"Maton's signing is for $2 million, per sources. This represents the first major-league signing of the offseason/spring for St. Louis, the last of 30 teams to do so," Woo tweeted.

The St. Louis Cardinals announced Thursday that they have signed free-agent right-handed pitcher Phil Maton to a one-year contract for the 2025 season.

In a vacuum, Jeff McNeil’s injury is “a minor hiccup,” as the second baseman put it -- an unfortunate case of a right oblique strain with two weeks to go until Opening Day. It should not sideline McNeil past mid-April.

Second baseman Jeff McNeil has a low-grade oblique strain and will miss the start of the regular season, manager Carlos Mendoza announced Thursday. McNeil will be shut down 7-10 days and the Mets expect him to miss 3-4 weeks overall.

Jeff McNeil will miss Opening Day with a right oblique strain, manager Carlos Mendoza told reporters Thursday at Clover Park. The second baseman/outfielder will be shut down for the next 7-10 days and will then have to continue his spring progression, which sets a timeline for a return at 3-4 weeks.