MLB Player News

Atlanta manager Brian Snitker said Matzek (elbow) will undergo Tommy John surgery Wednesday, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Earlier this week, Matzek was removed from Atlanta's roster ahead of the National League Division Series with the Phillies due to elbow discomfort, and follow-up tests evidently determined that the southpaw would need reconstructive surgery to address the issue. Even if Matzek meets the short end of the 12-to-16-month recovery timeline typical for Tommy John surgeries, he won't be available to pitch for Atlanta until at least the spring of 2024, when he'll be 33 years old. Matzek was a key piece out of the bullpen for Atlanta during last season's World Series run, but he had taken a slight step back during the 2022 campaign, logging a 3.50 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 36:29 K:BB over 43.2 innings.

Treinen (shoulder) will be on the Dodgers' NLDS roster.

Treinen made just three appearances in April before suffering a shoulder injury, and he returned for just two more in early September before returning to the injured list. The Dodgers evidently feel comfortable with his health, though whether or not he's considered ready for a high-leverage role is unclear.

Kimbrel will not be on the Dodgers' NLDS roster for the upcoming series against the Padres.

It's certainly not the outcome the Dodgers were expecting when they acquired Kimbrel from the White Sox over the offseason. His 3.75 ERA on the year was below his usual standard but not terrible, but he's lost his manager's trust nonetheless. His ERA actually improved to 3.10 in the second half, but that came with a 4.60 FIP as his strikeout rate cratered to 20.7 percent.

Nelson was added to the NLDS roster for the Phillies' series against Atlanta on Tuesday, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

Nelson was left off the roster for the NL Wild Card Series but is needed again with David Robertson (calf) unavailable. Nelson is unlikely to see the field in a close game, as he struggled to a 4.85 ERA this season.

Matzek is dealing with elbow discomfort and will not be on Atlanta's NLDS roster, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.

Matzek will be evaluated in Texas with the hopes of being cleared to play in the NLCS, should Atlanta get that far. The veteran lefty has been a shutdown arm in the last two postseasons, recording a combined 1.48 ERA and a 40.4 percent strikeout rate in 24.1 innings.

Robertson was left off the Phillies' roster for the National League Division Series matchup with Atlanta due to a strained right calf, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

Robertson reportedly suffering the injury when jumping in the air to celebrate Bryce Harper's homer in Game 2 of the wild-card series against the Cardinals. He received a platelet-rich plasma injection, which could help him return for the NLCS, should the Phillies advance, but the team will be without one of its top bullpen weapons against Atlanta.

Rodriguez was removed from the Mets' wild-card roster due to a shoulder injury, Tim Britton of The Athletic reports.

The exact nature and severity of Rodriguez's injury are not yet clear, but the issue is evidently bad enough that he won't be able to pitch for at least this series as well as the NLDS, should the Mets advance. Taijuan Walker was added to the roster in his place.

Helsley's MRI on his right middle finger came back clean Saturday, but he'll nevertheless be unavailable for Game 2 of the Wild Card Series against the Phillies, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.

Helsley initially suffered the injury while fielding a groundball in his final appearance of the regular season. He didn't look like himself in Game 1 against the Phillies on Friday, losing the plate and throwing less than half of his 33 pitches for strikes while allowing four earned runs before his exit. While he's seemingly escaped a serious injury, that kind of workload will still keep him from pitching again for at least one day.

Helsley will undergo an MRI on the middle finger of his right hand after he exited the Cardinals' loss in Game 1 of the NL Wild Card Series against the Phillies on Friday, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

The 28-year-old jammed his finger Tuesday in his final appearance of the regular season and aggravated the injury Friday after he struggled with his command in the playoff opener. Helsley threw only 15 of his 33 pitches for strikes, and he was charged with the loss after he gave up four runs on a hit, two walks and a hit by pitch over one inning. The right-hander reported a lack of feeling in his fingers before he was removed from the contest, and the MRI will hopefully shed some light on the specifics of his injury.

Helsley was removed from Game 1 of the NL Wild Card Series against the Phillies on Friday after he apparently aggravated his jammed right middle finger, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

The right-hander suffered the injury during the penultimate game of the regular season Tuesday and was cleared after throwing a bullpen session Thursday, but he struggled with his command in Game 1 before being lifted. Helsley retired the first two batters he faced to end the eighth inning and keep the Cardinals ahead 2-0, but he came back out for the ninth and exited after he let in a run via a hit by pitch with the bases loaded. He ended up being charged with four earned runs as the bullpen behind him also struggled, and his availability for the rest of the series is now up in the air.