MLB Player News

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.

Muñoz doesn’t exactly have elite control, and he showed so with just 13-of-25 pitches landing for strikes. He got a big break when what could have been the game-tying single froze Colt Keith, so he only made it to third. He was able to get a pair of strikeouts, and the third save of the season. It’s not always smooth sailing for Muñoz, but to say he mostly gets the job done is an understatement.

Skubal was breezing through the first few innings, but a mental gaffe by Colt Keith turned an easy out into runners on first and second in the third inning. Victor Robles followed with a two-run double that should have never happened. He was able to strike out eight, but it’s another disappointing box score for the defending Cy Young winner that sees him fall to 0-2 on the season. Skubal will be back at it against the Yankees on Tuesday. No one should be panicking.

Castillo scattered five hits — one of those a solo homer by Trey Sweeney — and he struck out five while issuing a pair of free passes. His stuff has looked solid over these first two starts, and he’s only allowed two runs in each of those outings. Castillo wasn’t quite the fantasy stalwart he was in 2024 he was the previous few seasons, but the results are usually good when he’s on the mound. He gets the Astros next week.

Phillips opened the year on the shelf continuing to recover from a rotator cuff strain. The 30-year-old should be ready to return to the Dodgers’ high-leverage relief mix by mid-April.

Gonsolin landed on the injured list at the outset of the regular season after suffering a back injury last month while lifting weights. The 30-year-old should be ready to rejoin Los Angeles’ pitching staff, most likely in a versatile swingman role, after making a handful of rehab outings.

No surprise here. It’ll be Enrique Hernández at first base for the third straight game. Freeman tested out his surgically-repaired right ankle prior to Wednesday’s series finale at Dodger Stadium, but he’s going to get some extra time off to rest and recover. It’s looking highly likely that Freeman will be ready to return to Los Angeles’ lineup for Friday’s series opener in Philadelphia.

Springer had an awful spring after two years of decline, so expectations were pretty low coming in here. However, he’s managed to open up 9-for-21 with three extra-base hits and four walks, giving him an 1.187 OPS in seven games. He is making less contact and striking out quite a bit more than usual, but it seems to be leading to harder-hit balls when he does connect. So far, it’s certainly been a good trade.