Braves SP Alex Wood starts throwing off mound Monday
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(10:48 am ET) Braves starting pitcher Alex Wood said he felt fine two weeks after missing his final start of the 2014 season due to a sore left forearm, according to MLB.com. Wood said he began throwing off a mound Monday.

The 24-year-old Wood went 11-11 with a 2.78 ERA in 35 outings (24 starts) in 2014. He struck out 170 batters in 171 2/3 innings.

Astros hoping to finalize deal with Ryan Vogelsong on Tuesday
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(10:41 am ET) The Astros are hoping to finalize a deal with free agent starting pitcher Ryan Vogelsong on Tuesday, according to CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman.

Vogelsong, who was an All-Star in 2011, went 8-13 with a 4.00 ERA in 32 starts for the Giants in 2014. He went 39-35 with a 3.74 ERA over the last four seasons. Vogelsong is 2-1 with a 2.88 ERA in six career appearances (three starts) at Houston’s home ballpark.

Sandoval on decision to leave Giants: ‘I didn’t sleep for three days’
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(10:07 am ET) Before signing a five-year deal with the Red Sox in November, Pablo Sandoval was one of the most coveted free-agent third baseman and had many teams looking to sign him. One of those teams were the Giants, who Sandoval had played for during his first seven years in the majors.

Sandoval told MLB Network Radio on Tuesday that leaving the Giants was one of the toughest decisions of his life and led to a few sleepless nights before deciding to take the Red Sox offer.

“I didn’t sleep for three days,” he said.

Sandoval added he didn’t let the Giants make a final offer because he wanted to go to a new team and wanted a new challenge. He even admitted he “left more money on the table.”

Sandoval said having the DH in the AL had nothing to do with his decision to sign with Boston.

“I want to play third base,” he said. “I’ll play first base some, but I don’t want to DH.”

Brewers GM Doug Melvin: Jimmy Nelson is in the rotation
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(9:55 am ET) Now that the Nationals have agreed to a contract with Max Scherzer, there is some speculation Washington could be ready to deal starting pitcher Jordan Zimmermann, who will be a free agent after the 2015 season.

One potential landing spot for Zimmermann might be with the Brewers, according to FOX Sports reporter Jon Morosi. However, a trade to Milwaukee doesn’t seem likely since the Brewers would probably have to include Jimmy Nelson in a trade or have Nelson start the year in the minors, if Zimmermann is acquired.

However, neither of those scenarios are going to happen, according to Brewers general manager Doug Melvin.

“Jimmy Nelson is in the rotation,” Melvin told Morosi.

The 25-year-old Nelson went 2-9 with a 4.93 ERA in 14 appearances (12 starts) as a rookie in 2014. He struck out 57 batters and walked 19 in 69 1/3 innings. Nelson was considered a top-100 prospect last season by MLB.com and Baseball America.

Report: Giants open to adding another starting pitcher
by Chris Cwik | CBSSports.com

(1/19/2015) The Giants are open to adding another starting pitcher, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. 

The team is looking for more depth, so it seems unlikely that they would go after a big name. There’s also a possibility the team hasn’t closed the door on Ryan Vogelsong. The 37-year-old Vogelsong pitched with the club for the past four years. It was also reported early on Monday that the Astros are talking with Vogelsong.

Vogelsong posted a 4.00 ERA over 184 2/3 innings last season. 

Brewers designate Hunter Morris for assignment on Monday
by Chris Cwik | CBSSports.com

(1/19/2015) The Brewers have designated first baseman Hunter Morris for assignment on Monday.

The team had to clear space off the 40-man roster after making a deal with Texas earlier in the day. The 26-year-old Morris hit .275/.322/.434 over 371 at-bats over three levels on the minors last year. 

Angels’ Yoslan Herrera heading to Japan
by Chris Cwik | CBSSports.com

(1/19/2015) Angels pitcher Yoslan Herrera is heading to Japan next season, the team confirmed. 

Herrera was released by Los Angeles on Monday, and will pursue a career with the Yokohama BayStars. Herrera posted a 2.70 ERA over 16 2/3 major-league innings last season. 

Report: Astros in serious talks for pitcher Ryan Vogelsong
by Chris Cwik | CBSSports.com

(1/19/2015) The Astros are in serious talks with pitcher Ryan Vogelsong, according to FoxSports.com.

Earlier in the offseason, CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman reported that the Astros had some payroll flexibility, and were targeting starting pitching. The 37-year-old Vogelsong is coming off a season in which he posted a 4.00 ERA over 184 2/3 innings. Vogelsong would likely have a chance to win a rotation spot, making the newly-acquired Dan Straily a potential sixth-starter. 

Report: Phillies/Rangers had ‘in depth’ talks for Cole Hamels
by Chris Cwik | CBSSports.com

(1/19/2015) The Phillies and Rangers had in depth trade talks for pitcher Cole Hamels, according to FoxSports.com.

Texas had been mentioned as a possible landing spot for the 31-year-old pitcher, but money was thought to be an issue. Hamels is owed $96 million over the next four seasons, and the Rangers were hesitant to pay full price. 

The team’s acquisition of Yovani Gallardo from the Brewers could signal that talks for Hamels are now dead. While the team didn’t give up any elite prospects in the deal, it did take on an additional $9 million with Gallardo’s salary. Gallardo will actually make $13 million next season, but the Brewers agreed to cover $4 million in order to complete the trade. 

Cardinals’ Martinez will ‘be ready’ to compete for spot in rotation
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(1/19/2015) Cardinals pitcher Carlos Martinez performed well in the Dominican winter league this offseason. The right-hander, who will compete for a spot in the Cardinals’ rotation this spring, posted a 2.25 ERA with 26 strikeouts and just two talks in 24 innings (five starts). He even won three times, per MLB.com.

“I feel mentally, emotionally really good that I’ve had that chance to work real hard there and bring that to spring training,” Martinez said. “I feel like, yes, this is my spot. I feel like I’m the pitcher I’m meant to be, and I have experience now. I’ll be ready.”

Martinez added he will dedicate “this year and every year” to fallen teammate and friend Oscar Taveras, who was killed in a car accident in October. Martinez will wear Taveras’ No. 18.

“I spoke to [general manager] John Mozeliak, and I’m thankful they’ve given me the opportunity to wear it,” Martinez said. “[Taveras] was a friend, a brother, and it’s an honor for me to be able to wear it. I’ll wear it for the rest of my career.”