MLB Player News

Rays third baseman Evan Longoria reported to camp early so the training staff could begin working on his surgically repaired right hamstring, according to the The Tampa Tribune. Longoria had minor surgery in late November. "Two weeks after surgery I was feeling like a new man," he said. Longoria said he has been running, but hasn't attempted any bursts, which would put stress on his hamstring. Longoria said he isn't sure when he will begin playing in spring training games, but he will be ready by opener. Longoria said he will be open to taking days off during the season as a preventive measure. "If it keeps me on the field, I'll do it," he said.

FOX Sports Southwest reports Rangers prospect Mike Olt is ready to play multiple positions this spring. "I'm everywhere," Olt said. "Third. First. Outfield. I'm going to focus a little bit more on first and the outfield. Last year in spring training I was so focused on third base knowing I was going to be going back to Double-A and playing third base. This year it's going to be focusing on my weaknesses." Olt doesn't have a ton of pro experience in the outfield, but he's ready for the challenge. "I'm comfortable," said Olt, who also played some outfield this winter in the Dominican Republic. "I will be comfortable once I practice. I never practiced last year. I was just going out there, playing three games in Frisco randomly and once in the big leagues. Once I practice I feel like I could be pretty good."

Rangers general manager Jon Daniels told reporters Tuesday the team will enter spring training with Nelson Cruz as the starting right fielder, but Daniels said other players will see time in the outfield this spring in case something happens to Cruz, according to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. While Mitch Moreland is a leading candidate to spell Cruz in right field, Daniels said infield prospects Mike Olt and Jurickson Profar will also get playing time in the outfield. "Down in the Dominican [last week] we saw some of these guys, and our message to them was, 'Whatever your position was in the minor leagues, you're a baseball player now,'" Daniels said. "'Whether you're a middle infielder, you may play on the corner, you may play some outfield. Just be prepared.'"

MLB.com reports Nationals prospect Anthony Rendon was pleased with his effort in the Arizona Fall League after he was limited to 43 games last season due to an ankle injury. Rendon was particularly disappointed with his performance at Double-A Harrisburg, where he hit .162 in 21 games after returning from a long layoff. Rendon hit .338 with 10 doubles and 11 RBI in 22 games in the AFL. "Coming back, I struggled big time," said Rendon, who added playing in the AFL was key to his confidence. "I can't even lie about it. Trying to come back and trying to face all those good pitchers, I felt like I didn't know how to play baseball." The Nationals anticipate the 2011 first-round pick (sixth overall) having a breakout year. "He's not a sexy guy because he's well thought of," Nationals' director of player development Doug Harris said. "But we anticipate a strong year out of Anthony."

Last year, the Twins witnessed two different versions of third baseman Trevor Plouffe. They're hoping only one side becomes a mainstay for the upcoming season, while he grasps the starting job at third base after improving his defense during the offseason. "The opportunity is there for him to take that job if he does so," general manager Terry Ryan told FOX Sports North earlier this week. "I'm waiting to see exactly what he does. There isn't any reason with his skill set that he shouldn't be able to handle that." Plouffe bashed 19 homers, including five during a four-game span, during the first half of last season before a thumb injury derailed his progress after the All-Star break.

The Washington Times reports Saturday that Nationals prospect Anthony Rendon has completely recovered from his ankle injury. He should be 100 percent healthy for spring training. Rendon is recovered from a severe broken ankle and will compete for a roster spot in spring training with the Nationals.

Cody Asche is among the Phillies' non-roster invitees to big-league camp this spring, and though he doesn't have a real chance of making the team, the 22-year-old can further establish himself as the club's third baseman of the future, according to MLB.com. "He came a long way last year," said general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. "We talked about it a lot, that he made a mechanical adjustment." After hitting only .192 in 239 at-bats as a first-year pro in 2011, Asche hit .324 with 12 homers and an .849 OPS in 518 at-bats between Class A and Double-A last year. "He seems to be one of those baseball rat type guys, where he's not going allow impediments to stop him," Amaro said. "We'll see how he continues to progress. Obviously, he's got a chance to swing the bat. He's got a chance to be a decent third baseman. We'll see how he progresses."

Last spring, Rockies prospect Nolan Arenado was in the running for the starting third base job. Though he ultimately began the year at Double-A Tulsa, he continued to wait for that call to the majors -- a call that never came. According to MLB.com, the unfulfilled anticipation was a big reason he slumped midseason, batting .165 in July. "I thought there was a chance of getting called up, and that was part of it," Arenado said. He was able to regroup and finish the year on a high note, batting .366 with four home runs in his final 30 games, and now seems to have a better mindset heading into 2013. "He learned to focus on what's in front of you -- just play the game, and not worry about a lot of things that may or may not come in the future," said Bill Geivett, the Rockies' senior vice president of major league operations.

MASNsports.com reports Orioles manager Buck Showalter said it would be a huge surprise if Manny Machado didn't make the opening day roster, but he added the second-year infielder still has to earn his job in spring training. Manny's got some things to prove. He doesn't know it yet, but he hasn't made our club yet," Showalter said.

The Orioles acquired third baseman Danny Valencia from the Red Sox on Wednesday. They will receive cash considerations in return. Valencia hit .188 with three home runs and 21 RBI in 44 games with the Twins and Red Sox in 2012.