League outings and appears poised to make some serious noise in his big-league debut as part of an absolutely loaded Dodgers’ rotation.

García has officially made Los Angeles’ season-opening bullpen as a non-roster invitee. The 38-year-old righty will operate in middle relief situations, but has plenty of high-leverage experience. He posted a pedestrian 4.88 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 53/15 K/BB ratio across 59 innings (60 appearances) last year between the Angels and Red Sox.

No surprise here. Kershaw isn’t expected to be ready to contribute for the Dodgers until late May as he continues to recover from offseason left toe surgery. The 36-year-old future Hall of Famer provides Los Angeles with some extra rotation depth, but his days as a fantasy-relevant contributor are probably over.

As expected, Gonsolin opens the regular season with a trip to the injured list after suffering a back injury earlier this month while lifting weights. The 30-year-old righty remains without a definitive return timetable. He’ll operate in a swingman-type role for the Dodgers once he’s back.

Kopech will require some additional time to ramp-up this spring after dealing with an offseason shoulder issue. The 28-year-old righty should operate in a high-leverage role alongside Tanner Scott and Kirby Yates once he’s ready to return.

Phillips appears on track to make his season debut at some point in April, but he’s not ready in time for the Dodgers’ season-opening series against the Cubs. The 30-year-old righty will likely operate in a setup role behind Tanner Scott and Kirby Yates once he’s ready to roll.

Sheehan has progressed to throwing bullpen sessions as he continues his recovery from last year’s Tommy John surgery, but he’s not expected to be ready to return until the late stages of the year, barring any setbacks.