The Bum's 2015 MLB Preseason News, Notes Etc. !

[StarDust Bum]

Arenado confident he can become a star

February 27, 2015

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) - Nolan Arenado won't turn 24 until April and he has already collected plenty of accolades, including two Gold Gloves.

The Colorado Rockies third baseman thinks he can become a star. Many agree, including his manager. But there was a Hall of Famer this week who wanted to make sure Arenado stayed grounded.

''I saw Dave Winfield and he said, `My third year, I thought I had it figured out. But I didn't.' And he's one of the greatest hitters of all time,'' Arenado said Friday. ''So I'm definitely going to listen to him.''

Arenado has a history of looking up to his elders, from Todd Helton as a rookie to Troy Tulowitzki last year. But Arenado has plenty of confidence, as he should.

As a 22-year-old rookie in 2013, he dazzled on the field with his range, a strong and accurate arm and the tendency to make sensational plays. Not long after being criticized in the minors for being too heavy, he became the first major league rookie third baseman in 46 years to win a Gold Glove.

Then his bat, which lagged as a rookie, woke up in his second year. Arenado had a 28-game hitting streak and was at .305 with six homers and 28 RBIs when he broke his left middle finger on a headfirst slide in Atlanta on May 23.

''Mentally, it was devastating for me,'' Arenado said.'' And I know I hurt the team a little bit. I just wanted to be there for the guys. And not being able to be there kind of stunk.''

Arenado's season and the Rockies' fortunes were never the same. Colorado, 27-23 a day after he got hurt, finished 66-96 amid an avalanche of injuries.

With Tulowitzki and Carlos Gonzalez out, Arenado returned in July and was moved to the heart of the order while playing through stingers in his hand. He still finished hitting .287 with 18 homers and 61 RBIs in what he called a ''weird year'' that helped him mature.

''I don't know how much further he can go defensively. I don't know if it's possible,'' manager Walt Weiss said. ''But we saw him offensively hit in the middle of the order, especially the second half of the season.

''You know how I feel about Nolan. This is a guy that loves to practice, loves to play, has a passion every time he puts on a uniform. I think he's a star in the making.''

Declaring himself 100 percent before the Rockies' first full squad workout Friday morning, Arenado feels it's time to continue his ascent. He believes it's realistic he can join Tulowitzki and Gonzalez on the list of the game's top players.

''I try not to talk about it because I've got to go out there and show it. But I believe I can play at a level they've been playing at,'' Arenado said. ''I'm still growing.''

Weiss said the ''youthful at_bats'' of his rookie year dwindled in 2014. He was better aware of situations and smarter at the plate.

If he can make another jump this season and remain one of baseball's top fielders, the Rockies may surprise.

''I think it's good to be the underdog,'' Arenado said. ''But we're not even the underdog. We're not even talked about. We're nobody. But that's OK. We don't need that bright light, that pressure.

''If we stay healthy, we're going to do some damage.''

NOTES: Weiss said all players were present for the first full squad meeting and workout. Most players have been in town for at least a couple weeks. . Weiss said his message to the players focused on having the right mentality throughout camp. ''I'm excited about this group,'' he said. . Colorado's first Cactus League game is Wednesday against Arizona.

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MLB may play spring games in Cuba

February 28, 2015

GOODYEAR, Ariz. (AP) - Cuba could be a spring training destination once more.

Major League Baseball is considering playing future spring exhibition games on the island nation and baseball hotbed, which used to routinely host American teams in the days before Fidel Castro came to power.

Baseball players' association president Tony Clark said Saturday there have been ''ongoing'' discussions about playing in Cuba, which recently renewed diplomatic ties with the United States. Clark said there were conversations about Cuba hosting games this spring, but there wasn't enough time to finalize details.

''We weren't able to put those pieces in play this go-around,'' Clark said following his annual union meeting with the Cleveland Indians. ''It is conceivable somewhere down the road that there may be a spring training game played in Cuba, but it's hard to tell when at this point in time.''

The Baltimore Orioles played a spring exhibition in Havana against the Cuban national team in 1999, ending a 40-year gap since the last visit by a major league team.

Major league teams regularly held spring training camps in Cuba in the 1940s and `50s. The Cincinnati Reds had a Triple-A affiliate on the island, the Havana Sugar Kings.

Cuba and the U.S. have a long-time connection through baseball. Several Cuban-born players, including former stars Luis Tiant, Jose Canseco and Orlando ''El Duque'' Hernandez, as well as current players such as Yasiel Puig, Yoenis Cespedes and Jose Abreu, have thrived on MLB teams. Last season, 19 Cuban-born players were on major league rosters.

Clark said players understand that baseball, now more of an international game than ever, can play a part in the healing process between the U.S. and Cuba.

''I think what's great is that you look around any locker room now and you appreciate how international and how global our game is,'' Clark said. ''Cuba being a piece that no one really knows about.''

''It seems like every Cuban player who comes over here is contributing significantly to our game and it's beneficial for everyone. There is intrigue. There is interest. I'm very interested to see what happens here,'' he said.

Indians manager Terry Francona visited Cuba in the late 1970s as a teenager, touring the communist nation with a U.S. national team. During the trip, Francona had his picture taken while shaking hands with Castro, but the photograph was of poor quality and it's one he wishes he still had.

Francona does have great memories of his time in Cuba and would love the chance to go there again with his ballclub.

''I think it would be cool,'' he said following practice. ''My dad was there in '56, and he said at the time it was almost better than the major leagues. There were four teams in Havana. He was the MVP of something and he came home with a black Cadillac. That's not the winter ball I remember.''

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White Sox ace Sale has foot fracture

February 28, 2015

GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) - Chicago White Sox ace left-hander Chris Sale has a fracture in his right foot and may miss opening day.

The team announced Saturday that he's expected to be sidelined at least three weeks.

Sale, who was injured in an accident at his home on Friday, had X-rays of his foot Saturday at a hospital in Glendale. He'll have more tests after the swelling goes down.

The 25-year-old was 12-4 with 208 strikeouts and a 2.17 ERA last season, finishing third in the American League Cy Young Award voting

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A-Rod may play in Yanks' spring opener

February 28, 2015

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) - Alex Rodriguez might be in the New York Yankees' lineup for Tuesday's spring training opener against the Philadelphia Phillies.

Yankees manager Joe Girardi said a decision will come Monday.

Rodriguez was suspended for the entire 2014 season because for violations of baseball's drug agreement and labor contract.

With the re-signing of Chase Headley to start at third base, Rodriguez is competing for at_bats as the designated hitter. He might get limited playing time at third and first base.

The Yankees begin exhibition play at the Phillies' complex in Clearwater, Florida.

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McCutchen eyeing another step forward

February 28, 2015

BRADENTON, Fla. (AP) - The Pittsburgh Pirates lost 95 games in 2005, the year they drafted outfielder Andrew McCutchen in the first round. Four years later, when McCutchen made his major league debut, they lost 99 games.

McCutchen has seen the franchise at its worst. As he has matured into one of the top players in the National League, the Pirates also have been on the upswing.

The Pirates got an NL wild-card berth in each of the past two seasons. This year, McCutchen wants more.

''We're not here to try to win a wild-card game,'' McCutchen said. ''We're here to win the division and keep going from there to win a championship.''

Such a statement would have drawn laughter not too long ago. McCutchen said perceptions about the Pirates have changed.

''People look at us a lot differently because they know we're for real,'' McCutchen said. ''It would've been easy to say 2013 was a fluke and we just got lucky. But we showed up in `14 and were able to do the same thing. We know we're for real. And other teams know they just can't come in (thinking), `All right, we're going to beat the Pirates.' We're not that team anymore.''

The Pirates have a solid bullpen and a starting rotation topped by left-hander Francisco Liriano and right-hander Gerrit Cole. The infield includes veteran second baseman Neil Walker, who hit a career-best 23 homers, and third baseman Josh Harrison, who had a breakout season in 2014.

''We have a really good team,'' McCutchen said. ''And I believe the outfield will be our anchor.''

McCutchen is a three-time MVP finalist in center field. He's flanked by Starling Marte in left and Gregory Polanco in right. All three of them can hit for power and a high average, have above-average speed and are very good defenders.

''Right now, we are the best outfield (in the majors),'' Marte said. ''I think we have a chance to catch every ball that's hit.''

Marte, 23, was a Gold Glove finalist last year and has batted .282 over his first three seasons. Polanco, 22, was the Pirates' top prospect last year and played in 89 games after being called up in mid-June.

''It's all about getting to know each other,'' McCutchen said. ''When Marte first got here, I'd yell, `I'll get it,' (on a fly ball) then look and he'd already be there. Now, when the ball's hit, I know he can get it. Now, I just have to figure out Polanco.''

McCutchen, 28, should have plenty of time ahead to work with Marte and Polanco. McCutchen is in the middle of a six-year, $51.5 million contract, which includes a club option for 2018.

''Andrew's been a critical part of the team,'' Pirates chairman Bob Nutting said. ''I love having him in a Pittsburgh Pirates uniform and I hope he (wears it) for a long, long time.''

Nutting and his front office group have begun to consider whether they should offer McCutchen a contract extension. McCutchen will make $10 million this season, and management must decide if they Pirates can afford to double his salary in a longer-term deal.

''It's a challenge we're looking forward to,'' Nutting said.

As he works out during spring training, McCutchen is not focused on getting a longer contract.

''Right now, I'm not too worried about it,'' McCutchen said. ''It's nothing that I'm thinking about. If it happens, that would be great.''

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McGehee's move to Giants is homecoming

February 27, 2015

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) - Casey McGehee has been everywhere on the baseball map.

He played high school ball near Santa Cruz, California, played collegiately at Fresno State and then began a tour that took him to Chicago (Cubs), Milwaukee (Brewers), Pittsburgh (Pirates), New York (Yankees), Japan (Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles) and Miami (Marlins).

Now he is back in his old stomping grounds, or close to them, after being traded from Miami to the San Francisco Giants and he said it ''just feels right.''

''I don't know how else to put it,'' McGehee said Friday. ''I have loved everywhere I've been and have learned a lot, but there's something about coming back to the area where you grew up.''

When the Giants lost Pablo Sandoval to free agency, they began to look for a veteran presence at third base and general manager Brian Sabean dealt minor league pitchers Kendry Flores and Luis Castillo to the Marlins for McGehee.

''The guys here have made it (the transition) easy for me. It didn't take long for them to start ragging' on me,'' McGehee said.

McGehee's best season was 2010, when he hit .285 with 23 home runs and 104 RBIs in 157 games and was named the Brewers' MVP.

The 6-foot-1, 220-pound McGehee said he has hit in the fifth spot for most of his career, sometimes fourth. In Miami last season, he hit fourth behind slugger Giancarlo Stanton.

''The spot doesn't matter,'' McGehee said. ''I'm sure (manager Bruce Bochy) will figure out a good place for me.''

The conditions at AT&T Park can be less than ideal for hitters, but McGehee is quick to point out, ''they're not nearly as bad as Candlestick (Park) was. No matter where you play, you still have to hit the ball hard.''

He hit the ball hard even during his one season in Japan, where he hit .292 with 28 homers and 93 RBIs in 144 games.

''It wasn't ideal, but I enjoyed it,'' he said. ''I think baseball in Japan is better than people give it credit for.''

NOTES: Asked if closer Santiago Casilla was doing OK after being hit in the leg by a batted ball on Thursday, Bochy said, ''He was dancing for me this morning.'' Casilla likely will return to the field on Saturday. ... Bochy saw right-hander Tim Lincecum throw Friday and said the two-time National League Cy Young Award winner ''looked good. He threw the ball well, had good command of his pitches.''... The Giants will be traveling in a bigger plane this season that befits three World Series championships in the last five years. ''We have a lot of big guys and now they will be more comfortable, get better rest,'' Bochy said.

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RF Matt Kemp confident about new-look Padres being contender

February 28, 2015

PEORIA, Ariz. (AP) - Matt Kemp stood up from his locker, navy blue hoodie covering his head and began signing the nursery rhyme, ''Rain, Rain, Go Away.''

Aside from Saturday's gray skies and precipitation in the forecast all weekend, San Diego's new right fielder is loving his new life that is taking him a couple of hours farther south in Southern California with the Padres.

''This is a different pace,'' Kemp said. ''I'll go from LA to San Diego, two beautiful cities. San Diego's just a little bit more laid back and chill. I'm enjoying my time here. New changes, new faces.''

Kemp has made one thing clear already: The Padres have baseball's best outfield.

''I wouldn't have said it if I didn't believe it,'' Kemp said with a smile. ''We have a good enough outfield to compete with any outfield, just like (Pittsburgh's) Andrew McCutchen, just like those guys, of course they're supposed to believe in their guys. On paper, they are one of the best outfields in baseball. We have a lot to prove. It's a new year.''

Kemp will be part of an outfield trio that also includes fellow newcomers Justin Upton in left and Wil Myers the expected starter in center. Yet Cameron Maybin still hopes to win the job in center field, and Will Venable also is in the mix.

All three projected starters came in trades. All three within 48 hours: Kemp in a deal with the reigning NL West champion Dodgers, 2013 AL Rookie of the Year Myers from the Rays and Upton swapped by Atlanta.

''Everybody gets their work in. Everybody gets here early,'' Kemp said. ''There's a lot of guys here committed to winning. We're ready to go.''

The Padres' expectations are all about the postseason in the early days of spring training, beginning with building the foundation now to get them there come late September.

Even manager Bud Black has a sense of humor about the flurry of offseason movement that overhauled his roster.

''No trades, no transactions,'' Black quipped before heading to the practice field.

Black already appreciates Kemp's belief in this team.

''I like that. He's confident,'' Black said. ''I like the fact that Matt looks around and sees our group. I think I've heard him say, `You look at the group of outfielders ... it's a good group. It's a lot of nice baseball players. So for him to say that, it's pretty good, right? It's real.''

San Diego went 77-85 last season for third place in the NL West behind Los Angeles and the reigning World Series champion San Francisco Giants. Now, the Padres aren't just talking a big game - the plan to back up this star-studded roster with results. The Padres haven't reached the playoffs since 2006.

''Every team, every year you show up always has high expectations and sometimes you don't know for sure if a championship is really realistic, but I think it's safe to say looking at the talent, looking at it on paper, there's no reason we shouldn't be competing for the playoffs and have a chance to win a championship over here,'' new infielder Clint Barmes said.

And, they just added James Shields on a $75 million, four-year contract this past week.

''The names have changed,'' Black said. ''If the expectation level has risen, we like it. We like that. Personally I like it. The coaches like it. The players like it. So as a group, there's nothing better than to think that you have a solid team, and we feel as though we do, so that's a good thing.''

NOTES: Black has no concerns about Shields making a speedy adjustment. ''Here's a guy who's 33 years old who has service time. He knows his body, he knows where it needs to be Feb. 28,'' Black said. ''He's in tune with what he has to do personally. It's been noted, he has a great feel for a team, he's engaging. He's got a personality. He's a competitor. It's early and I don't expect this to change, he's saying the right things from a team concept and leadership.'' ... Jason Lane, the former outfielder who came up as a left-handed pitcher last season, will start the Cactus League opener Wednesday against the Mariners and is slated for two innings

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Rays reliever Belisario fractures shoulder, out indefinitely

February 28, 2015

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. (AP) - Tampa Bay Rays relief pitcher Ronald Belisario has fractured his non-throwing shoulder in a swimming pool accident and is not expected to be ready for the start of the season.

The team said Saturday that Belisario will be sidelined indefinitely. The Rays right-hander injured his left shoulder getting out of a pool in Venezuela last month. Belisario will be held out of on-field drills for at least two weeks.

Belisario is a non-roster invitee competing for a bullpen job after going 4-8 with a 5.56 ERA in 62 appearances with the Chicago White Sox last season.

President of baseball operations Matt Silverman said Belisario's shoulder ''hadn't been checked out until he got here'' for spring training this week.

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Royals 1B Hosmer hoping to build off postseason success

February 28, 2015

SURPRISE, Ariz. (AP) - Eric Hosmer hit a basketball, football and volleyball for a PlayStation commercial at Surprise Stadium, the spring training home of the Kansas City Royals.

Hosmer said the basketball was the easiest to hit because ''it's so big.''

A baseball must have looked basketball-sized to Hosmer in the postseason last year.

Hosmer hit .351 and set a franchise record with 12 RBIs in 15 games during the playoffs and World Series. He had six multihit games in the postseason, three of them with three hits.

''A lot of guys didn't have numbers they wanted to in the regular season, but turned it up in the postseason,'' Hosmer said.

Hosmer was one of them. He hit .270 with nine home runs and 58 RBIs, all career lows. Not numbers Hosmer desired.

''Definitely not,'' Hosmer said.

Hosmer hit .321 with a .509 slugging percentage after July 1. But he missed 29 games with a broken right hand after being hit by a pitch from Jon Lester on July 20. He tried to play through it, but went on the disabled list Aug. 2.

The Royals' season ended with a 3-2 loss to the San Francisco Giants in Game 7 of the World Series.

''I know the taste it left in all our mouths,'' Hosmer said. ''I know it made the offseason feel like it was that much longer. The way it ended, it was tough. It was tough to look at all these guys after that loss because all these guys had invested so much. We all truly believed we were going to do it, so to come up short and the feeling we had, it didn't seem like it was time to be over.''

The Royals did end a 29-year playoff drought.

''It's a different feel'' in spring training this year, he said. ''We've always had the confidence in our abilities as our group, but doing what we did last year and knowing how far we got with pretty much the same group of guys coming back, it definitely gets you hungry and confident as a group.''

The 25-year-old Hosmer agreed to a $13.9 million, two-year contract on Feb. 18. His agent, Scott Boras, called him as he was packing to drive to the Phoenix airport to fly to Tampa for his arbitration hearing the next day.

''It went from get your suit ready to you don't have to go,'' said Hosmer, who has won two Gold Gloves. ''That's why we hire representation, so we don't have to sit in that room and hear how bad we are. I'm glad we've got it all taken care of, not only for this year, but next year. I don't have to worry about it and just focus on that main goal. And that's getting into October and doing what we did last year, plus one.''

Hosmer said the two-year offer came ''completely out of the blue.''

''I never even thought about two years,'' he said. ''That kind of popped out of nowhere. I thought it was a no-brainer to do that. Not only I get this year, but the next year, I'm very happy about that.''

After hitting 19 home runs as a rookie in 2012 and 17 in 2013, Hosmer's total sagged last season.

''Being a guy in the middle in the lineup, you've got to drive in runs,'' Hosmer said. ''It's not so much home runs, but RBIs.''

NOTES: The Royals will start rookie RHP Aaron Brooks, who went 12-3 with a 3.88 ERA last season with Triple-A Omaha, in the exhibition opener Wednesday against the Rangers. . The Royals have intrasquad games scheduled Sunday and Monday, but rain is in the forecast.

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Now with Blue Jays, Johan Santana aims for another comeback

February 28, 2015

DUNEDIN, Fla. (AP) - When Johan Santana walked into the Blue Jays' clubhouse for the first time early Saturday morning, a surprise was waiting inside his locker.

Taped in the upper left hand corner, directly above his blue No. 57 jersey and cap, was a photograph of the celebration from Santana's no-hitter with the New York Mets in June 2012, arguably the finest moment in his baseball career.

''I know exactly who did that,'' Santana said with a smile.

That would be close friend and Toronto backup Josh Thole. He caught the left-hander's 134-pitch gem that night at Citi Field, still the only no-hitter in Mets' history.

For Santana, after two major surgeries on his throwing shoulder and a ruptured Achilles tendon he sustained with Baltimore during extended spring training last June, the picture served as an emotional reminder of his distinguished past.

Two weeks shy of his 36th birthday, it's a place the two-time AL Cy Young Award winner with Minnesota vows to return.

''It would be a great thing to do, to come back and have those kind of days,'' said Santana, who has not pitched in the majors since August 2012. ''I know it was something very special. . Hopefully, I'll be able to come back and wear this uniform on a major league mound and get that feeling again.''

Santana took his first step toward that goal on Thursday, signing a minor league deal with the Blue Jays with the hope of returning to the majors this season. But he knows the journey is just beginning.

''I'm always positive about everything that I do and the way I think,'' Santana said. ''I never gave up. Last year, I was close and everything was good. Unfortunately, something else happened that had nothing to do with my arm. Now, I have to bounce back.''

That may be easier said than done for Santana, once revered by hitters for his devastating changeup and mid-90s fastball.

Due to the severity of his injuries, Santana has been limited to just 21 games since 2010. His velocity has taken a hit as well, reportedly averaging between 86 and 89 mph in his lone appearance during winter ball in his native Venezuela earlier this year. He was then shut down because of shoulder stiffness.

The Blue Jays, however, are confident they will be able to work Santana into their rotation at some point. Though he won't be ready for opening day on April 6, Santana will start a throwing program soon and the team will monitor his progress.

If Santana returns to the majors, he will make the base salary of $2.5 million. He also has an April 28 opt-out clause.

''He's certainly a competitive guy and believes in himself,'' general manager Alex Anthopoulos said. ''We certainly believe there's a lot left. It's just a matter to get him right, get him strong and see how and when he can impact us.''

Santana wants to make the most of his chance.

''As long as my arm is still attached, I'm going to give it a chance,'' he said. ''I know there's going to be a lot of good and bad things out there, but the reality is that I have to do it myself. I'm still doing it. I love what I do. If I'm able to do it, that will be great. But if it doesn't happen, then at least I tried my best.''

NOTES: OF Michael Saunders returned to camp less than a day after having surgery to remove torn cartilage in his left knee. Saunders, who is expected to miss five or six weeks, walked on his own, without crutches or a protective brace, and said he has started mobility and strength exercises. ''This is a great day for me,'' Saunders said. ''I'm going to be ready to go as soon as possible. But that being said, as soon as my knee allows me to.'' . Heavy rain washed out a majority of the team's second full-squad workout. Manager John Gibbons doesn't expect it to be an issue since it's still early. ''We needed it, but there's playing time and we'll get plenty of work when we start playing these games (Tuesday),'' Gibbons said.

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Longoria eyes "bounce-back" year with revamped Rays

February 28, 2015

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. (AP) - Evan Longoria trusts the Tampa Bay Rays to get it right, so he has no complaints about the club's winter makeover.

Not that the star third baseman was happy to see the franchise lose manager Joe Maddon and front office executive Andrew Friedman within a 10-day span of October, then watch their successors spend much of the next three months revamping the roster through a series of trades and free agent signings that have filled the clubhouse with new faces.

''It's just really about all the confidence that I have in their ability to put together a good team and just see the bigger picture,'' the three-time AL All-Star said.

''Everybody who's here is looking forward to a new year, just a fresh start and something that's different,'' Longoria added. ''Sometimes things are needed and necessary to kind of keep you on track.''

The Rays' career leader in home runs and RBIs stressed that that's no knock on Maddon, who guided the Rays to four playoffs berths over a six-year span before finishing with Tampa Bay's first losing record since 2007 last season.

The most successful manager in team history opted out of the final year of his contract before signing with the Chicago Cubs. The Rays hired Kevin Cash, who has no previous managerial experience, to succeed the popular Maddon.

''Obviously, he did so many great things for the franchise, and so many great things for me as a player,'' Longoria said. ''But I guess all good things come to an end at some point. I think we're really looking forward to getting to know Kevin as a manager and as a guy.''

Friedman, who put together the rosters Maddon thrived with, left for a similar position with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Matt Silverman, who joined a then-struggling Tampa Bay organization at the same time as Friedman , has taken over as president of baseball operations.

Longoria said he believes in Silverman's ability to keep the franchise moving forward.

Five starters from a year ago, including three-time All-Star Ben Zobrist and 2013 AL Rookie of the Year Wil Myers, were traded this offseason. Infielder Asdrubal Cabrera, outfield prospect Steven Souza, catcher Rene Rivera, designated hitter John Jaso and pitchers Kevin Jepsen, Ernesto Frieri and Burch Smith are among the new arrivals.

''It goes back to the track record of those guys from the beginning,'' Longoria said, alluding to the success of the front office since principal owner Stuart Sternberg took control of the team. ''Pretty much all of the moves they've made have been great for our organization and worked out. I had to put my faith in that.''

The face of the franchise thinks the Rays, who have one of the best pitching rotations in the AL, have a chance to be better than a lot of people suspect.

And he's ready to lead, vowing to ''play better'' after hitting .253 and leading Tampa Bay with 22 homers and 91 RBIs while playing in all 162 games for the first time last season.

What he hopes will be a ''bounce-back'' campaign actually began in November, when he traveled to Japan as part of a MLB all-star team and homered three times in seven games.

''That experience, and just being able to play a little bit more baseball at the end of the year, and just have some good moments over there, kind of sweetened the bitter taste that I had at the end of the year,'' Longoria said. ''It kind of made me more hungry to get back to work and get ready to come back and have a great year for us.''

Cash looks at the numbers Longoria posted last season and thinks it's laughable anyone would suggest he's needs to bounce back.

''It cracks me up when people say rebound. There's 90 percent in baseball that would give a left arm to have those numbers,'' the manager said. ''Evan, he makes us go. There's no doubt about it. There's no doubt he's going to be good.''

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Indians' Kluber rises quickly to become star AL pitcher

February 28, 2015

GOODYEAR, Ariz. (AP) - Corey Kluber was suddenly on a roster of baseball immortality. It was all so surreal, almost overwhelming.

In New York last month to receive his 2014 Cy Young Award, Kluber sat at a dais alongside Sandy Koufax, Willie Mays, Frank Robinson and Cal Ripken - heavy-hitting Hall of Famers all. And when John Smoltz, soon to be enshrined in Cooperstown, introduced him to the audience, Kluber realized the enormity of his accomplishments.

His season had indeed been special.

''Yeah, it kind of hit me then,'' the Indians' sublime right-hander said. ''I wasn't aware that all those kind of people would be there. Very cool.''

Cool, too, describes Kluber, who made a spectacular rise during his first full major league season. He tied for the AL lead with 18 wins, posted a 2.44 ERA and struck out 269 - with little fanfare. A year ago, he was in the middle of Cleveland's rotation. Now, he's the staff's ace and just maybe baseball's next big thing.

It's been an amazing ascent for a guy who can still go unrecognized in public during the offseason.

''In Florida, nobody knows who I am,'' said the Jacksonville resident. ''I don't think a lot of people down there watch Indians games.''

Steady and stoic, almost robotic, Kluber became just the fourth pitcher in the past 28 years to win 18 games with a sub-2.50 ERA and at least 260 strikeouts. The others: Roger Clemens, Randy Johnson and Pedro Martinez.

So, what does he do for an encore?

''I'm not really concerned with trying to duplicate or do anything I did last year,'' he said after some conditioning work in the dry desert air. ''It's a new year, so none of that stuff from last year has any bearing on anything that I do this year or anything we do this year as a team.''

Kluber is the reluctant star, leery of the spotlight and still grappling with new-found celebrity. On Friday, the 28-year-old couldn't play in the Indians' annual charity golf outing with the Cincinnati Reds because he had to attend another photo shoot and autograph session, one of many during this whirlwind offseason.

Ah, the price of fame.

As he packed his uniform, glove and other essentials into a travel bag, Kluber acknowledged some of the attention has made him uncomfortable.

''I wouldn't say I've enjoyed the notoriety,'' he said. ''But it hasn't been intrusive or anything, nothing that has kept me from doing what I wanted to do during the offseason.''

Kluber has built a reputation - and, to an extent, his persona - around a tireless, obsessive work ethic. He's the classic overachiever, the kid who turns in his homework a day earlier than the rest of the class.

To those who don't know him, Kluber comes across as stiff. He's business-like, regimented and so focused on doing his job that he appears more machine than man. Hence, the ''Klubot'' nickname.

''That's my demeanor when I'm on the mound, but if you pay attention when I'm in the dugout or with other guys, I'm not much different than they are,'' he said. ''It's just that when most people see me, it's when I'm pitching. The attention is mostly on you when you're out there pitching, so maybe people kind of group the two together.''

There's another side of Kluber the public doesn't see, but one the Indians know well. He's a jokester.

''He's got a great sense of humor,'' general manager Chris Antonetti said. ''If there's a prank going around in the clubhouse, he's one of the primary suspects.''

Last season, Kluber dressed in a chicken suit during batting practice and he's not averse to playing a practical joke on an unsuspecting teammate.

''He's still quiet when he's in here, but he's a silent assassin,'' said outfielder Ryan Raburn, whose eyes shifted nervously toward Kluber's locker, knowing that if he was overheard there could be retribution. ''If he finds the right opportunity, he'll throw a little jab in there. He's a really good guy.''

He's way beyond good as a pitcher.

Kluber offered a glimpse of his potential in 2013, going 11-5 in 24 starts. Last season, he was dominant nearly every time he took the mound. Kluber went 4-0 in May with 60 strikeouts; reeled off six straight wins from July 6-Aug. 9; and went 5-0 with a 1.12 ERA in his last five outings.

Despite dazzling statistics, Kluber isn't paid like one of baseball's elite pitchers. He'll make a little more than the league minimum salary this season as the Indians control his contract through 2018. In all likelihood, they will try to sign him to an extension, but Antonetti wouldn't confirm if any negotiations are ongoing.

It's safe to assume, though, that the Indians want Kluber to feel rewarded.

''There's not a better guy to believe in,'' Antonetti said.

NOTES: 2B Jason Kipnis is still recovering from surgery to repair a torn finger ligament and manager Terry Francona said it's possible he'll be kept out of the first few exhibition games. ... RHP Trevor Bauer left the Indians' complex wearing a blue wig. He sports one when cheering for his beloved Duke Blue Devils, who played Syracuse on Saturday.

[StarDust Bum]

Hometown boys Molitor, Mauer trying to turn Twins around

February 28, 2015

On a chilly winter afternoon in St. Paul, two St. Paul natives sat down for lunch at a St. Paul restaurant and did what St. Paul guys do - they talked about what it's going to take to fix the Minnesota Twins.

The only thing that separated this conversation from hundreds of others that occur in the restaurant on a daily basis was these two guys could actually do something about it.

Paul Molitor was the newly named Twins manager. Across the table was Joe Mauer, the face of the franchise. Two hometown stars trying to save a franchise that has rarely been lower after four straight seasons of at least 92 losses.

''The more and more I get to know Paul, it seems like we're a lot alike,'' Mauer said. ''We definitely love to compete. We like the challenge of where we're at and where we're trying to get to. I'm excited to have him leading the way and bringing in guys that share that same mentality. I think we both left that lunch excited and anxious about getting the season started.''

Neither would disclose any specifics of the conversation they had over a couple of hours at that lunch in January, but Molitor said he walked out of the meeting encouraged with how his embattled star was preparing for the coming season.

''Overall, I just think he's in a good place and likes the way the team is going,'' Molitor said. ''I don't think we can project what will happen but we were a pretty good offensive team last year and our best player didn't have a very good year. So if he can get back to where he was, it will bode well for us offensively.''

The Twins held their first full-squad workout on Saturday in Fort Myers, Florida, and the two former stars at Cretin-Derham Hall High School in St. Paul, each facing their own questions, are at the center of the hopes for a baseball revival in Minnesota.

Molitor is the Hall of Famer who played the final three seasons of his 20-year career for the Twins. He served on the bench under former Twins managers Tom Kelly and Ron Gardenhire, but spent most of his time in the organization as a roving instructor in the minor leagues.

He crossed paths with Mauer, the No. 1 overall pick in 2001, often, both while Mauer was coming up through the minor leagues and during spring training.

But Mauer actually met Molitor far earlier in life when Molitor came to speak to kids at a Cretin baseball camp.

''I think that's one of the reasons why I try to use the whole field,'' Mauer said. ''At 9 or 10 years old, I remember hearing him talk about spraying the field starting batting practice, the way he took it. I'm sure at 9 or 10 years old, a lot of that went over the kids' heads. But I was sitting there and looking at it like this is a major league baseball player, and a very good one at that. That's what I wanted to be so I was pretty attentive when he was talking. I don't even know if he knows that, but I remember that for sure.''

With that seed planted, Mauer made himself into one of the best-hitting catchers the game has ever seen. He won three batting titles, an AL MVP award and made six All-Star games before injuries slowed him down.

An eight-year, $182 million contract signed in 2011 brought unprecedented scrutiny on Mauer, and his inability to duplicate those superb early years and the games he's missed due to injury caused fans to question his desire.

''I don't think Joe has ever lost that edge,'' Molitor said. ''I think people try to use that against him because they can't see it and it's not tangible enough for people. But internally I've never doubted that he's tremendously driven to win. He just carries a bit differently and that's why we see such a controlled player and it's served him really well.''

Their lunch conversation was different than the countless they've had over the years, with Mauer really trying to understand how Molitor would approach his new job.

''He's one of the smartest baseball people I've ever been around,'' Mauer said. ''The one thing I've admired about him and liked to watch him is how he prepares for anything. ... He would never leave any stone unturned. The way he goes about preparing for a game is awesome to see. I'm excited to see him do that in a different position.''

[StarDust Bum]

Who's the ace? Red Sox starters want to prove they have many

February 27, 2015

FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) - Who's the ace?

It's a question the Boston Red Sox have been asked to address since Jon Lester was traded last summer and then signed a $155 million, six-year contract with the Chicago Cubs rather than return to Fenway Park.

''There's only so many times you can ask somebody, `How are you going to do this without an ace of the staff?''' right-hander Clay Buchholz said. ''I think everybody is getting similar answers, `We've all been really good at certain points of our career. Being healthy is the key. If all five of us stay healthy, we're not going to be easy to get past.'''

General manager Ben Cherington acquired right-hander Rick Porcello from Detroit and left-hander Wade Miley from Arizona during the offseason. He also signed former Boston right-hander Justin Masterson, coming off an injury-filled season, to a one-year deal. The trio joins Buchholz and Joe Kelly in the new-look rotation.

All five were middle-of-the-rotation guys.

''We're not concerned about declaring someone an opening-day starter or whatever right now,'' Cherington said. ''We know that by the time we get to April that we'll have five guys in the rotation. We think we'll have enough options where that guy will give us a chance to win a game.''

Manager John Farrell believes it's a solid group.

''I'm not overly concerned some might think we don't have a No. 1,'' he said. ''I think we have five No. 1s.''

Porcello, who turned 26 in December, was a career-best 15-13 with a 3.43 ERA last year.

''I think you have to have five aces,'' Porcello said. ''Each one of us has to have pride in their job.''

The 30-year-old Buchholz was 12-1 with a 1.74 ERA two years ago but made just 16 starts last season due to soreness in his neck and right shoulder.

''I think we're going to fly under the radar for the most part, which I think is a good thing,'' he said. ''At some point they're going to say, `They've got their stuff in order and they've got a pretty good staff.''`

The 28-year old Miley went 16-11 in 2012. The next two years he was a combined 18-22.

''I just think it's a little overrated - the whole no ace,'' he said. ''What they did is got five quality guys and got some depth. Whoever is throwing that night needs to be the ace and give the team a chance to win. That's an ace in my mind.''

Kelly, who turns 27 in June, was acquired in a deal that sent John Lackey to St. Louis last summer. He was 6-4 after going 10-5 the previous season.

''I think just wanting to play well and pitch well should motivate us rather than people saying what we don't have,'' Kelly said.

Masterson, 29, came up with the Red Sox and was traded to Cleveland in 2009. He went 14-10 for the Indians in 2013, and Farrell thinks he could be the key.

''A 200-inning starter that was as dominant as any right-hander as recently as two years ago,'' he said. ''In my opinion, the player that can make the biggest impact is him.''

NOTES: Farrell said he has a plan for the starters but wasn't ready to give a hint for opening day. ... The club had a shortened workout Friday because of a charity golf tournament. ... On Saturday, the team takes part in Major League Baseball's mandatory seminar on domestic abuse.

[StarDust Bum]

Sabathia goes through 3rd pen session

February 27, 2015

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) - CC Sabathia threw 41 pitches during his third bullpen session at spring training.

The 34-year-old left-hander was hobbled by a degenerative cartilage problem in his right knee last season and didn't pitch after May 10. He had surgery in July.

''No problems,'' Sabathia said Friday. ''Still working on things. My cutter, my changeup.''

Sabathia said he will have another bullpen session before likely advancing to batting practice.

''Try and take it slow,'' Sabathia said. ''Not rush it or overdo it in February.''

Sabathia plans on wearing a knee brace this season and will receive injections and have fluid drained as needed.

The six-time All-Star and 2007 AL Cy Young Award winner made only eight starts last year and finished 3-4 with a career-worst 5.28 ERA. He is 208-119 with a 3.63 ERA in 14 seasons.

Ivan Nova, coming back from right elbow ligament-replacement surgery in April, threw 26 fastballs and appears on track to rejoin the major league team by June.

[StarDust Bum]

A-Rod: I'll be "a little nervous' in return

March 3, 2015

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) - Alex Rodriguez predicts he'll be ''a little nervous'' when he returns to the field Wednesday for his first game in 17 months following a season-long drug suspension.

The three-time AL MVP, who turns 40 in July, skipped the New York Yankees' spring training opener Tuesday against Philadelphia in Clearwater. He is slated to be a designated hitter for two or three at_bats against the Phillies on Wednesday at Steinbrenner Field.

He says he's ''excited for tomorrow'' and adds: ''I'm not sure how ready, but I'll give it a shot.''

Yankees manager Joe Girardi says of Rodriguez: ''He was caught. He paid his time and now he's back, and he's a Yankee and we're going to cheer for him.''

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Indians sell out home opener in 11 minutes

March 3, 2015

GOODYEAR, Ariz. (AP) - The Indians sold out their April 10 home opener against Detroit in 11 minutes.

The team said Tuesday that Progressive Field, which has been remodeled this winter, will again be packed to capacity for the 22nd straight year for the opener. The ballpark opened in 1994.

The Indians removed several thousand seats in the renovation, which will include the home and away bullpens stacked together beyond the center-field wall. Cleveland drew just 1.4 million fans last season - 29th in in the majors - and the club hopes the changes at the ballpark will help bring more fans downtown.

Cleveland averaged 18,428 fans per game in a ballpark that was once sold out for 455 consecutive games.

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Scherzer will start Nats' spring opener

March 3, 2015

VIERA, Fla. (AP) - Max Scherzer will start the Washington Nationals' spring training opener on Thursday night against the New York Mets.

Nationals manager Matt Williams made the announcement Tuesday, and added Scherzer will be followed by Tanner Roark. Williams did not name a starter for Friday's road game against Atlanta.

Scherzer, who signed a seven-year, $210 million contract with Washington, is expected to throw two innings, or 45 pitches.

The Nationals have one of the top rotations in baseball with Scherzer, Stephen Strasburg, Jordan Zimmermann, Doug Fister and Gio Gonzalez The question is, how will Washington line them up.

Williams says Scherzer's ''ready. They're all ready. But there is nothing to read into it, other than he's going to get the ball Thursday and five days later, he'll get it again


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Quintana poised to move into limelight

March 3, 2015

GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) - White Sox manager Robin venture thinks Jose Quintana just needs a little help in becoming one of the elite pitchers in the American League.

Slotted behind Chris Sale - and now Jeff Samardzija - in the White Sox rotation, Quintana has had some quiet success. With Chicago's offseason lineup changes, Quintana might become a household name, too.

''He doesn't have a lot of wins, he has a lot of no-decisions, but we're in the middle of all the games he pitches,'' White Sox manager Robin Ventura said. ''A lot of times we've had leads late for him that we just couldn't hold on to.''

The low-key, 26-year-old lefty from Colombia had another solid season for Chicago in 2014, finishing with a 3.32 ERA and reaching the 200-inning plateau for the second consecutive year.

The only thing missing is victories. Quintana was 9-11 last season. He's 24-24 in his three-year career with a 3.50 ERA.

Ventura will send Quintana to the mound on Wednesday as the White Sox begin the Cactus League season against their Camelback Ranch partners, the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Quintana has improved steadily since joining the rotation upon his call-up from the minors in 2012.

He only gave up 10 homers in 200 1-3 innings last season, especially impressive because he permitted just two homers in 15 starts at U.S. Cellular Field, one of the toughest parks in baseball for a pitcher. Only Los Angeles' Garrett Richards had a lower percentage of homers allowed per nine innings among American League starting pitchers.

''I was able to keep the ball down, and had good location on all my pitches, especially the fastball,'' Quintana said of his improvement.

Catcher Tyler Flowers enjoys working with Quintana.

''We always seem to be on the same page. With the talent he has, the ability to command pitches and change speeds, it makes it even more enjoyable,'' Flowers said. ''He is under the radar for now but we know how good he is and he's still getting better.''

One pitcher who knows all too well about low run support is Samardzija. He's also looking forward to the revamped batting order.

''We're a couple guys who have battled hard and worked hard and are ready to reap the benefits of having a great lineup like we have,'' Samardzija said.

Quintana is excited about additions such as Adam LaRoche, Melky Cabrera, Samardzija and relief ace David Robertson as the White Sox take aim at moving up in the AL Central.

''It's a new team with a lot of experience,'' Quintana said. ''We got a chance to win the division. Let's do it.''

NOTE: Samardzija threw two innings in an intrasquad game, and he was glad to get back to his normal routine. ''That's the exciting part,'' Samardzija said. ''You never really get the same experience as live games. Good to get out there and my arm feels great. Continue to keep getting stronger and build from here.''


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Middlebrooks to revive career in San Diego

March 3, 2015

PEORIA, Ariz. (AP) - For the first time in more than a year, it doesn't hurt when Will Middlebrooks swings.

Now in San Diego, a healthy Middlebrooks looks to revitalize a career that went from a sure thing at third base in Boston to an injury- and strikeout-filled two years in which he clashed with the Red Sox before being traded.

''It was tough,'' Middlebrooks said Tuesday. ''It was a process of learning what I can play through and what I couldn't. My mentality is if I can go at all, I'm going to try to play. And I feel like that kind of played against me last year.''

While the Red Sox were going through a miserable 2012 season, Middlebrooks was a bright spot. The two-sport star who turned down a football scholarship at Texas A&M drove in 34 runs and hit nine homers in his first 41 big league games. His play led the Red Sox to trade Kevin Youkilis and declare Middlebrooks their starting third baseman.

Middlebrooks was Boston's opening-day starter at third the past two seasons, but he kept losing the job. There were wrist, back, calf, finger and hand injuries. He was shuttled to and from the minors as his average, bat speed and confidence plummeted.

While he won a championship ring in 2013, he lost his starting job and had only two at_bats in the World Series. He was best known for being called for interference that allowed St. Louis to score the winning run in Game 3.

Things got worse last year. He hit just .191 with 70 strikeouts in 215 major league at_bats as he said he rushed to play despite lingering pain in his right hand.

''I learned my lesson. I learned how to take care of myself a little better,'' Middlebrooks said. ''Now I know, but unfortunately I learned the hard way.''

While Middlebrooks was far from 100 percent, the Red Sox wanted to evaluate him over the final months. They also wanted him to play winter ball. Middlebrooks refused.

Boston then signed free agent Pablo Sandoval, and Middlebrooks was quickly traded to the Padres.

''I don't care,'' Middlebrooks said when asked if declining to play winter ball led to his trade. ''My biggest thing was getting healthy. And if I was going to play winter ball and get 100 at_bats and then not be healthy at the beginning of this year, it's kind of pointless. I knew I needed to get healthy.''

Middlebrooks said it wasn't until January that the lingering pain went away. Now he has a chance to rekindle his once-promising career as he competes with Yangervis Solarte for the starting third base job with the new-look Padres.

''It's huge going out knowing I can get my hands through the fastball inside,'' Middlebrooks said. ''I can wait a little bit longer. I don't have to cheat on fastballs to hit them now. That's huge for my game.''

The 26-year-old Middlebrooks will also get some work at first base this spring as a possible way to get his bat in the lineup more.

''His swing is powerful. Lot of power to all fields,'' Padres manager Bud Black said. ''We saw what he did in 2012 before he got injured. . We think where he is age-wise, there's a lot of potential.''

It's been a wild couple of years for Middlebrooks, whose much-publicized relationship with Jenny Dell led to her departure as a Red Sox television reporter before she landed a job at CBS. The two are now engaged as Middlebrooks looks to turn things around 3,000 miles from Boston.

''Everyone goes through injuries. Everyone goes through struggles,'' Middlebrooks said. ''And that was my time.

''I'm in a really good place health-wise right now.''

NOTES: Black said newly acquired OFs Matt Kemp and Justin Upton will play in the Padres' exhibition opener Wednesday against Seattle. LHP Jason Lane will start. . Andrew Cashner starts Thursday against the Mariners. . Black said RHP Casey Kelly (groin) is scheduled to throw a bullpen side session on Friday.

[StarDust Bum]

Free Agents Signings

March 2, 2015

NEW YORK (AP) -The 115 free agents who have signed, with name, position, former club if different, and contract. The contract information was obtained by The Associated Press from player and management sources:For players with minor league contracts, letter agreements for major league contracts are in parentheses:

BALTIMORE (1) - Re-signed Delmon Young, of, to a $2.25 million, one-year contract.

BOSTON (7) - Re-signed Koji Uehara, rhp, to an $18 million, two-year contract; signed Pablo Sandoval, 3b, San Francisco, to a $95 million, five-year contract; signed Hanley Ramirez, lf, Los Angeles Dodgers, to an $88 million, four-year contract; signed Justin Masterson, rhp, St. Louis, to a $9.5 million, one-year contract; re-signed Craig Breslow, lhp, to a $2 million, one-year contract; signed Felipe Paulino, rhp, Chicago White Sox, to a minor league contract ($925,000); signed Humberto Quintero, c, Seattle, to a minor league contract ($750,000).

CHICAGO (9) - Signed Zach Duke, lhp, Milwaukee, to a $15 million, three-year contract; signed Adam LaRoche, 1b, Washington, to a $25 million, two-year contract; signed David Robertson, rhp, New York Yankees, to a $46 million, four-year contract; signed Melky Cabrera, of, Toronto, to a $42 million, three-year contract; signed Emilio Bonifacio, 2b, Atlanta, to a $4 million, one-year contract; signed Jesse Crain, rhp, Houston, to a minor league contract ($2 million); signed Geovany Soto, c, Oakland, to a minor league contract ($1.5 million); signed Brad Penny, rhp, Miami, to a minor league contract; signed Matt Albers, rhp, Houston, to a minor league contract ($1.5 million).

CLEVELAND (2) - Signed Gavin Floyd, rhp, Atlanta, to a $4 million, one-year contract; signed Scott Downs, lhp, Kansas City, to a minor league contract ($800,000).

DETROIT (4) - Re-signed Victor Martinez, dh, to a $64 million, four-year contract; signed Tom Gorzelanny, lhp, Milwaukee, to a $1 million, one-year contract; re-signed Joel Hanrahan, rhp, to a minor league contract ($1 million); re-signed Joba Chamberlain, rhp, to a $1 million, one-year contract.

HOUSTON (5) - Signed Luke Gregerson, rhp, Oakland, to an $18.5 million, four-year contract; signed Pat Neshek, rhp, St. Louis, to a $12.5 million, two-year contract; signed Jed Lowrie, ss, Oakland, to a $23 million, three-year contract; signed Colby Ramus, of, Toronto, to an $8 million, one-year contract; signed Joe Thatcher, lhp, Los Angeles Angels, to a minor league contract ($1 million).

KANSAS CITY (6) - Re-signed Jason Frasor, rhp, to a $1.8 million, one-year contract; re-signed Luke Hochevar, rhp, to a $10 million, two-year contract; signed Kendrys Morales, dh, Seattle, to a $17 million, two-year contract; signed Alex Rios, of, Toronto, to an $11 million, one-year contract; signed Edinson Volquez, rhp, Pittsburgh, to a $20 million, two-year contract; signed Franklin Morales, lhp, Colorado, to a minor league contract ($1.85 million).

LOS ANGELES (1) - Signed Matt Lindstom, rhp, Chicago White Sox, to a minor league contract ($1 million).

MINNESOTA (3) - Signed Torii Hunter, of, Detroit, to a $10.5 million, one-year contract; signed Ervin Santana, rhp, Atlanta, to a $55 million, four-year contract; signed Tim Stauffer, rhp, San Diego, to a $2.2 million, one-year contract.

NEW YORK (7) - Re-signed Chris Young, of, to a $2.5 million, one-year contract; signed Andrew Miller, lhp, Baltimore, to a $36 million, four-year contract; re-signed Chase Headley, 3b, to a $52 million, four-year contract; re-signed Chris Capuano, lhp, to a $5 million, one-year contract; re-signed Stephen Drew, ss, to a $5 million, one-year contract; signed Scott Baker, rhp, Texas, to a minor league contract ($1.5 million); signed Jared Burton, rhp, Minnesota, to a minor league contract ($2 million).

OAKLAND (1) - Signed Billy Butler, 1b, Kansas City, to a $30 million, three-year contract.

SEATTLE (5) - Signed Nelson Cruz, dh, Baltimore, to a $57 million, four-year contract; re-signed Endy Chavez, of, to a minor league contract ($750,000); re-signed Franklin Gutierrez, of, to a minor league contract; agreed to terms with Rickie Weeks, inf-of, Milwaukee, on a $2 million, one-year contract; signed Joe Saunders, lhp, Baltimore, to a minor league contract ($750,000).

TAMPA BAY (2) - Signed Asdrubal Cabrera, ss, Washington, to a $7.5 million, one-year contract; signed Alexi Casilla, inf, Baltimore, to a minor league contract ($900,000).

TEXAS (5) - Re-signed Colby Lewis, rhp, to a $4 million, one-year contract; signed Kyuji Fujikawa, rhp, Chicago Cubs, to a $1.1 million, one-year contract; signed Ryan Ludwick, of, Cincinnati, to a minor league contract ($1.75 million); signed Nate Schierholtz, of, Washington, to a minor league contract ($1.75 million); signed Jamey Wright, rhp, Los Angeles Dodgers, to a minor league contract ($1 million).

TORONTO (4) - Signed Russell Martin, c, Pittsburgh, to an $82 million, five-year contract; re-signed Munenori Kawasaki, inf, to a minor league contract ($825,000); signed Ramon Santiago, ss, Cincinnati, to a minor league contract ($1.1 million); signed Johan Santana, lhp, Baltimore, to a minor league contract.

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ARIZONA (1) - Signed Gerald Laird, c, Atlanta, to a minor league contract.

ATLANTA (8) - Signed Jim Johnson, rhp, Detroit, to a $1.6 million, one-year contract; signed Nick Markakis, of, Baltimore, to a $44 million, four-year contract; signed Alberto Callaspo, 3b, Oakland, to a $3 million, one-year contract; signed Jason Grilli, rhp, Los Angeles Angels, to an $8 million, two-year contract; signed A.J. Pierzynski, c, St. Louis, to a $2 million, one-year contract; signed Kelly Johnson, inf, Baltimore, to a minor league contract ($1.5 million); signed Jonny Gomes, of, Oakland, to a $4 million, one-year contract; signed Jose Veras, rhp, Houston, to a minor league contract ($1.6 million).

CHICAGO (5) - Signed Jason Hammel, rhp, Oakland, to a $20 million, two-year contract; signed Jon Lester, lhp, Oakland, to a $155 million, six-year contract; signed Jason Motte, rhp, St. Louis, to a $4.5 million, one-year contract; signed David Ross, c, Boston, to a $5 million, two-year contract; signed Chris Denorfia, of, Seattle, to a $2.6 million, one-year contract.

CINCINNATI (3) - Signed Paul Maholm, lhp, Los Angeles Dodgers, to a minor league contract; signed Burke Badenhop, rhp, Boston, to a $2.5 million, one-year contract; signed Kevin Gregg, rhp, Miami, to a minor league contract ($1.5 million).

COLORADO (2) - Signed Nick Hundley, c, Baltimore, to a $6.25 million, two-year contract; signed Kyle Kendrick, rhp, Philadelphia, to a $5.5 million, one-year contract.

HOUSTON (1) - Signed Roberto Hernandez, rhp, Los Angeles Dodgers, to a minor league contract ($1.25 million).

LOS ANGELES (4) - Signed Brandon McCarthy, rhp, New York Yankees, to a $48 million, four-year contract; signed Brett Anderson, lhp, Colorado, to a $10 million, one-year contract; signed Dustin McGowan, rhp, Toronto, to a $507,500, one-year contract; signed Mike Adams, rhp, Philadelphia, to a minor league contract.

MIAMI (4) - Signed Michael Morse, of, San Francisco, to a $16 million, two-year contract; signed Nick Masset, rhp, Colorado, to a minor league contract ($1 million); signed Ichiro Suzuki, of, New York Yankees, to a $2 million, one-year contract; re-signed Reed Johnson, of, to a minor league contract ($1.25 million).

MILWAUKEE (1) - Signed Neal Cotts, lhp, Texas, to a $3 million, one-year contract; agreed to terms with RHP Chris Perez on a minor league contract ($1.5 million).

NEW YORK (1) - Signed Michael Cuddyer, of, Colorado, to a $21 million, two-year contract.

PHILADELPHIA (2) - Signed Aaron Harang, rhp, Atlanta, to a $5 million, one-year contract; signed Chad Billingsley, rhp, Los Angeles Dodgers, to a $1.5 million, one-year contract.

PITTSBURGH (2) - Signed A.J. Burnett, rhp, Philadelphia, to an $8.5 million, one-year contract; re-signed Francisco Liriano, lhp, to a $39 million, three-year contract.

ST. LOUIS (3) - Signed Matt Belisle, rhp, Colorado, to a $3.5 million, one-year contract; signed Mark Reynolds, 1b, Milwaukee, to a $2 million, one-year contract; signed Carlos Villanueva, rhp, Chicago Cubs, to a minor league contract ($2 million).

SAN DIEGO (5) - Signed Clint Barmes, ss, Pittsburgh, to a $1.5 million, one-year contract; signed Brandon Morrow, rhp, Toronto, to a $2.5 million, one-year contract; re-signed Josh Johnson, rhp, to a $1 million, one-year contract; signed Wil Nieves, c, Philadelphia, to a minor league contract ($850,000); signed James Shields, rhp, Kansas City, to a $75 million, four-year contract.

SAN FRANCISCO (4) - Re-signed Sergio Romo, rhp, to a $15 million, two-year contract; re-signed Jake Peavy, rhp, to a $24 million, two-year contract; signed Nori Aoki, of, Kansas City, to a $4.7 million, one-year contract; re-signed Ryan Vogelsong, rhp, to a $4 million, one-year contract.

WASHINGTON (2) - Signed Max Scherzer, rhp, Detroit, to a $210 million, seven-year contract; signed Casey Janssen, rhp, Toronto, to a $5 million, one-year contract.

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HIROSHIMA (1) - Signed Hiroki Kuroda, rhp, New York Yankees, to a 330 million yen ($2,737,00), one-year contract.

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FUKUOKA (1) - Signed Daisuke Matsuzaka, rhp, New York Mets, to a 460 million yen, one-year contract ($3,844,000), one-year contract.

ORIX (1) - Signed Hiroyuki Nakajima, ss, Oakland, to a three-year contract (2015 salary 405 million yen ($3.384,000)).

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LG TWINS (1) - Signed Jack Hannahan, 3b, Cincinnati, to a $1 million, one-year contract.

[StarDust Bum]

Nats 2B Uggla again seeing ball well

March 2, 2015

VIERA, Fla. (AP) - Dan Uggla was actually relieved last year to hear a doctor tell him he was ''really messed up.''

That happened last August when Uggla visited Dr. Robert Donatelli in Las Vegas and discovered there was a way to correct the faulty vision that had plagued him since the 2012 season.

Now at 34, the three-time All-Star is in Washington's camp as a nonroster player, hoping to jump-start his career.

''The good thing for me is I don't have to worry about how are my eyes,'' he said. ''I can just go out and play and see what happens.''

From 2006-2013, Uggla was one of the most dangerous middle infielders in baseball, hitting 231 home runs during stints with Miami and Atlanta. But late in the 2012 season, the second baseman started having problems seeing the ball.

The trouble continued into the 2013 season, when he hit 22 home runs but batted just .179.

Then came 2014 when Uggla hit bottom. He had just two home runs and batted .149 with 46 strikeouts in 141 plate appearances with the Braves and the San Francisco Giants.

Though Uggla admitted he got into some bad habits, his biggest issue was being able to pick up the ball, especially on breaking pitches.

''I couldn't see the spin on the ball,'' he said. ''I would see it out of the hand, and then kind of lose it a little bit and then I'd pick it back up again. It just wasn't crisp like it normally was.''

Released by the Giants last Aug. 7, he went back to his home in Georgia to regroup. He never considered retirement.

Uggla's former Atlanta teammate, Marquis Grissom, helped put him in touch with Donatelli, who had previously worked to correct Grissom's own vision problems.

As it turned out, Uggla had 20-15 vision when his head was still, but 20-100 vision when his head was moving. It was caused by an inner ear imbalance, possibly the result of concussions. Uggla was hit in the head in 2012 while playing in Miami, and again in spring training of 2013 against the Yankees.

''I went out there hoping there would be something wrong that he could fix. He told me I was really messed up,'' he said. ''In my situation, I was happy to hear that.''

To correct the problem, Uggla went through a series of exercises, including jumping on a trampoline while blindfolded.

''There were tons of different exercises,'' he said. ''A lot of blindfolded stuff, a lot of tracking stuff with your eyes.''

Once Uggla's vision started improving, all he needed was a team that would give him a chance. He found it in Washington where he had a relationship with both general manager Mike Rizzo and manager Matt Williams from their days in Arizona, where Uggla was an 11th-round pick in 2001.

The NL East champion Nationals acquired Yunel Escobar from Oakland in the offseason to play second base. Washington also has Danny Espinosa, a better defensive player than Uggla.

Earlier this spring, Rizzo said Uggla would have to be the best second baseman in camp to make the roster. On Sunday, Williams said he has liked what he's seen from Uggla, but added, ''he's got to play well, like everybody else.''

That's fine with Uggla.

''I'm here for competition,'' he said. ''I'm here to see what happens and try to help this team any way I can. I'm excited about it. It reminds me of when I was a rookie, trying to win a job. It's going to be a fun spring training and whatever happens, happens.''