MLB Player News

Matz (shoulder) is "ramping up" his throwing program and expects to be fully ready when spring training begins, John Harper of the New York Daily News reports.

Matz saw his 2016 season end early because of a shoulder injury, and then also had a bone spur removed from his elbow in October. He finished the season with a 3.40 ERA in 132.1 innings, and enters 2017 as the Mets' No. 4 starter.

Houser (elbow) has begun throwing on flat ground, Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Houser underwent Tommy John surgery in July, and there's yet to be any indication that he'll play in the 2017 season. The current plan for Houser is for him to begin throwing off a mound by June, at which point there should be a better idea as to when he'll be set to return. Before getting hurt in 2016, Houser started 13 outings at Double-A Biloxi, during which he posted a 5.25 ERA and 1.39 WHIP over 70.1 innings.

Worley signed a minor league contract with the Nationals on Saturday that includes an invitation to spring training, Chelsea Janes of the Washington Post reports.

The righty was serviceable for Baltimore last season, posting a 3.53 ERA in 35 appearances (four starts). He did also put up a weak 5.8 K/9 and 4.87 FIP in the process, which are less encouraging numbers. The 29-year-old began his career as a starter, but has primarily worked out of the bullpen in recent years. If he makes the big league roster, he will likely feature as a long reliever and spot starter.

Wood will work as a starter in spring training, Eric Stephen of SB Nation reports.

An elbow injury kept Wood on the shelf for much of 2016 and he worked out of the bullpen upon his return in September. However, the offseason has allowed him to enter camp at full strength, so he will stretch out as a starter. That said, the Dodgers' embarrassment of riches in terms of proven starters will make it difficult for him to crack the rotation come Opening Day.

Buehler will face an unspecified innings limit in 2017, his first full season since undergoing Tommy John surgery, Baseball America's Bill Plunkett reports.

He says he is 25 pounds heavier than he was prior to undergoing UCL surgery in August of 2015, as he was able to focus on conditioning and strength training during his year off from pitching. While he only logged five innings across rookie ball and Low-A after returning late last season, he wowed scouts with three potentially plus pitches in his fastball, cutter and curveball, while also flashing a potentially average changeup. The innings limit will mean Buehler may not rise past Double-A this season, but if the training wheels come off in 2018, he could cruise to the majors next summer.

Lynn (elbow) expects to earn a spot in the starting rotation during spring training, Jose de Jesus Ortiz of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

After missing all of 2016 recovering from Tommy John surgery, the 29-year-old began throwing exercises in December and is ready to compete for a starting rotation spot in 2017. Lynn has been impressive during his time in the majors, accumulating a 3.37 ERA across five seasons with the Cardinals.

Ryu is pain-free and ready to take the mound again, Yonhap News Agency reports.

Injuries have held Ryu back after he posted strong seasons in 2013 and 2014, as he has made just one start in the majors over the last two years. Dodgers GM Farhan Zaidi told the Orange County Register in November that Ryu will begin the season in the starting rotation if he's healthy. If he's able to stay healthy and return to something close to his 2014 form, the 29-year-old southpaw could be an asset for the Dodgers once again in 2017.

The Rockies will look at using Freeland in the bullpen in 2017, the Denver Post's Patrick Saunders reports.

After logging 73.2 innings at Triple-A last year, Freeland is knocking on the door of the majors, but does not have an obvious avenue to a rotation spot. His solid repertoire from the left side would likely play up in short stints, but he would be unlikely to see any save opportunities in 2017. While he may make his big league debut in the bullpen, the Rockies will likely continue to view Freeland as a starter long term.

Manager Dave Roberts said that Urias could begin the 2017 season at extended spring training in an effort to limit his innings, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.

After appearing as a starter during the Dodgers' postseason run, many thought that the young left-hander would be a lock for the rotation to begin 2017. However, it was always a given that the team would once again cap his innings somehow, and starting him off in extended spring training would help ensure his availability for late in the season. Things should become clearer in spring training -- stay tuned to this development as Opening Day approaches.

Imhof announced Wednesday that he would retire from professional baseball, ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick reports.

The 47th overall pick in the 2014 MLB Draft, Imhof pitched for four of the Phillies' minor-league affiliates in two and a half seasons before losing his right eye during a freak accident last June, Imhof was able to replace the eye with a prosthetic one, but determined it was best to call it a career. The 23-year-old posted a 3.91 ERA over 53 innings for High-A Clearwater in 2016.