Stiff competition for fifth spot in Mariners’ rotation
by Larry Hartstein | CBSSports.com

(12:16 pm ET) Taijuan Walker, Roenis Elias and Erasmo Ramirez are the leading candidates for the fifth spot in the Mariners’ starting rotation, reports the Tacoma News Tribune. “The more competition, the better,” Walker told the paper.

“It brings out the best of everyone who is fighting for the spot.”

Walker posted a 1.96 ERA in six outings last September after being recalled from Triple-A Tacoma.

Report: Yankees decline reconciliation with Alex Rodriquez
by Sean d’Oliveira | CBSSports.com

(11:50 am ET) After meeting with new Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred to clear the air over his year-long suspension in 2014, Alex Rodriguez also reached out to the Yankees to set up a meeting, but was turned down, reports the New York Post.

Rodriguez requested to meet with the Yankees to apologize for his role in the Biogenesis scandal, but was told to wait until spring training. Reports also surfaced that Rodriguez is looking noticeably thinner compared to recent seasons, a source told the New York Post.

Rodriguez is set to report to spring training Feb. 25.

Rockies’ Boone Logan appears to be fully healthy
by Sean d’Oliveira | CBSSports.com

(11:33 am ET) Rockies general manager Jeff Bridich said pitcher Boone Logan has completely recovered from elbow issues that ended his 2014 season, reports The Denver Post.

Boone struggled in 2014 and was placed on the disabled list with elbow inflammation. He produced a 6.84 ERA over 25 innings.

Report: Yelich, Hechavarria turn down offers from Marlins
by Sean d’Oliveira | CBSSports.com

(11:21 am ET) The Marlins are no longer discussing multiyear contracts with outfielder Christian Yelich and shortstop Adeiny Hechavarria, reports the Miami Herald.

A significant gap between Yelich and the Marlins has caused contract talks on a long-term deal to stall. Hechavarria turned down the Marlins’ multiyear contract because the offer was not significant enough. He can become a free agent after the 2018 season, while Yelich can become a free agent after 2019.

Rockies’ Jhoulys Chacin ready for bounce back 2015 season
by Brandon Wise | CBSSports.com

(12:46 am ET) Rockies pitcher Jhoulys Chacin had a tough 2014 season. After injuring his shoulder in spring training, Chacin struggled in 11 starts, posting a 1-7 record with a 5.40 ERA in 63 1/3 innings. He suffered right rotator cuff strain, which forced him to miss nearly half the season.

However, manager Walt Weiss is happy with Chacin’s progress this offseason.

“He’s doing great. He’s been throwing and working out really hard. He’s had a really good offseason,” Weiss said to The Denver Post.

Teammate and pitcher Jorge De La Rosa thinks 2015 will be much kinder to Chacin.

“He surprised me a lot,” De La Rosa said. “He was playing catch with me every day (in Scottsdale, Ariz.), and his arm looks really good. His ball really had some life, and he’s lost some weight. I think he’s getting stronger. He’s going to have a good year.”

Report: Braves sign reliever David Carpenter
by Sean d’Oliveira | CBSSports.com

(1/24/2015) The Braves signed relief pitcher David Carpenter, reports Baseball America.

Carpenter spent the last three seasons pitching for the Angels. During his career, Carpenter has pitched 43 innings and produced a 5.23 ERA.

Rockies’ Troy Tulowitzki wants to move past injury concerns
by Sean d’Oliveira | CBSSports.com

(1/24/2015) Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki has heard the rumors about being injury-prone and he said it only motivates him to play better, reports MLB.com.

Tulowitzki only appeared in 91 games during the 2014 season and said his main goal for 2015 is to stay on the field.

“I’ve heard that I’m injury-prone. I’ve heard that I’m getting older. I like it,” he said. “That stuff fuels me. It makes my workouts better. It makes me want it that much more. I just want to prove that I can do it. For so long, I’ve worked so hard to try to stay on the field. That’s what keeps driving me – to stay on the field, help this team win and try to solidify myself as the best player in the game.”

He added that he wants to play between 140 and 160 games, but he knows it will be a challenge as he gets older.

“It’s been a battle for me, no doubt,” Tulowitzki said. “I do everything I possibly can to prepare for the season and make myself healthy.”

Red Sox’s Hanley Ramirez confident he can play outfield
by Sean d’Oliveira | CBSSports.com

(1/24/2015) When Hanley Ramirez makes his spring training debut, he’ll be trying to learn new teammates and a new position.

The Red Sox signed Ramirez in the offseason with the intent of having him play in left field. Ramirez has never played in the outfield during his career, but has been working on outfield mechanics, including tracking balls and hitting the cutoff man. Ramirez believes the switch from the infield to the outfield will be seamless, once he receives enough experience, reports ESPN.com.

“I think if I put in all the work that I need to put to get better it’s not going to be that hard,” Ramirez said.

Tigers sign pitcher Al Alburquerque for $1.725 million
by Brandon Wise | CBSSports.com

(1/24/2015) The Tigers have re-signed pitcher Al Alburquerque to a $1.725 million contract with a $12,500 bonus for 75 appearances, according to CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman.

Alburquerque originally filed for $2.05 million in arbitration while Detroit offered $1.375 million, according to Heyman. The five-year veteran went 3-1 in 2014 with a 2.51 ERA in 72 games. 

Astros ask third baseman Matt Dominguez to learn first base
by Sean d’Oliveira | CBSSports.com

(1/24/2015) With the Astros recently acquiring infielder Luis Valbuena, third baseman Matt Dominguez has been asked to start learning how to play first base, reports the Houston Chronicle.

“You get a bigger glove, so it can’t be that hard,” Dominguez said.

Dominguez has spent the last two seasons as the full-time third baseman for the Astors, but he will compete with Valbuena for the starting role this season. If Valbuena wins the third base job, the Astros want Dominguez to be able to switch to first base.

“[Astros manager A.J. Hinch] thinks I’m going to be a third baseman, but he wants to also help me try to make the team by adding a little more versatility and move around a little bit more,” Dominguez said. “Do whatever I need to do.”