Tigers signed INF Brent Dlugach to a minor league contract.
Dlugach, 28, spent the majority of his career in Detroit’s farm system before a brief stint on Boston’s 40-man roster this past season. A sixth round pick in 2004, he’s strictly organizational depth for the Tigers.
Source: twitter.com
The Rockies are expected to use Chris Nelson in a utility role this season, according to MLB.com’s Thomas Harding.
Nelson, who had a brief stint as a starter last season before being demoted, is looking to put himself in line for semi-regular starts at second base behind the 36-year-old Marco Scutaro. Out of minor league options, the Rockies would have to expose him to other teams through waivers if he’s unable to make the final roster.
Source: mlb.com
The Giants have discussed the possibility of moving Buster Posey to first base ”at least once a week,” according to the Mercury News.
Posey is ”uncertain” how his surgically repaired left ankle will respond to baseball activities and the Giants don’t anticipate having a gauge on his durability until the end of the spring. Barring any setbacks, the 24-year-old is expected be 100 percent by the start of Opening Day.
Source: mercurynews.com
Royals signed OF Ramon Hernandez Jorrin to a minor league contract.
“We had a chance to watch him play in games and we liked him,” general manager Dayton Moore said. “Several other teams were trying to sign him as well.” Jorrin, 22, agreed to terms with the Royals when the team recently evaluated him in the Dominican Republic. His signing bonus is expected to be in the range of $750,000.
Source: mlb.com
The Brewers have yet to make progress in contract talks with Jose Veras, according to MLB.com’s Adam McCalvy.
Veras requested $2.38 million and was offered $2 million from the Brewers when arbitration figures were exchanged last month, so the two sides will be negotiating on a relatively small gap. The 31-year-old is arbitration-eligible for just the second time this winter.
Source: twitter.com
Yankees manager Joe Girardi acknowledged Johnny Damon as a player they could potentially pursue at designated hitter.
”Johnny has been a great player for a long time,” Girardi said. “There’s been a bunch of names talked about, and they?re all good players. Obviously, we know what Johnny and [Hideki Matsui] have meant to this organization. I can?t tell you it’s going to be one of those guys, but we know they know how to play here.” Damon, 38, batted .261 with 16 homers and 73 RBI this for the Rays past season. He has received little interest on the open market.
Source: nypost.com
The consequences of Dominican ballplayers caught using a false identity include ”ineligibility to enter the United States for life,” according to the Cleveland Plain Dealer.
The Plain Dealer notes that comments made by consul general William Weissman Tuesday ”may have been premature” and the U.S. State Department has backtracked in regard to the cases of Fausto Carmona and Leo Nunez (Juan Carlos Oviedo). Both Carmona and Nunez are cooperating with the U.S government, but it is still unknown if they will be able to get a visa to enter the United States.
Source: cleveland.com
Diamondbacks’ general manager Kevin Towers said during a web chat Thursday that “we still think there’s a chance” Stephen Drew (ankle) will be ready for Opening Day.
“With Stephen, he’s progressing every week,” wrote Towers. “He’s swinging the bat now and doing baseball-specific agility drills, which is good. We still think there’s a chance that he could be ready by Opening Day. Until we start playing games and see where he’s at, so far the drills are in a controlled environment and game speed can be different. We’ll have a better idea then.” It’s important to note that Drew is headed into what is essentially his contract year (his $10 million option for 2013 includes a $1.35 buyout), so he’ll likely take every precaution before playing in games. The D-Backs re-signed Willie Bloomquist and John McDonald over the winter, so they have some insurance in the event that he begins the season on the disabled list. Fantasy owners should monitor this situation closely in the coming weeks.
Source: mlb.com
Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun reports that while the Orioles maintain interest in Manny Ramirez, there are plenty of issues that must be rectified before the club considers offering him a contract.
Enrique Rojas of ESPNDeportes.com reported Friday afternoon that Ramirez was deciding whether to pursue a contract with the Blue Jays, Orioles or Athletics, but it doesn’t sound like he’s very far along in the process with Baltimore. “Manny is looking for a second chance,” said Orioles? executive vice president Dan Duquette.” I think it is a good story, but that’s about all I can say about it right now.” Ramirez, 39, would almost certainly have to accept a minor-league deal in order to continue his career. While he would need to serve a 50-game PED suspension before being able to play during the regular season, he would be able to suit up during spring training.
Source: baltimoresun.com
Pablo Sandoval said Friday that he might undergo LASIK surgery on his right eye.
Sandoval underwent LASIK surgery on his left eye during the offseason and is seeing the ball well so far, though the real test will come during game action. Assuming he’s satisfied with the results, he’ll likely get the procedure on his left eye next winter.
Source: twitter.com