MLB Player News

Matzek (side) struck out two over a scoreless inning Thursday in Atlanta's 3-1 loss to the Rays in Grapefruit League play.

Matzek's appearance was his first since March 5 after he was briefly shut down after experiencing soreness along the left side of his rib cage. The southpaw checked out fine in his return to the hill and remains in the mix for a spot in Atlanta's Opening Day bullpen. After missing the entire 2023 season while recovering from Tommy John surgery, Matzek has fared well this spring with five strikeouts over 3.2 scoreless innings across four appearances.

Otto (shoulder) had a setback early in spring camp and is expected to open the regular season on the injured list, per MLB.com.

Otto dealt with a shoulder injury last season but was expected to be among the competitors for a rotation spot for San Diego this spring. However, the right-hander suffered a setback early in camp and didn't pitch at all in Cactus League play. Manager Mike Shildt indicated March 9 that Otto is getting closer to playing catch and resuming baseball activity, but even if that happens soon, the hurler won't be ready for game action by the opening of the campaign.

Matsui struck out two batters and allowed one hit in a scoreless inning against Oakland in San Diego's Cactus League finale Wednesday.

Prior to Wednesday's outing, Matsui had been sidelined from game action since late February due to back inflammation. He resumed throwing in early March and looked good in his return to Cactus League play Wednesday, and he was included on the Padres' 31-man travel roster to Korea for the season-opening set against the Dodgers that begins Wednesday. Per MLB.com, Matsui is expected to be ready for the Seoul Series, though he may be working in a setup role behind presumed closer Robert Suarez.

Manager Dave Roberts said Sunday that Hurt has a "very good possibility" of being a relief option for the Dodgers during the season-opening series against the Padres in South Korea, which begins Wednesday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

The 25-year-old has prepped as a starter during spring training and is still viewed as one long term, but he could help Los Angeles in relief to begin the season. Hurt's inclusion on the roster for South Korea doesn't necessarily mean he'll retain that spot once the Dodgers return stateside, but it could give him a chance to show why he should stick in the majors.

Castillo is day-to-day after tests on his left hand came back negative, Theo Mackie of The Arizona Republic reports.

Castillo was struck in the hand by a comebacker during a Cactus League appearance Saturday, but he's managed to escape with just a contusion. The 28-year-old is trying to win a bullpen job as a non-roster invitee and has pitched well this spring, allowing two runs with a 6:1 K:BB over seven innings.

The Pirates placed Moreta (elbow) on the 60-day injured list Saturday.

Moreta suffered ligament damage in his right elbow during a spring game March 3, and his move to the 60-day IL officially rules him out for the first few months of the season. Moreta's roster spot will be filled by Michael Taylor, who officially signed with the Pirates on Saturday.

Barnes struck out two in a scoreless inning of relief during Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Mets.

The veteran right-hander entered the game for the sixth inning and fanned Francisco Alvarez and Ji-Man Choi, needing only 12 pitches (seven strikes) to breeze through the frame. Barnes signed a minor-league deal with the Nationals in late February, but he's making a good case for a bullpen spot and has retired all six batters he's faced in his two spring appearances. With Dylan Floro (shoulder) running out of time to get ready for Opening Day, Barnes might be the backup plan.

Fujinami gave up three runs on three walks, a hit by pitch and three wild pitches without recording an out in Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Nationals.

There's no sugar-coating this one. Fujinami threw only eight of 22 pitches for strikes to begin the eighth inning, and his wild display came mainly against prospects and fringe major leaguers, with Victor Robles being the biggest name he faced. The 29-year-old right-hander carries a 13.50 ERA and 3:4 K:BB through 2.2 spring innings, and while his big fastball keeps earning him chances in MLB, he's on his third organization in two seasons and a spot in the Mets' Opening Day bullpen is by no means assured.

Raley struck out the side in a perfect inning of relief during Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Nationals.

The journeyman southpaw played for five different MLB teams over the prior five seasons, but Raley may have found a home in the Mets' bullpen. After racking up a career-high 25 holds and 66 appearances in 2023 with a 2.80 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 61:25 K:BB over 54.2 innings, he's come into camp and fired three scoreless outings with a 5:0 K:BB. He'll compete for high-leverage work from the left side with Jake Diekman, as setup men in front of closer Edwin Diaz (personal).

Nardi walked one in a scoreless inning of relief during Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Cardinals.

The 25-year-old lefty emerged as a reliable bullpen option for the Marlins last year, posting a 2.67 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 73:21 K:BB through 57.1 innings with eight wins, 17 holds and three saves, but Nardi has had trouble finding the plate in camp. He does sport a 0.00 ERA through 4.2 spring innings, but it comes with a 1:5 K:BB, and he threw just seven strikes among his 16 pitches Friday. Nardi's being counted on as the top setup man from the port side for Miami behind southpaw closer Tanner Scott, but both pitchers have dealt with control issues this spring, creating some uncertainty in the team's relief corps ahead of Opening Day.