MLB Player News

Matzek (elbow) is scheduled to make his Grapefruit League debut Monday against the Orioles, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Matzek is unlikely to work more than an inning or two in what will not only be his first outing of spring training, but also his first since undergoing Tommy John surgery in October 2022. Though Matzek reported to spring training at full health, Atlanta could still opt to place him on the injured list to begin the season if the left-hander struggles to regain his pre-surgery velocity and command during camp. Atlanta will likely let Matzek's performance in the Grapefruit League slate guide whether or not he cracks the Opening Day roster.

Gallegos (shoulder) is listed among the Cardinals' available relief pitchers for Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Marlins, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

According to John Denton of MLB.com, Gallegos is scheduled to pitch an inning out of the bullpen Monday, an indication that he's fully moved past the right rotator cuff tendinitis that resulted in him being shut down for the final two weeks of the 2023 season. Though he's saved between 10 and 14 games in each of the past three campaigns, Gallegos may find himself in more of a pure setup role in 2024 if closer Ryan Helsley is able to stay healthy.

Ingram was claimed off waivers by the Mets on Sunday.

The left-hander was designated for assignment by the Tigers on Tuesday and will now join his third team of the offseason. Ingram has just five big-league appearances under his belt but had a 2.95 ERA in 45 appearances at Triple-A last year.

Manager Mike Shildt told reporters Sunday that Matsui is dealing with back spasms and will not pitch against the Cubs, Dennis Lin of The Athletic reports.

Matsui felt his back tighten up Saturday and is considered day-to-day. He joined the Padres in December on a five-year, $28 million contract after spending the last several years in the Nippon Professional Baseball league with the Rakuten Eagles. In 2023, Matsui posted 39 saves and a 2-3 record over 59 appearances while registering a 1.57 ERA, 0.89 WHIP and 72 strikeouts over 57.1 innings.

Winn (elbow) will begin a throwing program Monday after meeting with a doctor Saturday, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Winn had his bullpen session Wednesday cut short after feeling soreness in his right elbow, but the right-hander appears optimistic that he will be ready for Opening Day. Winn pitched in nine games last season -- including five starts -- and posted a 1-3 record and one save with a 4.68 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 35:8 K:BB across 42.1 innings.

Floro experienced tightness in his shoulder Saturday and will be shut down for a few days, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.

Neither Floro nor the Nationals are too concerned about his shoulder since Floro said he's dealt with similar tightness multiple times before during past springs. Still, the Nats will err on the side of caution and rest Floro, but the 33-year-old reliever's status for Opening Day shouldn't be affected.

Gibaut was diagnosed with a pronator strain Saturday, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Gibaut will be shut down from throwing for 3-to-5 days before working his way back, but the team's concern level seems relatively low. The 30-year-old righty logged a 3.33 ERA in 75.2 innings last season and will likely serve in middle relief for the Reds in 2024.

Kilian logged two scoreless innings with two strikeouts in Friday's Cactus League game against the White Sox.

Kilian was the third pitcher to appear in the contest for the Cubs and he looked sharp. The righty has appeared in six games (four starts) for Chicago over the past two years and could be in the running for a bullpen role this spring if he pitches well. Kilian doesn't seem like a realistic option for a rotation spot at this point, though he could be on the radar for spot starts when needed.

Lopez might be the early favorite to open the season as Atlanta's No. 5 starter, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Lopez holds a career 4.73 ERA and 19.8 percent strikeout rate as a starter but a 3.01 ERA and 26.6 percent strikeout rate as a reliever, and all but one of his appearances over the last two seasons have come out of the bullpen. However, Atlanta believes they might be able to coax more out of Lopez as a starter, and at the very least it would be easier to stretch him out now before moving him to the bullpen later rather than vice versa. Lopez's primary competition for the fifth spot in the rotation is Bryce Elder, with AJ Smith-Shawver, Darius Vines, Allan Winans and Dylan Dodd also options.

Fujinami is flying back to Japan on Friday to attend to a family matter, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

The right-hander agreed to a one-year, $3.35 million deal with the Mets in early February, but he won't be with the team for the start of spring games due to the family issue. Fujinami is expected to be back with the club in plenty of time to get ready before Opening Day.