MLB Player News

Blue Jays infielder Danny Valencia has filed for $1.675 million in arbitration, while the team has offered $1.25 million, Sportsnet reports.

Valencia is in his first season of arbitration eligibility. He hit .258/.296/.371 with four home runs and 30 RBI in 264 at-bats between Kansas City and Toronto in 2014.

Third baseman Josh Donaldson and the Blue Jays are likely headed for arbitration after failing to agree on a deal before the deadline Friday. Donaldson reportedly submitted a $5.75 million request, while the Blue Jays submitted a $4.3 million request, according to CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman.

Donaldson was traded to Toronto in Novemeber for Brett Lawrie and Kendall Graveman. He hit .255 with 29 home runs and 98 RBI in 2014.

The Twins have avoided arbitration with third baseman Trevor Plouffe, shortstop Eduardo Nunez, and reliever Casey Fien agreeing on 2015 salaries of $4.8 million, $1.025 million and $1.275 million respectively, according to St. Paul Pioneer Press and MLB.com.

Plouffe hit .258 with 14 home runs, 40 doubles and 80 RBI in 136 games in 2014. Nunez, a first-time arbitration qualifier, hit .250/.271/.382 with four homers, 24 RBI and nine stolen bases in 213 plate appearances. Fien posted a 3.98 ERA and a 1.17 WHIP over 63 1/3 innings in 2014.

Orioles third baseman Manny Machado, who's recovering from knee surgery, took part in a minicamp at the team's spring training complex Wednesday and went through a series of drills, according to the Baltimore Sun. He took batting practice and did base-running drills.

For the past couple weeks, Machado has been cleared for all baseball activities fielding except fielding balls side to side. He will meet with Dr. Neal ElAttrache, Machado's surgeon, one last time before the start of spring training in order to receive full clearance. Manager Buck Showalter said he liked what he saw from Machado, but noted that the speed of games will offer Machado another challenge.

"It's been a while since I've felt this healthy," Machado said. "My body feels great. My mind is clear, and I'm excited to get back out there. I'm itching actually. I haven't been itching like this for spring training since my first year of pro ball. I'm just excited to get everything rolling.

"I've been waiting to catch grounders. I could do it. I just haven't really decided to catch grounders. I've just been working on my hand-eye coordination and my glove work."

For the second year in a row, Machado's season was cut short by knee surgery. He hit .278/.324/.431 over 327 at-bats in 2014. It remains to be seen if he'll be limited come spring training.

Orioles manager Buck Showalter said Tuesday he has kept a dialogue this offseason with third baseman Manny Machado, who is recovering from August knee surgery. Machado will report to Florida on Wednesday to have a checkup on his right knee, per MASNsports.com.

"I get a lot of feedback on him and about him," Showalter said. "I don't sit here and go down a list. I'm going to leave him alone. I asked (third base coach) Bobby Dickerson on the phone today, and he said it's the best he's felt in a long time right now. It's good to hear.

"He's probably not real happy about having to make the trek over here. He doesn't have to make the trek. It's completely voluntary. That's what I told him on the phone."

The Astros announced Tuesday they will have 17 non-roster invites for spring training, including starting pitcher prospect Mark Appel and shortstop prospect Carlos Correa. Appel was the No. 1 pick in the 2013 MLB draft, while Correa was the No. 1 pick in 2012.

The other non-roster invitees are outfielder Andrew Aplin, pitcher Darin Downs, infielder Matt Duffy, catcher Luis Flores, infielder Nolan Fontana, catcher Tyler Heineman, pitcher Jordan Jankowski, infielder Dan Johnson, infielder Colin Moran, catcher Roberto Pena, infielder Gregorio Petit, pitcher Brady Rodgers, infielder Joe Sclafani, pitcher Jason Stoffel and outfielder Preston Tucker.

Correa (No. 1) and Appel (No. 2) are considered the team's top two prospects, according to Baseball America. Moran (No. 7) is also considered a top-10 prospect.

Twins third baseman Trevor Plouffe has resumed all baseball activities after breaking his left arm in the final week of the regular season, according to the Star Tribune. 

Plouffe hit .258 with 14 home runs, 40 doubles and 80 RBI in 136 games in 2014. The 40 doubles and 80 RBI were career highs.

Pirates general manager Neal Huntington said the team has kept tabs on the progress of first baseman Pedro Alvarez, who missed the final month of the 2014 season with a stress reaction in his left foot. 

"He's making good physical progress," Huntington said, per the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. "He's in a good spot and we feel we're going to see that guy who put up (66) home runs over the 2012 and 2013 seasons."

Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado by all means had a productive second season in the majors in 2014. Aside from winning his second Gold Glove award, Arenado also hit .287 with a .500 slugging percentage, .828 OPS, 18 home runs, 34 doubles and 61 RBI -- all career highs.

Still, Arenado isn't satisfied. The 23-year-old third baseman and rising star is looking to do more.

"I've got to get better, personally," Arenado said, per MLB.com. "I've got to be a better leader, a better player overall, fix my game, make sure I come in healthy and be strong.

"When people come in to play Colorado, I want my name to be popping in their heads."

Orioles third baseman Manny Machado, who's recovering from knee surgery, is scheduled to attend a three-day minicamp at the team's spring training complex next week, reports the Baltimore Sun.

Catcher Matt Wieters, who's recovering from June elbow surgery, is rehabbing in Atlanta and won't attend the minicamp, the report said. Wieters is still expected to be ready for Opening Day, though the team is seeking an experienced backup catcher as insurance, the paper said.