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Date: Team: Pos:

Ronny Cedeno - SS - Giants

Giants signed INF Ronny Cedeno to a minor league contract.

Cedeno made it up to the majors briefly with the Phillies last season but spent most of the year at the Triple-A level, batting .313/.368/.431 with four homers. The 32-year-old is merely a depth signing.

Feb 26 - 11:20 PM

Joe Blanton - S - Royals

Royals manager Ned Yost said Thursday that the team is looking at Joe Blanton exclusively as a reliever this spring.

"The only way he is really going to help us is in the bullpen," Yost said. "We're not going to stretch him out [to be a starter]." It's possible Blanton could be looked at to fill a starting role at some point should injury strike, but for now he's battling for a long relief role. The veteran made just two appearances at Triple-A for the A's last season before shutting things down.

Source: Royals.mlb.com

Feb 26 - 7:23 PM

Omar Infante - 2B - Royals

Omar Infante (shoulder, elbow) said Thursday that he "feels fine."

Infante had shoulder issues last season and has dealt with some soreness in his right elbow early on this spring, but he indicated Thursday that both are non-issues. "The shoulder is fine now," he said. "I don't really feel anything with [the elbow] either, maybe just a little bit. Not worried."

Source: Royals.mlb.com

Feb 26 - 7:20 PM

Kevin Pillar - OF - Blue Jays

Gregor Chisholm of MLB.com writes that Kevin Pillar could be the "most likely candidate" to start in left field following the injury to Michael Saunders (knee).

He'll compete with Ezequiel Carrera, Chris Dickerson and possibly even infielder Danny Valencia, who has never played the outfield at the major league level. There's also Andy Dirks, but he's likely to begin the season at extended spring training after being limited to 14 rehab games in 2014 following back surgery. Pillar is a pretty underwhelming option, which is why there's probably a good chance the Jays find a solution outside the organization. General manager Alex Anthopoulos said he began making calls on Wednesday to teams with outfield depth in order to gauge trade possibilities.

Source: BlueJays.mlb.com

Feb 26 - 7:12 PM

Alberto Callaspo - 2B - Braves

Mark Bowman of MLB.com writes that Alberto Callaspo showed up to camp with an "unimpressive physique."

Callaspo hired a personal trainer over the offseason, but Bowman writes that the infielder "certainly didn't have any reason to come to camp proclaiming that he is in the best shape of his life." The feeling when Callaspo inked a $3 million deal in December was that he'd hold down second base until top prospect Jose Peraza is ready. That might still be the case, but if he has a poor camp he could open the door for Phil Gosselin, Jace Peterson or possibly even Peraza to swoop in and steal the job. Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said Thursday that the second base competition is "wide open."

Source: Braves.mlb.com

Feb 26 - 6:59 PM

Brandon Morrow - S - Padres

Padres manager Bud Black said Thursday that Brandon Morrow and Odrisamer Despaigne are "maybe out there a touch" in the competition for the No. 5 starter spot.

It's not a surprise, as Morrow signed a deal over the winter that could be worth up to $7.5 million and Despaigne put up a 3.36 ERA last season in 16 starts. Robbie Erlin and top prospect Matt Wisler are the other main candidates, though Wisler almost surely will head back to the minors unless he really wows in camp. Josh Johnson (elbow) hopes to be ready for the rotation at some point in May.

Source: Padres.mlb.com

Feb 26 - 6:45 PM

Johan Santana - S - Blue Jays

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

Shane Victorino - OF - Red Sox

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

Glen Perkins - R - Twins

Twins manager Paul Molitor said Thursday that he will use Glen Perkins in a conventional closer role and doesn't plan on using him for more than one inning.

In other words, Molitor doesn't plan on changing from the approach of former manager Ron Gardenhire. Perkins has 70 saves over the past two seasons, but only two of them required more than three outs. "I'm not big on expanding his role past the ninth inning in the short term," said Molitor. "Part of the success we want to have is to have guys who can bridge us however long that is. As the season goes, once in a while there could be those opportunities. But in the short term, I don't see that happening."

Source: Twins.mlb.com

Feb 26 - 5:23 PM

Huston Street - R - Angels

Alden Gonzalez of MLB.com reports that Huston Street hasn't talked about an extension with the Angels since arriving to spring training.

Street, who represents himself, wanted to settle in for about a week before resuming talks. The veteran closer recently said that he was looking for a contract somewhere between David Robertson's contract with the White Sox (four years, $46 million) and Andrew Miller's contract with the Yankees (four years, $36 million). He's worthy based on production, but his age and injury history could prevent the Angels from going that far.

Source: Alden Gonzalez on Twitter

Feb 26 - 5:02 PM

Joe Mauer - 1B - Twins

Twins manager Paul Molitor said Thursday that Joe Mauer will hit no lower than third in the order this season.

It will either be second or third. Molitor's decision will ultimately hinge on where he sees Brian Dozier and Danny Santana hitting. "I've toyed with how different things might shake, but it's hard to be presumptuous because we have a few positions where we don't know who that will be," said Molitor. "It might influence what happens. I don't think he's going to have to worry about being anywhere on the backside of three." Mauer batted just .277/.361/.371 with four homers and 55 RBI over 120 games last season and doesn't hold nearly as much fantasy appeal as he once did now that he's only eligible at first base.

Source: Twins.mlb.com

Feb 26 - 4:57 PM

Joel Hanrahan - R - Tigers

Joel Hanrahan (elbow) is discouraged about his lack of progress in his throwing program.

Hanrahan, who is nearly two years removed from Tommy John surgery, hasn't felt right early on in camp and his throwing sessions have been put on hold. When asked what's next, the veteran reliever said, "I really don't know," so obviously the Tigers can't count on him. It's no wonder they brought back Joba Chamberlain earlier this week.

Source: Peter Gammons on Twitter

Feb 26 - 4:51 PM

Cole Hamels - S - Phillies

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

Jonathan Papelbon - R - Phillies

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

Garrett Richards - S - Angels

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