MLB Player News

Woodford was reassigned to minor-league camp Sunday.

Woodford has yet to pitch above the High-A level, so there wasn't an expectation that he'd open the season with the big club. Over 23 games (119 innings) at High-A Palm Beach in 2017, Woodford threw for a 3.10 ERA and 1.40 WHIP.

Matz did not make it out of the first inning Sunday after allowing five runs and recording just two outs, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

In a postgame interview, Matz asserted that his struggles were not health-related but simply a matter of him missing his spots high. Even though it's just a spring game, this is a bit concerning for prospective fantasy owners given the young left-hander's struggles last year. The price on draft day will be low given his injury-plagued 2017 campaign, but that could trend upward if Matz can string together a few quality spring outings. There's an inherent amount of upside if Matz can get back some of his 2016 magic, but Sunday's outing did nothing to increase his value.

Castillo allowed one run against the Cubs on five hits over 2.2 innings Saturday, striking out four while not walking anyone.

Two of the hits were flukes -- a bloop double down the left field line by Tommy La Stella and a squib groundball against the shift down the third-base line by Anthony Rizzo. Castillo remains on pace to be ready for the start of the season.

Houser (abdomen) is scheduled to throw live batting practice Monday, Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

If the scheduled session goes well, it's possible Houser pitches in an "A" game before he's sent back down to the minors. The 25-year-old returned in 2017 following recovery from Tommy John surgery in 2016 and had his start to this year's camp delayed by an appendectomy several weeks ago, but he's hopeful to be back in the majors as a reliever this season.

Wright was reassigned to minor-league camp Sunday.

Wright has exciting tools in his pitching repertoire, but the 22-year-old doesn't have a whole lot of experience just yet. He'll look to get just that, with a chance to start the season at Double-A Mississippi.

Mikolas (0-2) allowed four earned runs on six hits over three innings in Saturday's 9-2 Grapefruit League loss to the Braves. He didn't issue any walks or record any strikeouts.

Mikolas endured a second rough outing to open his first spring training stateside since returning from spending the last three seasons in Japan. While the results he generated with the Yomiuri Giants during his tenure were certainly encouraging, they've yet to carry over into his first two appearances. The veteran has looked more like the pitcher that posted an unsightly 6.44 ERA and 1.43 WHIP while allowing eight home runs over 57.3 innings in his last taste of major-league action with the Rangers in 2014, as he's now surrendered 10 earned runs over 4.2 innings. The biggest hiccup Saturday was a second-inning, three-run home run that he gave up to Christian Colon, the second such round tripper he's allowed in as many starts. Despite the struggles, both Mikolas and manager Mike Matheny saw some positives according to Zak Kerr of MLB.com, with the right-hander often notching early count strikes while throwing his fastball and curveball well.

DeGrom (back) is scheduled to pitch a simulated game Tuesday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

DeGrom pitched a bullpen session rather than a simulated game Sunday, and although he appears to be making progress, it may not be happening as quickly as anticipated. The right-hander was hesitant to say anything definitive when asked about Opening Day, and suggested he'll need to make roughly four starts for that to become a possibility. Nonetheless, pitching coach Dave Eiland wouldn't rule out the idea of deGrom making an Opening Day start. Fortunately for fantasy owners, even if deGrom doesn't get the nod on the opener, it sounds like a return won't be too far off.

DeGrom (back) threw 30-40 pitches in a bullpen session Sunday, Kristie Ackert of the New York Daily News reports.

DeGrom had been hoping to face live hitters, and although Michael Conforto stood in the box, he did not take swings. The next step for deGrom will be a live batting practice, after which a clearer picture of his return date will be painted.

Urena tossed two scoreless innings in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Mets, giving up one hit and one walk while striking out two.

He has yet to allow a run in four spring innings with a 4:2 K:BB. Urena is one of only two Marlins pitchers who headed into camp with a rotation spot locked down, but he doesn't appear to be resting on his laurels. The 26-year-old is coming off something of a breakout campaign, but he'll need to improve dramatically on last season's 6.0 K/9 if he's going to be anything more than staff filler for fantasy purposes.

Teheran tossed three scoreless innings in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Cardinals, allowing two hits and a walk while striking out three.

The Braves' likely Opening Day starter has had a strong start to his spring, and Teheran has yet to give up a run through five innings. The 27-year-old has made at least 30 starts in each of the last five seasons, so his durability isn't a concern, but his results have been erratic. Given all the young pitching talent in the organization that will be pushing for jobs in the next couple of years, Teheran could well find himself in another uniform by the trade deadline, even -- or especially -- if he gets his 2018 campaign off to a good start.