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[February 20, 2015]  The Sports Xchange

02/20/2015 MLB Note - San Diego Padres Spangenberg, Cory

INF Cory Spangenberg, the Padres first-round pick (10th overall) in the 2011 draft, might get a look at third. Spangenberg, 24, hit .290 with a .313 on-base percentage in 62 at-bats with the Padres last September. But it's a longshot. Spangenberg likely starts the season at Triple-A El Paso and no rookie makes the Padres Opening Day roster.

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MLB Note - San Diego Padres Johnson, Josh

RHP Josh Johnson re-signed with the Padres as a minor league free agent after missing all of last season following his second Tommy John surgery,. He says his rehab is ahead of schedule and the Padres are hopeful Johnson might be ready between the first and middle of June. If he is, the former Miami Marlins ace would be a nice addition to the Padres rotation. "It would be like adding a top-of-the-rotation starter in a late-July trade," said Padres pitching coach Darren Balsley.

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MLB Note - San Diego Padres Quentin, Carlos

LF Carlos Quentin is unlikely to have a spot on the Padres this season. Quentin missed more than 250 games over the past three seasons with the Padres due to injuries to both knees. The Padres will play him during spring training in hopes that an American League team will seek Quentin as a DH -- and that Quentin will waive his no-trade clause. With newcomers Justin Upton, Wil Myers and Matt Kemp set, if healthy, as the Padres starting outfielders and Will Venable assured the No. 4 slot, Quentin has no viable spot.

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MLB Note - San Diego Padres Amarista, Alexi

SS Alexi Amarista is expected to be ready to play at the start of Spring Training although he suffered a hamstring strain in Venezuela's semifinal loss in the Caribbean Series. Amarista had to come out of the game. "We hear it is not serious," said general manager A.J. Preller. Amarista was the Padres regular shortstop over the second-half of last season and is expected to at least share the position with Clint Barmes this season.

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MLB Note - San Diego Padres Venable, Will

OF Will Venable was the Padres MVP in 2013 and started 102 games in the outfield last season although he hit only .224 and saw his home run total plunge from 22 to eight. With the addition of Upton, Myers and Kemp, the Padres longest-tenured player is now listed as the No. 4 outfielder. But defense could be the kicker to keep Venable in the lineup.

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MLB Note - Arizona Diamondbacks Tomas, Yasmany

3B/OF Yasmany Tomas, the Cuban who signed a Jose Abreu-like $68.5 million free agent contact in early December, impressed Tony La Russa and Dave Stewart in his workouts in the Domincan Republic, and they feel he can fit at third base despite his relative inexperience at the position. Tomas, 24, will not be forced into the spot and could move to the outfield, but that is definitely Plan B.

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MLB Note - Arizona Diamondbacks Punto, Nick

INF Nick Punto appears to have a chance to make the team. Punto, 37 and a veteran of 14 seasons, already has earned a $2.5 this season when Oakland exercised his 2015 option before letting him go, and he is a fall-back middle infield candidate if the D-backs want Nick Ahmed to play every day in the minors.

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MLB Note - Arizona Diamondbacks Laird, Gerald

C Gerald Laird has a legit chance to make the team. A 12-year veteran, Laird, 35, is the most experienced of a catching corps that starts Tuffy Gosewisch and Rule 5 pick Oscar Hernandez.

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MLB Note - Arizona Diamondbacks Trumbo, Mark

RF Mark Trumbo will play for $6.9 million this season after winning his arbitration case against the D-backs on Feb. 19. The D-backs had filed at $5.3 million. "I am looking forward to a great year and a big improvement, both personally and team-wise, from last year," Trumbo said. Trumbo, who is to move to right field from left slashed .235/.415/.707 with 14 home runs and 61 RBIs in 88 games last season, his first with the D-backs. He missed almost three months with a stress fracture in his left foot, going on the disabled list on April 22 after a hot start in which he had seven home runs and 19 RBIs in 21 games. His ratio of one RBI every 5.4 at-bat was a career-best. He averaged 32 homers and 94 RBIs in his three full major league seasons with the Los Angeles Angels from 2011-13.

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MLB Note - Arizona Diamondbacks Reed, Addison

RHP Addison Reed accepted the D-backs' contract offer of $4.875 million this season, avoiding an arbitration hearing an hour before it was scheduled to begin last week. Reed has filed for $5.6 million and the D-backs had countered with an offer of $4.7 million. Reed converted 32 of 38 save opportunities last season, his first with the D-backs and his second with at least 30 saves. He was 1-7 with a 4.25 ERA in 62 appearances in 2014. He also can make up to a reported $50,000 this season based on performance bonuses. "Any time you can get to a settlement is always better than the alternative, having to actually going into the room and go through the actual arbitration," D-backs general manager Dave Stewart said.

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MLB Note - Arizona Diamondbacks Corbin, Patrick

LHP Patrick Corbin (Tommy John) was 11 months removed from his surgery when camp opened and will not participate in a normal spring throwing program. He is expected to return in May or June.

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MLB Note - Arizona Diamondbacks Ziegler, Brad

RHP Brad Ziegler (knee) will be slightly delayed at the start of spring after undergoing microfracture surgery last August but is expected to be ready for the start of the regular season, manager Chip Hale said.
 


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MLB Note - Arizona Diamondbacks Reynolds, Matt

LHP Matt Reynolds (Tommy John) did not pitch last season after undergoing surgery in September, 2013, but after 17 months, he is expected to be at full strength when camp opens.

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MLB Note - Arizona Diamondbacks Owings, Chris

2B/SS Chris Owings (left shoulder) underwent surgery the week after the regular season and will be "eight to 10 games" behind in early spring. The D-backs also expect him to be ready for the start of the regular season, Hale said.

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MLB Note - Arizona Diamondbacks Hernandez, David

RHP David Hernandez (Tommy John) underwent surgery a week after Patrick Corbin last March and is progressing on pace, although he will not be rushed. He is not expected back until May at the earliest.

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MLB Note - Arizona Diamondbacks Arroyo, Bronson

RHP Bronson Arroyo (Tommy John) was playing catch at 75 feet as camp opened. There is no timetable for his return, but he should be expected back before the All-Star break.

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MLB Note - San Diego Padres Kennedy, Ian

RHP Ian Kennedy kept a close watch on general manager A.J. Preller during the offseason. "I kept hearing that the Padres were going to have to give up a starting pitcher to get some of the offensive pieces they needed," said Kennedy. "Every time I heard a name attached to a trade to the Padres I held my breath. But nothing happened. I'm still here. And when I look at the lineup, that makes me very happy."



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MLB Note - San Diego Padres Luebke, Cory

LHP Cory Luebke hasn't pitched at all over the last two seasons due to two Tommy John surgeries.

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MLB Note - Los Angeles Dodgers Pederson, Joc

OF Joc Pederson is receiving the first crack at being the center fielder. The Dodgers would love for the rookie to hit the ground running in spring training, laying claim to the everyday job. However, they hedged their bets somewhat by -- surprisingly -- not trading Andre Ethier this winter and acquiring Chris Heisey from the Reds in an offseason deal. Even if Pederson opens the season as the center fielder, Heisey figures to get plenty of playing time as a right-handed platoon partner for the left-handed Pederson. The veteran Ethier represents an emergency fallback option if Pederson falls on his face.

Pederson, 22, tore it up in the Pacific Coast League last year, turning in the first 30-30 season in that league in more than 80 years.

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MLB Note - Los Angeles Dodgers Santos, Sergio

RHP Sergio Santos, 31, is in camp with the Dodgers on a minor league contract, and he will vie for a spot in the bullpen. A 30-save closer for the White Sox in 2011, Santos struggled since then, bottoming out with a disastrous 8.57 ERA in 26 appearances for the Blue Jays last season.

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MLB Note - Los Angeles Dodgers Withrow, Chris

RHP Chris Withrow hopes for a late-2015 return after undergoing Tommy John surgery last June. His rehab from the elbow surgery is progressing well, but Withrow underwent surgery to repair a herniated disc in his back in December, temporarily slowing his comeback.

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MLB Note - Los Angeles Dodgers Anderson, Brett

LHP Brett Anderson hasn't pitched 45 innings in a season since 2011, and he enters spring training with the Dodgers rehabbing from his latest physical malady -- back surgery in August. Anderson acknowledges his star-crossed injury history but is optimistic about rewarding the Dodgers for their gamble on him. "When I'm able to go out there and pitch, I feel I'm one of the better pitchers in the game -- when I'm able to go out there and pitch," he said.

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MLB Note - Los Angeles Dodgers Jansen, Kenley

RHP Kenley Jansen underwent surgery to remove a growth from the fifth metatarsal in his left foot just two days before pitchers and catchers reported for spring training. Jansen began experiencing discomfort in his foot while working out the previous week. An X-ray, MRI and CT scan revealed the problem. Jansen is expected to be sidelined from eight to 12 weeks, meaning he could miss the first month of the regular season.

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MLB Note - Los Angeles Angels Rutledge, Josh

INF Josh Rutledge is the early favorite with win the starting job at second base following the trade of Howie Kendrick to the Dodgers. Rutledge, acquired by the Angels from the Rockies in a trade for RHP Jairo Diaz, has the most big league experience among the four vying for the job. The others in the mix are Grant Green, Johnny Giavotella and Taylor Featherston. Green and Giavotella have big league experience, but Featherston has not played above Double-A.

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MLB Note - Los Angeles Angels Heaney, Andrew

LHP Andrew Heaney was traded twice in the offseason, first from the Marlins to the Dodgers, then from the Dodgers to the Angels. Heaney, 23, has a good chance of making an immediate impact in the rotation after ascending from Double-A at the start of last season and reaching the majors. He went 0-3 with a 5.83 ERA in seven games for Miami last year after going 9-6 with a 3.28 ERA splitting time between Double-A and Triple-A. Heaney will get some competition in camp from RHP Nick Tropeano.

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MLB Note - Los Angeles Angels Tropeano, Nick

RHP Nick Tropeano might battle LHP Andrew Heaney for a spot in the Angels' rotation. Tropeano, who came to the Angels in a trade with the Astros for C Hank Conger. Tropeano, 24, went 1-3 with a 4.57 ERA in four starts with the Astros last season after going 9-5 with a 3.03 ERA in 23 games (20 starts) with Triple-A Oklahoma City.

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MLB Note - Los Angeles Angels Lindstrom, Matt

RHP Matt Lindstrom, 35, was signed to a minor league deal, and he enters camp as a non-roster player, but he could crack the Opening Day roster if he has a good spring. Lindstrom has a 3.47 ERA and 51 saves in eight big league seasons, including spending time as a closer for the Marlins, Astros and White Sox. Last season with the White Sox, Lindstorm went 2-2 with a 5.03 ERA and six saves in 35 games. He likely will have to beat out RHP Vinnie Pestano for one of the final spots in the bullpen.

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MLB Note - Detroit Tigers Moya, Steven

RF Steven Moya, 23, is the most prominent rookie in Detroit's camp but he is likely to open the season at Triple-A Toledo. Moya hit .375 in 11 games for Detroit last September following an Eastern League MVP season at Erie, where he hit 35 home runs and drove in 105 runs while hitting .276 for the SeaWolves. C James McCann, 24, could win the battle for backup to C Alex Avila after hitting .295 with seven home runs and 54 RBIs for Triple-A Toledo. RHP Buck Farmer, 24 on Friday, is a starter (12-6, 3.07 ERA for three minor league teams) who could be used out of the bullpen if the Tigers wish to convert him from starting. Farmer pitched in four games for Detroit last season.

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MLB Note - San Diego Padres Alonso, Yonder

1B Yonder Alonso suffered four injuries to his right hand, wrist and forearm over the last 1 1/2 seasons and has failed to finish both 2013 and 2014.

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MLB Note - Detroit Tigers Hanrahan, Joel

RHP Joel Hanrahan, 33, was paid $1 million while working his way back from 2013 Tommy John surgery, although he did not appear in a game at any level. He signed a minor league contract for similar money with various release clauses. Hanrahan saved 40 and 36 games for Pittsburgh in 2011 and 2012 but only pitched nine games for Boston in 2013 before needing the surgery. He was throwing in the low 90s when the Tigers signed him last year but couldn't get healthy enough to pitch in minor league games. March 31 is the first deadline Detroit faces on deciding whether to keep him or not.

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MLB Note - Detroit Tigers Verlander, Justin

RHP Justin Verlander reported to spring training feeling he was way ahead of last year, when he was recovering from abdominal surgery. "Last year I hadn't even picked up a ball at this point," said Verlander, who was throwing bullpen sessions twice a week ahead of reporting. Working out this winter put 20 pounds of muscle on Verlander, who won 15 games last year but had a 4.54 ERA that was the second-highest of his career. Verlander's velocity dropped a couple miles per hour last season but he hopes being able to work out all winter will let him regain that. He turned 32 on Feb. 20. "I think it's a little unfair to judge on last season. I think it's a different story if I go out there this year and it's the same thing -- then definitely there would be some adjusting," he said. "And I think I'll start to figure that out pretty early on. But I'm not going to judge changing my entire career based on an injury that plagued me last year. I don't think that's the right way to approach things."

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MLB Note - Detroit Tigers Cabrera, Miguel

1B Miguel Cabrera was cleared to begin hitting and throwing after a CT scan of his repaired right ankle Feb. 18. A club announcement said Cabrera could "initiate non-impact baseball activities including hitting and throwing, and begin a running progression until full weight-bearing is achieved. While there is no definitive timetable, it's optimistic Miguel could be ready close to opening day." Cabrera had surgery after last season to clean out bone spurs on his right ankle and it was discovered he had been playing with a stress fracture of the foot, which was also repaired. He hit .313 with 25 home runs and 109 RBIs despite the injuries. Cabrera won't report to Lakeland, Fla., when the rest of the team is scheduled to, having been told to remain in Miami and begin using a rare type of treadmill. "The thing with Miguel, regardless of injury, he wants to be in the lineup and play," Dombrowski said. "We have to say, 'Hold on, let's make sure we are doing what the doctor says we should be doing.'"
 

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MLB Note - Detroit Tigers Iglesias, Jose

SS Jose Iglesias returns to spring training after missing all of 2014 with stress fractures in both shins. Iglesias played one exhibition game last year before being shut down. He was cleared to resume workouts but the Tigers have indicated they'll be cautious with his return to full-time action. "He's cleared to go full-bore," general manager Dave Dombrowski said. "You don't want him to run a marathon tomorrow, but he'll build himself up. I'm not worried about him whatsoever."

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MLB Note - Detroit Tigers Kinsler, Ian

2B Ian Kinsler hasn't been told but statistics suggest the second baseman might be in for a little more rest the second half of this season. Kinsler, acquired from Texas before last season, was expected to benefit from less oppressive heat in Detroit during the summer. He did not. Kinsler batted .303 before the All-Star break and faltered to .239 afterward. There was some evidence Kinsler was trying to do too much, attempt to pull the ball into the seats more than usual but playing at age 33 this season could mean he'll get some time off on getaway days or on day games following night contests. Manager Brad Ausmus didn't address that in his pre-spring interviews but it seems reasonable.

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MLB Note - Detroit Tigers Martinez, Victor

C Victor Martinez has been given the okay to remain at home in nearby Orlando, Fla., and not report Feb. 23 when Detroit position players are supposed to sign in for spring training at the club's base in Lakeland. "We told him to stay," general manager Dave Dombrowski said. "He is on a good program there." Martinez underwent surgery on his left knee Feb. 10 to repair a torn meniscus and has been doing his rehab work near home. "When you have hitters like Miguel (Cabrera) and Victor, guys who've been around as long as they have, their batting stroke can come back very quickly," Dombrowski said. "We all know that spring training, a full spring training, is mostly for pitchers." It was the second time in three years Martinez has hurt his left knee, a torn ACL and subsequent surgery causing him to miss the 2012 season. There was a 4-6 week prognosis for his recovery and Detroit was hoping he could get in two weeks of at-bats before the start of the regular season April 6.
 


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MLB Note - Detroit Tigers Castellanos, Nick

3B Nick Castellanos has nowhere to go but up in terms of his standing in the defensive metrics and that's what was working on in advance of the start of spring training. Castellanos, 23 on March 4, had a quality rookie year at the plate last year (.259 batting average, 11 home runs, 66 RBIs) but was at the bottom of the league according to the most widely cited defensive statics. Castellanos invested part of his winter workout program working on agility drills, improving his first-step quickness and lateral movement in an effort to improve his defense. It needs to be noted, though, that Castellanos was moved back to third last year after spending more than a season trying to learn to play left field.

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MLB Note - Detroit Tigers Rondon, Bruce

RHP Bruce Rondon (Tommy John right elbow surgery) is throwing half-speed bullpen sessions and will be brought along slowly as he approaches the one-year anniversary of his operation (end of last March).

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MLB Note - Baltimore Orioles Machado, Manny

3B Manny Machado (surgery on right knee in August 2014) should be ready to go for Opening Day. He's had knee surgery each of the past two years -- one on left and one on the right -- but Machado appears ready to start the season.

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MLB Note - Baltimore Orioles Wieters, Matt

C Matt Wieters (Tommy John surgery on right elbow in June 2014) will be in Spring Training but is taking things slowly. He'll often be the DH early on as the team wants him ready to catch on Opening Day.

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MLB Note - No MLB Team Free Agents Cabrera, Everth

2B/SS Everth Cabrera appears about to be signed by the Orioles and should give the team something they lack much of -- speed. Cabrera stole 99 bases in 300 games over the past three years with the Padres, and the Orioles desperately need some speed in their line-up. He also gives them some depth in the middle of the infield and can play a few different positions. This is one of those late-winter moves that could prove beneficial to the Orioles in a big way if everything works out.
 


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MLB Note - Los Angeles Angels Trout, Mike

CF Mike Trout won his first American League MVP award last season after finishing second in the two previous seasons. He did it with more power (career-high 36 homers), while his stolen-base total dropped each year, going from 49 in 2012 to 33 in 2013 to just 16 last season.

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MLB Note - Los Angeles Angels Shoemaker, Matt

RHP Matt Shoemaker was the club's biggest surprise last season, going 16-4 with a 3.04 ERA in 27 games (20 starts). He began the year in the bullpen, endured two demotions to the minors and wound up placing second in the Rookie of the Year voting. The Angels are counting on him to provide a repeat performance in 2015.

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MLB Note - Los Angeles Angels Aybar, Erick

SS Erick Aybar is coming off an All-Star season, his first in the majors and one in which many believe he ranked second to Mike Trout for club MVP honors. He was solid offensively last year (.278, 68 RBIs, 16 stolen bases), but his defense again will be key to the club's success.

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MLB Note - Los Angeles Angels Hamilton, Josh

LF Josh Hamilton had surgery to repair the AC joint in his right shoulder Feb. 4 after trying all offseason to rehab the shoulder without surgery. Hamilton is expected back before the end of April, but a bigger question is which Josh Hamilton will the Angels get? Hamilton hit just 10 homers, none of which came at Angel Stadium, in an injury-shortened 2014 season.

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MLB Note - New York Mets Wright, David

3B David Wright (left rotator cuff inflammation and ligament damage) reported to spring training on time and with no limitations. Wright battled a sore left shoulder for much of last season before he was shut down Sept. 9. A subsequent six-week strengthening program appears to have repaired the damage.



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MLB Note - New York Mets Black, Vic

RHP Vic Black (right rotator cuff strain, herniated neck disk) said he felt fine upon reporting to spring training. Black pitched just twice after Aug. 23 due to his injuries. He said he had a normal winter other than spending the first month partaking in shoulder-strengthening exercises.

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MLB Note - Texas Rangers Profar, Jurickson

2B Jurickson Profar is facing another shoulder surgery that raises the possibility he will miss a second consecutive season. Profar, who turns 22 on Feb. 20, is scheduled for surgery on Feb. 23. Team physician Keith Meister will perform the procedure. Profar has no timetable for his return, but he is not expected to be able to resume baseball activities until the summer. Profar tried to rest and rehab the shoulder after doctors suggested surgery in September, Rangers GM Jon Daniels said. Profar had aggravated a previous shoulder injury during spring training last year.

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MLB Note - Baltimore Orioles Bundy, Dylan

RHP Dylan Bundy, 22, the team's top draft pick four years ago, appears all the way back from Tommy John surgery of 2013, going 1-3 in nine Single-A starts last year with two teams, but the Orioles probably want him to begin the season in the minors and come up later this season. RF Dariel Alvarez (a combined .306 average with 15 homers and 87 RBI playing at Double-A and Triple-A last year) will be the team's right fielder at some point this year or next. The 25-year-old Cuban a strong defensive player, and the Orioles now don't have a regular right fielder, and a strong Spring Training might give him a shot at coming north with them.

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MLB Note - Baltimore Orioles Arencibia, J.P.

C J.P. Arencibia gives the team some veteran depth behind the plate since there's still some questions about if C Matt Wieters will be ready Opening Day. C Caleb Joseph and C Nick Hundley shared the regular job for the final five months last year, and the team didn't get much offense there. Arencibia, 29, struggled with the Rangers in 2014, hitting .177 in 62 games and even got sent down to Triple-A, but he's worked with the Orioles' new hitting coach Scott Coolbaugh, who also comes from the Rangers. Joseph also is back, and the Orioles also brought in C Ryan Lavarnway, all of whom should battle for the back-up spot behind Wieters.

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MLB Note - Baltimore Orioles Davis, Chris

1B Chris Davis will return after missing the final part of 2014 and the playoffs due to a suspension for unauthorized use of Adderall. That ended a season to forget where he hit just .196 with 26 homers and 72 RBIs. Davis had a .286 average with 53 homers and 138 RBIs the year before. Now, he'll have to prove that 2013 was not a fluke, and the Orioles will need the power from his bat since they lost DH Nelson Cruz and RF Nick Markakis.
 

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MLB Note - Baltimore Orioles Hardy, J.J.

SS J.J. Hardy signed a three-year, about $40 million deal with the Orioles during last year's playoffs. He is going to be an anchor for the team's defense, and the Orioles are hoping he'll be at 100 percent physically as back problems slowed him last year. Hardy's power dropped from 2013 to last year (from 25 homers to nine), but the physical issues caused that. If he can find that power again, it will give the team's line-up a needed boost.

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MLB Note - New York Mets Syndergaard, Noah

RHP Noah Syndergaard doesn't have a slot available in the Mets' rotation, and even if there were a vacancy, the Mets would send him down to Triple-A Las Vegas to prevent him from becoming eligible for arbitration prior to 2019. However, he is the latest can't-miss pitching prospect developed by the pitching-rich Mets, and spring training will provide a glimpse at someone who should help no later than August. Syndergaard, 22, went 9-7 with a 4.60 ERA in 26 starts for Las Vegas last year.

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MLB Note - New York Mets Carlyle, Buddy

RHP Buddy Carlyle actually came back last year, when he posted a 1.45 ERA over 27 relief outings -- more games than he appeared in between 2009 and 2013 combined. The Mets probably didn't expect Carlyle to return after outrighting him last Oct. 31, but he didn't find any big league offers before agreeing to a minor league deal with the Mets in January. The Mets like Carlyle, who will be the beneficiary if a reliever gets hurt and has to miss Opening Day.

Carlyle has an out clause in his contract that allows him to become a free agent if he doesn't make the Mets' Opening Day roster. He is the team's lone non-roster invitee with such a clause.

[© 2015 Thomson Reuters. All rights reserved.]

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