MLB Player News

Mariners manager Lloyd McClendon indicated Thursday it is going to be tough to keep Chris Taylor and Brad Miller on the roster. The duo are competing for the starting shortstop job this spring.

“They both saw significant time last year and only one of them can play short as this team shapes up,” McClendon said, per MLB.com. “I like both guys. They both bring a lot to the table. I think Chris is probably a little bit ahead of the game defensively and Brad is probably ahead of the game offensively. It’s a nice combination and let’s see what happens. … If we don’t have injuries, I doubt that we can take them both.”

Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said Thursday star slugger Miguel Cabrera (ankle) is running at 65 percent body weight with a slight incline on the AlterG anti-gravity treadmill, per MLive.com. 

Ausmus added once Cabrera gets to 80 percent body weight on the treadmill, he can start fielding grounders hit directly to him.

Cabrera already has the option to hit on the field against a batting practice pitcher. However, he has chosen to hit in the batting cages.

Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper has reported to camp in better shape, according to The Washington Post. 

Harper lost weight during the offseason, reporting to camp at 204 pounds. He was able to work on his entire body during the winter, which he couldn't do last season due to a knee injury. Manager Matt Williams was impressed, saying Harper is in "fantastic shape."

On top of that, Harper said he's focused on playing smarter in the field in order to avoid an injury. Harper missed a large chunk of the 2013 season after running into the outfield wall, and it seems he'll do a better job of being more careful this year. 

The 22-year-old hit .273/.344/.423 over 352 at-bats last season. 

Pirates owner Bob Nutting said Wednesday outfielder Andrew McCutchen is "a critical part of the team" and hopes the 2013 NL MVP will be in a Pirates uniform "for a long, long time."

McCutchen is currently under contract through the 2017 season on a fairly good deal for the Pirates. He will make $10 million in 2015, $13 million in 2016 and $14 million in 2017. He also has a $14.75 million team option for 2018, which includes a $1 million buyout.

If and when the Pirates choose to extend McCutchen, then it probably will cost them a pretty penny if he continues to play at his current level. There are no active contract talks, but industry sources said that if the Pirates decide to open talks, they are willing to go to great lengths to keep McCutchen, even if they have to offer him $25 million-plus per year, according to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.

“It's a challenge we're looking forward to,” Nutting said. “At this point, it's not appropriate to dig in (and comment) on any particular player other than we really respect and appreciate what Andrew does, on and off the field, every day.”

The 28-year-old McCutchen is a four-time All-Star and finished in the top 3 in voting for the NL MVP in 2012 and 2014. He has also won three Silver Slugger awards.

McCutchen could one day land a contract in the same ballpark as Marlins outfielder Giancarlo Stanton, who signed a $325 million contract this offseason, but for now his focus isn't on a new deal.

“If that happens, that will be something we'll talk about,” McCutchen said. “Right now, I'm not too worried about it. It's nothing that I'm thinking about, really. If it happens, that would be great. I look forward to it if they do that.”

When asked if he'll need outfielder Bryce Harper to carry more of the load in 2015, Nationals manager Matt Williams told reporters "it's safe to say he'll most likely hit somewhere in the middle of our lineup," per Comcast SportsNet Washington on Wednesday.

Harper, 22, was primarily the No. 6 hitter last season for the Nationals. He has played
77 career games at the No. 3 spot, 20 at cleanup and 13 at the No. 5 spot. Last season, he hit .273/.344/.423 with 13 homers and 32 RBI over 352 at-bats. He has appeared in only 218 games over the past two seasons due to an assortment of injury issues.

The Alter-G anti-gravity treadmill arrived at Tigers' camp on Tuesday, according to MLB.com.

Both Miguel Cabrera and Jose Iglesias will use the treadmill in order to rehab their injuries. The machine allows the players to run at a reduced weight, decreasing the stress they will put on their legs during workouts. 

Both Cabrera and Iglesias are hoping to be ready for the start of the season. 

Athletics manager Bob Melvin indicated that Mark Canha may see playing time in the outfield as well as at first base, the Associated Press reports.

"Canha can go against lefties or righties and even play some outfield," Melvin said.

Acquired after being selected by the Rockies in the Rule 5 draft this offseason, Canha has spent most of his minor-league career at first base but has seen 83 appearances in left field and nine in right field, as well as 29 at third base and one behind the plate. He hit .303/.384/.505 with 20 home runs and 82 RBI in 465 at-bats with Triple-A New Orleans in 2014.

Indians outfielder Michael Brantley was unable to take part in sprinting drills on Tuesday with a sore lower back, according to the Northeast Ohio Media Group. Brantley is coming off a breakout season where he slashed .327/.385/.506 with 20 homers and 97 RBI over 611 at-bats. At this point, it remains to be seen when the 27-year-old will resume sprinting drills.

Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said Tuesday that in order to encourage Yoenis Cespedes to more of a well-rounded offensive threat, he'll have Cespedes paired up in the same hitting group as Miguel Cabrera this spring, reports MLive.com.

"I think the best way to do it is to put him in the same hitting group as Miggy," Ausmus said. "Miggy does that a lot. Honestly. I'm being dead serious. Put him in the same hitting group as Miggy and let him watch the best hitter in the game do it on a daily basis."

Cespedes, 29, was acquired in a December trade with Boston. He hit .260 with 100 RBI last season between Oakland and Boston. He owns a .263 average, .464 slugging percentage and .780 OPS in 416 games over three MLB seasons.

Giants general manager Brian Sabean said the club needs "a bust-out season from" first baseman Brandon Belt, according to the San Jose Mercury News. 

The 26-year-old came into 2014 poised to have a big season, but injuries got in the way. Belt was limited to just 61 games last season due to a thumb injury and complications with a concussion. He hit .243/.306/.449 over 214 at-bats.

Belt is expected to hit in the middle of the order this season, and that should lead to higher expectations. For what it's worth, Sabean thinks Belt can handle it. "He's capable of it, and he might be poised to do it," he said.