MLB Player News

Barnes signed a minor-league contract with the Nationals on Tuesday that includes an invitation to spring training, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

Barnes missed much of the 2023 season following hip surgery and had just a 5.48 ERA in 24 appearances before the operation. The veteran reliever is now healthy and looking for a bounce-back year. Barring another injury, Barnes should make the Nats' Opening Day roster.

Floro (shoulder) threw 15 pitches off a mound at about 70 percent effort Monday, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.

Floro has been dealing with some early-camp right shoulder tightness but has continued with a scaled-down throwing program. He figures to need a little time before being cleared for games, but it doesn't seem like an injury that will affect his Opening Day readiness.

Martinez walked one and struck out two over two scoreless innings in Monday's Cactus League start against the Brewers.

The Reds deployed Martinez and Andrew Abbott in their two split-squad games. Abbott is penciled in for the rotation, but Martinez's role is less clear. He wants to start but has been effective in a dual starter/reliever role.

Wesneski allowed four runs on six hits across 1.1 innings in Monday's Cactus League game against the Royals. He struck out one.

Wesneski got off to a rough start as he competes for the No. 5 spot in Chicago's rotation. The righty, who posted a 4.63 ERA across 34 games (11 starts) for the Cubs last season, should still have a handful of opportunities to make his case. Javier Assad, Drew Smyly and Jordan Wicks are likely the top competition at this point. Wesneski could have some fantasy value if he wins the job, though he'll need to be a little more consistent to really take a step forward in 2024.

Thompson will have his elbow re-evaluated early this week, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

The right-hander has yet to throw in camp after reporting soreness when he first arrived, and if the elbow hasn't improved with rest, Thompson could potentially be facing Tommy John surgery. "Keeping my fingers crossed," Nationals manager Dave Martinez said Monday. "To be honest with you, I'm a little concerned." Thompson showed flashes last year of becoming a high-leverage option in the team's bullpen, but he finished the 2023 season with a 5.50 ERA, 1.56 WHIP and 44:22 K:BB over 54 innings.

The Giants reassigned Szapucki (pectoral) to minor-league camp Monday, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

Though Szapucki received an invitation to big-league spring training after re-signing with the Giants on a minor-league deal in November, he didn't appear in any Cactus League games while he continues to recover from the thoracic outlet syndrome surgery he underwent last May. According to Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle, Szapucki had his first rib removed as part of the procedure, along with his pectoralis minor and one of his scalene muscles. He's been able to throw off a mound during camp and is expected to be ready to make his season debut in April or May, likely with Triple-A Sacramento.

Matzek (elbow) is scheduled to make his Grapefruit League debut Monday against the Orioles, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Matzek is unlikely to work more than an inning or two in what will not only be his first outing of spring training, but also his first since undergoing Tommy John surgery in October 2022. Though Matzek reported to spring training at full health, Atlanta could still opt to place him on the injured list to begin the season if the left-hander struggles to regain his pre-surgery velocity and command during camp. Atlanta will likely let Matzek's performance in the Grapefruit League slate guide whether or not he cracks the Opening Day roster.

Gallegos (shoulder) is listed among the Cardinals' available relief pitchers for Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Marlins, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

According to John Denton of MLB.com, Gallegos is scheduled to pitch an inning out of the bullpen Monday, an indication that he's fully moved past the right rotator cuff tendinitis that resulted in him being shut down for the final two weeks of the 2023 season. Though he's saved between 10 and 14 games in each of the past three campaigns, Gallegos may find himself in more of a pure setup role in 2024 if closer Ryan Helsley is able to stay healthy.

Ingram was claimed off waivers by the Mets on Sunday.

The left-hander was designated for assignment by the Tigers on Tuesday and will now join his third team of the offseason. Ingram has just five big-league appearances under his belt but had a 2.95 ERA in 45 appearances at Triple-A last year.

Manager Mike Shildt told reporters Sunday that Matsui is dealing with back spasms and will not pitch against the Cubs, Dennis Lin of The Athletic reports.

Matsui felt his back tighten up Saturday and is considered day-to-day. He joined the Padres in December on a five-year, $28 million contract after spending the last several years in the Nippon Professional Baseball league with the Rakuten Eagles. In 2023, Matsui posted 39 saves and a 2-3 record over 59 appearances while registering a 1.57 ERA, 0.89 WHIP and 72 strikeouts over 57.1 innings.