MLB Player News

Cardinals second baseman Matt Carpenter could be in line to discuss a contract extension during spring training, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

General manager John Mozeliak indicated that the two sides hadn't talked yet, but will likely do so during spring training. Carpenter is under team control through 2017, so making a move isn't imminent. An extension would likely buy out Carpenter's arbitration years and possibly the early years of his free agency. The 28-year-old Carpenter hit .318/.392/.481 in 626 at-bats.

Marlins general manager Dan Jennings told MLB Network Radio the team has had discussions with Giancarlo Stanton's representatives about a contract extension. Jennings labeled the talks "preliminary."

"It's something that they know our desire to pursue," Jennings said. We'd prefer sooner than later. There is no deadline on extension talks, but it has been discussed with Stanton and his agent."

Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera said he is 100 percent after undergoing core muscle repair surgery in October, according to the Detroit Free Press. Cabrera said he started feeling 100 percent "two weeks ago" and his workout routine is back to normal for what he would be doing in prep for spring training.

"I was feeling more strong. I was able to run at 100 percent," he said.

As for moving back across the diamond in the wake of the Prince Fielder trade, Cabrera said he is "happy" to be back at first base.

"I was happy at third," Cabrera said. "I was happy at first. It doesn’t matter where they put me. I want to play baseball. I want to win some games and I want to play every day. That’s what I want."

Tigers manager Brad Ausmus reiterated Wednesday during an interview with MLB Network Radio that the team expects first baseman Miguel Cabrera to be ready for the start of spring training. Cabrera is coming off groin surgery in late October.

"He's full go at this point," Ausmus said. "We don't expect any complications with Miggy going into spring training. He should be 100 percent."

Dodgers outfield prospect Joc Pederson is taking an optimistic approach to team's outfield situation. With Matt Kemp, Yasiel Puig, Andre Ethier and Carl Crawford blocking his path to the majors, instead of sulking about the situation, Pederson is turning a negative into a positive, according to The Los Angeles Times.

"You really can’t do much about that," Pederson said. "I guess it just makes you push that much harder. I’m not really competing against a normal outfield. You have four superstars, so it makes me a little hungrier and work a little harder in the offseason. I guess I’m fortunate to be in that situation and push myself to the most capacity I can."

The 21-year-old outfielder, who is considered the Dodgers' top prospect, hopes his MLB debut isn't too far off.

"I hope I’m pretty close, but I guess you never really know until you’re there," Pederson said. "You hear so many different opinions. Until it really happens, I guess you never know."

The Marlins have avoided arbitration with outfielder Giancarlo Stanton.

Stanton is set to make $6.5 million next year. He's coming off a season in which he hit .249/.365/.480 in 425 at-bats.

Marlins outfielder Giancarlo Stanton is not expected to sign a long-term extension with the club, according to MLB.com.

The idea of a long-term deal was at least discussed, but it's unclear whether the talks were serious. A league source said any chance of a long-term deal was "not going to happen." Stanton is under team control through the 2016 season. 

Cubs outfield prospect Jorge Soler said he's in better shape heading into 2014 than he was last season and he is hoping for an injury-free year, according to ESPN. Soler doesn't know what level of the minors he will start at this season.

Soler was limited to 55 games for high Class A Daytona in 2013. He missed time last season because of a stress fracture in his left shin. When active, Soler hit .281 with a .343 on-base percentage, .467 slugging percentage, .810 OPS, eight home runs, 13 doubles and 35 RBI.

The Astros invited 20 non-roster minor-leaguers to spring training Tuesday, including infielder Carlos Correa and pitcher Mark Appel, the team announced.

The team's other invitees include pitchers Jake Buchanan, Rhiner Cruz, Jorge De Leon, Bobby Doran, Mike Foltynewicz, Jason Stoffel and Nick Tropeano; catchers Rene Garcia, Tyler Heineman and Carlos Perez; infielders Japhet Amador, Jonathan Meyer and Ronald Torreyes; and outfielders Delino DeShields, Leo Heras, J.D. Martinez, George Springer and Preston Tucker.

Correa, 19, was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2012 amateur draft. He hit .320/.405/.467 with nine home runs, 86 RBI and 10 stolen bases in 450 at-bats with Class A Quad Cities last season.

Appel, 22, was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2013 amateur draft. He went 3-1 with a 3.79 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 33:9 K:BB ratio in 38 innings over 10 starts between low Class A Tri-City and Class A Quad Cities.

The Miami Marlins announced Thursday the 22 non-roster players that have received an invite to major-league spring training, the Sun Sentinel reports.

Pitchers Jesus Sanchez and Kevin Slowey, reliever Josh Spence, infielder Juan Diaz and outfielders Matt Angle and Joe Benson all signed minor league contracts with spring training invites.

Austin Barnes, Kyle Skipworth, Danny Black, Mark Canha, Colin Moran, Austin Nola, Anthony DeSclafani, Bryan Evans, Colby Suggs, Rett Varner, Nick Wittgren, Adam Conley, Andrew Heaney, James Leverton, Greg Nappo and Justin Nicolino -- all non-roster organizational players -- were extended invites to spring training.