Justin Masterson: Getting closer to assignment

Masterson (shoulder) continues to make progress while pitching in extended spring training. "It's just a matter of trying to build him up and continuing to try to build some arm strength, as well as continuing to take steps forward to allow him to repeat his mechanics," GM Neal Huntington told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. "But so far, so good."

Huntington said Masterson gradually has stretched out his outings to four innings, while his velocity has increased as well. The righty struggled in 2015, compiling a 5.61 ERA and 1.60 WHIP in 59.1 innings before undergoing arthroscopic shoulder surgery in September.