MLB Player News

Smith (elbow) is throwing without pain and expects to return to throwing off of a mound next week, according to The Mercury News.

Smith's elbow injury was never considered serious, so the club has simply been taking it slow with the left-handed setup man during an extended spring training. Barring a setback, he should be a go for Opening Day.

Treinen remains among the favorites to win the Nationals closer job this spring, Jamal Collier of MLB.com reports.

The righty with the bowling-ball sinker has looked very good through his first two Grapefruit League appearances, striking out four in two innings without allowing a baserunner. If Treinen does emerge with the job, he won't have to share it -- manager Dusty Baker made it clear Monday that he won't be using a committee to close games. Treinen's main competition comes from Shawn Kelley, although recent signee Joe Blanton and young Koda Glover may also get a look, and a trade to bring in a name-brand closer before Opening Day is also possible. Don't expect much clarity on the Nats closer situation until near the end of spring training, though.

Although Jansen is listed on the Netherlands' roster, he won't participate in the World Baseball Classic due to concerns regarding his workload, MLB.com reports.

Jansen threw 80.1 innings between the regular season and postseason last year, so he doesn't want to push himself this spring. That's probably a good development for his 2017 fantasy value.

Rodriguez has a shot at earning a bullpen spot with the Phillies this spring, Matt Gelb of the Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Rodriguez got a taste of the majors last season, allowing three runs on eight hits over 9.2 innings while striking out seven and walking four. His 95.3 mph fastball gives him the potential to be a dominant lefty killer in the majors if he can command his pitches. The southpaw held lefties under a .200 batting average in the minors last season, but he didn't have quite the same level of success in his limited time in the majors. Rodriguez is competing with Cesar Ramos, Sean Burnett and possibly Adam Morgan for one of the two lefty reliever spots manager Pete Mackanin wants to have on his roster.

Stewart was hammered for five runs over 1.2 innings Saturday. He walked one, hit two batters and gave up two hits -- including a grand slam to Kris Bryant -- in a 9-3 loss to the Cubs.

Stewart struggled with his control and command in this one, watching his spring ERA rise to 18.90 in just 3.1 innings. It is early, and the young pitcher has plenty of time to bounce back. That being said, he is locked in a battle with six other pitchers for just two remaining rotation spots, so his poor performance is causing his rotation bid to shrink. The 25-year-old has potential in his arm as a starter, and he still has minor league options, so a start in Triple-A Oklahoma City's rotation is a likely scenario.

Gott walked one and struck out one in a shutout inning during Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Cardinals.

He has yet to give up a run in three innings so far this spring, but the Joe Blanton signing might have ended any realistic shot Gott had of breaking camp on the 25-man roster. Look for him to head back to Triple-A Syracuse to begin the regular season and get the call if and when injuries hit the Nats' middle relief corps.

Neris will leave the Phillies on Sunday to join the Dominican Republic as the team prepares for the start of the World Baseball Classic, Matt Gelb of the Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Neris made three appearances this spring, allowing two runs on three hits over three innings while striking out five and walking one. He remains the likely candidate for saves should Jeanmar Gomez falter in camp or during the regular season.

Biddle walked two and struck out one in a scoreless frame during his spring debut against the Phillies on Saturday.

It was a big deal for Biddle, who missed all of 2016 recovering from Tommy John surgery and last saw game action in August of 2015. He retired three straight batters after walking the first, but more importantly, he said he felt good afterwards. "So far, so good. I feel 100 percent. I feel awesome," Biddle said. The 25-year-old will look to continue to stay healthy and get his career back on track.

Treinen tossed a scoreless inning with two strikeouts in his Grapefruit League debut Thursday.

The Nats' addition of Joe Blanton to the bullpen seemingly impacts Treinen less than Shawn Kelley, unless Blanton is added to the mix of possible ninth-inning options by manager Dusty Baker. The battle to open the season as the Nats' closer appears to be a four-man competition between Treinen, Kelley, Koda Glover, and Joe Nathan.

Maurer made his 2017 spring training debut Friday, giving up one unearned run on one hit over his lone inning of work.

With the extra week of spring training due to the WBC, the Padres opted to bring the back end of their bullpen along slowly. Maurer is a lock to make the 25-man roster after finishing the season as the club's closer last year. He is considered the favorite the start the year as San Diego's closer, but he will have to fend off Carter Capps (elbow) both during Cactus League action and during the regular season (if he wins the job). Capps is considered the more-dominant reliever, but he is also recovering from Tommy John surgery last March, so he may not be ready to take on the closer role right off the bat.