MLB Player News

Taylor Featherston is not likely to see a ton of playing time as a bench option for the Angels. The rookie admits he is still adjusting to his new role, per The Orange County Register.

“I’m definitely talking to Collin Cowgill and the guys who have been (bench players) before,” Featherston said.

Featherston has been working at second base, third base and shortstop. Although his role is not clearly defined, manager Mike Scioscia is looking forward to using Featherston when needed.

“What he lacks in experience, his athleticism and talent will make up for,” Scioscia said. “We’re not going to be afraid to use him.”

As a Rule 5 pick, the Angels must keep Featherston on the 25-man roster or disabled list all season. If they don't, then they have to offer him back to the Rockies.

The Indians set their Opening Day roster by sending four players to the disabled list. 

RHP Gavin Floyd was sent to the 60-day disabled list. Floyd was coming back from a stress fracture of his elbow and reinjured himself in spring training.

Infielder Zach Walters (oblique), outfielder Nick Swisher (knees) and RHP Josh Tomlin (shoulder) were all placed on the 15-day disabled list. 

Angels first baseman Efren Navarro, infielder Taylor Featherston and pitcher Drew Rucinski have made the team's initial 25-man roster, MLB.com reports.

Featherston, a Rule 5 pick from Colorado, will serve as the team's utility infielder; he has yet to play above the Double-A level.

"Taylor has shown extraordinary athleticism at three positions," manager Mike Scioscia said Saturday. "That's special. His defense plays at any level. He's an exciting player. We'll see where it leads to."

Navarro, who can also play in the outfield, won the final bench spot over outfielder Daniel Robertson.

Rucinski is set to pitch out of the bullpen, Scioscia said, adding that he also could be tabbed to start April 14, the first time the team's needs a fifth starter.

Among the Indians roster moves Thursday, they demoted first baseman Jesus Aguilar to Triple-A Columbus. 

They also announced reliever Austin Adams has made the team, while infielder Michael Martinez has not. 

Lastly, the team announced infielder Zach Walters will start the year on the disabled list due to an oblique injury.

Red Sox infielder Xander Bogaerts is struggling to find a comfortable stance at the plate, this spring. 

Bogaerts struggled through a slump last season, when he hit .240. He's hitting .243 this spring, and manager John Farrell said he looks "jumpy" at bat, per the Providence Journal.  

"It’s just some stuff I’d been doing a lot last year, and it’s carrying over this year," Bogaerts said. "I’m diving to the ball. I have to stay more square to the ball."

Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts has improved his first-step quickness as a result of his offseason training program and feels like he "can reach anything," ESPN.com reports.

"Just in general I feel quicker, stronger," Bogaerts said. "Regardless of whether you see it or not, I know what I feel, and I feel like I can reach anything."

Bogaerts had an uneven first full season at the plate, hitting .240/.297/.362 with 12 home runs and 46 RBI in 538 at-bats.

"I’m just one year older, but I just feel more comfortable," he said. "I struggled really badly last year. I don’t think it’ll get any worse than that. I’ve been through a lot, from the World Series through struggling that much, so what else can I do?"

After shifting between shortstop and third base in 2014, Bogaerts is in line to serve as the team's full-time shortstop in 2015.

Angels infielder Taylor Featherston has impressed the team with his defensive versatility, but his ability to stick in the organization will be determined by his offense, MLB.com reports.

"Taylor is a kid that feels very comfortable on second, third or short. He's very athletic. He has a good arm," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. "On the defensive side, he's shown that he is ready for the challenge of the Major Leagues. On the offensive side, it's going to take a little bit of comfort level in the batter's box. He's getting better."

Featherston is preparing for an eventual utility role.

"I've talked to some guys in the past that have done that, and they always say every few innings or so they have their things that can keep them going," he said. "They're stretching, they're in the cage getting flips, they're always prepared. You never know when it's going to be your turn. I don't know how [Scioscia] likes to run it, and I better learn quick. It's my job to be prepared and be comfortable so that every time I come in it's just a smooth transition."

Featherston is 7 for 19 with two doubles and six RBI in 12 appearances this spring.

Indians utility player Zach Walters will miss the rest of spring training, and possibly the start of the season, with an oblique injury.

MRI results on Saturday showed a high-grade strain of his right oblique.

"It's safe to say he's going to miss some time," Indians manager Terry Francona told MLB.com's Jordan Bastian. "Regardless of what the MRI says, you have to treat the symptoms. Guys can't start doing baseball activities until they're pain-free, and that varies with every one of them, regardless of what the diagnosis is." 

Indians utility player Zach Walters will undergo more follow-up tests on his injured right oblique to gather more information, according to MLB.com. Walters injured his oblique while swinging at a pitch during Wednesday's 10-5 Cactus League loss to the Royals.

"He's pretty sore," Indians manager Terry Francona said of Walters. "We're going to have to get him checked and see where that goes."

Indians manager Terry Francona said that the abdominal injury Zach Walters sustained on Thursday is more of an oblique injury, according to the Cleveland Plain Dealer. 

Walters injured his oblique while swinging at a pitch during Wednesday's 10-5 Cactus League loss to the Royals. Walters is experiencing soreness and will have the injury evaluated again. 

The Indians acquired Walters last year in a deal that sent infielder Asdrubal Cabrera to the Nationals.