Flamethrowing Arquimedes Caminero has ‘inside track’ to big-league job
by Larry Hartstein | CBSSports.com

(4:43 pm ET) The Pirates’ newly-acquired reliever, Arquimedes Caminero, is a 6-4, 250-pounder who can hit 100 mph on the radar gun, reports MLB.com. He was placed on the team’s 40-man roster without remaining minor-league options, and has an “inside track” for a setup role at the major-league level, the report said.

The 27-year-old Caminero struck out 79 in 63 innings last season for Triple-A New Orleans. Pittsburgh acquired him Wednesday from the Marlins.

Caminero will be one of six Pirates relievers at spring training who throws at least 98 mph.

Tigers’ Ausmus: Avila, Lennerton, Westlake to get reps at 1B in spring
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(4:22 pm ET) With DH Victor Martinez (knee) now joining first baseman Miguel Cabrera (foot) on the injury list, Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said Thursday catcher Alex Avila will likely get some work at first base during spring training, per MLB.com.

Ausmus also mentioned Jordan Lennerton and Aaron Westlake as candidates to play at first base this spring.

Avila made his first and only appearance in an MLB game at first base in 2014. Lennerton has played in 730 games at first base in the minors, while Westlake has played 329 games at first in the minors.

Agent: BoSox’s Miley nets 3-year, $19.25M deal to avoid arbitration
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(3:24 pm ET) Red Sox starting pitcher Wade Miley avoided arbitration by agreeing to a three-year, $19.25 million contract, Miley’s agents — O’Connell Sports Management — announced Thursday. Miley’s contract covers all three years of arbitration and includes an option for the 2018 season.

Miley will receive a $500,000 signing bonus. His salary in 2015 will be $3.5 million, $6 million in 2016 and $8.75 million in 2017. His 2018 option is for $12 million, which includes a $500,000 buyout, according to ESPN.

The Red Sox acquired Miley in a December trade with the Diamondbacks. He comes to the AL with a 38-35 record and 3.79 ERA over four MLB seasons. He was an All-Star in 2012.

A’s outfielder Coco Crisp to dial back aggressiveness in 2015
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(3:12 pm ET) Athletics outfielder Coco Crisp said he is going to try and ease up a bit in 2015 after collisions with outfield walls led to neck pain in 2014, per the Contra Costa Times.

“I’m going to try and rein in my aggressive game,’’ Crisp said. “It’s tough for me to try and play and not be aggressive as I would like. But I had to do that once I hurt my neck last year. I couldn’t get to as many balls in the outfield as I would have liked.’’

Crisp first hurt his neck after colliding into the outfield wall in a May 7 game. He then re-injured it Aug. 29 following another collision with the wall.

“It’s a fine line trying to play hard and not be as aggressive,’’ Crisp said. “I’m trying to walk that line, being on the field and being healthy. I’m not scared of being who I am, the kind of guy who runs into walls if I can make the catch. It’s been the mentality of mine to save my pitcher’s ERA if I can, to stop that run from crossing the plate.”

Crisp added the rehab work he did this offseason has his neck and shoulders “back in playing condition.” He also believes swinging from the left side of the plate will not be an issue either.

“Being this late in my career, we all felt that rehab was the best way to attack this, and it’s working,’’ Crisp said. “I don’t way to end my career with neck surgery. So far it’s going good.’’

Braves’ Gonzalez lists four candidates vying for final spot in rotation
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(2:52 pm ET) Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said Thursday the likely candidates for the fifth spot in the rotation are Wandy Rodriguez, Eric Stults, Mike Foltynewicz and Manny Banuelos, per the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

All four players are new to the Braves’ organization in 2015. Rodriguez and Stults are both headed to spring training with minor-league contracts, while Foltynewicz was picked up in a trade with Houston and Banuelos in a deal with the Yankees.

Tigers DH Victor Martinez headed for knee surgery
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(2:07 pm ET) The Tigers announced Thursday designated hitter Victor Martinez tore the medial meniscus in his left knee during workouts last week, per MLB.com. He is scheduled to undergo surgery, which will be performed by Dr. James Andrews.

The injury was revealed after Martinez underwent an MRI on Wednesday. His surgery is scheduled for Tuesday. More information will be provided following the surgery.

The 36-year-old Martinez signed a four-year, $68 million contract in November. He earned his fifth All-Star nod in 2014. He hit .335 with a .409 on-base percentage, .565 slugging percentage, .974 OPS, 32 home runs, 33 doubles and 103 RBI in 151 games last season. He also won his second Silver Slugger award in ’14.

Rick Porcello already working out at spring training facility
by Larry Hartstein | CBSSports.com

(12:54 pm ET) New Red Sox pitcher Rick Porcello, acquired in a December trade, is already working out at the team’s spring training facility in Fort Myers, Fla. Pitchers and catchers don’t report for more than two weeks.

Porcello can be a free agent after this season but that’s not his focus, reports MLB.com.

“Just getting off to a good start and locking in and having a good year is what’s important,” Porcello said recently. “Obviously the money is a huge benefit of playing this game, but for me, the most important thing is to make sure that I play well. I don’t care how much money you make. If you’re not playing well, and you’re a competitive person, then you’re not happy.”

Porcello went 15-13 with a 3.43 ERA for the Tigers last season. “At the age of 26 and coming off of a 15-win season, Porcello could be positioned to have a big year for a team that, at least on paper, lacks a true ace,” the report said.

Braves’ Fredi Gonzalez begins to ponder options at cleanup spot
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(12:01 pm ET) Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said he is leaning toward batting Jonny Gomes or Chris Johnson cleanup against left-handed starters, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He might even move Freddie Freeman to fourth against right-handed starters, but Gonzalez is not sure yet if that will happen.

Justin Upton, who was traded to San Diego in the offseason, started a team-high 120 games as the Braves’ cleanup hitter in 2014. Johnson made 17 starts in the cleanup spot last season.

As a team, the Braves hit .255 with a .444 slugging percentage, .763 OPS, 25 home runs, 37 doubles and a team-best 102 RBI out of the fourth spot in the lineup last season.

Marlins’ Mat Latos will get $9.4M salary after losing in arbitration
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(11:27 am ET) Marlins starting pitcher Mat Latos lost his arbitration case and will receive a $9.4 million salary for 2015, according to CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman. Latos was seeking $10.4 million.

Latos is in his final year of arbitration. He will be a free agent after the 2015 season. The right-hander made $7.25 million in 2014 after making $4.25 million in 2013.

He is in his first year with the Marlins after being acquired in a December trade with the Reds.

Yankees ink six to minor-league deals with spring training invites
by Larry Hartstein | CBSSports.com

(11:24 am ET) The Yankees signed these players to minor-league contracts with invitations to spring training: pitcher Scott Baker; infielders Cole Figueroa, Nick Noonan and Jonathan Galvez; and catchers Juan Graterol and Eddy Rodriguez, reports The Star-Ledger.