MARCH 28, 2021•MLB.COM
Puk delivers in final bid for rotationA.J. Puk knew the heat was on. He knew after watching fellow A’s starting rotation contender Cole Irvin toss a scoreless gem with 10 strikeo...
Signs of life at plateAndrus is 5-for-14 with a double, a triple, three RBI, a walk and four runs over his last four spring starts.
ImpactAndrus' 2-for-4 day against the Dodgers on Friday pushed his spring average over the Mendoza Line to .205 and served as only his second multi-hit effort in 14 Cactus League contests. The recent flashes with the bat are particularly welcome in Andrus' case, as he's being counted on as the everyday shortstop and is coming off a 2020 season in which he slashed an unsightly .194/.252/.330 with the Rangers (111 plate appearances).
MARCH 28, 2021•ROTOWIRE
Coming on late in springKemp is 4-for-8 with two doubles, a walk and two runs in his last three spring starts.
ImpactThe versatile veteran's ability to fill in at both second base and the outfield helps his cause from a defensive standpoint, but it certainly doesn't hurt Kemp that he's picked it up at the plate in recent games after seeing his spring average dip as low as .190 at one point. Looking ahead to the regular season, the 29-year-old still projects to see time at the keystone in tandem with Jed Lowrie, who Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports has made the Opening Day roster.
MARCH 28, 2021•ROTOWIRE
Mows down 10 in latest startIrvin recorded 10 strikeouts and allowed just a hit and two walks over six innings in a Cactus League win over the Dodgers on Friday.
ImpactIrvin, who already came into the outing with a 1.50 ERA, was masterful while facing a Dodgers lineup replete with regulars, taking a no-hitter into the sixth inning. His dominance couldn't have been more timely, considering the Athletics announced Friday that Mike Fiers (hip) will start the season on the injured list. The southpaw is still competing with the similarly impressive Daulton Jefferies and A.J. Puk for the vacancy that absence creates, but Jesse Sanchez of MLB.com reports Irvin's candidacy is unsurprisingly strong in the eyes of his boss. "I know it's just a spring training game, but when you're coming down to the end and you're fighting for a spot, and you run up against the lineup like this and pitch in a fashion that he did, that carries a lot of weight," manager Bob Melvin said.
MARCH 28, 2021•ROTOWIRE
Dodgers announce opening series rotation with one question remainingThe Dodgers announced their first four starters on Saturday for the season-opening series with the Colorado Rockies. The fifth starter? Well...
MARCH 27, 2021•DODGERSWAY.COM
Requires IL stint to begin seasonGraterol will begin the 2021 season on the injured list, Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times reports.
ImpactGraterol has been brought along slowly this spring after an offseason that featured inconsistent throwing. The right-hander didn't appear in any Cactus League games this year and won't be ready to pitch in time for Opening Day. It's not yet clear when Graterol will be available, but he should play a high-leverage role for the Dodgers once he's built up.
MARCH 27, 2021•ROTOWIRE
Starting season on injured listKelly (shoulder) will begin the 2021 season on the injured list, Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times reports.
ImpactKelly dealt with a shoulder injury throughout spring training and has been progressing through his throwing program, but he'll require a stint on the injured list before he's ready to return to game action. The right-hander has yet to face live hitters this spring, and it's not clear when he'll be able to make his season debut.
MARCH 27, 2021•ROTOWIRE
