NL West Notebook: Dodgers willing to eat some of Ethier's contract; Gray impresses
Every Thursday, theScore's MLB editors will bring you a roundup of everything you need to know from around the division with the NL West Notebook.
Los Angeles Dodgers
Just a formality. Clayton Kershaw has been named the Dodger's Opening Day starter. Shocking, I know. The reigning NL Cy Young Award winner and MVP is 3-0 with a no-decision in four career Opening Day starts. He'll square off against the revamped San Diego Padres on April 6.
What about Andre? The Dodgers still have a logjam in their outfield despite moving Matt Kemp in the offseason. Andre Ethier could be the next man on the move, and the team is reportedly willing to absorb half the $56-million remaining on his contract in a potential trade. CBS Sports' Jon Heyman believes the Baltimore Orioles could be a potential destination.
San Diego Padres
Early returns. Justin Upton homered in his spring debut with the Friars on Wednesday. The outfielder - acquired from the Atlanta Braves this winter - launched a seventh-inning 0-1 breaking ball from Seattle Mariners righty Forrest Snow deep to center field in an awesome display of raw power.
(Courtesy: MLB.com)
Battle at the hot corner. Will Middlebrooks and Yangervis Solarte are engaged in an intense battle for third base. Manager Bud Black hinted he's not interested in platooning and hopes a front-runner emerges. Solarte got the starting nod in the spring opener and responded by going 2-for-3 with a double.
San Francisco Giants
Spring soreness. Brandon Crawford is being limited to designated hitter duties in the first week of spring action due to soreness in his right shoulder. The shortstop's arm is his greatest asset, but he struggled with arm soreness in the second half of last season's championship campaign. Manager Bruce Bochy plans to give Crawford more days off this year in an attempt to keep his arm fresh.
Serving up the long ball. Hunter Strickland's confidence wavered during last year's postseason run after allowing six home runs in 8 1/3 innings. The hard-throwing righty's struggles spilled over into his first spring inning Tuesday after he was taken deep by Oakland's Jason Pridie.
Colorado Rockies
Feeling Gray. Top prospect Jon Gray impressed in his spring debut Wednesday, pitching two scoreless innings while striking out a pair of Arizona Diamondbacks. The No. 3 overall pick in 2013 proved he can pitch in the big leagues level by blowing away slugger Paul Goldschmidt with a 97 mph fastball to claim one of his strikeout victims. The Rockies have high expectations for the 23-year-old and he may just earn a roster spot if he continues to dominate this spring.
The Ax Man returns. The Rockies selected the contract of reliever John Axford to bolster their bullpen. The 31-year-old agreed to minor-league pact with the Rockies for a base salary of $2.6 million. Pitching in the high altitude will be one of the greatest challenges of Axford's career. He owns a lofty 4.05 ERA and 1.80 WHIP in 14 career games at Coors Field.
Arizona Diamondbacks
Hunger games. You better bring your appetite to Chase Field this year. The D-backs unveiled The Churro Dog this week. The dessert, which consists of a warm cinnamon churro sitting inside a Long John chocolate-glazed donut that's topped with caramel, chocolate sauce and frozen yogurt, is only 1,117 calories!
(Courtesy: Jennifer Stewart/Arizona Diamondbacks)