MLB Player News

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."

Nationals manager Matt Williams said he will keep a close eye on outfielder Bryce Harper during spring games. While Harper hasn't been held back coming off left knee surgery, Williams said he's interested to see how Harper will hold up once spring games begin.

"He’s a full-go right now," Williams said, per The Washington Post. "There are no issues. He’s continuing his work in the training room as far as his rehab goes. He’s able to do everything on the field. He’s participated in every drill. For me, he’s good. But we’ll continue to monitor though because once you get on the field and start playing games, everybody gets sore again. There’s no way to prepare for it. We’ll have to monitor as we go along. He seems fine."

Coming off an MVP season in 2013, Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen heads into 2014 with one goal -- improve in all areas of his game.

"Just trying to keep doing the same things I have been and keep improving every aspect of the game," McCutchen said, per MLB.com. "I'll even focus on baserunning, 'cause I know I can get even better at it. When I'm on base [in exhibition games] everyone will know I'll be going for second, because the only way to learn is to keep going. Being more consistent at the plate, with throws, on defense -- all of it.

"The older you get, the easier it is on you because you know you can reach your goals. If you 'hope' you can, that's like telling yourself there's a chance you can't. So even if I struggle early, I know I will be okay, because I've experienced a lot in my career."

Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper had some trouble getting loose  during batting practice Thursday, according to The Washington Post.

The issue had nothing to do with Harper's surgically repaired knee. Harper was unable to go through his entire routine due to an early meeting. When he noticed he wasn't totally loose, he cut the session short. Manager Matt Williams said Harper didn't want to start any bad habits. He stressed that nothing was wrong with Harper medically. 

Harper hit .274/.368/.486 in 424 at-bats last season.

Marlins slugging outfielder Giancarlo Stanton has expressed dissatisfaction with the losing he has experienced in recent years and does not want himself identified with it.

"I'm competitive, so I don't take losing well," he told the Miami Herald. "I'm not a loser. That's not what I'm accustomed to. ... So obviously it hasn't been ideal so far. And I don't want a career like that. So we've got to push it forward and start turning it around."

Stanton has little recourse for now, but he is eligible for free agency after the 2016 season. His comparative lack of production in 2013, when he batted just .249 with 24 home runs in 425 at-bats, was a reflection in part to a lack of protection in the Miami lineup.

Giants first baseman Brandon Belt was happy to work out a deal with the club, according to the Mercury News. 

Belt avoided arbitration Tuesday, agreeing to a $2.9 million deal. "I’ve been waiting on a phone call like that since I was in high school," Belt said. "I really can’t believe it right now." Belt believed he would receive a similar offer out of high school, where he excelled as a pitcher, but an arm injury prevented that from happening.

He also expressed his desire to remain in San Francisco long-term. "I think anybody would be open to a long-term extension, especially with this organization," he said. Belt hit .289/.360/.481 in 509 at-bats last season.

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.

Matt Williams is leaning toward placing Bryce Harper in the fifth spot in the lineup this season, the Washington Post has speculated. The Nationals manager spoke Friday about the possibility of Harper batting anywhere from the second to fifth spot, but has been most enthusiastic about batting him fifth.

Harper batted fifth just once in 2013. He opened the year in the third spot, but was eventually moved around anywhere between leadoff and cleanup.

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."