Red Sox’s Uehara admits second-half struggles were due to injury
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(2:39 pm ET) After earning a trip to the All-Star game following an outstanding performance in the first half (5-2, 1.65 ERA, 18 saves) last season, Red Sox closer Koji Uehara did a complete 180 in the second half, going 1-3 with a 4.35 ERA and eight saves over his final 22 appearances.

On Monday, Uehara admitted the reason for his struggles after the All-Star break was because he wasn’t 100 percent, per WEEI.com.

“It was more physical,” Uehara said. “I didn’t talk about it at that time. I think I’m over it. I’m not going to go into specifics, but it wasn’t fatigue.”

Uehara, who signed a two-year, $18 million contract in the offseason, said he started his throwing program in late November.

“I probably needed the rest and felt good after,” Uehara said. “But I’m not going to look back and wonder what I should have done. I’m just going to look toward the future.”

Report: Tigers’ Miguel Cabrera to get foot evaluated on Tuesday
by Shawn Krest | CBSSports.com

(2:32 pm ET) Miguel Cabrera will get his surgically-repaired right foot examined on Tuesday, before the first baseman reports to Tigers’ spring training next week, MLB.com reported. 

While removing a bone spur from Cabrera’s right ankle during the offseason, Charlotte, NC surgeon Robert Anderson found and repaired a previously-unknown fracture in Cabrera’s right foot. 

Anderson will check the progress of Cabrera’s rehab from the surgeries and give his foot a CT. 

If Cabrera’s healing has made sufficient progress, he’ll be cleared to begin workouts with the rest of the Tigers next week, although trainers expect him to have some catching up to do with his conditioning. 

Former AL MVP Jason Giambi retires after 20-year MLB career
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(2:12 pm ET) Former AL MVP Jason Giambi announced his retirement Monday in an exclusive statement through the New York Daily News.

“After 20 seasons, I have decided to officially announce my retirement as a Major League Baseball player,” Giambi said.

“Ever since I was five years old, all I ever wanted to be was a Major League Baseball player. The Oakland A’s, New York Yankees, Colorado Rockies and Cleveland Indians were a big part of helping that dream come true…

“To the managers, coaches and players, it’s been a tremendous honor sharing the field with you and thank you very much…

“I want to thank the fans for being a part of this incredible journey. I especially want to thank the fans that gave me a second chance to let me show you the human being you see today.

“Lastly, to the game of baseball: I started playing you when I was a kid and I’m leaving you a man. Thank you.”

The 44-year-old Giambi finishes his career with a .277 average, .399 on-base percentage, .516 slugging percentage and .916 OPS. He also has 440 home runs.

Giambi won the AL MVP in 2000. He was also a five-time All-Star and won the Silver Slugger award twice.

Report: Dillon Gee ‘could be traded’ by Mets in spring
by Shawn Krest | CBSSports.com

(1:22 pm ET) Mets RHP Dillon Gee was the subject of offseason trade rumors. That’s understandable, since he arrived at spring training as one of six established starting pitchers on the Mets’ staff. 

The other candidates for the Mets’ rotation are: LHP Zack Wheeler, 41-year-old RHP Bartolo Colon, LHP Jon Niese , RHP Jacob deGrom, who won last season’s NL Rookie of the Year award and RHP Matt Harvey, returning after missing last year with arm surgery.

A source told ESPN New York that, although there wasn’t much trade talk on the first day of camp, Gee “could be traded” during the spring, if the right deal came along.

Colon is also a candidate to be traded to clear the logjam in the starting rotation.  

If the team keeps all six pitchers, Gee is the leading candidate to be sent to the bullpen for long relief and the occasional spot start. 

Gee was 7-8, with a 4.00 ERA in 22 starts for the Mets last year. In his five MLB seasons, all with the Mets, he’s 40-34, 3.91. His last relief appearance was in 2011. 

Reports: Red Sox no closer to acquiring Phillies SP Cole Hamels
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(11:32 am ET) Amid a Boston Globe report the Red Sox were one of four teams to have made a trade offer for Phillies starting pitcher Cole Hamels, multiple reports surfaced Monday the Red Sox aren’t any closer to acquiring the left-handed hurler.

A major-league source told WEEI.com the Red Sox aren’t “remotely close” to any deal for Hamels. However, the source added the Red Sox have made the Phillies aware of what they are willing to give up in a trade for Hamels.

FOX Sports reporter Jon Morosi also reported Monday there was no recent progress in trade talks between Boston and Philadelphia.

Hamels can block a trade to 20 teams, and the Red Sox are reportedly among the teams on his no-trade list. It is speculated the Red Sox would likely have to pick up a $20 million team option for the 2019 season on Hamels’ contract in order for the veteran left-handed hurler to waive his no-trade clause. Hamels is guaranteed to make $94 million over the next four seasons, per Baseball-Reference.com.

Padres will work Casey Kelly as a starting pitcher this spring
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(10:43 am ET) Padres pitcher Casey Kelly will be stretched out as a starter in major-league camp this spring, pitching coach Darren Balsley told FOX Sports.

Kelly has not pitched in the majors since 2012 due to Tommy John surgery. After missing the 2013 season, Kelly did make four starts in the minors in 2014. He went 1-0 with a 2.21 ERA and 17 strikeouts in 20 1/3 innings between two starts at high Class A and two starts at Double-A.

Kelly was considered a top 100 prospect by Baseball America from 2010-13 and by MLB.com from 2012-14.

Orioles SP Chris Tillman excels at controlling running game
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(10:18 am ET) Orioles starting pitcher Chris Tillman has allowed only two stolen bases in 13 attempts since the start of the 2013 season, per MASNsports.com. His ability to hold runners pleases manager Buck Showalter, who wants his pitchers to control the running game.

“When Buck came I focused on it,” Tillman said. “Before, I didn’t really pay all that much attention to it. Just try to make the best pitch that I can and whatever happens with the runner happens with the runner. But once he put the video in front of us and the stats in front of us about runners advancing another 90 feet, as a pitcher that’s everything.

“You’re trying to limit the baserunners from getting into scoring position and they’re a single away from scoring and I think when you’re able to lock down the running game and focus on making your pitches, it’s a whole other tool in the toolbox, especially with the catchers we have. John Russell is one of the best catching coaches in the game, and working with (Matt) Wieters and (Nick) Hundley and Caleb (Joseph) last season, we have a lot of stuff on our side.”

Report: Reds’ goal is to lock Johnny Cueto up to extension
by Jason Butt | CBSSports.com

(2/15/2015) Reds pitcher Johnny Cueto is willing to negotiate a new contract until opening day. It seems the Reds are on the same page with Cueto, with hopes of locking the right-hander up to a long-term extension.

The Boston Globe reports that reaching a new deal with Cueto is the goal for Cincinnati. However, if the Reds are unable to do so, it’s possible the Reds look to trade Cueto by the July 31 deadline.

Cueto is entering the final year of a five-year, $36.2 million deal. He recorded a 2.25 ERA and 242:65 K:BB ratio over 243 2/3 innings in 2014.

Indians’ Jason Kipnis reports to spring training ahead of schedule
by Brandon Wise | CBSSports.com

(2/15/2015) Indians second baseman Jason Kipnis has already reported to spring training and his ahead of schedule and Cleveland is happy with his physical condition, reports Cleveland.com.

Kipnis had surgery on his left ring finger to repair a tendon he injured in December. Kipnis also injured his hamstring at the end of the regular season, but is expected to be fully healthy for camp. He it .240 with a .330 slugging percentage and 41 RBI in 2014.