Pitcher Chad Gaudin throws bullpen session for Diamondbacks
by Sean d’Oliveira | CBSSports.com

(11:29 am ET) Free-agent pitcher Chad Gaudin recently threw a bullpen session for the Diamondbacks, reports The Arizona Republic.

General manager Dave Stewart said the team has interest in signing the right-hander to add bullpen depth. Gaudin last pitched in 2013 and produced a 3.06 ERA over 97 innings.

Report: Mariners prospect Victor Sanchez involved in accident
by Sean d’Oliveira | CBSSports.com

(10:11 am ET) Mariners pitching prospect Victor Sanchez was involved in an accident while in Venezuela on Saturday, reports The News Tribune.

The extent of Sanchez’s injuries is unknown. While pitching at Double-A last season, Sanchez went 7-6 with a 4.19 ERA over 23 starts.

Mets’ Matt Harvey says team has ‘realistic’ shot at World Series title
by Sean d’Oliveira | CBSSports.com

(9:44 am ET) Mets pitcher Matt Harvey was not shy in expressing his expectations for the upcoming season. Harvey spoke to reporters Saturday and said the goal is to compete for a World Series title, reports the New York Daily News.

“I think it’s very realistic,” Harvey said. “I think we’re looking forward to it and we’re gonna do everything we can.”

Harvey missed the entire 2014 season after having Tommy John surgery and said he’s looking forward to regaining his old form.

“It’s been a long wait, something I’ve been looking forward to for a long time,” he said.

Huntington: Pirates have ‘zero intent’ to start Jung Ho Kang in minors
by R.J. White | CBSSports.com

(12:31 am ET) Pirates general manager Neal Huntington said the team has “zero intent” to send infielder Jung Ho Kang to the minors to help him acclimate to baseball in the US, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

“We feel we are in a good spot with him to help [Kang] adjust, to help him get up to speed and to get used to the new culture, new environment and new league,” Huntington said. “We’re looking forward to him helping us win games.”

Kang hit .356 and posted a .459 on-base percentage while hitting 40 home runs with the Nexen Heroes of the Korea Baseball Association last season. He is expected to open the season as a utility infielder after signing a four-year deal worth $11 million this offseason.

Yankees C Austin Romine loses 15 pounds, shoots for No. 2 role
by R.J. White | CBSSports.com

(2/14/2015) Yankees catcher Austin Romine lost 15 pounds this winter while training with his brother, Tigers shortstop Andrew Romine, as part of his plan to put himself in position to be the Yankees’ backup catcher in 2015, the New York Daily News reports.

“I want it,” Austin Romine said. “I want to go out there and prove to them that I want it. That’s why I’m here early and I just want to hit the ground running and go after it and bust my (butt) to make the team.”

The Yankees will hold a position battle for the right to serve as Brian McCann’s backup after Francisco Cervelli was traded this offseason. Romine showed up to camp 10 days early to prove he’s ready for the role after his offseason training program.

“We focused a lot on lower body, which as a catcher is perfect,” Romine said. “(Andrew) sped me up a little bit. We worked on some speed. Being a catcher, you don’t want to be labeled as a slow guy. We worked on that. He blew me out of the water on everything because he’s fast as heck. We worked hard. That’s where the 15 pounds came off and I feel really good.”

Romine was just 3 for 13 in seven appearances with the Yankees in 2014. He hit .242/.300/.365 with six home runs and 33 RBI in 285 at-bats with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

Report: Indians interested in OF Dayan Viciedo
by R.J. White | CBSSports.com

(2/14/2015) The Indians have interest in signing outfielder Dayan Viciedo, who was released by the White Sox in early February, the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Viciedo is expected to command a big-league deal, but it’s unclear whether the Indians are willing to sign him to a guaranteed major-league contract. He may also choose a situation that offers the possibility of more playing time.

Viciedo hit .231/.281/.405 with 21 home runs and 58 RBI in 523 at-bats last season.

Report: Indians not interested in signing Barry Zito
by R.J. White | CBSSports.com

(2/14/2015) The Indians are not interested in signing pitcher Barry Zito, the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

The Indians were among the teams to watch Zito at his throwing session in Houston Tuesday, but it appears they were either unimpressed by the session or were just being thorough in scouring the pitching market. Zito was out of the majors in 2014 and went 5-11 with a 5.74 ERA in 2013.

Rangers sign Jamey Wright to minor-league deal
by R.J. White | CBSSports.com

(2/14/2015) The Rangers have signed pitcher Jamey Wright to a minor-league deal with an invitation to spring training, the team announced Saturday.

Wright, 40, pitched for the Dodgers in 2014, his 19th season in the majors. He went 5-4 with a 4.35 ERA and 54:27 K:BB ratio in 70 1/3 innings. He owns a career 3.96 ERA in 561 relief innings and has made 248 career starts.

Tigers’ Justin Verlander throwing bullpen sessions ahead of camp
by Brandon Wise | CBSSports.com

(2/14/2015) Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander is already throwing two bullpen sessions a week in preparation for spring training. Which, for Verlander, is not all that uncommon. Except, last season, Verlander could not do so, because he was still recovering from a core muscle injury that required surgery.

“Last year I hadn’t even picked up a ball at this point,” he said Friday according to The Detroit News.

Verlander finished 2014 with a 15-12 record in 206 innings with a 4.54 ERA and 159 strikeouts.

Chris Davis plans to adjust strategy while hitting against the shift
by Brandon Wise | CBSSports.com

(2/14/2015) Orioles first baseman Chris Davis struggled in 2014 from the plate, especially hitting against a defensive shift. So much so, in fact, Davis is planning to see the adjustment and change his approach at the plate accordingly.

I think there are definitely situations where I need to bunt, and I know there was some frustration last year obviously with my batting average being as low as it was – not only on my part but the fan base and maybe even on some of my teammates’ part – as far as me hitting into the shift,” Davis said on the “Hot Stove Show” on 105.7 The Fan.

Davis hit for his second-lowest average of his career in 2014, post a .196 average with 26 home runs and 76 RBI. 

I think the biggest thing for me last year was just seeing how drastic the shift was. I remember when Texas came in, I hit something like three or four balls on a line in the four hole, which is right over the first baseman’s right shoulder. These are balls that most of the time are going to be singles, if not doubles, and the second baseman caught them at his chest on a line, and I was just thinking, ‘Man, that’s not even fair. Those are good hits right there that are being taken away.'”