MLB Player News

The Mariners had a scout at the start of Yankees pitcher David Phelps Tuesday and could be a match in a trade for the pitcher, the New York Post reports.

Yankees scouts are reportedly "searching spring training camps for help at second and third base," and the Mariners are willing to deal infielder Nick Franklin after signing former Yankee Robinson Cano this offseason. However, the report states it would likely take more than Phelps alone for the Yankees to land Franklin, provided they're even interested.

Phelps is currently battling for the No. 5 spot in the Yankees rotation. He allowed one run in 2 2/3 innings in Tuesday's start.

White Sox second baseman Gordon Beckham went 2 for 3 with a double and one run scored in his team's 5-4 loss to the Indians Tuesday.

Beckham, who was scratched from Monday's game with tightness in his leg, is 3 for 7 with one walk in three appearances this spring.

White Sox second baseman Gordon Beckham was scratched from Monday's game due to leg tightness, MLB.com reports.

"It's too early in camp to kind of push anything," Beckham said. "It's kind of a fluke thing that I'm not playing today. It's not really a big deal."

Beckham has played in two games this spring, going 1 for 4 with one walk. He hit .267/.322/.372 with five home runs and 24 RBI in 371 at-bats last season.

Rangers shortstop Elvis Andrus, who is sidelined with flexor tendinitis in his right arm, played catch Monday, MLB.com reports.

"He's coming, it's just normal soreness," manager Ron Washington said of Andrus. "Like I've said, I've got it, too, but I don't have to throw from a position."

Andrus, who has also dealt with back issues over the past week, hit .271/.328/.331 with four home runs, 91 runs and 42 stolen bases in 620 at-bats last season.

Mariners general manager Jack Zduriencik told The News Tribune on Monday that the loser of the Nick Franklin/Brad Miller battle at shortstop will be optioned to Tacoma, where he will get regular at-bats. 

"With young players," Zduriencik said, "it's very important that they play regularly."

Franklin and Miller would have played alongside one another this season, but the team signed Robinson Cano to play second base. There have been trade rumors floating around Franklin all winter, and a deal is still just as solid a possibility as a demotion (if he loses the competition). 

Franklin, 23, hit .225 with 12 home runs and six steals in 102 games last year for the Mariners. Miller, 24, hit .265 with eight home runs and five steals in 76 games. 

In an effort to maximize the versatility of their bench, the Rays will start Logan Forsythe at first base in Monday's exhibition game against the Phillies.

Forsythe, who has never played first in the majors, told the Tampa Bay Times that he is open to the opportunity to play first, and "even has a new first baseman's glove."

Forsythe, 27, hit .214 with six home runs and six steals over 75 games with the Padres last season. He made appearances at second base, third base, left field, right field, and shortstop. 

Nationals middle infielder Danny Espinosa, whose production at the plate has never made up for his strikeouts, is taking a different approach with the bat this spring. He is looking to take outside pitches to the opposite field.

"He takes healthy cuts because that's what he does, Matt Williams told Comcast SportsNet. "But (hitting coach Rick Schu) is talking to him about being able to take what they give you a little bit more. Not necessarily cutting your swing down, but taking a little bit of what they're giving you ... and he's working on that."

Espinosa, who is battling Anthony Rendon for the starting job at second base and is also working at shortstop, batted a disturbing .158 last year in losing the position and getting demoted.

Rangers shortstop Elvis Andrus will be shelved for a few days with tendinitis in his forearm, ESPN has reported. The team is not worried about any lingering issues. He has also dealt with back pain.

Andrus has averaged 90 runs and 33 stolen bases in each of the last four seasons in blossoming into one of the premier shortstops in baseball.

Mariners shortstop Nick Franklin went 2 for 3 with his first spring home run in his team's 12-1 win over the Padres Friday.

Franklin's name has simmered in trade rumors in recent days as the team looks to alleviate a logjam at shortstop that also includes Brad Miller. Both the Mets and the Rays reportedly have interest in acquiring Franklin, who hit .225/.303/.382 with 12 home runs, 45 RBI and six stolen bases in 369 at-bats with the Mariners last season.

White Sox second baseman Gordon Beckham is using a more upright stance at the plate, according to MLB.com. 

Beckham has struggled to hit in the majors, and could be facing a crucial season in his career. While he's going to try a slightly different stance, he said he doesn't want to talk much about his changes anymore. Beckham has attempted to alter his stance in the past, and it hasn't worked out for him, so he's cautious about speaking of specific changes.

Beckham hit .267/.322/.372 in 371 at-bats last season.