Stone (0-1) was tagged with the loss after he pitched three innings, giving up five runs (one earned) on four hits and three walks while striking out five in Sunday's 8-1 defeat against the Cubs.

EDGE Analysis

Stone didn't have his best stuff Sunday, and combined with two fielding errors by his infield, he ended up with the loss. Through two starts in 2024, the right-hander has surrendered eight runs (four earned) on 11 hits and four walks over eight innings, navigating plenty of traffic on the basepaths. The 25-year-old is tentatively set to return to the mound Saturday at home versus the Padres.

Stone allowed three runs on seven hits and a walk over five-plus innings but did not factor in the decision Sunday. He struck out six while the Dodgers beat the Cardinals.

EDGE Analysis

Stone struck out the side in the first inning and yielded just one run through four frames. He gave up another in the fifth and was charged with a third run after walking the leadoff batter in the sixth. Stone's velocity was up across the board, with his fastball averaging just over 95 mph. He forced 16 whiffs on 85 pitches, including nine with a dominant changeup. Stone is currently projected to make his next start against the Cubs.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts informed Stone on Monday that he'll open the season as the team's No. 5 starter, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

EDGE Analysis

Stone was told he officially won the job after he struck out eight of the 11 batters he faced during an exhibition appearance versus the Korean national team Monday in Seoul. The young right-hander also impressed during Cactus League action, allowing just one run with a 9:1 K:BB over 9.2 innings of work. Stone struggled mightily during his time with the big club last season, but a 32.6 percent strikeout rate in the minors points to his upside. He'll be available out of the bullpen for Los Angeles' two-game, season-opening set with the Padres in Seoul on Wednesday and Thursday, but his first start will likely come at home versus the Giants in the Dodgers' first series of April.

Stone is likely to open the season as the Dodgers' No. 5 starter, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Stone earned the rotation spot with an impressive Cactus League performance which saw him yield just one run with a 9:1 K:BB over 9.2 innings of work. The 25-year-old was knocked around last season with the Dodgers, posting a 9.00 ERA and 22:13 K:BB across 31 frames. However, Stone is a former top prospect who collected a 32.6 percent strikeout rate in the minors. He should be better equipped for success in the big leagues in 2024 and makes for a fine late-round fantasy option.

With Emmet Sheehan (upper body) set to begin the season on the IL, Stone and Michael Grove look like the leading candidates to claim the Dodgers' No. 5 rotation spot, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Stone was originally thought to be competing with Sheehan for the team's final rotation spot, but it appears that Grove is in the running as well. Grove may have helped his case with a standout Cactus League start Saturday during which he pitched 3.1 scoreless frames, allowing just one hit and one walk while striking out six batters, but he struggled in two previous spring appearances. Meanwhile, Stone has been excellent in surrendering just one run over 5.2 innings with a 4:1 K:BB, so he's probably the frontrunner between the two. Manager Dave Roberts mentioned Kyle Hurt and Ryan Yarbrough are in the mix for the No. 5 starter role as well.

Through three Cactus League outings this spring, Stone has allowed one run on three hits over 5.2 innings while posting a 4:1 K:BB.

EDGE Analysis

Stone was already being considered for a spot in the Opening Day rotation entering spring with news that Walker Buehler (elbow) won't be ready to pitch right away, and a subsequent minor setback for Emmet Sheehan (general soreness) has only increased Stone's odds of working as a starter out the gate. The right-hander has done his part to boost his chances, looking great through his first three spring outings, with the most recent being a three-inning, 35-pitch scoreless start against Colorado on Sunday. Stone also put on 10-to-15 pounds during the offseason in an attempt to add and maintain velocity during the campaign, per Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic.

The Dodgers could delay Walker Buehler's 2024 season debut, which could open up a rotation spot for either Stone or Emmet Sheehan, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

EDGE Analysis

Stone faltered against big league hitters last season, but at least finished strong. While injuries certainly could open up the door for either Stone or Sheehan for a longer trial (never a stretch with Tyler Glasnow and James Paxton in the rotation), this might also only end up amounting to 3-to-4 starts.

The Dodgers optioned Stone to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Saturday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Stone gave up 10 runs over 13 innings across three appearances during his latest stint in the majors, and he will now return to the minors amid his struggles. Michael Grove (lat) will return from the injured list to replace Stone on the active roster.

Stone (1-1) allowed three runs on three hits and two walks while striking out five over 4.1 innings to take the loss Friday versus the Giants.

EDGE Analysis

Stone worked behind opener Caleb Ferguson, who pitched a scoreless inning. Stone ended up getting tagged for home runs by Mike Yastrzemski and Thairo Estrada, which accounted for all three runs on his line. This was the third time in his last four outings that Stone's given up multiple homers. He's at a 9.00 ERA, 1.90 WHIP and 22:13 K:BB through 31 innings over eight appearances (four starts). Stone and Ryan Yarbrough continue to work as a tandem, and they'll likely be available to pitch in the latter half of the Dodgers' four-game series in Colorado next week.

Stone allowed a hit and two walks while striking out five over 3.1 scoreless innings to earn the save in Sunday's 6-1 win over the Mariners.

EDGE Analysis

Stone was initially expected to be a bulk reliever, but instead finished off the game after strong performances from opener Shelby Miller and Ryan Yarbrough, who went 4.2 innings. This was Stone's first scoreless outing in the majors, and just the second time he's allowed fewer than four runs. He's at a 9.45 ERA, 2.03 WHIP and 17:11 K:BB through 26.2 innings over seven appearances. He may continue to work in some sort of piggyback role with Yarbrough, though Clayton Kershaw's workload is also being managed to close out the regular season. In any case, Stone should next be available to pitch in the latter half of the upcoming week.