Mariners’ McClendon: Joe Saunders will work strictly in relief role
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com

(10:58 am ET) Mariners manager Lloyd McClendon told reporters that newly-signed left-hander Joe Saunders will work strictly in a relief role for the club, per MLB.com.

Saunders signed a minor-league contract with Seattle on Friday, with an invitation to big-league camp. The 33-year-old veteran went 0-5 with a 6.70 ERA last season, splitting his time between Texas and Baltimore.

Alejandro De Aza loses arbitration hearing against Orioles
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com

(10:53 am ET) Orioles outfielder Alejandro De Aza lost his arbitration hearing against the club, and will receive $5 million in 2015. He reportedly filed for $5.65 million, per the team’s official website.

Baltimore has now signed all of its arbitration-eligible players. De Aza, who was arbitration-eligible for the first time, is expected to report to camp later on Saturday.

De Aza hit .252/.314/.386 with eight home runs, 41 RBI and 17 stolen bases in 477 at-bats in 2014.

Yankees’ Sabathia still taking PRP shots to treat ‘degenerative’ knee
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com

(10:48 am ET) Yankees starting pitcher CC Sabathia told reporters that he’s still taking PRP injections to treat his “degenerative” knee condition, according to Newsday. Sabathia revealed that his surgically-repaired knee feels good and that he’s ready to do “everything.”

“I’m ready to do PFP and everything. I won’t be running very fast, but I can run,” Sabathia said, per the New York Daily News.

Sabathia, 34, pitched just 46 innings in 2014, posting a 3-4 record with 48 strikeouts.

Orioles SP Ubaldo Jimenez working on new delivery
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com

(10:40 am ET) Orioles pitcher Ubaldo Jimenez told reporters he felt great following a bullpen session on Friday where he experimented a new delivery, according to MASN Sports.

Jimenez lowered his hands for a more compact delivery. He revealed that he wished he went to it sooner than September. Jimenez, who signed a four-year, $50 million deal with Baltimore in 2014, went 6-9 with a 4.81 ERA in 125 1/3 innings pitched.

Nats’ Jordan Zimmermann open to talks in spring, not during season
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com

(10:22 am ET) Nationals starting pitcher Jordan Zimmermann told reporters Saturday he’s open to negotiate a long-term contract extension during spring training but won’t listen to the Nationals once the season starts, per Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic.

Zimmermann, drafted by Washington in the second round of the 2007 draft, is under contract for one more season. The 28-year-old’s representatives met with general manager Mike Rizzo at the winter meetings, but were unable to strike a deal. He posted a 2.66 ERA over 199 2/3 innings in 2014.

Rays’ Matt Silverman: Matt Moore is on track for ‘June-ish’ return
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com

(10:14 am ET) Rays president of baseball operations Matt Silverman told reporters that pitcher Matt Moore, who is working his way back from April 22 Tommy John surgery, is on track for a “June-ish” return, reports the Tampa Bay Times.

“He’s been doing what he’s supposed to do ever since surgery and really showed a great work ethic,” Silverman said. “He’s not pushing himself too hard but he’s challenging himself.”

Moore went 17-4 in 2013 with a 3.29 ERA and 143 strikeouts. He suffered a torn UCL in his left arm after his second start of the 2014 season.

Pirates’ Hurdle: Francisco Cervelli ‘a hungry learner’
by R.J. White | CBSSports.com

(1:05 am ET) Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said Friday that catcher Francisco Cervelli has been “a hungry learner” while preparing for his first camp with the team, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports.

“He is a hungry learner right now,” Hurdle said. “He’s asking questions, having conversations, watching video tape. It’s getting the time on the field, behind the plate, watching the ball out of the hand, getting to know the guys.”

“In bullpens, I watch every pitch, where the pitch goes and the mechanics,” Cervelli said. “I’ve got to go slow and keep my eyes open.”

Cervelli had a great season at the plate in limited action last year, hitting .301/.370/.432 with two home runs and 13 RBI in 146 at-bats with the Yankees.

Blue Jays planning days off for Edwin Encarnacion in 2015
by Brandon Wise | CBSSports.com

(1:01 am ET) The Blue Jays are expecting to utilize Edwin Encarnacion as a designated hitter in 2015 instead of full-time at first base, manager John Gibbons said Friday. Gibbons wants to prevent Encarnacion from suffering injuries as much as possible this season, according to the Toronto Sun.

“We’ll be looking to give Encarnacion time off anyway to prevent a recurrence of the back problems that he had last season,” said Gibbons. “It’s important to nip that in the bud.”

If catcher Dioner Navarro is not traded, it is likely that Encarnacion will play some first so that Navarro can DH and newly signed Russell Martin can catch.

Yankees’ Girardi could see Betances, Miller splitting closer role
by Brandon Wise | CBSSports.com

(12:54 am ET) Yankees manager Joe Girardi has a hole to fill at closer without David Robertson on the roster. He is open to utilizing both Dellin Betances and newly signed Andrew Miller in the role to begin the year.

“I think you could do that,” Girardi said. “I think you have to see how people react when they’re in the situation. I feel good about both of those guys doing it. A number of guys down there, I think, are more than capable of closing.”

He is expecting a battle throughout spring training to figure out who will take control of the role.

“There are a lot of questions about how it’s actually going to mold together,” Girardi said.

Cubs’ plan for Castillo remains cloudy as spring training approaches
by Brandon Wise | CBSSports.com

(12:16 am ET) Cubs catcher Welington Castillo has heard all the rumors. He knows the team has been looking to find a trade partner to send him out of town. But he also knows it’s nothing he can control.

“My plan was to come to spring training, keep working hard like I always do, trying to get better,” Castillo said to the Chicago Sun-Times, “and just let the front office do their job. I can’t control it.”

Castillo hit .237 in 380 at-bats in 2014 with 13 home runs and 46 RBI. New manager Joe Maddon said he likes Castillo, but things are still in flux.

“The team has not been set. A lot of things can happen between Feb. 20 and the start of the baseball season,” Maddon said. “I’ve talked to the guy. I really like the guy. He’s very good. He’s an interesting player. He’s young. There’s a really high ceiling for this guy. So right now when we meet with Welington we’re just going to talk about the positive stuff and let’s just do spring training and see how it all plays out.”