White Sox P Jesse Crain’s workload increasing
by Jason Butt | CBSSports.com

(1:43 pm ET) White Sox pitcher Jesse Crain revealed that Sunday marked the first day he’s been able to pitch with only one day of rest in between in over a year, according to CSN Chicago.

Crain was able to pitch from the mound during Sunday’s practice. He also threw 20 pitches on Friday. Crain missed the entire 2014 season due to shoulder and biceps injuries.

Crain previously said he believes he’s a week behind the other pitchers in camp but it does look like his most recent injuries are now behind him.

Astros’ Chris Carter to start spring training at first base
by Jason Butt | CBSSports.com

(1:31 pm ET) Astros manager A.J. Hinch said Chris Carter will begin spring training starting at first base, according to the Houston Chronicle.

“(Carter will) start coming into camp … at first base, on the team fundamentals, the individualized defense, things like that,” Hinch said. “We’ll have him work a little bit early with some outfield stuff.”

In 2014, Carter hit .227 with a single-season best 37 home runs.

Yankees’ CC Sabathia reports to spring training at 305 pounds
by Jason Butt | CBSSports.com

(1:18 pm ET) Yankees pitcher CC Sabathia believes his weight loss in recent years had a bigger impact than he anticipated on his performance on the mound, according to the New York Daily News.

Sabathia trimmed his weight down and weight 275 pounds at the start of the 2014 season. He’s now back up to 305 pounds, which is a weight Sabathia is happy to be at. When he won the Cy Young in 2007 with the Indians, Sabathia weighed over 300 pounds.

In 2013, Sabathia posted a 4.78 ERA in 32 games and in 2014. He managed a 5.28 ERA in just eight games, with his season cut short due to a knee injury that required surgery. Those numbers are far above his career ERA of 3.63.

Sabathia thinks adding the weight back on could help him get back to where he once was, even if his velocity isn’t where it once was.

“I feel like this is a good weight,” Sabathia said. “I feel a little stronger. I feel my legs under me, being a lot stronger, and being able to push off the mound.”

Dodgers pitcher Zack Greinke resumes throwing Sunday
by Brandon Wise | CBSSports.com

(1:15 pm ET) Dodgers starting pitcher Zack Greinke resumed throwing Sunday after getting a couple of days off for rest for an elbow injection, reports MLB.com.

The Dodgers are being careful with Greinke throughout spring training, trying to keep him fresh for the season. He finished 2014 with a 17-8 record and 207 strikeouts over 202 1/3 innings pitched.

Mets’ Matt Harvey to throw batting practice Thursday or Friday
by Sean d’Oliveira | CBSSports.com

(1:14 pm ET) Mets pitcher Matt Harvey said he will throw batting practice Thursday or Friday, reports ESPNNewYork.com.

It will be the first time Harvey has pitched against live batters since undergoing Tommy John surgery, which cost him the entire 2014 season.

Brewers’ Jonathan Lucroy sidelined due to illness
by Sean d’Oliveira | CBSSports.com

(1:05 pm ET) Brewers cather Jonathan Lucroy will sidelined for the next few days as he recovers from the flu, reports the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

Lucroy recently recovered from a hamstring injury. In 2014, he hit .301 with 13 home runs and 69 RBI.

Athletics’ Sean Nolin still experiencing groin discomfort
by Sean d’Oliveira | CBSSports.com

(12:56 pm ET) Athletics pitcher Sean Nolin is still experiencing pain in his groin and will be shut down for awhile, reports the Bay Area News Group.

Nolin had hernia surgery over the offseason, but he has not fully recovered.

Mets not expecting Bobby Parnell back until May
by Sean d’Oliveira | CBSSports.com

(12:34 pm ET) Mets manager Terry Collins said Sunday pitcher Bobby Parnell will ‘probably’ not be back until May, reports NJ.com.

Parnell is coming off Tommy John surgery and was expected to begin the season on the disabled list.

Padres’ Casey Kelly dealing with groin strain
by Sean d’Oliveira | CBSSports.com

(12:07 pm ET) Padres manager Bud Black said Sunday pitcher Casey Kelly will be held out for the next few days after he suffered a minor groin strain, reports MLB.com.

Kelly will be worked as a starter during the spring. He has not pitched in the majors since 2012 after undergoing Tommy John surgery. 

Rangers may pick up option on Adrian Beltre
by Sean d’Oliveira | CBSSports.com

(11:58 am ET) Not wanting it to be a distraction during the season, Rangers general manager Jon Daniels said it’s possible the team will pick up Adrian Beltre‘s option for the 2016 season, reports the Fort-Worth Telegram.

Beltre would need 586 at-bats this season for the vesting option to kick in. In 2014, Beltre hit .324 with 19 home runs and 77 RBI in 549 at-bats.