MLB Player News

Reds first baseman Joey Votto fired back at some recent comments made about the team's lack of leadership in 2014, according to MLB.com.

Votto gathered a group of local beat writers, and said the criticisms lobbed by former Reds pitcher Mat Latos were off-base. Votto didn't directly address Latos, but the pitcher brought the issue to the public recently. "The thing that upsets me the most is the people that are talking about leadership and talking about our clubhouse are not in our clubhouse," Votto said. 

Votto went on to say that he believes the only reason there were negative stories about the team's leadership is due to their poor 2014 season. 

The 31-year-old Votto struggled with injuries last year, hitting .255/.390/.409 over 220 at-bats. 

There's no denying White Sox slugger Jose Abreu had a pretty impressive rookie season in 2014. He was named AL Rookie of the Year after he hit .317 with 35 doubles, 36 home runs and 107 RBI in 145 games. He made the All-Star team. He won a Silver Slugger award. He also finished fourth in the AL MVP race.

While Abreu likely has personal goals set aside, he contends his focus is all about helping the team.

"I cannot say that I will put up the same numbers or be better," said Abreu through translator and White Sox Spanish-language broadcaster Billy Russo, per MLB.com. "I just can say that I will try to do the best every day to help the team win games.

"If the numbers are the same as last year, it's good for me. But my main focus right now is to try to be the best player possible and help the team. [The front office] gave us the opportunity to be better this year and to compete this year. That is the most important thing for us in baseball."

It hasn't been a secret the Phillies have tried this offseason to trade first baseman Ryan Howard. Although unsuccessful in their attempts to trade the veteran slugger, it appears Howard will be the team's starting first baseman, barring any injuries or spring training moves.

Despite facing some criticism from Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr., manager Ryne Sandberg believes Howard can help the team in 2015, per MLB.com.

"It's a new season, a fresh year for him," Sandberg said. "I had a good talk with him about working on his complete game, defensively, running and getting all that in, and I think that will help him with his whole game as well as his offense. It's not about working on one thing and being one dimensional, it's about working on his whole game. And so with the way that he looks, it should be a good camp for him."

Sandberg added he doesn't believe the speculation about Howard's future will affect the veteran first baseman.

"He's a professional and like everyone," Sandberg said. "He's in camp to get ready for a season, get in the best shape possible and get ready to go to help us win. Whatever else happens is on the business side of things and there's nothing you can do about that."

Although Rays infielder Asdrubal Cabrera has primarily played shortstop in his career, manager Kevin Cash is open to the idea of having Cabrera play at both shortstop and second base in 2015, per MLB.com.

"I think coming in right now, we're going to be versatile," Cash said. "And he's going to be versatile going back and forth, getting his work in at both spots. I know that we would like to have the [decision made]. [The] earlier the better. Because it gives the guys a better sense going into the season. That doesn't always play out that way. But Cabby, his conversations in the offseason with everybody, he's been very open minded. We're ecstatic to have him in there every day."

Cabrera, who fielded grounders at second and short Monday, said he would prefer to play one position instead of constantly bouncing back and forth.

"Yeah, I would like to stay at one position," Cabrera said. "I think it's hard for anyone to play short then come back at second. It's not the same."

Although Mets infielder Wilmer Flores is viewed as the favorite to win the starting job at shortstop, he is taking nothing for granted.

"I'm just here like the years before, fighting for a job," he said, per NJ.com. "I got nothing secure so I'm just fighting for it.

"Everybody has their own opinion about every guy and about every player. Just wait until I play, until I play the season. We'll see how it goes. I'm ready to take this job and I'm ready to fight."

Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. apologized to first baseman Ryan Howard for his offseason comments, according to philly.com.

Early in the offseason, Amaro told reporters that the team would be better off without Howard moving forward. Once camp started, however, Amaro reversed course. "Frankly, I apologized for those comments that I made that were public," Amaro said. "And I think he appreciated that." 

Amaro went out of his way to stress that Howard has always been a positive force with the club, and has never been a distraction. "This is a guy who’s always been a very positive person," he said." Great teammate. Good person for the younger players to be around."

The 35-year-old Howard hit .223/.310/.380 over 569 at-bats last year. He's set to make $25 million in 2015. 

Astros manager A.J. Hinch said Chris Carter will begin spring training starting at first base, according to the Houston Chronicle.

“(Carter will) start coming into camp … at first base, on the team fundamentals, the individualized defense, things like that,” Hinch said. “We’ll have him work a little bit early with some outfield stuff.”

In 2014, Carter hit .227 with a single-season best 37 home runs.

Reds first baseman Joey Votto arrived two days early for spring training and spoke with reporters about whether he's expecting to be fully cleared without limitations.

“I haven’t gone through the evaluation process with the strength staff and the [physical therapy] staff and the doctor and obviously, the baseball people," Votto said, via MLB.com. "If I get a couple of days under my belt and get the evals done, I think we’ll have a better idea of where we’re at. As far as how I feel now, I feel good.”

Votto suffered a distal strain of his left quadriceps a year ago that forced him to miss 100 games. In 2014, Votto hit .255 with six home runs, 16 doubles and 23 RBI in 62 games.

Indians first baseman Carlos Santana is hoping playing one position will help with his consistency this season, according to MLB.com.

"This year, I feel so great, because I only play one position, first base," Santana said. "We'll see what happens this year. I'm working hard every day and I'll try to do my best for the team." Santana got off to a poor start to open the year, hitting .207 in the first half. 

Manager Terry Francona said he believes Santana got frustrated by the positional change last year. "He started out miserable hitting and then moving positions, I think he got frustrated," Francona said. "And, I think when you're hitting .150, you get frustrated quicker."

Santana believes he'll be able to carry over his strong second half into this season. "By the second half, I was up and I finished strong," he said. "It's very important for me to try to do the same thing all year."

Santana hit .231/.365/.427 over 541 at-bats last year. 

Angels first basement C.J. Cron underwent a minor procedure on his wrist, manager Mike Scioscia said, via MLB.com.

Cron had a cyst in his wrist that needed to be removed. The procedure shouldn't affect Cron's availability in spring training.

In 2014, Cron hit .256 with 11 home runs.