MLB Player News

Rockies outfielder Charlie Blackmon isn't focused on increasing his power numbers in 2015 after falling one home run shy of 20 during his breakout season in 2014. Blackmon is slated to hit leadoff for Colorado.

"Power, whatever. I don't look at the game that way," Blackmon said, per The Denver Post. "I just want to be standing on first base when those guys come up to hit. Maybe second base.

"If I run into some home runs, that's good too. But the value I bring to the team is to be on base, maybe distract the pitcher with a few stolen bases here and there and maybe the guy behind me gets more fastballs."

Blackmon had 13 of his 19 home runs at hitter-friendly Coors Field last season and all 19 of his home runs came out of the leadoff spot.

Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen didn't run out a ground ball in the eighth inning of Wednesday's game and left the field slowly before being officially replaced in the game, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

McCutchen, who dealt with a lower-body injury earlier this spring, said he was fine after coming out of the game. He indicated that he slipped on the plate and throttled things back just to be safe. The outfielder finished the game 1 for 4 at the plate.

Blue Jays manager Jon Gibbons confirmed that Todd Redmond and Colt Hynes are on the team to start the season, according to TSN.ca on Wednesday. Barring any changes to the rosters, the last spot on the roster will come down to second baseman Ryan Goins and pitcher Liam Hendriks.

Blue Jays manager John Gibbons announced Tuesday prospect Devon Travis has won the starting job at second base and Steve Tolleson has made the roster as a backup infielder.

However, those two announcements could cost Ryan Goins, who was in competition with Travis and Tolleson, a spot on the roster.

“Definitely played good enough to be on the team," Gibbons said of Goins. "We want him on the team, but the bullpen will determine all that."

Goins hit .292 with one home run, one triple, five doubles, six RBI, six walks and eight runs in 24 spring games.

Blue Jays manager John Gibbons announced Tuesday prospect Devon Travis has won the starting job at second base, beating out Ryan Goins and Steve Tolleson.

Travis has had a pretty outstanding spring at the plate. He is batting .352 (19 for 54) with six doubles, six RBI, four walks and five runs in 23 games.

Travis, who was acquired in a November trade with Detroit, is considered Toronto's fifth-best prospect by Baseball America. Travis has a career .323/.388/.487/.876 slash line over three seasons in the minors.

CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman first reported March 25 that Travis would win the starting job at second base.

Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera toppled over Braves infielder Kelly Johnson while trying to make a play near first base Monday but got up immediately and was fine, MLB.com reports.

"You get concerned anytime you see something like that with Miggy or Victor [Martinez] this time of year," manager Brad Ausmus said. "You pause for a moment. … I mean, clearly Kelly's not trying to hurt Miggy in any way. He's trying to be safe at first. It's a little surprising that, as long as Kelly's been around, that he would do that in a spring training game, but I don't know what his situation is over with Atlanta. He may be trying to make the team, so it's certainly an understandable baseball play. You want to be safe."

Cabrera has been able to work at first base in recent games as he continues his return from ankle surgery. After going 1 for 3 Monday, the first baseman is 7 for 20 with two home runs this spring.

Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said Monday outfielder Darin Ruf is not a lock to make the Opening Day roster, per The News Journal. Amaro added sending Ruf to Triple-A to play every day is not ideal, but it is possible.

Ruf is batting .220 (11 for 50) with two doubles, two home runs, two RBI, two walks, five runs and 11 strikeouts in 18 spring games.

Mariners shortstop Brad Miller is in the lineup for Monday's game against the Angels.

Miller missed the last three games due to a stomach virus but appears ready to continue his preparation for the regular season. He has hit .297/.372/.595 with two home runs in 37 at-bats this spring.

Mariners shortstop Brad Miller missed his third straight game on Sunday, as he struggled with an illness. 

Manager Lloyd McClendon said that Miller is suffering from a stomach virus, but he's feeling better, per MLB.com.

Indians outfielder Michael Brantley is in the starting lineup for Sunday's matchup with the White Sox.

Brantley missed a few days due to back tightness. He's 9 for 28 with one double and two walks this spring.