MLB Player News

With Zack Wheeler likely headed for Tommy John surgery, the Mets have considered Rafael Montero as a possible candidate for his rotation spot. However, Joel Sherman of the New York Post, Dillon Gee has shown signs of displeasure with his role in the bullpen, and appears the most likely candidate to replace Wheeler, though general manager Sandy Alderson refused to name one in a phone conference with media members on Monday.

Montero went 1-3 with a 4.06 ERA over 10 appearances (eight starts) in his first major-league season. Gee went 7-8, with a 4.00 ERA in 22 starts for the Mets last year. He has gone 40-34 with a 3.91 ERA in his five MLB seasons, all with the Mets.

With reliever Josh Edgin expected to miss the 2014 season due to Tommy John surgery, the Mets have been scouting Orioles reliever Brian Matusz, eyeing the left-hander as a potential replacement for New York's bullpen, according to the New York Post. Scott Rice , Dario Alvarez, Jack Leathersich and Rule 5 pick Sean Gilmartin are considered the internal options to take Edgin's spot, if the Mets don't make a trade.

Diamondbacks pitchers Vidal Nuno and Andrew Chafin are only being considered for bullpen roles and no longer under consideration for the starting rotation, manager Chip Hale said Sunday per MLB.com.

Nuno has appeared in two games this spring, posting a 10.80 ERA in five innings. Chafin has a 6.75 ERA in four innings, allowing six hits and three runs.

Diamondbacks pitcher Daniel Hudson will make the opening day roster, manager Chip Hale said Sunday per FOXSportsArizona.com.

Hudson's role has still yet to be determined, however. Hale said he will continue to prepare for the season as a starter after missing the last two seasons with Tommy John surgeries.

A sore back has prevented Padres pitcher Brandon Maurer from playing over the last few days, reports U-T San Diego.

Manager Bud Black said Maurer would throw a bullpen session Monday or Tuesday and could possibly pitch in Tuesday's split-squad game.

"He's getting closer," Black said. "But he has had a little bit of a back issue. We've just been real cautious with it knowing there's plenty of time left here this spring."

Diamondbacks pitcher David Hernandez (elbow) is scheduled to throw off a mound within the next 10 days and is targeting a return in early May, the Arizona Republic reports.

"When I come back, I want to be ready," Hernandez said. "I want to be counted on to go one, two, three days in a row. It's just not fair to the other guys in the bullpen when they need a day and you haven't really thrown all that much. When and if I come back, I want to be counted on as a guy who can be in there in any game, in any situation."

Hernandez missed the 2014 season while recovering from Tommy John surgery.

Mets pitcher Josh Edgin is set to undergo Tommy John surgery, The Star-Ledger reports.

Edgin said Saturday he had yet to make a decision on whether to have the surgery and that he was seeking a second opinion on his overstretched ligament. The rehab will sideline Edgin for the entire 2015 season, leaving the Mets to find a new primary left-hander for the bullpen.

Diamondbacks pitcher Rubby De La Rosa struggled in his most recent appearance against the Mariners.

"I was rushing a little," De La Rosa said. "It's not a big deal. I tried to do too much, tried to throw perfect pitches. I think that's what made me rush a little bit."

After having a successful first inning, De La Rosa faltered in the second.

"The first inning he wasn't [rushing]," D-backs manager Chip Hale said. "After that he definitely was rushing or something was different about it because he didn't throw as many strikes. We're just seeing some chinks in the armor. We're going to have to fix it. It's our job."

De La Rosa, 26, began his career with the Dodgers, then spent time with the Red Sox, before joining the Diamondbacks.

After the Reds considered adding closer Aroldis Chapman to the starting lineup in 2013, the team is now working him multiple innings during spring training.

Chapman worked two innings on Friday against the Dodgers.

"The repetitions were what I felt really helped him get comfortable with his mechanics and get comfortable throwing that slider and changeup," Reds manager Bryan Price said. "Even though we're going to limit him to one or two innings during the season, Spring Training is a great opportunity for him to connect with his mechanics and off-speed pitches. We figured it's not broke, let's not try to fix it. He's not going to throw four or five innings but multiple-inning outings in the spring will be something fairly commonplace for Aroldis."

In three appearances he has allowed two hits, one walk with six strikeouts in five innings pitched.

Mets reliever Josh Edgin told reporters Saturday he has yet to make a decision on whether he'll opt for surgery, according to NJ.com. He is seeking a second option and has sent MRI results to Dr. James Andrews, who may recommend Tommy John surgery due to an overstretched ligament in his elbow.