MLB Player News

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.

Cisnero (visa issues) arrived to the Angels' camp Sunday, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

The veteran reliever was absent for the start of spring training due to visa issues, but he didn't end up missing much time. Cisnero had a 5.31 ERA in 63 outings for the Tigers last season and should fill a middle-relief role with the Angels after signing a one-year, $1.75 million deal in early February.

Winn (elbow) will begin a throwing program Monday after meeting with a doctor Saturday, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Winn had his bullpen session Wednesday cut short after feeling soreness in his right elbow, but the right-hander appears optimistic that he will be ready for Opening Day. Winn pitched in nine games last season -- including five starts -- and posted a 1-3 record and one save with a 4.68 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 35:8 K:BB across 42.1 innings.

Mata is set to miss time after pulling his right hamstring Sunday, Mac Cerullo of the Boston Herald reports.

Mata is set to compete for a bullpen spot for Opening Day, but he will have to wait for his opportunities in spring training while recovering from his hamstring injury. He appeared in nine games -- starting in seven -- for Triple-A Worcester in 2023 and posted an 0-3 record with a 6.33 ERA, 2.19 WHIP and 28:30 K:BB through 27 innings.

Kimbrel cut his session of live batting practice short Saturday due to quadriceps soreness, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

It doesn't appear to be a serious issue, and the veteran closer is penciled in to throw again Monday. Assuming Kimbrel experiences no further issues, it shouldn't be long before he's cleared for game action.

Floro experienced tightness in his shoulder Saturday and will be shut down for a few days, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.

Neither Floro nor the Nationals are too concerned about his shoulder since Floro said he's dealt with similar tightness multiple times before during past springs. Still, the Nats will err on the side of caution and rest Floro, but the 33-year-old reliever's status for Opening Day shouldn't be affected.

Taylor (back) is listed as an available pitcher for Saturday's Cactus League game versus the Rangers, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Taylor pitched just 17.2 innings last season with the Royals, posting an unsightly 8.15 ERA, 1.75 WHIP and 26:9 K:BB. He was shut down after undergoing surgery for a herniated disc in July. Taylor had a couple of good seasons with the Red Sox before injuries wiped out most of his last two campaigns. He'll need a strong spring to compete for a roster spot in the Royals' retooled bullpen.

Hernandez (shoulder) threw a bullpen session Saturday, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Saturday's session marked the first time Hernandez has thrown off a mound in two weeks as he works his way back from right shoulder soreness. The Royals kept the intensity relatively low to begin with, and Hernandez will require several more mound sessions before potentially returning to play in spring training games.

Gibaut was diagnosed with a pronator strain Saturday, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Gibaut will be shut down from throwing for 3-to-5 days before working his way back, but the team's concern level seems relatively low. The 30-year-old righty logged a 3.33 ERA in 75.2 innings last season and will likely serve in middle relief for the Reds in 2024.

Kilian logged two scoreless innings with two strikeouts in Friday's Cactus League game against the White Sox.

Kilian was the third pitcher to appear in the contest for the Cubs and he looked sharp. The righty has appeared in six games (four starts) for Chicago over the past two years and could be in the running for a bullpen role this spring if he pitches well. Kilian doesn't seem like a realistic option for a rotation spot at this point, though he could be on the radar for spot starts when needed.