MLB Player News

Rangers shortstop Elvis Andrus said his left knee felt better Tuesday, but he is unlikely to play in Wednesday's spring opener against the Royals, per the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Andrus added the injury is not considered serious.

“I don’t want to be 50 percent and not be able to hustle,” Andrus said, per The Dallas Morning News. “I’m still getting a lot of treatment and some massage, but the leg is loosening up. I did a lot of lifting all winter and I think it’s just a little tight.”

Manager Bob Melvin indicated that five players are competing to bat second in the Athletics lineup this season, the Bay Area News Group reports.

Shortstop Ben Zobrist, second baseman Marcus Semien, third baseman Brett Lawrie and outfielders Sam Fuld and Craig Gentry are all in the mix for the second spot in the lineup.

The Athletics opened last season with third baseman Josh Donaldson slotted second, but Donaldson has since been traded to Toronto.

Rangers shortstop Elvis Andrus met with Dr. Keith Meister after leaving Sunday's workout due to a sore left knee, general manager Jon Daniels said Monday. Although, the diagnosis seems positive, as Dr. Meister doesn't think Andrus' injury is anything serious, per Daniels.

Andrus won't play in Monday's intrasquad game, but he will hit in the batting cages. Andrus could also be ready to play in Wednesday's spring opener against the Royals.

Gordon Beckham's main goal this spring training is to win the White Sox's starting second baseman position. 

But for now, the White Sox are planning to use him at multiple positions in the infield during Cactus League play, according to MLB.com. This is somewhat new for Beckham, as he played second base during his first five-plus Major League seasons with the White Sox. 

Though Beckham is looking to earn the starting job at second base, he seems to be enjoying playing multiple spots so far. 

"I'm actually kind of enjoying running around," Beckham said. "I like popping around the infield. I know the coaches and the people making the decisions know I can play second base and know I can play it well. There has been an emphasis on them just telling me to get some work in other places."

Beckham actually played shortstop in college at the University of Georgia and played that position, as well as third base, after the White Sox traded him to the Angels. He was brought back to Chicago on a one-year deal. 

Beckham hit a single-season worse .226 for both the Angels and White Sox a season ago. 

Gordon Beckham's main goal this spring training is to win the White Sox's  starting second baseman position. 

But for now, the White Sox are planning to use him at multiple positions in the infield during Cactus League play, according to MLB.com. This is somewhat new for Beckham, as he played second base during his first five-plus Major League seasons with the White Sox. 

Though Beckham is looking to earn the starting job at second base, he seems to be enjoying playing multiple spots so far. 

"I'm actually kind of enjoying running around," Beckham said. "I like popping around the infield. I know the coaches and the people making the decisions know I can play second base and know I can play it well. There has been an emphasis on them just telling me to get some work in other places."

Beckham actually played shortstop in college at the University of Georgia and played that position, as well as third base, after the White Sox traded him to the Angels. He was brought back to Chicago on a one-year deal. 

Beckham hit a single-season worse .226 for both the Angels and White Sox a season ago. 

Angels manager Mike Scioscia hinted that the second base job is wide open, and did not close the door on the possibility of using a combination of players, including Josh Rutledge, Grant Green, Johnny Giavotella and Taylor Featherston for the position, per the Orange County Register.

"If it's a combination, it's a combination," Scioscia said. "If it's one guy, it's one guy."

Astros manager A.J. Hinch doesn't think they'll be any pressure on Jose Altuve this season, according to MLB.com.

Altuve hit an astounding .341, winning a batting title last year. Despite that, Hinch stressed that every year is different, and Altuve will be fine as long as he plays.  "I don't think there's any pressure on him as much as it's the pressure he puts on himself to be an elite player at the highest level," Hinch said. "And he just needs to play."

Hinch also pointed out that teams have had multiple seasons to adjust to Altuve at this point, and haven't been able to do so. "People have been trying to figure him out, and he's a tough out," he said. "He knows his strengths, he uses his strengths. He doesn't carry a lot of baggage with him, positive or negative, at least [that's] the early impression." 

Just like last season, Altuve is expected to hit first or second in the team's batting order. The 24-year-old hit .341/.377/.453 over 660 at-bats last year.

Athletics manager Bob Melvin said Tuesday infielder Marcus Semien will be given every opportunity to win the starting shortstop job. However, Melvin reiterated Semien will have to earn his spot in the starting lineup.

Semien's biggest competition for the starting shortstop job is likely Eric Sogard.

Rangers shortstop Elvis Andrus had one of the worst seasons of his career in 2014, and he thinks he's figured out why. 

Andrus told Gerry Fraley of the Dallas Morning News that, heading into last season, he did very little offseason work. He arrived at spring training out of shape and hurt his shoulder early in the season. 

As a result, Andrus had a career-low .263 average, the fifth-lowest OPS in the American League and 18 errors. 

This past winter, Andrus was among of 12 Rangers that stayed in town to work out regularly. He also did yoga and Pilates for the first time, helping him to get into the best shape in his career. 

"Last year, that was an off-season that I hope never happens again in my career,” Andrus told Fraley. “It taught me the don’t-do-it part of the game."

The White Sox wanted Gordon Beckham back, because he could play several positions. 

Beckham doesn't want to be a utility man, however. He plans to win back the starting second-base spot. 

“Listen, I plan to compete for a starting job, and if that’s not where I’m meant to be then I’ll do whatever I need to do,” Beckham told ESPN Chicago's Doug Padilla. “If I didn’t have that mentality, I wouldn’t be playing baseball.” 

Beckham arrived at camp three days early, to get a head start on his effort. 

"He’s coming in here to try and win a job and talking to him, that’s what he should be trying to do," manager Robin Ventura said. However, Ventura said he alreadyknows what Beckham can do at second base, so he'll get work at several other spots during the spring. 

After playing for the White Sox since 2009, Beckham was dealt to the Angels in late August. He returned to the Sox in the offseason, signing as a free agent.