MLB Player News

Solis allowed a hit and a walk while striking out two in 1.1 innings of relief during Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Astros.

He was the first pitcher out of the bullpen after starter Joe Ross, an indication of the key role Solis is expected to fill in the Nats' bullpen this season as the club's top lefty. The 28-year-old has a less than impressive 4.76 ERA and 2.12 WHIP through 5.2 spring innings, but his 8:3 K:BB offers a better indication of his potential fantasy value as a source of holds and strikeouts.

Smoker allowed one hit and struck out one in a scoreless sixth inning during Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Cardinals.

The left-hander has done little to hurt his chances of winning a bullpen spot this spring, reeling off a 0.96 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 9:5 K:BB in 9.1 innings. Smoker's control has occasionally been an issue before -- he posted a 4.7 BB/9 for Double-A Binghamton in 2015 -- but his ability to miss bats could still make him a useful arm in fantasy formats that reward relievers with a plus K/9.

Matz allowed one run on two hits and three walks while striking out three over 3.2 innings in Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Cardinals.

He wasn't particularly sharp, but Matz avoided serious trouble and now sports an impressive 1.04 ERA through 8.2 innings, with Friday's three walks being his first free passes of the spring.

Manager Pete Mackanin was happy with Nola's outing Friday despite it being a subpar performance for the young right-hander, Jim Salisbury of CSN Philadelphia reports. "He threw a lot of good changeups," Mackanin said. "And the velocity was important to me. The command will come next. Once he gets to the point where he's commanding his pitches, he's going to be back to where he's supposed to be."

Nola struck out four in 4.2 innings, but also walked four and allowed four runs on four hits. He was hitting 94 mph on the radar gun, which is a good sign after elbow issues torpedoed his 2016 season. The 2014 first-round pick should be climbing up draft boards as confidence in the health of his arm continues to grow.

Lively was optioned to minor league camp Friday.

Lively was in the conversation for a call-up near the end of last season, but the Phillies decided to keep him at Triple-A. Although he struggled to a 6.97 ERA in 10.1 innings this spring, the 25-year-old posted a combined 2.95 ERA across 170.2 innings between Double-A Reading and Triple-A Lehigh Valley in 2016. He'll head back to Triple-A to start the season, and if he continues to pitch well there, he could earn a promotion sometime in 2017.

Lugo is scheduled to start Friday for Team Puerto Rico against Team USA in the WBC, MLB.com reports.

Marcus Stroman will toe the rubber for Team USA. Both Stroman and Lugo turned in strong performances in the first round, with the latter holding Venezuela to just one hit over 5.1 scoreless innings with three strikeouts. The New York Post reported last week that the Mets are strongly considering putting Lugo in the bullpen to start the year rather than keeping him stretched out as a starter at Triple-A.

Syndergaard will pitch in a minor league game Saturday, Marc Carig of Newsday reports.

The right-hander was dealing with an illness that was reported as bronchitis, but earlier this week he wouldn't confirm to the media the actual diagnosis. This farm game appearance may be a way for the club to keep an eye on Syndergaard and see if he's improving, or it may be just an effort to manage his workload. Either way, his Opening Day status wouldn't seem to be in jeopardy.

Thompson (wrist) tossed 2.1 scoreless innings in his spring debut Thursday against the Orioles. He struck out two and did not walk a batter.

Thompson had been sidelined since camp began due to a wrist sprain. He suffered the injury when he fell during a workout right before reporting to spring training. The right-hander will open the regular season in the rotation at Triple-A Lehigh Valley, but should see time with the Phillies later this season.

Ryu (groin) expects to be ready by Opening Day, Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register reports.

Ryu had been dealing with a groin injury throughout spring training but put together another solid outing Thursday, as he threw three innings and allowed just one run off three hits and a walk. He also racked up four strikeouts during that time. For the remainder of the spring, his focus will be on increasing his pitch count as he works to lock up a spot in the Dodgers' starting rotation.

Wheeler's position to start the regular season has yet to be determined after he touched the upper-90s in his Cactus League appearance Thursday, Mike Puma of the New York Post reports.

The right-hander was initially expected to begin the season at extended spring training, but Wheeler's showing on Thursday opened the eyes of the Mets brass. New York certainly isn't short on rotation candidates this spring, but Wheeler remains in the conversation. Robert Gsellman and Seth Lugo are the other top competitors for that final spot.