MLB Player News

President of baseball operations Theo Epstein said Saturday that Darvish (elbow) is in "really great shape" and will be "full go on a normal schedule in spring training," 670 The Score Chicago reports.

Darvish has spent the early portion of the offseason recovering from an arthroscopic debridement procedure for his throwing elbow, which he underwent in September. The procedure apparently hasn't delayed Darvish's preparation for the upcoming campaign in a meaningful way, as Epstein noted that the right-hander has had a traditional buildup of his throwing program. Heading into the second season of the six-year, $126 million deal he inked with the Cubs last winter, Darvish has some intriguing bounce-back potential if he can avoid any further health setbacks coming out of the spring.

Musgrove (abdomen) threw off a slope Monday, Rob Biertempfel of The Athletic reports.

Musgrove underwent abdominal surgery in October, and although he's not quite fully recovered, he's expected to be ready to go for the start of spring training. "My core feels good. I feel strong," the right-hander noted after Monday's session. In his first season with the Pirates in 2018, Musgrove posted a 4.06 ERA and 100:23 K:BB across 19 starts (115.1 innings).

Coleman signed a minor-league contract with the Mets on Thursday.

Coleman returned to affiliated baseball in 2018 after spending time in the independent Atlantic League, though he struggled to a 6.91 ERA and 1.64 WHIP across 28.2 innings with Triple-A Iowa. Given his career 5.72 ERA across 177.2 major-league innings, Coleman will likely be viewed as an organizational depth piece.

Corcino agreed to a minor-league contract with the Dodgers in December.

Corcino's deal presumably includes an invitation to major-league spring training, but he'll more than likely be ticketed for Triple-A Oklahoma City to begin the campaign. Save for four appearances with Double-A Tulsa and two outings with the Dodgers -- his first at the major-league level since 2014 -- Corcino pitched exclusively for the Pacific Coast League affiliate in 2018, registering a 3.40 ERA and 102:41 K:BB across 103.1 innings.

Eickhoff underwent surgery in October to address a lingering carpal tunnel issue but is expected to be fully healthy for spring training, Meghan Montemurro of The Athletic reports.

Eickhoff considered undergoing the procedure, which likely would have been season-ending, in late July, but he ultimately opted to delay the operation until the day after the season ended. The procedure removed pressure on the main nerve in his wrist, which is expected to eliminate the numbness and tingling sensation he felt in his fingers during the 2018 campaign. Eickhoff, who is currently a few weeks ahead of his typical offseason program, said he feels 100 percent and will "for sure" be ready for the start of spring training. The right-hander will compete for a back-end rotation spot in camp.

The Dodgers agreed to trade Wood to the Reds on Friday along with Yasiel Puig, Matt Kemp and Kyle Farmer in exchange for Jeter Downs, Josiah Gray and Homer Bailey, Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports reports.

The Reds said they were going to go get pitching this offseason, and they have now added Wood along with Tanner Roark. Wood's velocity ticked down last season, and along with it, his strikeout rate. He was experimenting with pitching exclusively out of the stretch but said recently that he plans to go back to using the windup. Look for Wood to slot in between the two top righties (Luis Castillo and Roark) in the Opening Day rotation barring any other additions.

Darvish (elbow) has resumed throwing from flat ground, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Darvish, who underwent an arthroscopic debridement procedure of his right elbow in mid-September after battling arm injuries all season, is right on schedule in his recovery. Barring any setbacks, he's expected to be ready for the start of spring training. The right-hander struggled through an injury-riddled 2018, making just eight starts and posting a 4.95 ERA and 1.42 WHIP across 40 innings for the Cubs.

Urias will pitch out of the starting rotation for the Dodgers in 2019 but will have an innings limit, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

Urias serving as a starting pitcher next season was to be expected, as was an innings limit. The left-hander returned to the team in September and pitched out of the bullpen in the playoffs as he spent essentially the entire season rehabbing after undergoing shoulder surgery in June of 2017.

Manager Dave Roberts said Maeda will be in the starting rotation to begin the 2019 season, Jorge Castillo of The Washington Post reports.

Maeda has also begun the previous two seasons as a starter only to eventually be moved to the bullpen, which seems plausible again in 2019. The Dodgers have a plethora of legitimate options for their starting rotation already on the roster and could still acquire additional talent this offseason, so the 30-year-old's role on the team could very well change by the time Opening Day comes around.

Lyles agreed to a contract with the Pirates on Tuesday, pending a physical, Jon Heyman of FancredSports.com reports.

Lyles has found a new home in the NL Central after the Brewers declined his club option following the 2018 campaign. The 28-year-old right-hander spent time in San Diego and Milwaukee last season, posting a combined 4.11 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 84:28 K:BB across 87.2 innings (eight starts, 35 appearances). He'll compete for a rotation spot during spring training, though he's likely on the outside looking in given his career 5.28 ERA over 115 starts.