MLB Player News

Nola (elbow) feels 100 percent healthy and is ready for spring training, according to his agent, Joe Longo, the Philadelphia Inquirer's Matt Gelb reports.

It sounds like an October throwing program went well, and Nola will now start his normally planned offseason program. He missed the final two months of the season with sprains and strains of ligaments and tendons in his elbow, and the prescribed treatment was rest. Nola notched a 3.12 ERA in his first 25 MLB starts, but a 9.82 ERA in his last eight before being shut down. If he is indeed fully healthy and can return to form, Nola could be a bargain, as there will likely be a health-related discount on draft day.

Hammel (elbow) was left off the World Series roster, Bleacher Nation's Brett Taylor reports.

The fact that he was left off the roster could be health related, but he also doesn't make much sense as a bullpen option, given the Cubs' other options. There is a $10 million club option for Hammel next season, and it would cost them $2 million to buy him out.

Nola (elbow) will finish his rehab work in the next few weeks and head home for the offseason to prepare for spring training, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

Nola suffered a low-grade sprain of his right UCL and a low-grade strain of his flexor pronator tendon in August. He had a PRP injection that same month and started throwing in late September. The Phillies expect him to be ready for spring training.

Hendricks will start Game 3 of the Cubs' World Series matchup with the Indians on Friday, Carrie Muskat of MLB.com reports.

The righty has typically lined up right after Jon Lester in the postseason rotation, but after Hendricks pitched in the final game of the NLCS, manager Joe Maddon opted to shift Jake Arrieta up to Game 2. Hendricks is now scheduled to take the ball for the first game of the series at Wrigley Field, likely against right-hander Josh Tomlin.

Rea (elbow) is on schedule in his recovery from a partially torn UCL in his pitching elbow, the Padres' official site reports.

If he's healthy enough to do so, Rea could appear in a few Arizona Fall League games before the short offseason league wraps up in November. For now, the Padres are hoping that Rea can avoid Tommy John surgery, but the team has a Dec. 1 deadline for him to be completely healthy before reconsidering the procedure. If healthy, Rea will be in the mix for a rotation spot during spring training.

Strasburg (elbow) is expected to be ready for spring training, Jon Morosi of FOX Sports reports.

Per Strasburg's agent, Scott Boras, the right-hander should be able to go through his normal throwing routine this offseason in preparation for spring training. Strasburg got off to a brilliant start in 2016, going 13-0 to begin the campaign, but he struggled to a 10.19 ERA in August before going down with elbow soreness. He tried to get back onto a mound last week but his bullpen session was cut short due to renewed discomfort in the elbow.

Kershaw is lined up to start Game 6 of the NLCS, FOX Sports' Jon Morosi reports.

The Dodgers will apparently give Kenta Maeda the ball for Game 5, regardless of Wednesday's outcome in Game 4. Kershaw threw a bullpen session Wednesday, lining him up to start what could be a Game 6 clincher on an extra day's rest.

Maeda will start Game 5 regardless of the result of Wednesday's Game 4, FOX Sports' Jon Morosi reports.

Maeda has pitched quite poorly during the postseason, but the calculus is likely more about getting Kershaw the ball in a potential Game 6 clincher on an extra day's rest, rather than using him on short rest Thursday.

Urias has been confirmed as the Dodgers' Game 4 starter Wednesday against the Cubs, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.

The rookie matched up against the Cubs twice during the season. He gave up five runs over five innings in his second career start June 2, but fared better Aug. 27, striking out eight and giving up just one run over six innings.

Hill will start Game 3 of the NLCS on Tuesday, MLB.com's Ken Gurnick reports.

This comes as no surprise after Clayton Kershaw was announced as the Game 2 starter. Hill can start Game 3 on normal rest and would line up to start a potential Game 7.