MLB Player News

Mariners shortstop Brad Miller went 1 for 2 with a walk, a solo home run and a stolen base in his team's 6-5 win over the Reds Monday.

Miller opened the spring 0 for 5 over his first two games before filling up the stat sheet Monday. He's battling Nick Franklin for the starting shortstop role, with the loser of the competition set to be optioned to Triple-A Tacoma.

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. 

Blue Jays infielder Ryan Goins was named the team's starting second baseman by manager John Gibbons Friday morning, MLB.com reports. He was expected to compete with Maicer Izturis this spring, but Izturis will instead be used in a utility role.

"Goins is our guy right now," Gibbons told MLB.com. "We want to see him do his thing. There's always a chance. Opening Day is [Tampa Bay's] David Price so maybe you'd rather have a righty facing him, that could always be a possibility. But we're giving Goins every opportunity to be the guy."

Goins made 32 appearances (29 starts) at second base in his first MLB season last year, hitting .252/.264/.345 with two home runs, eight RBI and an ugly 28:2 K:BB ratio in 119 at-bats.

Astros outfielder J.D. Martinez said he spent the offseason overhauling his offensive game, according to the Houston Chronicle.

"I changed everything. Everything," Martinez said. "From my hands to my feet my leg kick my stride my load -- just everything."

Martinez, who is trying to earn his way back onto the 40-man roster, said the overall goal was to keep his bat in the hitting zone longer. 

"I was looking at video and noticed it through watching Jason (Castro)," Martinez said. "Watching Castro and how he changed his hands from two years ago to last year, and the adjustment that he made. It was kind of the same time Ryan Braun got popped for PEDs, and the whole Ryan Braun scandal was going on and all his highlights were showing up on TV.

"And I saw him and I was like, ‘Woah, am I the only one who doesn’t know this type of deal?’ And I kept going on the Internet and looking, and looking and looking, and I would look at mine and I would see the difference. How long they were in the zone, and how long my bat was in the zone."

The Blue Jays do not anticipate adding a second baseman this spring, according to MLB.com.

General manager Alex Anthopoulos said it's unlikely the team upgrades the position during spring training, but would still engage teams in trade talks. "I would think it's unlikely that we add someone there but I would say that we'll still continue to have some dialogue trade wise," Anthopoulos said. The team is set to open the season with Ryan Goins at the position.

Goins hit .252/.264/.345 in 119 at-bats last season.

Athletics outfielder Yoenis Cespedes is working with hitting coach Chili Davis, according to the San Jose Mercury News.

Cespedes is working to make more contact this season, which should help raise his average. He's planning to shorten his swing, but doesn't think it will impact his power output. Cespedes also reported to camp weighing 225 pounds. The weight listed on the team program has Cespedes at 210. He's hoping the new approach will make him more consistent at the plate.

Cespedes hit .240/.294/.442 in 529 at-bats last year.

Mariners manager Lloyd McClendon reiterated Wednesday the competition for the starting shortstop job is wide open between Brad Miller and Nick Franklin. McClendon made sure to convey that message to Franklin, who primarily played second base last season.

"I said, 'Look we have a Hall of Fame second baseman, that’s just the way it is," McClendon said, per The Seattle Times. "This is a new chapter in your career. One door is closing and another one is opening so it’s an opportunity for you and I’m going into this with my wide eyes open and you have the opportunity to compete for the shortstop position. I don’t have any preconceived notions."

McClendon said whoever stars defensively will likely walk away with the starting job.

"You gotta be able to catch the ball," he said."I’m looking for a guy that’s going to make all the routine plays."

Astros manager Bo Porter said Tuesday first baseman Brett Wallace and outfielder J.D. Martinez are not in any sort of last-leg situation with the team, according to the Houston Chronicle.

"I think you can look at Brett Wallace’s situation, J.D. Martinez’s situation and from a prospect standpoint, both of those guys have had success at the major-league level," Porter said. "But it just goes to show how quick things can turn at the major-league level. …. I believe both of those guys will have bounce-back years."

Mariners manager Lloyd McClendon said Monday infielders Nick Franklin and Brad Miller will compete for the starting job at shortstop, according to MLB.com. McClendon said he's not looking to move either player to another position.

"That's a good problem to have," McClendon said.

The Indians have announced an extension with outfielder Michael Brantley.

The deal leaked Monday, but wasn't announced until Thursday. Brantley will make $25 million over four seasons. The deal contains an $11 million option for a fifth year. Brantley hit .284/.332/.396 in 556 at-bats last season.