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Rangers have increased interest in Kyle Lohse

According to CBS Sports' Jon Heyman, "signs are" the Rangers have increased their interest in Kyle Lohse.

Martin Perez suffered a fractured left forearm Sunday while pitching in a Cactus League game, so there is an opening in the Texas rotation that Lohse could fill perfectly. Now it's all about the Rangers' willingness to forfeit the No. 24 overall pick in the 2013 MLB Amateur Draft -- which is what it will take to sign him. If Lohse doesn't require a massive contract, perhaps the Rangers will pull the trigger. He's said to be seeking a three-year deal with a "big" average annual salary.

Source: Jon Heyman on Twitter

Mon, Mar 4, 2013 03:56:00 PM

Blue Jays sign Johan Santana to minors deal

Blue Jays signed LHP Johan Santana to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training.

Santana last pitched in the majors in 2012 before undergoing a second major shoulder surgery. He then had his comeback attempt last season sabotaged by a torn Achilles. The veteran left-hander experienced shoulder soreness while pitching in winter ball last month, but he didn't have any structural damage and the Jays decided to take a shot on him. Slated to turn 36 next month, Santana is obviously a long shot but is worth a gamble on a minor league deal. He'll compete for the final spot in Toronto's rotation.

Feb 26 - 6:06 PM

Victorino wants to return to switch-hitting

Shane Victorino said Thursday that he wants return to switch-hitting this season.

Victorino gave up hitting from the left side at the end of the 2013 season due to thumb and hamstring injuries, but he's ready to give it another try. "Yeah, absolutely," explained Victorino. "Everything feels great. It's something I've been successful at and that I would like to go back to. The body feels good, and we'll go from there. It's a good thing to have in your back pocket, being able to switch-hit. I came into camp, I spoke to them about it and I told them I would like to try it again and they were all for it." Red Sox manager John Farrell recently said that Victorino will be the starting right fielder this season as long as he's healthy.

Source: WEEI.com

Feb 26 - 5:35 PM

Red Sox have 'no sense of urgency' for Hamels

Sean McAdam of CSNNE.com hears that "there's no sense of urgency" for the Red Sox to trade for Cole Hamels.

The Red Sox are said to be closely monitoring the situation, but they still refuse to part with either Blake Swihart or Mookie Betts as part of a deal. They reportedly made an offer two weeks ago which centered around mostly major league players, but the Phillies understandably rejected it, as they prefer to acquire young prospects to jumpstart their rebuilding effort. Hamels could very well remain with the Phillies to begin the season, but there's no question that it would be awkward. The southpaw is guaranteed $96 million over the next four seasons, but the Phillies haven't expressed a willingness to eat any of his contract as a way of getting higher quality prospects in return.

Source: CSNNE.com

Feb 26 - 4:09 PM

Papelbon would waive no-trade to join Jays

Jonathan Papelbon said Thursday that he would waive his no-trade clause to pitch for the Blue Jays.

Papelbon was being courted by the Brewers, but they re-signed closer Francisco Rodriguez to a two-year, $13 million contract on Thursday morning. The Blue Jays might now be his best bet to get out of Philadelphia, where a rebuild is in full swing. "Yes, Toronto, interests me -- if it interests [Phillies GM Ruben Amaro Jr.]," Papelbon told CSNPhilly.com. "I know some of the guys on their coaching staff. They’re a good team. If Ruben can do a deal with them, I’d be interested." Papelbon is owed $13 million in 2015 and carries a $13 million vesting option for 2016 should he finish 48 games.

Source: CSNPhilly.com

Feb 26 - 3:02 PM

Richards (knee) throws 50-pitch 'pen session

Garrett Richards (knee) tossed a successful 50-pitch bullpen session Thursday in Angels camp.

It was his first time throwing out of the windup since he tore his left patellar tendon last August at Fenway Park. Angels pitching coach Mike Butcher watched Thursday's workout and said Richards "did well." The right-hander is still aiming to make his 2015 debut in the first week of the regular season, but mid-April seems more realistic.

Source: Jeff Fletcher on Twitter

Feb 26 - 2:57 PM

Mets likely to let Daniel Murphy walk as FA

A team source told ESPN New York's Adam Rubin that the Mets don't plan on discussing a contract extension with second baseman Daniel Murphy.

Murphy told reporters Thursday morning that he is open to considering a long-term offer from the Mets and would even discuss the deal during the regular season if necessary, but it doesn't sound like the New York front office has any designs on keeping him. Murphy owns a cool .290/.333/.419 in six seasons with the Mets, but he turns 30 years old in April and will likely have a lofty asking price. The second baseman can become a free agent after the 2015 campaign. He's due $8 million in his final year of arbitration.

Source: ESPN New York

Feb 26 - 2:52 PM

Duda (oblique) won't swing for another week

Lucas Duda (oblique) won't swing for another week.

Duda was given a cortisone shot earlier this month for an oblique issue, and he's obviously still dealing with some discomfort. It's not a major concern here in late February, but the first baseman will quickly begin falling behind the other players in Mets camp if this lingers much longer. Duda posted an impressive .830 OPS with 30 home runs and 92 RBI in 153 games last season.

Source: Jared Diamond on Twitter

Feb 26 - 1:09 PM

Wainwright diagnosed with abdominal strain

Adam Wainwright has been diagnosed with an abdominal strain and will rest for the next 4-5 days.

Wainwright felt some discomfort in his abdomen earlier this week while placing a 45 lb. weight back on a rack at the Cardinals' spring training complex in Jupiter, Florida and flew back to St. Louis on Thursday to meet with a specialist. Cardinals GM John Mozeliak said the diagnosis of a strain is the "best news we could have gotten." Wainwright's elbow is the bigger concern heading into the 2015 regular season, but he can still be penciled in as the team's Opening Day starter.

Source: Chris Hrabe on Twitter

Feb 26 - 1:04 PM

Giancarlo Stanton (face) tracks live pitches

Giancarlo Stanton faced live pitching Thursday for the first time since last year's brutal season-ending beaning.

Stanton suffered multiple facial fractures and dental damage when he was struck in the face last September by a Mike Fiers pitch. He will wear a protective guard on his helmet this season, though he did not sport it Thursday because he was only tracking pitches, not swinging. Stanton signed a 13-year, $325 million contract extension with the Marlins in November. He should again be a fantasy monster in 2015.

Source: Marlins.mlb.com

Feb 26 - 12:45 PM

No. 1 pick Aiken will pitch for IMG Academy

Brady Aiken will pitch for Florida-based IMG Academy's post-graduate team this spring.

Aiken was selected first overall by the Astros in the 2014 MLB Amateur Draft, but the two sides failed to come to an agreement. Houston initially made him a $6.5 million offer but then pulled it off the table after a pre-signing physical revealed some sort of issue in the left-hander's pitching elbow. Aiken should be one of the top picks in the 2015 MLB Amateur Draft if he proves to be fully healthy. He's still only 18 years old and won't turn 19 until August. Houston can't draft him again.

Source: Keith Law on Twitter

Feb 26 - 12:01 PM

Andrelton Simmons suffers strained oblique

Andrelton Simmons is taking it easy in Braves camp after being diagnosed with a strained oblique.

It's no big deal here in late February. Simmons will likely refrain from throwing and hitting for the next week or two, but he has plenty of time to catch up before the start of the 2015 regular season. The 25-year-old shortstop is aiming for a big bounceback after hitting just .244/.286/.331 with seven home runs in 146 games last summer for Atlanta.

Source: David O'Brien on Twitter

Feb 26 - 11:01 AM