MLB Player News

Dodgers pitcher Hyun-Jin Ryu was unable to take the field for Los Angeles' workout on Wednesday after experiencing mid-back tightness after a bullpen session on Tuesday, according to the Orange County Register.

Ryu was reportedly not pleased with his session on Tuesday, saying he threw too many fastballs out of the zone. The 27-year-old from South Korea experienced some shoulder fatigue last season, and as a result, posted a 3.38 ERA over 152 innings. He's targeting to reach the 200-inning threshold in 2015.

Mets starting pitcher prospect Noah Syndergaard was expected to make his major-league debut in 2014, but he never made it to the majors after having an up-and-down year in the minors.

Syndergaard said Wednesday he didn't deserve a promotion, as he struggled due to an over-reliance on his fastball, per ESPN.

"Being in Triple-A, you’ve got guys who have been in the big leagues for a number of seasons. So they can hit a fastball," Syndergaard said. "Hitting is timing, and pitching is throwing off timing. If you throw three fastballs on the heart of the plate, they’re going to time one up."

Syndergaard appears headed back to the minors to start the 2015 season since the Mets have a logjam of starters at the major-league level. Still, Syndergaard's long-awaited MLB debut might finally happen this season.

“I try not to pay attention to that,” Syndergaard said. “We all have a goal in mind, and that’s to help the Mets get some victories. And I just pay attention to whatever is in my control."

Cardinals starting pitcher Adam Wainwright, who will be examined Thursday in St. Louis for lower abdominal soreness, said Wednesday he hurt himself while replacing a 45-pound weight during a workout session, per the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

"It was a very minor deal," Wainwright said. "I did it at the beginning of my workout. I felt a little twinge and didn't even think anything of it and finished my workout another 45 minutes in there.

"I don't think it's very serious at all. (Doctors) are probably not going to see much of anything at all but I don't know that, so I don't want to be answering 100 questions about it without really knowing what's going on."

Wainwright called the exam "strictly precautionary."

"I could go out there and throw a bullpen perfectly fine right now," he said. "It does not hurt to throw at all. The only time it hurts when I'm seemingly running. Maybe, I just pitch this year and don't anybody hit the ball.

"That's what's so frustrating about it. I'm walking around and doing all these things. But, as the symptoms have gone down, it's gotten better and better. I don't foresee this being a problem but I just don't know. It's kind of in that weird area down there."

Dodgers pitcher Hyun-Jin Ryu was able to toss his bullpen session on Tuesday, according to MLB.com.

Ryu received an extra day of rest following his first session, and did not throw on Monday. Typically, most pitchers will throw every other day early in camp. The club gave no reason for Ryu taking an extra day. 

Ryu didn't seem all that pleased with his session on Tuesday, saying he threw too many fastballs out of the zone. That allowed him to focus more on his changeup, however.

Ryu has already said his goal is to pitch 200 innings in 2015. He dealt with some shoulder fatigue last season, and is hoping to avoid the same fate this time around. Prior to joining the Dodgers for camp, Ryu tossed five bullpen sessions while training with the LG Twins of the Korean league. 

The 27-year-old posted a 3.38 ERA over 152 innings last year. 

Cardinals starter Adam Wainwright is experiencing abdominal pain, which has limited his workouts in camp. The right-hander, who was already on a delayed throwing schedule, is expected to fly back to St. Louis to visit a specialist and the Cardinals are expected to know if he'll miss any playing time by Thursday, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

Wainwright underwent surgery to trim cartilage in his throwing elbow in October, and was careful to point out that he's not experiencing any soreness or pain in his arm, and the abdominal issue did not limit his ability to throw in camp.

General manager John Mozeliak confirmed the injury and told the paper he isn't too concerned with Wainwright's status moving forward.

"It shouldn't effect him at that point, or any more beyond that point," Mozeliak said. "I would say (the level of concern) is a medium at this point."

Wainwright, 33, posted a 2.38 ERA over 227 innings in 2014 before surgery.

Dodgers starting pitcher Zack Greinke tossed a 23-pitch bullpen session on Tuesday without any discomfort, according to MLB.com. Greinke, who received a routine injection into his elbow last week, also threw on flat surface Sunday and Monday.

The 31-year-old finished 2014 with a 17-8 record and 207 strikeouts over 202 1/3 innings pitched.

Dodgers starting pitcher Zack Greinke is slated to throw his first bullpen session Tuesday since receiving an injection into his elbow last week, per MLB.com. Greinke threw on flat surface Sunday and Monday.

Dodgers pitcher Zack Greinke threw for a second straight day Monday on a flat surface. Greinke received a precautionary elbow injection Thursday.

Greinke, heading into a contract season with the Dodgers, threw 202 1/3 innings in 2014 with 207 strikeouts while posting a 17-8 record.

Cardinals pitcher Carlos Martinez is hoping his maturity will help him win a spot in the team's rotation, according to the Associated Press.

The 23-year-old Martinez has already been the talk of camp, and it has nothing to do with his pitching. "A year ago you'd just see a kid bounding around here. It's amazing the transformation," manager Mike Matheny said. "In general there's a whole different demeanor to him."

Martinez believes there's a reason for that. After getting some time in the rotation last year, Martinez pitched well in winter ball during the offseason. He believes that experience will help him this season. "What I want to let everyone know is that I do have a little more experience, and with experience comes a little maturity," he said. "I hope to build off of that."

Martinez seems to be the favorite for the team's fifth starter job, but he'll have to perform in order to win that role. "He's going to be given a lot of opportunities to win that spot, but he has to earn it," general manager John Mozeliak said.

Martinez posted a 4.03 ERA over 89 1/3 innings last year. 

Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright said he was in the most pain of his career last season, according to FoxSports.com.

"The worst pain I've ever had pitching was last year every start I had the second half," Wainwright said. Despite the pain, Wainwright continued pitching, and his numbers suffered. While he still posted a solid 3.24 ERA in the second half, Wainwright saw his strikeout rate drop and his walk rate climb as the season progressed. Following the season, Wainwright had offseason elbow surgery to repair the issue.

The 33-year-old posted a 2.38 ERA over 227 innings last year. He's said he feels great during camp, and doesn't expect to be limited this season.