MLB Player News

Athletics manager Bob Melvin indicated that Mark Canha is ahead of Nate Freiman for the backup first baseman job, according to the San Francisco Chronicle on Thursday. Melvin indicated a few days earlier that may see playing time in the outfield as well as at first base.

Canha was acquired after being selected by the Rockies in the Rule 5 draft this offseason. He spent most of his playing time in the minors at first base. He slashed 303/.384/.505 with 20 home runs and 82 RBI in 465 at-bats with Triple-A New Orleans in 2014.

Mariners manager Lloyd McClendon indicated Thursday it is going to be tough to keep Chris Taylor and Brad Miller on the roster. The duo are competing for the starting shortstop job this spring.

“They both saw significant time last year and only one of them can play short as this team shapes up,” McClendon said, per MLB.com. “I like both guys. They both bring a lot to the table. I think Chris is probably a little bit ahead of the game defensively and Brad is probably ahead of the game offensively. It’s a nice combination and let’s see what happens. … If we don’t have injuries, I doubt that we can take them both.”

Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said Thursday star slugger Miguel Cabrera (ankle) is running at 65 percent body weight with a slight incline on the AlterG anti-gravity treadmill, per MLive.com. 

Ausmus added once Cabrera gets to 80 percent body weight on the treadmill, he can start fielding grounders hit directly to him.

Cabrera already has the option to hit on the field against a batting practice pitcher. However, he has chosen to hit in the batting cages.

The Alter-G anti-gravity treadmill arrived at Tigers' camp on Tuesday, according to MLB.com.

Both Miguel Cabrera and Jose Iglesias will use the treadmill in order to rehab their injuries. The machine allows the players to run at a reduced weight, decreasing the stress they will put on their legs during workouts. 

Both Cabrera and Iglesias are hoping to be ready for the start of the season. 

Athletics manager Bob Melvin indicated that Mark Canha may see playing time in the outfield as well as at first base, the Associated Press reports.

"Canha can go against lefties or righties and even play some outfield," Melvin said.

Acquired after being selected by the Rockies in the Rule 5 draft this offseason, Canha has spent most of his minor-league career at first base but has seen 83 appearances in left field and nine in right field, as well as 29 at third base and one behind the plate. He hit .303/.384/.505 with 20 home runs and 82 RBI in 465 at-bats with Triple-A New Orleans in 2014.

Indians outfielder Michael Brantley was unable to take part in sprinting drills on Tuesday with a sore lower back, according to the Northeast Ohio Media Group. Brantley is coming off a breakout season where he slashed .327/.385/.506 with 20 homers and 97 RBI over 611 at-bats. At this point, it remains to be seen when the 27-year-old will resume sprinting drills.

Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said Tuesday that in order to encourage Yoenis Cespedes to more of a well-rounded offensive threat, he'll have Cespedes paired up in the same hitting group as Miguel Cabrera this spring, reports MLive.com.

"I think the best way to do it is to put him in the same hitting group as Miggy," Ausmus said. "Miggy does that a lot. Honestly. I'm being dead serious. Put him in the same hitting group as Miggy and let him watch the best hitter in the game do it on a daily basis."

Cespedes, 29, was acquired in a December trade with Boston. He hit .260 with 100 RBI last season between Oakland and Boston. He owns a .263 average, .464 slugging percentage and .780 OPS in 416 games over three MLB seasons.

Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said Monday he is "seriously considering" batting catcher Alex Avila second in the order against right-handed pitchers, per MLive.com. Anthony Gose appears to be the other main option, but Gose could also lead off, which would allow Ian Kinsler to bat second.

Ausmus added Jose Iglesias could also work into the mix, but he doesn't see Yoenis Cespedes, J.D. Martinez or Nick Castellanos as options to bat second.

Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said Monday first baseman Miguel Cabrera arrived to camp in great shape, despite being limited in the offseason due to ankle surgery in October.

"He looks good," Ausmus said, per MLB.com. "He's walking around good. He's stayed in shape. ... He wasn't sitting on the couch eating Cheetos.

"He was very limited for the first six weeks. But he looks good. It's certainly good to have him here."

Cabrera was cleared to begin basic baseball activities last week. The Tigers remain hopeful Cabrera will be ready around the start of the season.

Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera was able to begin hitting Thursday and reported no pain to manager Brad Ausmus, reports the Detroit News.

Cabrera is recovering from offseason surgery to remove bone spurs from his ankle. He is expected to report to camp later this week.