The latest MLB player news from CBSSports.com http://www.cbssports.com en-us Copyright 2012, CBSSports.com Sun, 12 Feb 2012 08:14:01 EST 30 http://images.cbssports.com/images/cbsdm/spec/cbssportscom.gif http://www.cbssports.com 380 70 Mike Napoli agreed to a one-year, $9.4 million contract with the Rangers on Saturday to avoid an arbitration hearing, according to ESPN.com. Napoli, who is recovering from a left ankle injury, posted career highs in home runs (30) and RBI (75) last season.


]]> http://feeds.cbssports.com/click.phdo?i=a8d159e7531a4c2026118ba4b1e81853 http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/players/playerpage/293103/rss 1329009814293103 MLB,TEX Sat, 11 Feb 2012 20:23:34 EST Manny Ramirez. Baltimore had been one of three teams, along with Oakland and Toronto, who had been considering the 39-year-old. "I don't think there's going to be a fit for Manny," executive vice president Dan Duquette said. "We've looked at that all winter and I'm not sure there's a fit there for the Orioles. I wish Manny a lot of luck, but I just don't think he fits in our ballclub right now." The team has recently signed free agents Wilson Betemit and Nick Johnson, both of whom could contend for the DH spot, lessening the need to sign Ramirez.


]]> http://feeds.cbssports.com/click.phdo?i=0b3547f638ec870c509775c4c4838425 http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/players/playerpage/7996/rss 13289918207996 MLB,TB,BAL,OAK,TOR Sat, 11 Feb 2012 15:23:40 EST Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that Braves SP Tommy Hanson has worked this offseason to alter his pitching delivery in the hopes that it will make him less prone to injury. Hanson missed most of the final two months of last season due to a shoulder injury, and his health issues were attributed, at least in part, to a hitch in his delivery. He has worked with pitching coach Roger McDowell on a new, smoother delivery over the last six weeks, which should shift some of the stress of his throwing motion to his lower body. In addition to reducing the impact on his arm and shoulder, the more compact delivery should help Hanson to reduce the number of stolen bases off of him.


]]> http://feeds.cbssports.com/click.phdo?i=273036c614bbe44cc23553cda30faec8 http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/players/playerpage/1616925/rss 13289876821616925 MLB,ATL Sat, 11 Feb 2012 14:14:42 EST A.J. Burnett, including the Pirates, who have been in trade negotiations over the righty for the last three days. The Pirates are still the Yankees' preferred trading partner, though ESPN.com reports that the two sides are still in dispute over how much of Burnett's salary the Yankees should pay and which players Pittsburgh would give up. One of the four teams vying for Burnett is on his "no-trade list," though that team has not been identified.


]]> http://feeds.cbssports.com/click.phdo?i=b0c93631e8b1d67a7066eecb6df495a3 http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/players/playerpage/21508/rss 132898250621508 MLB,NYY,PIT Sat, 11 Feb 2012 12:48:26 EST Jason Varitek has received some interest from teams this offseason, and he will soon decide whether to play in 2012. The Red Sox, for whom Varitek has played his entire 15-year major league career, are among the teams interested. Retirement is a possible option for the 39-year-old.


]]> http://feeds.cbssports.com/click.phdo?i=b8e1afedb644a16c3c13b7034c2564ca http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/players/playerpage/8145/rss 13289805918145 MLB,BOS Sat, 11 Feb 2012 12:16:31 EST Tampa Bay Times reports that Rays RP Brandon Gomes continues to recover from back surgery that he underwent in November, and he is at risk of missing the beginning of spring training. Gomes had the procedure to clean out the area around a disc, and he is still probably at least two weeks away from throwing off a mound. "Right now it's progressing along great, I don't really see anything to be concerned about," Gomes told reporters on Friday. "I might miss the very beginning of spring training, but that's about it." Gomes could still be ready for the beginning of the regular season.


]]> http://feeds.cbssports.com/click.phdo?i=a8af890463022bb6ad24e443ffa2968f http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/players/playerpage/1671004/rss 13289771361671004 MLB,TB Sat, 11 Feb 2012 11:18:56 EST Cody Ross was disappointed with his 2011 season, in which he batted just .240 for the Giants, but he told WEEI.com that he is making some changes in order perform better in 2012. Ross watched video from his performances last year and noticed some adjustments that he needed to make at the plate. Specifically, Ross said he is "really focusing on just driving the ball and staying on top of the ball as opposed to swinging with more of an upper-cut." Ross started to address these changes late last season, working with former Giants teammate Carlos Beltran.


]]> http://feeds.cbssports.com/click.phdo?i=7c99c69c8a18fc4e23688e22d6773f3b http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/players/playerpage/181896/rss 1328972351181896 MLB,BOS,SF Sat, 11 Feb 2012 09:59:11 EST Sean White to a minor-league deal on Friday. The right-hander posted a 5.68 ERA in 53 appearances in the minors for the Rockies last season.


]]> http://feeds.cbssports.com/click.phdo?i=8ebc3a9b572e227cea5b519f78418147 http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/players/playerpage/585037/rss 1328938965585037 MLB,BOS,COL Sat, 11 Feb 2012 00:42:45 EST http://ads.pheedo.com/click.phdo?s=8ebc3a9b572e227cea5b519f78418147&p=4 8ebc3a9b572e227cea5b519f78418147 ]]> Sat, 11 Feb 2012 00:42:45 EST Alex Avila told ESPN.com on Friday that Miguel Cabrera has lost 20-25 pounds this offseason in anticipation of his move to third base. Cabrera, who played first base each of the last few seasons, is moving to the hot corner with Prince Fielder signing with Detroit in the offseason. Cabrera batted .344 with 30 home runs and 105 RBI in 2011.


]]> http://feeds.cbssports.com/click.phdo?i=3f7f4a8d247531b42b93ca4f9b4bdc63 http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/players/playerpage/288897/rss 1328926349288897 MLB,DET Fri, 10 Feb 2012 21:12:29 EST Zachary Walters was chosen to play in the Arizona Fall League this offseason and has opened some eyes with his play. While he batted just .205 with one homer and 10 RBI through 24 games, Washington infield coordinator Jeff Garber told MASNSports.com that he has been impressed with the 22-year-old. "Tremendous, tremendous athletic ability," Garber said when asked about Walters. "He has great instincts and is a very aggressive player. I really like what I saw. He has some things to polish, to shore up. He has got the versatlity to move around the infield and change positions, as we saw in Arizona where he played third base. He played (both positions for Single-A Potomac) and showed a tremendous arm."


]]> http://feeds.cbssports.com/click.phdo?i=4dd81483ae7c04e7c34c4e5a5f57ea7d http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/players/playerpage/1804323/rss 13289258121804323 MLB,ARI,WAS Fri, 10 Feb 2012 21:03:32 EST Matt Angle for assignment on Friday. Angle batted .177 with one homer, seven RBI and 11 stolen bases in 31 games in the majors last season.


]]> http://feeds.cbssports.com/click.phdo?i=764bb49c5d5bf4dea946ff7bef01b928 http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/players/playerpage/1734025/rss 13289241381734025 MLB,BAL Fri, 10 Feb 2012 20:35:38 EST Scott Linebrink to a minor league deal with an invite to spring training on Friday. Linebrink pitched in 64 games with the Braves last season, going 4-4 with a 3.64 ERA.


]]> http://feeds.cbssports.com/click.phdo?i=2108e70d96b74bd50c5565429b42b3f5 http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/players/playerpage/174706/rss 1328914401174706 MLB,ATL,STL Fri, 10 Feb 2012 17:53:21 EST San Jose Mercury News reports that former Giants 3B prospect Angel Villalona had his work visa approved by the U.S. Immigration Service, and for the first time since 2009, he can return to the U.S. Villalona was charged with murder by authorities in the Dominican Republic back in Sept. 2009, but he was recently cleared of all charges. The Giants expect Villalona to arrive for spring training when all position players are required to report on Feb. 23.


]]> http://feeds.cbssports.com/click.phdo?i=a718c6fa41f6e61f3cd2d56447c5e2aa http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/players/playerpage/1619227/rss 13289105441619227 MLB,SF Fri, 10 Feb 2012 16:49:04 EST Luke Hughes, who injured his right shoulder while playing winter ball in Australia, will miss three to four weeks with the injury. According to MLB.com, Hughes has been diagnosed with a sprained shoulder. Hughes hit .223 with seven home runs in 96 games last season.


]]> http://feeds.cbssports.com/click.phdo?i=0db8eaa6c0c0aa288932b6d1a537e73a http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/players/playerpage/1104374/rss 13289088571104374 MLB,MIN Fri, 10 Feb 2012 16:20:57 EST Asdrubal Cabrera to a one-year deal worth $4.55 million on Friday, avoiding arbitration, according to CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman. Cabrera had requested $5.2 million, while the Indians' offer was set at $3.75 million.


]]> http://feeds.cbssports.com/click.phdo?i=0ccc49db4350514fd32581e2d633d086 http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/players/playerpage/548513/rss 1328901410548513 MLB,CLE Fri, 10 Feb 2012 14:16:50 EST Allen Craig has been in Florida for the past three weeks rehabbing his right knee. Craig had surgery on the knee in November, and he is expected to miss as much as a month of the upcoming season. According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Craig has yet to run or swing a bat, as he still has to build up more strength in his quadriceps muscle.


]]> http://feeds.cbssports.com/click.phdo?i=37bf5ed6279dcebd3f69c21a2fa8fb87 http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/players/playerpage/1661498/rss 13288998171661498 MLB,STL Fri, 10 Feb 2012 13:50:17 EST Luis Ayala to a contract on Friday, according to the Baltimore Sun. Ayala will receive a major league deal worth $925,000, and there is a team option for the 2013 season. OF Matt Angle was designated for assignment to make room for Ayala on the 40-man roster. Ayala appeared in 52 games with the Yankees last season, and he compiled a 2.09 ERA.


]]> http://feeds.cbssports.com/click.phdo?i=e40cd3346c3d53ae5dedcede54c842a4 http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/players/playerpage/225309/rss 1328894943225309 MLB,BAL,NYY Fri, 10 Feb 2012 12:29:03 EST A.J. Burnett to the Pirates, but had asked for OF Garrett Jones in return. The Pirates balked at the offer, as they want to hold on to Jones. However, negotiations for a trade involving Burnett are ongoing, as the teams are differing on how much of Burnett's salary that Yankees should pay.


]]> http://feeds.cbssports.com/click.phdo?i=c8750f47122a67782427c636d92d2307 http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/players/playerpage/532869/rss 1328885184532869 MLB,NYY,PIT Fri, 10 Feb 2012 09:46:24 EST Mike Pelfrey wasn't happy with his season last year and has been working hard this offseason. He told the New York Daily News on Thursday that he's trying to recover his sinker -- a pitch that he thinks is crucial to his season. “Huge,” he calls it. “I had a good year in 2010 (when he was 15-9 with a 3.66 ERA). So this year becomes even more important. I’m a firm believer that you get out of it what you put into it and I’ve worked my tail off, cleared my head and analyzed. I feel like I’m throwing the ball great right now. It’s definitely an important year for me.”


]]> http://feeds.cbssports.com/click.phdo?i=8fbfea86a46c3d76b0da0bf8b1540ecd http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/players/playerpage/585032/rss 1328830668585032 MLB,NYM Thu, 9 Feb 2012 18:37:48 EST Esmerling Vasquez on Thursday to make room on the roster for Darin Mastroianni.


]]> http://feeds.cbssports.com/click.phdo?i=cfd0db188ddb7e43064695091c5c8fe9 http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/players/playerpage/1392910/rss 13288281671392910 MLB,MIN Thu, 9 Feb 2012 17:56:07 EST Baseball America, Colorado gave catcher Steve Holm a minor-league deal on Thursday.


]]> http://feeds.cbssports.com/click.phdo?i=6df85c2bfcb48be7279ed8cb43e67763 http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/players/playerpage/1199453/rss 13288268161199453 MLB,MIN,COL Thu, 9 Feb 2012 17:33:36 EST Baseball America, the Blue Jays signed Koby Clemens to a minor-league deal on Thursday.


]]> http://feeds.cbssports.com/click.phdo?i=62bdd9c21831aeaceec5de18cb9d010f http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/players/playerpage/1717427/rss 13288266421717427 MLB,HOU,TOR Thu, 9 Feb 2012 17:30:42 EST Alex Gordon agreed to a one-year, $4.775 million deal on Thursday, avoiding arbitration. Gordon had a breakout season for the Royals last year, hitting .303 with 23 homers, 17 steals and an .879 OPS.


]]> http://feeds.cbssports.com/click.phdo?i=1aabb4188c484243198fea58e18691be http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/players/playerpage/593271/rss 1328826120593271 MLB,KC Thu, 9 Feb 2012 17:22:00 EST Baseball America, the Red Sox signed 1B Mauro Gomez to a minor-league deal on Thursday.


]]> http://feeds.cbssports.com/click.phdo?i=2dc3228f3bdd4418482a62e039408bac http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/players/playerpage/1228265/rss 13288260061228265 MLB,ATL,BOS Thu, 9 Feb 2012 17:20:06 EST Andrew Sisco to a minor-league deal on Thursday.


]]> http://feeds.cbssports.com/click.phdo?i=de0b505e98c9d14ab4964ff07531d3a2 http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/players/playerpage/535077/rss 1328825116535077 MLB,NYY,LAD Thu, 9 Feb 2012 17:05:16 EST Palm Beach Post reports that Marlins 2B Omar Infante has been dealing with soreness in his right elbow. He developed the problem last month while working out with weights, and he reported to the Marlins' camp two weeks ago to receive treatment. Infante said that he did not feel pain while making throws in a recent practice session, and he expects that he will be fully ready for the team's first set of drills on Feb. 26.


]]> http://feeds.cbssports.com/click.phdo?i=d7cd9da7bccd69cefbe88bec2f222016 http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/players/playerpage/225374/rss 1328823899225374 MLB,MIA Thu, 9 Feb 2012 16:44:59 EST Mitch Atkins to a minor league deal, according to Baseball America. Atkins started three games for the Orioles last season, posting an 8.44 ERA.


]]> http://feeds.cbssports.com/click.phdo?i=8ac9ae57b86a0d74f58462611b78afeb http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/players/playerpage/1654330/rss 13288221911654330 MLB,BAL,WAS Thu, 9 Feb 2012 16:16:31 EST http://ads.pheedo.com/click.phdo?s=8ac9ae57b86a0d74f58462611b78afeb&p=4 8ac9ae57b86a0d74f58462611b78afeb ]]> Thu, 9 Feb 2012 16:16:31 EST Nick Johnson to a minor league deal with a spring training invite on Thursday. Johnson spent all of the 2011 season with the Indians' Double-A and Triple-A affiliates.


]]> http://feeds.cbssports.com/click.phdo?i=d8580bf250bc909a0af9e8f6c5ac54f7 http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/players/playerpage/127563/rss 1328821734127563 MLB,BAL,CLE Thu, 9 Feb 2012 16:08:54 EST Darin Mastroianni off waivers from the Blue Jays on Thursday. Mastroianni appeared in only one game with Toronto last season, and he batted .276 with 20 steals at Triple-A Las Vegas.


]]> http://feeds.cbssports.com/click.phdo?i=152331b660ce81f822021313c09e8155 http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/players/playerpage/1740965/rss 13288173461740965 MLB,MIN,TOR Thu, 9 Feb 2012 14:55:46 EST Brad Bergesen posted a lowly 2-7 record in 2011, and he started off 2012 with yet another loss. The team won in the pitcher's arbitration hearing, and Bergesen will make $800,000 this season, according to MLB.com.


]]> http://feeds.cbssports.com/click.phdo?i=a0c46ec8f114ff42eeed5d7acee91a9b http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/players/playerpage/1654242/rss 13288123051654242 MLB,BAL Thu, 9 Feb 2012 13:31:45 EST Adam Wainwright, who is working his way back from Tommy John surgery, has contended all offseason that he'll be as good as new for the start of 2012. So now that he's spent some time working out at the team's spring training complex, does he feel any differently? Not according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. "I expect to be the complete pitcher I had become. I expect to compete every time I go out there. I expect to have my location. I expect to be healthy because I've been feeling pretty good," he said. "My expectation is to make it very hard for them to keep me out of games." Wainwright, who is throwing at about 90 percent effort, is particularly encouraged by his mechanics and velocity. He also says he was able to add lower body strength during his time away from the game. "I've definitely gotten stronger," he said.


]]> http://feeds.cbssports.com/click.phdo?i=e4dbed0f60cbc403e9558d60b52aec9f http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/players/playerpage/389743/rss 1328806266389743 MLB,STL Thu, 9 Feb 2012 11:51:06 EST Mark Trumbo has been able to take part in baseball activities -- including fielding grounders at third base -- for a couple weeks now as he works his way back from a stress fracture in his foot, he still has yet to run on the field, according to MLB.com. So will it happen when he reports for spring training? "It might happen sooner than that," Trumbo said. "You really want to structure things correctly, because we do still have time. This imaginary deadline of having to be ready by the start of spring training -- if I am ready and they're comfortable with that, then awesome. But if it takes a couple of week even in the spring, or whenever they feel is necessary, then I'm going to be ready when the time comes, and that's opening day."


]]> http://feeds.cbssports.com/click.phdo?i=9b8a1f7155d6119c2be5ab156142ae0c http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/players/playerpage/1104384/rss 13288051361104384 MLB,LAA Thu, 9 Feb 2012 11:32:16 EST Boston Herald reports that free agent SP Tim Wakefield is likely to decide soon whether he will pitch in 2012. Wakefield's agent, Barry Meister, told the Herald, “We’re discussing the options -- and he has some options -- and over the next few days, we’re going to try to figure it out...I’d say the next few days will tell the tale." Wakefield wants to pitch another year for the Red Sox, for whom he has played since 1995, but he is willing to go to spring training with another team, even as a non-roster invitee.


]]> http://feeds.cbssports.com/click.phdo?i=3de35ea3098357721b7fd9cccfd73091 http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/players/playerpage/8164/rss 13288049328164 MLB,BOS Thu, 9 Feb 2012 11:28:52 EST Denver Post reports that Rockies SP Esmil Rogers is drawing some trade interest, though specific teams have not been mentioned. Rogers is out of options, and with as many as six other pitchers vying for the final three spots in the rotation, the Rockies have an incentive to move Rogers this spring. The 26-year old went 6-6 with a 7.05 ERA for Colorado last season.


]]> http://feeds.cbssports.com/click.phdo?i=fb5587d469f0fb6c7fab5466263d003a http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/players/playerpage/1392908/rss 13288038811392908 MLB,COL Thu, 9 Feb 2012 11:11:21 EST Josh Thole spent much of January working with catching coordinator Bob Natal in Dallas, according to Newsday. If he's going to lose his job at some point this season, he doesn't want it to be because of defense. "I'm getting to a point where we're not in a trial-and-error period anymore," he said. "It is what it is. If I don't catch well over the course of this year, it will be a matter of who's next, they'll keep the line moving, and I can't have that." With the extra work, Thole comes into spring training feeling even more prepared than usual. "I thought I was really prepared last year coming into spring training, and compared to the way I feel right now, it's almost like I wasn't even close," he said. "It's a complete 180."


]]> http://feeds.cbssports.com/click.phdo?i=30271c8fe476211411241353c78a5d6d http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/players/playerpage/1661439/rss 13288030061661439 MLB,NYM Thu, 9 Feb 2012 10:56:46 EST Nelson Cruz on a two-year deal worth $16 million plus incentives on Thursday. Cruz has already passed his physical. The deal allows Cruz to avoid arbitration. Cruz told ESPN.com that he's focused on strengthening his legs this offseason in an attempt to avoid injuries during the year. “I feel like I’m in better shape right now than in the past,” Cruz said. “I expect a big performance of myself and nothing less than going back to the World Series.” Cruz has landed on the disabled list five times over the past two seasons with hamstring issues. "I feel like my legs are definitely stronger and more flexible. It’s going to be a huge difference in what I do [than] in the past," said.


]]> http://feeds.cbssports.com/click.phdo?i=737970f7e1b5e330ce26084af96e0571 http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/players/playerpage/530355/rss 1328798524530355 MLB,TEX Thu, 9 Feb 2012 09:42:04 EST Rich Harden will miss the entire 2012 season, as he had surgery to repair a torn shoulder capsule last week. The injury has reportedly been bothering Harden for the last five seasons, and over that span he had never made more than 26 starts in a season. Last year, Harden went 4-4 with a 5.12 ERA for Oakland.


]]> http://feeds.cbssports.com/click.phdo?i=93ef3cd3401921a0315cc9869684ad90 http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/players/playerpage/390807/rss 1328798190390807 MLB,OAK Thu, 9 Feb 2012 09:36:30 EST http://ads.pheedo.com/click.phdo?s=93ef3cd3401921a0315cc9869684ad90&p=4 93ef3cd3401921a0315cc9869684ad90 ]]> Thu, 9 Feb 2012 09:36:30 EST