MLB Player News

Smoker was added to the Mets' 40-man roster Thursday, Adam Rubin of ESPN New York reports.

Smoker pitched well in the minors in 2015, posting a 3.00 ERA with Double-A Binghamton and striking out 26 batters in 21 innings. This move could be just to prevent him from being a target of the Rule 5 Draft, but it could also lead to bigger things, especially with the left-hander possessing the ability to touch the upper-90s with his fastball.

Alvarez (shoulder) will resume throwing Dec. 1, Jeff Passan of Yahoo! Sports reports.

Alvarez has made good progress in his recovery from surgery to repair a torn labrum, and he is nearly ready to resume throwing. It remains unlikely that Alvarez will be ready for Opening Day, but barring any setbacks, he is on track to pitch in games at some point in April.

Greinke opted out of his contract Wednesday, Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Greinke opted out of the remaining three years and $71 million on his contract, so it stands to reason that he will garner more than that amount on the open market. The Dodgers seem to be the early front-runners to re-acquire their ace, but it remains to be seen how much Greinke might earn with some teams reportedly scared off by his age (he turned 32 in October).

Mets pitcher Steven Matz will start Game 4 of the World Series versus the Royals on Saturday, Adam Rubin of ESPN New York reports.

Matz will follow Matt Harvey, Jacob deGrom, and Noah Syndergaard in the Mets' four-man rotation, from which manager Terry Collins won't deviate. Consequently, Matz may make his sole appearance of the season-ending series in Game 4. In two starts (one loss) this postseason, he's been hit and miss, yielding four runs on 10 hits and four walks while striking out eight in 9.2 innings.

Mets pitcher Noah Syndergaard will start Game 3 of the World Series against the Royals on Friday, Adam Rubin of ESPN New York reports.

Syndergaard will be the third starter in the Mets' four-man rotation -- also, Matt Harvey, Jacob deGrom, and Steven Matz -- which will be strictly followed if the series goes the distance. As a result, Syndergaard will take the hill in Games 3 and 7, if needed. In three appearances (two starts) this postseason, he's posted a 1-1 record, while surrendering four runs on eight hits and six walks to go with 20 strikeouts in 13 innings.

Mets pitcher Jacob deGrom will start Game 2 of the World Series in Kansas City on Wednesday, Adam Rubin of ESPN New York reports.

The Mets will trot out Matt Harvey in Game 1, followed by deGrom, Noah Syndergaard, and Steven Matz. If the series goes the distance, deGrom will also take the mound in Game 6, as manager Terry Collins intends to use a strict four-man rotation. In three starts (all wins) this postseason, deGrom has given up four runs on 15 hits and five walks, while punching out 27 in 20 innings.

Williams was acquired by the Pirates in a trade for fellow minor league pitcher Richard Mitchell.

The 2013 second-rounder managed to crack Triple-A in 2015 and could be used as depth in both the rotation in bullpen for the Pirates going forward. In return, the Pirates sent away a 20-year-old former international free agent in Mitchell, who recently worked in the Gulf Coast League as a closer.

Manager Terry Collins believes deGrom is fatigued, and is therefore considering starting Matt Harvey in Game 1 of the World Series, MLB.com's Anthony DiComo reports.

The Mets have not yet announced the official rotation for the World Series, but as strange as it sounds, Harvey might actually be the starter who lines up to potentially pitch three times for New York. DeGrom being fatigued should not be a surprise or a concern heading into 2016, as he has still been downright filthy in the postseason despite logging 211 innings so far, which tops his previous career high of 178.1 in 2014.

Mets pitcher Zack Wheeler (elbow) said Monday that he is hoping to return in early June, per MLB.com.

Wheeler remains in Florida, rehabbing from Tommy John surgery. The right-hander has been throwing on flat ground for well over a month, and he expects to gradually ramp up his workload over the winter. He went a combined 18-16 with a 3.50 ERA and 1.34 WHIP in 49 starts in 2013 and 2014, averaging almost 95 mph on his fastball while striking out batters at a 22.1 percent clip.

Worley was claimed off waivers by the Orioles on Tuesday.

In 110 innings with the Pirates during 2014, Worley was masterful, recording a 2.85 ERA and 1.29 WHIP to go along with a 79:22 K:BB. 2015 was...a different story. Worley began the season in the starting rotation due to an injury to Charlie Morton, but found his way onto Triple-A Indianapolis midway through the season. He could be an interesting name to follow as the Orioles only had one pitcher throw 100+ innings and post an ERA under 4.00 in 2015, but no official announcement regarding his usage will come until later in the season.