MLB Player News

Rangers shortstop Elvis Andrus is dealing with a back issue, according to the Star-Telegram.

Andrus is considered day to day due to the injury. Last season, Andrus hit .271/.328/.331 in 620 at-bats.

A Mets insider confirmed an ESPN report that New York could be a team the Mariners might engage in trade talks regarding infielder Nick Franklin.

The source said the two sides talked at the winter meetings about a deal involving Franklin. The talks are expected to resume in the next month with Seattle having an excess infielder and the Mets having the type of pitching talent the Mariners would want in a trade.

White Sox manager Robin Ventura said Sunday he's considering batting Gordon Beckham second, even though he struggled in that spot in the lineup last season.

"It’s a possibility the way it’s shaking out right now," Ventura said of Beckham batting second. "That’s a possibility. You could have Alexei (Ramirez) there too. There’s a few options to think about, we can tinker with."

Beckham hit just .190 in 36 games batting second last season. In his career hitting second, Beckham has a .227 average with a .295 on-base percentage. Beckham could be better off batting eighth, where he owns a career .302 average in 130 games.

"Everybody is going to be playing and moving around in the lineup so we’ll see what works," Ventura said, per ESPN. "We had periods where (Beckham) batted eighth and did pretty good and went to second and wasn’t so good and back to eighth. It’s a natural spot for him. The way he plays and what he does that plate, I think it’d be a good spot for him."

Mariners middle infielder Nick Franklin could be on the trading block, the Seattle Times has speculated. He lost his starting second base job upon the offseason signing of free agent Robinson Cano.

Franklin, who expressed excitement over the signing because he could learn from Cano, added that he will not play that position. He will compete with Brad Miller for the starting job at shortstop. He could also be sent to Triple-A Tacoma or traded.

His lack of productivity helped pave the way for Cano. Franklin batted just .225 last year in 369 at-bats, though he did slug 12 home runs and 20 doubles with 45 RBI.

Mariners manager Lloyd McClendon reiterated Wednesday the competition for the starting shortstop job is wide open between Brad Miller and Nick Franklin. McClendon made sure to convey that message to Franklin, who primarily played second base last season.

"I said, 'Look we have a Hall of Fame second baseman, that’s just the way it is," McClendon said, per The Seattle Times. "This is a new chapter in your career. One door is closing and another one is opening so it’s an opportunity for you and I’m going into this with my wide eyes open and you have the opportunity to compete for the shortstop position. I don’t have any preconceived notions."

McClendon said whoever stars defensively will likely walk away with the starting job.

"You gotta be able to catch the ball," he said."I’m looking for a guy that’s going to make all the routine plays."

Rangers manager Ron Washington provided his projected lineup/batting order for the 2014 season, according to ESPN.

Washington has penciled left fielder Shin-Soo Choo into the leadoff spot. He will be followed by shortstop Elvis Andrus, first baseman Prince Fielder, third baseman Adrian Beltre, right fielder Alex Rios, DH Mitch Moreland, catcher Geovany Soto, second baseman Jurickson Profar and center fielder Leonys Martin.

Mariners manager Lloyd McClendon said Monday infielders Nick Franklin and Brad Miller will compete for the starting job at shortstop, according to MLB.com. McClendon said he's not looking to move either player to another position.

"That's a good problem to have," McClendon said.

The Nationals have been discussing a potential trade for Rays catcher Jose Lobaton for a while, seriously and reportedly for more than a month, according to the Tampa Bay Times.

The paper suggests the Rays could be targeting Nationals infielder Danny Espinosa, who said he's been by told by the Nationals he will compete for the starting job at second base this spring.

The Yankees announced Wednesday they signed nine players to minor-league contracts, which included an invitation to spring training.

They were pitcher Bruce Billings, infielder Russ Canzler, pitcher Robert Coello, pitcher Brian Gordon, pitcher Chris Leroux, outfielder Antoan Richardson, infielder Scott Sizemore, infielder Yangervis Solarte and infielder Zelous Wheeler.

White Sox second baseman Gordon Beckham believes he can have a productive season at the plate in 2014, if he is able to avoid the injury issues that plagued him in 2013, according to MLB.com.

"I feel good and my body feels healed from the injuries I had," Beckham said. "I felt like I was just limping around the last month and a half. It was tough.

"But it was a tough year for everybody. Not just me, but the way the team went, how many games we lost. It was very trying on us and our patience, but it will be good motivation for this year to make sure we remember. We don't always want to harp on it, but we always want to remember what it felt like so we're not in that position this year."