MLB Player News

Cortes (shoulder) said Thursday that he's already thrown four live batting practice sessions this spring, YES Network reports.

A left rotator cuff strain limited Cortes to just 12 starts last season, with the last one coming in early August. He's been throwing for most of the offseason, though, and it doesn't appear he'll face any restrictions during spring training. A healthy Cortes and Carlos Rodon would go a long way in stabilizing the Yankees' rotation.

Matz (lat) threw a bullpen session Wednesday, the first day for pitchers and catchers at Cardinals camp, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

Matz was limited to 105 innings in 2023, posting a 3.86 ERA and a 1.33 WHIP over 25 appearances (17 starts) before being shut down in August. It's encouraging that the southpaw is throwing to begin camp after avoiding offseason surgery. The Cardinals focused on pitching in the winter, but Matz is still penciled in for a rotation spot regardless of if the team breaks camp with a five-man or six-man unit. From a fantasy perspective, the injury-prone 32-year-old is a low-end option after showing significant year-to-year inconsistency, but he should be considered fully healthy once he gets into spring games.

Williams hasn't yet reported to spring training as he awaits the birth of his child, Mark Zuckerman of MASN Sports reports.

The right-hander will remain home in San Diego until the arrival of his family's newest addition. Williams is penciled in as the Nationals' No. 5 starter to begin the season despite stumbling to a 5.55 ERA and 1.60 WHIP in 144.1 innings during 2023, but the eventual return of Cade Cavalli (elbow) could bump the veteran to the bullpen over the summer.

Cavalli threw a bullpen session Monday and got back on the mound again Wednesday as he continues his recovery from Tommy John surgery, Mark Zuckerman of MASN Sports reports.

The Nationals are targeting a June return for Cavalli, but at least to begin the spring he doesn't appear to be significantly behind the other arms in camp. The right-hander will throw off a mound three times a week until he gets clearance to face live hitters, but he's not expected to see any game action during spring training. Cavalli, a first-round pick in 2020, posted a 3.71 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 104:39 K:BB across 97 Triple-A innings in 2022 and was expected to be part of last season's rotation for the Nats before getting injured in spring training.

Wentz will focus on competing for a bullpen job with the Tigers this spring, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

Nearly all of Wentz's pro experience has been as a starting pitcher. However, he's out of options and isn't viewed as a viable rotation option right now, so the Tigers want to evaluate him solely as a reliever. Wentz holds a career 5.99 ERA and 125:60 K:BB over 138.1 frames covering 32 appearances (26 starts).

Manoah threw off a mound Thursday and appears to have lost significant weight during the offseason, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

The right-hander was downright awful for most of 2023 and ended the season dealing with shoulder issues that required injections to reduce soreness and inflammation. Manoah seems to have taken his offseason program seriously though, and he worked off a mound for the first time this spring without any apparent issues. A bounce-back performance from the 2019 first-round pick is key for the Blue Jays this year.

Irvin could be needed in the Orioles' rotation following injuries to Kyle Bradish (elbow) and John Means (elbow), Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

It's also possible the O's could seek help from outside the organization, but as things currently stand it seems likely that they'll need Irvin to make some starts. The left-hander had an uneven first season in Baltimore, finishing with a 4.42 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 68:21 K:BB over 77.1 frames.

Wells could open the season in the Orioles' rotation following injuries to Kyle Bradish (elbow) and John Means (elbow), Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

The tall right-hander was seemingly squeezed out of the rotation following the team's trade for Corbin Burnes, but he's now firmly back in the mix with Bradish pegged for the injured list and Means likely to join him. Wells finished with a 3.64 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 117:34 K:BB over 118.2 innings in 2023 but had a 7.07 ERA in just 14 frames after the All-Star break.

Orioles general manager Mike Elias said Thursday that Means (elbow) is a month behind schedule, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

Means suffered a flare-up with his surgically-repaired left elbow last October. While previous indications had been that the southpaw was past the issue, clearly the team still plans to proceed cautiously with him in spring training. Elias was not ready to commit to a stint on the injured list for Means, but it's difficult to see him avoiding one if he's a month behind other Orioles starters.

Bradish will open the season on the injured list after being diagnosed with a UCL sprain in his right elbow, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

Bradish has been given a platelet-rich plasma injection and will begin a throwing program Friday. The hope is that the right-hander will be able to recover with rest and rehab, but eventual Tommy John surgery is always the fear when a UCL sprain is involved. Bradish had a breakout 2023 campaign with the Orioles, collecting a 2.83 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 168:44 K:BB over 168.2 innings covering 30 starts.