MLB Player News

Matz (elbow) threw his first live batting practice session of spring training Sunday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Matz underwent surgery last August to reposition a compressed nerve in his left elbow, but it doesn't seem as though the procedure has put him behind his fellow pitchers in the early stages of the spring. After throwing off the mound a few days earlier, Matz's progression to a live session suggests that his elbow hasn't provided any complications to date. The 26-year-old is one of several pitchers competing for a spot at the back end of the Mets' rotation, but if he avoids any health setbacks in the spring, Matz should be in a good position to come away with a starting gig. Though avoiding the disabled list has been a struggle for Matz during his three seasons in the majors, he's generally been serviceable when he's been able to take the hill, producing a 3.99 ERA and 8.1 K/9 mark in 234.2 career innings.

Wood (ankle) threw a 28-pitch bullpen session Saturday, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.

Wood is expected to toss a more extensive bullpen Monday before progressing to facing live hitters Wednesday. At this point, he still appears to be on track to get into game action shortly after spring games begin despite tweaking his ankle earlier in the week.

Contrary to a previous report, Wood (ankle) will throw a light bullpen session Saturday, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.

He was not on the Dodgers' printed schedule of who would throw bullpen sessions that day, but manager Dave Roberts said Wood will in fact throw a light session in addition to taking part in pitchers' fielding practice drills. Despite spraining his ankle earlier this week, Wood appears to be on track to get into game action shortly after Cactus League play begins.

Wood (ankle) will not throw a bullpen session Saturday but will participate in pitchers' fielding practice drills, Andy McCullough of the Los Angeles Times reports.

It was originally reported that Wood would throw a bullpen but he wasn't listed on the schedule. He sprained his ankle earlier this week, so he is a little behind schedule, but there has been no reporting to suggest he won't be able to pitch in games soon after Cactus League play gets underway.

With the acquisition of starter Joe Musgrove over the winter, Glasnow's best chance of making the Opening Day roster may come as a long reliever, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports.

"Tyler's going to have an opportunity to go and pitch, show us the consistency and ability to get outs in this vacuum," manager Clint Hurdle said. "Whether it's finding a way in the rotation somehow, someway or whether it's an opportunity to be a multiple-inning reliever out of the bullpen, they're both real. He just needs to be given the ball and see what he can do with it." Glasnow compiled a 6.30 ERA and 2.02 WHIP -- including a 56:44 K:BB -- in 62 innings for Pittsburgh in 2017. He once again dominated Triple-A, however, going 9-2 with a 1.93 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 140:32 K:BB in 93.1 innings. The 6-foot-8 righty will get every chance to figure things out at the major-league level. If he does, fantasy owners will be well rewarded.

Wood's X-rays revealed inflammation in his right ankle and he's expected to partake in a bullpen session Saturday, Andy McCullough of The Los Angeles Times reports.

Fortunately, this was only a slight scare for Wood as the left-hander should be back to full strength in no time. He was able to go through an entire workout after undergoing X-rays on Friday, and he should have no restrictions moving forward if all goes well with his bullpen this weekend.

Wood (ankle) was able to throw off the bullpen mound following his X-rays Friday, Alanna Rizzo of SportsNetLA reports.

Wood tweaked the ankle prior to Thursday's bullpen session and although he wasn't expected to receive any work after going in for X-rays, the southpaw claimed that he could've tossed a regular bullpen without any problems. This is clearly a good sign moving forward, even though results of the tests have yet to be revealed.

Smyly (elbow) was put on the 60-day disabled list Friday.

Smyly underwent Tommy John surgery in June of 2017, and it's expected that the left-hander will miss most, if not all, of this upcoming season. The Cubs officially placed him on the DL due to the recent signing of Shae Simmons, in order to free up a spot on the 40-man roster.

Wood will receive X-rays after tweaking his ankle Thursday, MLB.com's Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.

Wood sustained the ankle sprain while exercising prior to his scheduled bullpen session Thursday. As with any minor injury in February, the club is taking a cautious approach, as Wood will not return for a bullpen Friday either. There will be an update on his status once the results of his X-rays are released.

Smoker is looking to rebuild his career after coming to Pittsburgh in an offseason trade, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports.

One of four left-handed relievers on the 40-man roster, Smoker compiled a 10.86 K/9 with the Mets in 2017 (in 56.1 innings). He walked 32 batters, however, finishing with a 5.11 ERA and 1.65 WHIP. The 29-year-old has totaled only 191.2 innings since 2012 due to injury and will need to show improved control to contend for a spot in Pittsburgh's bullpen.