Report: Indians likely to exercise option on Mike Aviles
by Marty Gitlin | CBSSports.com

(5:30 pm ET) The Indians are expected to exercise their $3.5 million option on versatile veteran Mike Aviles, according to the Northeast Ohio Media Group.

Aviles played outfield and all infield positions aside from first base last season in earning 344 at-bats. He finished the year with a stat line of .247/.273/.343 and tied a career-best with 14 stolen bases.

He was part of a lopsided deal before the 2013 season for Esmil Rogers in which the Indians also received emerging standout catcher Yan Gomes.

Bochy: Illness kept Tim Lincecum out of pregame ceremony
by Marty Gitlin | CBSSports.com

(5:15 pm ET) Giants reliever Tim Lincecum declined to elaborate about his absence from pregame introductions Tuesday night, claiming he was in a back room and that he preferred not to run out in the middle of the ceremony.

Bruce Bochy, however, came up with another explanation. He said Lincecum was busy throwing up. “That’s the honest truth,” Bochy told the San Jose Mercury News. Lincecum, who told trainer Dave Groeschner that he was feeling ill, made it out to the bullpen after the first inning.

“He said he was good to go,” Bochy said. “Timmy was available.”

Pirates giving prospect Josh Bell shot at first base in AFL
by Marty Gitlin | CBSSports.com

(4:43 pm ET) The Pirates are determined to find out if premier prospect Josh Bell can fill their longstanding hole at first base. That’s why he’s playing that position in the Arizona Fall League.

Bell split the first 10 games at designated hitter and first base, where he has already committed four fielding errors. His unfamiliarity with the position has proven problematic.

“Getting to feel overall comfortable has been the biggest challenge,” Bell told MLB.com. “I’m sure that will come with reps. When I get more playing time, I’ll be able to just run with it, react. It’s definitely something different. You’re a lot more active. It keeps you more in the game, always on your toes.”

Bell is coming off another strong year offensively, batting .325 with nine home runs, 60 RBI and nine stolen bases at the Class A Advanced and Double-A levels combined.

C Jackson Williams hooks up with Angels
by Marty Gitlin | CBSSports.com

(4:27 pm ET) The Angels have signed catcher and former top prospect Jackson Williams. The 28-year-old Williams finally reached the majors in late August and earned 13 at-bats with Colorado before undergoing right knee surgery.

Williams was a first-round pick of San Francisco in 2007.

Dodgers still waiting for SP Dan Haren to act on option
by Marty Gitlin | CBSSports.com

(4:17 pm ET) The Dodgers have confirmed that veteran right-hander Dan Haren has yet to exercise his $10 million option for 2015.

Haren certainly had other concerns Wednesday, when he underwent arthrocopic surgery on his non-throwing shoulder.

The 34 year old, who did not pitch in the playoffs, finished strong in the regular season. He yielded just 10 earned runs in his last 43 innings and concluded the year at 13-11 with a 4.02 ERA and just 36 walks in 186 innings.

Twins allow reliever Jared Burton to leave for free agency
by Marty Gitlin | CBSSports.com

(4:08 pm ET) The Twins have declined their option on veteran right-hander reliever Jared Burton, making him a free agent.

The 33-year-old Burton, who finished the year as the closer after Glen Perkins was shut down, compiled an ERA of 4.36, his worst since 2009. His control has weakened in each of his last three seasons and his strikeouts were well down in 2014.

Orioles facing dilemma in regard to future of 1B Chris Davis
by Marty Gitlin | CBSSports.com

(4:00 pm ET) The Orioles have a difficult decision to make regarding Jekyll-Hyde first baseman Chris Davis, who followed a stunningly productive 2013 with a stunningly horrible 2014.

Davis batted .196 with 26 home runs and 72 RBI before losing the last 17 games to suspension for PED use. The team might not want to risk taking him to arbitration, however, CSNBaltimore.com has speculated. Davis earned $10.35 million this season, a raise of more than $7 million from the previous year.

Further speculation is that the Orioles will not cut his salary 20 percent because they believe $8.65 million is too rich for their blood considering his monumental struggles this year. In addition, that move would likely prompt Davis to seek arbitration.

Tigers OF Torii Hunter believes he proved his worth in 2014
by Marty Gitlin | CBSSports.com

(2:34 pm ET) Tigers outfielder Torii Hunter appears to be leaning toward a return in 2015. That will allow to play into his 40s – he turns 40 in July.

Hunter maintained his consistency and productivity in 2014 by batting .286 with 17 home runs and 83 RBI while batting mostly second in the lineup. But his team was knocked out without winning a game in the postseason.

“Playing for a contender is very important to me,” he told MLive.com. “But taking a lesser role will be hard for me when my core numbers are pretty good, not just for a guy that’s 39 years old but also for a 22-year-old player. The last three or four months of the season, I played pretty good defense as well.

“I know that we all get older, but until I give you signs that I can’t help a team, don’t count me out just yet. I’ve been one of the most consistent hitters in baseball. Everybody knows what they are going to get.”

Yost: James Shields set to start Game 5 for Royals
by Marty Gitlin | CBSSports.com

(2:17 pm ET) Ned Yost has declared strongly that Royals ace James Shields is locked in as the Game 5 starter in the World Series despite the recent struggles of the right-hander.

Shields has yielded 11 earned runs on 23 hits in 14 postseason innings. He bottomed out Tuesday in the World Series opener against San Francisco, getting knocked out after three innings having surrendered five earned runs.

Jose Bautista hoping Melky Cabrera remains with Blue Jays
by Marty Gitlin | CBSSports.com

(1:21 pm ET) Blue Jays star teammate Jose Bautista has handicapped a return of free agent outfielder Melky Cabrera at about 50-50, per Sportsnet.

“I think he’s going to allow the team a chance to come and match any offer that he might get out on the free agent market,” Bautista said. “I think the Blue Jays are going to have a shot at bringing him back so hopefully for our fan base and for my sake – making my job easier and having him on base a lot, because he does get on base a lot with his bat – hopefully the team does take that chance and re-sign him somehow.”

Cabrera performed well in his second season with Toronto, compiling a stat line of .301/.351/.458 and scoring 81 runs.