MLB Player News

Angels outfielder Kole Calhoun was held out of Tuesday's spring game because of a sore left hip. However, he should be back in the lineup Wednesday, per The Los Angeles Times.

Calhoun is batting .227 (5 for 22) with one RBI, four runs and six walks in eight spring games.

Indians manager Terry Francona has been impressed with the work of catcher Carlos Santana at third base this spring, and the team will move forward with his transition to the hot corner, MLB.com reports.

"Carlos looks fine," Francona said Friday. "If he is the third baseman, you're not going to know how he handles it until he's asked to handle it. How many balls have been hit to him? Four? That's just not a fair sample size. You almost hope people hit balls to him. But then, if he makes an error in Goodyear, do you say, 'Oh, he can't be our third baseman?' I think we go more on his daily work and things like that. That's all been really good."

Francona will have to figure out how to properly divide playing time at the position between Santana and Lonnie Chisenhall moving forward. The manager left the door open for Santana playing both positions on a regular basis during the season.

"I would say in the next three or four days, we're going to sit down and talk through it," Francona said. "It's a little bit of uncharted waters. You don't see anybody playing third and catching in the big leagues, but if he's able to do it, it opens up a lot of different things. The first thing we're going to do is sit and talk."

Santana is just 2 for 11 at the plate this spring.

The struggles of Carlos Santana at third base could be good news for incumbent Lonnie Chisenhall. Santana has already made one error and blew a double play possibility with a bobble on Thursday as he tries to make the switch from catcher.

Reports out of winter ball were positive about the transition, but Santana has looked stiff and uncomfortable at third throughout spring training, per the Cleveland Plain Dealer. Chisenhall enters this season with a reputation for mediocrity at that position. He has also been a disappointment at the plate, particularly against left-handers.

One likely scenario is a platoon in which Santana plays against southpaws if he proves himself acceptable defensively. The Indians cleanup hitter would serve as the full-time designated hitter against right-handers.

White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu is hitting in the four spot Friday, according to the Chicago Sun Times.

Abreu signed with the club during the offseason, and is expected to play a big role this year. If he can perform well during spring training, Abreu will likely open the season as a middle of the order hitter for Chicago. The White Sox aren't expected to be a great offensive team, but Abreu should pick up a fair share of RBI in that role.

Indians catcher/first baseman Carlos Santana will start at third base during the team's spring game Thursday.

Santana is slated to hit fourth and gets his first shot at playing third. Santana spent most of the offseason preparing to play the position, but it's still unclear how serious the team is about using him there during the regular season. Santana hit .268/.377/.455 in 541 at-bats last year.

The Indians are throwing Carlos Santana into the fire at third base. He will start there Thursday against Cincinnati. His playing time at the hot corner will be dependent on how often he catches.

Santana has ceded the starting catcher job to 2013 surprise Yan Gomes, but will serve as his backup. He performed well at third base in winter league play, but the team is curious about how well he can play there in exhibition games.

He will compete with disappointing prospect Lonnie Chisenhall, but also could platoon there against left-handers and work mostly as designated hitter. Chisenhall has been particularly weak against southpaws.

Angels outfielder Kole Calhoun is excited about receiving a full-time role, according to the Boston Herald.

The 26-year-old is poised to begin the year as the team's starting right fielder. Calhoun has already drawn strong endorsements from manager Mike Scioscia, who suggested Calhoun could hit leadoff for the club. "Kole made some terrific adjustments, first what he did in Triple-A and the he brought it up to the big leagues and did the same thing," Scioscia said. 

Calhoun understands that while he's in line for more work, he has to earn his spot. "You've got to go out there and earn a spot," Calhoun said. "Spots aren't given out here." If he can follow through, Calhoun will jump into an enticing situation. Hitting in front of Mike Trout, Josh Hamilton and Albert Pujols can only boost a player's value.

White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu has garnered plenty of attention since signing a $68 million contract in October. Abreu knows there will be plenty of expectations for him to perform immediately.

"Expectations for me are clear, but I have to prepare," he said through an interpreter, per ESPN. "That’s all I control for now is preparation. That’s why I’m doing right now.

"Right now I’m thinking of preparing for the 28th when the games start. I’m working on little things, being able to hit the ball the other way, the way I pulls my hands through. I’m not concerned with hitting home runs at all. I’m working my swing. It’s a process. It takes a little while but as I keep getting there I know I’ll be ready."

Abreu continues to leave a lasting impression on his new team, even though he hasn't even played in a game yet.

"He has a great work ethic," outfielder Adam Eaton said. "He really works his tail off. He’s very quiet but he’s passionate about the game. (Taking) ground balls anything he can do, you can see it in his body language. If he doesn’t do something right, he goes after it again and learns from it. He works his butt off in the cage. I’m excited to work with him."

Indians catcher Carlos Santana will make the transition to third base Monday, according to MLB.com.

Santana has taken early reps with the catchers, but will join the infielders Monday. He's expected to have a chance to win the third base job over Lonnie Chisenhall. Santana played third base during winter ball. Yan Gomes is expected to be the team's primary starter behind the plate. 

Santana hit .268/.377/.455 in 541 at-bats last season.

Angels outfielder Kole Calhoun is the most likely candidate to bat leadoff in front of No. 2 hitter Mike Trout due to his on-base skills, the Orange County Register reports.

"I think Kole’s definitely a candidate," Scioscia said, "but whoever’s hitting in front of Mike needs to be a player who first of all can take advantage of being challenged, and secondly bring some on-base to be able to set the table and run at a decent speed where you’re not clogging the bases up. Kole’s definitely a candidate for that. That guy’s going to have to hit his way on base."

Calhoun hit .282/.347/.462 in 195 at-bats last season while spending time in every lineup spot for the Angels. He shined when asked to lead off, going 11 of 27 with four home runs when hitting in the No. 1 spot. Calhoun also hit .286/.348/.643 with four home runs and 42 at-bats when leading off an inning.