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.

Leasure has impressed coaches and teammates early in camp, Vinnie Duber of AllCHGO.com reports.

Leasure was acquired by the White Sox at the trade deadline last season and reached Triple-A Charlotte prior to the close of the campaign. His surface stats weren't particularly impressive, but he did manage 23 punchouts across 13.1 innings of work at the level. With a fastball that hits triple digits, Leasure has the upside to be a high-leverage reliever. Given that the White Sox's bullpen is wide open, he may work his way into a setup -- and potentially even closer -- role as early as 2024.

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.

Cisnero (visa issues) arrived to the Angels' camp Sunday, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

The veteran reliever was absent for the start of spring training due to visa issues, but he didn't end up missing much time. Cisnero had a 5.31 ERA in 63 outings for the Tigers last season and should fill a middle-relief role with the Angels after signing a one-year, $1.75 million deal in early February.

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.

Mata is set to miss time after pulling his right hamstring Sunday, Mac Cerullo of the Boston Herald reports.

Mata is set to compete for a bullpen spot for Opening Day, but he will have to wait for his opportunities in spring training while recovering from his hamstring injury. He appeared in nine games -- starting in seven -- for Triple-A Worcester in 2023 and posted an 0-3 record with a 6.33 ERA, 2.19 WHIP and 28:30 K:BB through 27 innings.

Kimbrel cut his session of live batting practice short Saturday due to quadriceps soreness, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

It doesn't appear to be a serious issue, and the veteran closer is penciled in to throw again Monday. Assuming Kimbrel experiences no further issues, it shouldn't be long before he's cleared for game action.

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.