Dodgers manager Dave Roberts’ decision to pull Ross Stripling 7 1/3 innings and 100 pitches into a no-hitter led to jeers last night at AT&T Park, as Andy McCullough of the Los Angeles Times writes. Chris Hatcher quickly gave up a two-run homer to Trevor Brown, and the Dodgers lost 3-2. “Under no circumstance am I going to even consider putting his future in jeopardy,” Roberts said of Stripling, who had Tommy John surgery in 2014, had just allowed his fourth walk, and was making his big-league debut. “For me, it was a no-brainer.” Via FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal (on Twitter), Roberts says Stripling’s father thanked him for helping preserve his son’s health. It was, regardless, a memorable debut for Stripling, who spent the 2015 season coming back while pitching at Double-A Tulsa. Here’s more from around the NL West.
- The Dodgers have placed outfielder Carl Crawford on the DL and recalled Micah Johnson to take his place, MLB.com’s Ken Gurnick tweets. Crawford will receive an MRI on Monday on his injured back, tweets J.P. Hoornstra of the Los Angeles News Group. Crawford started the Dodgers’ first three games this season and is batting 3-for-11 so far this year.
- The Giants remain interested in bringing back Tim Lincecum, but as a reliever, not as a starter, Jon Heyman writes (Twitter links). Lincecum, though, would like to start. Lincecum has been the subject of an incredibly long series of updates about a mysterious showcase that has yet to come to fruition, but he’s reportedly doing well while working out at a variety of locations in Arizona. (Last month, the Royals found out about one of those locations and were kicked out, via Heyman.) Lincecum, who posted a 4.13 ERA, 7.1 K/9 and 4.5 BB/9 in 15 starts with the Giants in 2015, is attempting to return after having hip surgery in September.
- Padres outfield prospect Jose Urena has been suspended 80 games for use of metaboline of Nandrolone, as noted in a staff report at Baseball America. Urena (not to be confused with the Marlins pitcher of the same name) is a genuine prospect who batted a solid .258/.390/.409 last season as a 20-year-old in the short-season Northwest League. The Padres had purchased his rights from a Mexican League team for $550K.