MLB Player News

Marlins outfielder Marcell Ozuna is the front-runner for the center field job, according to MLB.com.

Ozuna has hit just .180 over 50 at-bats this spring. He's showing improvement recently, and appears to have an edge over Jake Marisnick. Marisnick will likely begin the season in Triple-A. Ozuna hit .265 in 275 at-bats last year.

Marlins infielder Derek Dietrich (head) and outfielder Marcell Ozuna (leg) both returned to action during Tuesday's spring game against the Cardinals. Dietrich went 1 for 4 with an RBI, while Ozuna went 1 for 4 with a double and RBI.

Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper's top priority in 2014 is to raise his on-base percentage, according to The Washington Post. 

Last year, 37.3 percent of the pitches Harper saw were in the strike zone. Among hitters with at least 450 plate appearances, only Pablo Sandoval received strikes with less frequency. Harper walked in 12.3 percent of his plate appearances last season, which would have ranked sixth in the National League if he qualified with enough plate appearances. He also posted a .368 on-base percentage, which would have ranked 13th. 

"I’m excited to just have good [at-bats] and drive my walks and get my on-base percentage through the roof," Harper said. "I just really want to get my on-base percentage up. I want to get on base every single time I get up there. Whether it’s a walk or a base hit, I really don’t care how I want to get on base. I just want to be on."

The Tigers signed outfielder J.D. Martinez on Monday, a few days after he was released by the Astros, per MLB.com. Martinez hit .167 (3 for 18) with one double and one RBI in 14 spring games.

Although Blue Jays manager John Gibbons has said multiple times since last season Ryan Goins will be the team's starting second baseman, he "officially" declared Goins the starter Monday, per MLB.com. Goins is batting .176 (9 for 51) with one triple, one RBI, one stolen base and three runs in 18 spring games.

Injured Marlins players Derek Dietrich (nose), Greg Dobbs (quadriceps) and Marcell Ozuna (leg) are all progressing, per MLB.com.

Dietrich and Dobbs will both play the field during a minor-league game Monday. Ozuna, who left Sunday's game with a leg cramp, is feeling better and will do some baseball activities Monday. He could be back in the spring lineup Tuesday.

The Tigers have opened talks with first baseman Miguel Cabrera on a contract extension, but the discussions remain very preliminary, sources told FOX Sports 1. Cabrera is under contract through the 2015 season.

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.