MLB Player News

Matzek wasn't available for Saturday's 10-3 loss to the Orioles in the Grapefruit League after experiencing tightness around his left rib cage, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Matzek pushed to pitch Saturday, but the Atlanta training and coaching staffs ultimately decided to hold him out as a matter of precaution. Assuming Matzek's injury isn't a lingering concern that prevents him from getting back on the mound within the next few days, he should be in good position to win a spot in Atlanta's Opening Day bullpen.

Manager Derek Shelton said Sunday that Bednar (lat) played catch for the second straight day and that everything felt good, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.

Bednar was shut down from throwing activities March 4 after feeling tightness in his lats, but the right-hander appears to be on the right track in his rehab. If Bednar is forced to miss time to start the season, Aroldis Chapman figures to fill the closer role while the former progresses through his recovery.

Seattle optioned Adcock to Triple-A Tacoma on Sunday, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.

Adcock made his spring training debut March 5 after dealing with an undisclosed injury. He's played in two games and has given up three runs on three hits while striking out one over five innings. Adcock worked out of the Mariners bullpen last season and appeared in 12 games, but he will start the 2024 season in Triple-A and look to work his way back to the majors.

Williams is dealing with a sore back and will get a second opinion from a spine specialist in the coming week, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Sophia Minnaert of Bally Sports Wisconsin adds that Williams had an MRI on his back this past week. He'll continue to take time off as a precaution until he is assessed by a back specialist this week. Williams tallied 36 saves in 40 tries last season while posting a 1.53 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 87:28 K:BB over 58.2 innings.

Manager A.J. Hinch said that Foley (undisclosed) wasn't used in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Mets due to "mid-camp fatigue," Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Foley doesn't look to be dealing with a legitimate injury, but he could be dealing with a case of "dead arm" after allowing three runs on three hits and two walks over 2.2 innings in three appearances so far this spring. He presumably isn't in any real danger of opening the season on the injured list but may rest for a few days before making his next Grapefruit League appearance.

Fernandez has allowed one run on four hits and a walk while striking out five over five innings in Grapefruit League play.

Fernandez was acquired by the Cardinals in the Rule 5 Draft in December. He will need to be on the major-league roster for all of the 2024 campaign -- if not, he must be offered back to the Red Sox. Given his work in spring, the Cardinals may be able to find a role for the 25-year-old right-hander. There are still a lot of options for middle-relief roles, but Fernandez's good first impression may help him stick with St. Louis.

Ginkel (elbow) gave up one earned run on one hit over an inning of relief Friday in the Diamondbacks' 7-5 win over the Cubs in Cactus League play.

Ginkel served up a solo home run to Mike Tauchman but otherwise escaped the fourth inning unscathed in his first action of spring training. Arizona had eased Ginkel into its spring pitching schedule after he reported elbow soreness early in camp, but as a reliever who typically works only one inning per appearance, he won't require much ramp-up time ahead of Opening Day.

The Diamondbacks optioned Martinez to Triple-A Reno on Sunday.

Martinez was one of seven players sent packing Sunday as Arizona reduced its group at major-league camp to 46 men. The team's decision to cut Martinez comes as little surprise after he struggled mightily in his first exposure to the big leagues in 2023, when he posted a 12.60 ERA and 2.40 WHIP over 10 innings out of the Arizona bullpen.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Sunday that Treinen has a bruised lung but was cleared of any fractures to his ribs after undergoing X-rays, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Treinen sustained the injury Saturday when he took a comebacker off his chest in his Cactus League appearance against the Rangers. Roberts said Sunday that Treinen's bruised lung isn't as serious as it sounds, and the Dodgers are still preparing for the veteran reliever to play catch Monday and throw a bullpen session Wednesday. If Treinen checks out fine following the side session, he could be available for the Dodgers' season-opening series in South Korea versus the Padres on March 20 and 21.

Strzelecki was optioned to Triple-A Reno on Sunday.

The right-hander was acquired by the Diamondbacks from the Brewers at the deadline last summer but made just one big-league appearance after the trade. Strzelecki had a decent 4.38 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 37:12 K:BB over 37 frames in the majors, but he struggled at Triple-A Reno with 12 earned runs allowed in 13 outings.