MLB Player News

Astros manager A.J. Hinch doesn't think they'll be any pressure on Jose Altuve this season, according to MLB.com.

Altuve hit an astounding .341, winning a batting title last year. Despite that, Hinch stressed that every year is different, and Altuve will be fine as long as he plays.  "I don't think there's any pressure on him as much as it's the pressure he puts on himself to be an elite player at the highest level," Hinch said. "And he just needs to play."

Hinch also pointed out that teams have had multiple seasons to adjust to Altuve at this point, and haven't been able to do so. "People have been trying to figure him out, and he's a tough out," he said. "He knows his strengths, he uses his strengths. He doesn't carry a lot of baggage with him, positive or negative, at least [that's] the early impression." 

Just like last season, Altuve is expected to hit first or second in the team's batting order. The 24-year-old hit .341/.377/.453 over 660 at-bats last year.

Athletics manager Bob Melvin said Tuesday infielder Marcus Semien will be given every opportunity to win the starting shortstop job. However, Melvin reiterated Semien will have to earn his spot in the starting lineup.

Semien's biggest competition for the starting shortstop job is likely Eric Sogard.

Rangers shortstop Elvis Andrus had one of the worst seasons of his career in 2014, and he thinks he's figured out why. 

Andrus told Gerry Fraley of the Dallas Morning News that, heading into last season, he did very little offseason work. He arrived at spring training out of shape and hurt his shoulder early in the season. 

As a result, Andrus had a career-low .263 average, the fifth-lowest OPS in the American League and 18 errors. 

This past winter, Andrus was among of 12 Rangers that stayed in town to work out regularly. He also did yoga and Pilates for the first time, helping him to get into the best shape in his career. 

"Last year, that was an off-season that I hope never happens again in my career,” Andrus told Fraley. “It taught me the don’t-do-it part of the game."

The White Sox wanted Gordon Beckham back, because he could play several positions. 

Beckham doesn't want to be a utility man, however. He plans to win back the starting second-base spot. 

“Listen, I plan to compete for a starting job, and if that’s not where I’m meant to be then I’ll do whatever I need to do,” Beckham told ESPN Chicago's Doug Padilla. “If I didn’t have that mentality, I wouldn’t be playing baseball.” 

Beckham arrived at camp three days early, to get a head start on his effort. 

"He’s coming in here to try and win a job and talking to him, that’s what he should be trying to do," manager Robin Ventura said. However, Ventura said he alreadyknows what Beckham can do at second base, so he'll get work at several other spots during the spring. 

After playing for the White Sox since 2009, Beckham was dealt to the Angels in late August. He returned to the Sox in the offseason, signing as a free agent. 

The White Sox signed second baseman Gordon Beckham  to a one-year, $2 million contract, the team announced.

Beckham spent more than five seasons with the White Sox. He is a career .245 hitter and is expected to play in a utility role. To make room for Beckham, the team designated Dayan Viciedo for assignment.

The Angels are no longer in play for second baseman Gordon Beckham, reports MLB.com on Friday. The team is now set on having Josh Rutledge, Johnny Giavotella, Grant Green and Taylor Featherston compete for second base/utility at-bats moving forward.

Beckham was non-tendered by the Angels on Dec. 2. He managed a slash line of .227/.271/.348 in 2014.

The Astros have been active this offseason trying to reshape the roster for the 2015 campaign. Some of the roster moves made have included the acquistions of Evan Gattis, Luis Valbuena and Dan Straily, as well as the signings of Jed Lowrie, Pat Neshek and Colby Rasmus. 

Astros second baseman Jose Altuve is pumped up about the roster additions and indicated Friday he feels the Astros have a chance to compete for a playoff spot in 2015, per The Houston Chronicle.

“I think the front office, they know what they’re doing,” Altuve said. “I always expect a winning season. No matter what team we have, I always want to win.

“Obviously, there’s a lot of movement lately on the team. It seems like the thing is we’re ready to go to the playoffs, so we’re going to work hard for that.”

The Astros finished fourth in the AL West in 2014 (70-92). Altuve made his second All-Star team in 2014, while leading the majors in hits (225) and batting average (.341).

The Rays have reached settlements with the six remaining players on one-year deals, reports the Tampa Bay Times on Friday.

Alex Cobb is due to make $4 million, while Jake McGee will make $3.55 million. John Jaso will make $3.175 million, Rene Rivera is set for $1.2M, and Logan Forsythe will earn $1.1 million next season. Drew Smyly settled for $2.65 million, plus the chance at an additional $25,000 if he makes 28 starts and $25,000 more if he gets to 30, per the report.

The Astros announced Tuesday they will have 17 non-roster invites for spring training, including starting pitcher prospect Mark Appel and shortstop prospect Carlos Correa. Appel was the No. 1 pick in the 2013 MLB draft, while Correa was the No. 1 pick in 2012.

The other non-roster invitees are outfielder Andrew Aplin, pitcher Darin Downs, infielder Matt Duffy, catcher Luis Flores, infielder Nolan Fontana, catcher Tyler Heineman, pitcher Jordan Jankowski, infielder Dan Johnson, infielder Colin Moran, catcher Roberto Pena, infielder Gregorio Petit, pitcher Brady Rodgers, infielder Joe Sclafani, pitcher Jason Stoffel and outfielder Preston Tucker.

Correa (No. 1) and Appel (No. 2) are considered the team's top two prospects, according to Baseball America. Moran (No. 7) is also considered a top-10 prospect.

Angels general manager Jerry Dipoto said the team has has substantive talks with free agent infielder Gordon Beckham. However, it appears the Angels bringing him back are slim, according to the Los Angeles Times.

"The possibility exists that we’ll re-sign Gordon, but no promises," Dipoto said. "We’ve built up quite a bit of infield depth. As much as Gordon fits our club and we want to be open to it, the likelihood is that we do have our second baseman in-house."