Our 2016 season preview series continued Wednesday with the Braves. Up next: the Athletics on Thursday. Until then, here's an recap of Wednesday's news from around the league.
ROSTER MOVES & TRANSACTIONS
Cardinals: Signed 2B Kolten Wong to a five-year contract extension worth $25.5 million. The deal includes an option for a sixth year.
Mariners: Signed UTIL Efren Navarro to a minor league contract. (Seattle Times)
Yankees: Signed OF Chris Denorfia to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training, the team announced. The deal includes an opt-out at the end of the month.
INJURY UPDATES
Astros: DH Evan Gattis (hernia surgery) is scheduled to hit soft toss for the first time Thursday (Houston Chronicle) ... RHP Luke Gregerson (oblique) threw off a mound Wednesday. (Houston Chronicle)
Braves: LHP Andrew McKirahan left Wednesday's game with forearm soreness. (Atlanta Journal Constitution)
Brewers: Top prospect OF Brett Phillips suffered an oblique strain and is likely to miss a few weeks. (Journal Sentinel)
Dodgers: LHP Brett Anderson was sent for tests on his sore back (MLB.com) ... LHP Hyun-Jin Ryu (shoulder surgery) will not throw off a mound for a few days due to discomfort. (MLB.com)
Giants: SS Brandon Crawford is dealing with shoulder soreness and will be limited to DH duty for the next few games (Andrew Baggarly) ... RHP Clayton Blackburn left Wednesday's outing early after being hit in the leg by a comebacker not once, but twice. (CSN Bay Area)
Indians: OF Michael Brantley (shoulder surgery) could return ahead of schedule, perhaps as early as April.
Mariners: Nelson Cruz (knee) ran the bases and made turns. (Shannon Drayer)
Marlins: OF Christian Yelich is day-to-day with back stiffness. (MLB.com)
Mets: OF Curtis Granderson (eye) was able to participate in drills Wednesday. (Newsday)
Orioles: RHP Chris Tillman (hip) should be able to resume throwing in a day or two. (MLB.com)
Pirates: RHP Gerrit Cole (ribs) will throw live batting practice this week. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)
Rays: OF Steven Souza (intercostal) hit off a tee and against soft toss. (Tampa Bay Times)
Red Sox: LHP Eduardo Rodriguez (knee) threw from 45 feet. (Providence Journal)
Royals: OF Jarrod Dyson suffered a right oblique strain. The team will know more Thursday, but he is expected to miss a few weeks.
Tigers: OF Cameron Maybin had full range of motion in his wrist after being hit by a pitch. (MLB.com)
Yankees: OF Brett Gardner (wrist) took batting practice Wednesday but will be held out of games until March 14. (Wall Street Journal)
NEWS & RUMORS
MLB: The league has proposed a new system that will safely allow Cuban players to come to MLB.
Angels: OF Mike Trout is using a new tool called a "Smart Bat" to improve his swing this spring.
Astros: Not currently discussing a contract extension with 2B Jose Altuve. Altuve is signed through 2017 with club options for 2018 and 2019. (Houston Chronicle)
Blue Jays: The team and 1B Edwin Encarnacion, an impending free agent, have started to discuss a contract extension. (Sportsnet)
Dodgers: LHP Clayton Kershaw is "really impressed" of OF Yasiel Puig's work this spring.
Mets: Have not been receiving calls about OF Alejandro De Aza and they aren't actively shopping him. (New York Post)
Rangers: 3B Adrian Beltre may wait until his legs are in better shape before playing in spring games. (Fort Worth Star-Telegram)
Rays: President Obama will attend the team's exhibition game against the Cuban National Team in Havana on March 22.
White Sox: Manager Robin Ventura said he expects non-roster player SS Jimmy Rollins to make the team. "I expect him to make the team, unless something happens physically where it wouldn't work," he said. (Chicago Tribune)
Yankees: GM Brian Cashman said LHP Andrew Miller will "absolutely" be the team's closer while LHP Aroldis Chapman serves his 30-game suspension under the league's domestic violence policy. (MLB.com)
