MLB Player News

Marlins outfielder Marcell Ozuna was removed from Sunday's spring game against the Tigers due to a left leg cramp, per MLB.com. He is listed as day to day.

Blue Jays manager John Gibbons refuted the idea that Ryan Goins was named the team's starting second baseman, according to the National Post.

"I don't think I said Goins was the starting second baseman," Gibbons said.

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.

Outfielder J.D. Martinez, who has been a perennial disappointment since a promising start to his major league career with the Astros in 2011, has been waived by the team. The 26-year-old compounded his problems with a poor exhibition season.

Martinez still boasts too much potential to stay unemployed long. He is likely to be picked up by a team that needs young, talented outfielders and have the patience to groom him.

Dodgers first baseman Adrian Gonzalez is batting cleanup in the team's starting lineup for Saturday's season opener against the Diamondbacks in Australia.

Gonzalez was scratched from Thursday's exhibition with back tightness but was fully expected to be in the lineup for the opener. The Dodgers full batting order: RF Yasiel Puig, 2B Justin Turner, SS Hanley Ramirez, 1B Gonzalez, LF Scott Van Slyke, 3B Juan Uribe, CF Andre Ethier, C A.J. Ellis, P Clayton Kershaw.

The Dodgers optioned catcher Tim Federowicz to the minors and reassigned outfielder Joc Pederson, pitcher Zach Lee and shortstop Miguel Rojas to minor-league camp Friday.

Phillies outfielder/first baseman Darin Ruf could be out as long as early May with an oblique injury, per the Philadelphia Daily News.

The loss could hurt team depth. Ruf was seeking a starting spot in the outfield, but was at least slated to back up in left field and right field, as well as first base.

A left oblique strain could be more serious than first expected for Phillies outfielder Darin Ruf. He will undergo an MRI on Friday, per the Philadelphia Daily News. He felt discomfort for a week, but aggravated the oblique Thursday and was scratched from the game.

Ruf is slated for backup duty in left and right field, as well as first base. He has enjoyed a strongspring after showing some provide in 2013 with 14 home runs in 251-at-bats. But his 91 strikeouts were a concern.

The Dodgers will open the season with veteran Justin Turner starting at second base Saturday against the Diamondbacks, with Dee Gordon coming off the bench.

Turner finished the spring batted .355 in 23 at-bats, second on the team among hitters with as many trips to the plate. Gordon was productive as well, with a .286 batting average and nine stolen bases in 42 at-bats, and will likely still see playing time moving forward. 

Brad Miller has performing much better offensively (.447/1.000/1.512) this spring than Nick Franklin (.235/.412/.745), and it would seem he is running away with the starting shortstop job for the Mariners. However, manager Lloyd McClendon considers it a closer race than you would think.

"I think they’ve both played well to this point," McClendon said, per The Seattle Times. "I will reserve my thoughts on that for a little while longer. But they’ve both done a nice job. I’ve been pleased. As far as separation, I don’t think they’ve really separated themselves. I evaluate things a little different than how you guys evaluate them. I don’t particularly evaluate on given performance on any day. I see good things from both of them."

Phillies outfielder Darin Ruf was scratched from Thursday's spring lineup against the Astros after suffering a strained left oblique during batting practice. Ruf is batting .217 (10 for 46) with two doubles, two home runs and seven RBI in 18 spring games.