Dodgers sign pitcher Dustin McGowan to one-year contract
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(9:55 am ET) The Dodgers announced Monday they signed pitcher Dustin McGowan to a one-year contract. 

McGowan has primarily worked in relief the last two seasons for the Blue Jays after injuries derailed his career as a starter. Since the start of the 2013 season, McGowan is 5-3 with a 3.76 ERA and one save in 78 appearances (eight starts).

Indians’ Michael Bourn working to strengthen legs
by Chris Cwik | CBSSports.com

(1:50 am ET) Indians outfielder Michael Bourn is working on strengthening his legs, according to MLB.com.

Bourn is looking to steal more bases this season, but acknowledged it takes him more time to warm up these days. “I’ve got to get my body warmed up,” he said. “I need to get prepared to play.”

In order to combat that, Bourn worked with former Olympian Leroy Burrell during the offseason. With Burrell’s program, Bourn is hoping to reduce the strain on his hamstrings. He’s missed time in each of the past two seasons due to hamstring issues. 

Bourn stresses that even though the steal totals have been low, he doesn’t feel that he’s lost his explosiveness. “I never lost my explosiveness,” Bourn said. “That never was a problem. I just had to get comfortable coming back off a hamstring injury to have that wherewithal of, ‘OK don’t worry about that.'”

The 32-year-old hit .257/.314/.360 over 444 at-bats last year. 

White Sox pitcher Brad Penny hoping to start
by Chris Cwik | CBSSports.com

(1:20 am ET) White Sox pitcher Brad Penny is hoping to start again this season, according to CSN.

Penny signed a minor-league deal with the club during the offseason, and is hoping to make an impact in the rotation. After starting throughout most of his career, Penny has been used as a reliever in recent seasons. He wasn’t a fan of the transition. “I never really felt good [as a reliever],” Penny said. “I’m better off as a starter. The older you get the harder it is to get loose. I need to know I’m starting at 7 o’clock.”

The 36-year-old posted a 6.58 ERA over 26 innings last year. 

Brewers’ Jonathan Broxton doesn’t care about his role
by Chris Cwik | CBSSports.com

(12:06 am ET) Brewers reliever Jonathan Broxton doesn’t care about his role, according to the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. 

Broxton enters the season as the favorite to close, but manager Ron Roenicke said he wouldn’t announce his closer for a few more weeks. That doesn’t really matter to Broxton, though. “I don’t care where I pitch. Seventh, eighth, ninth — I don’t care,” he said. “They’re all important outs.”

The Brewers are reportedly talking to Francisco Rodriguez, but Broxton said he wouldn’t mind if the team added another reliever. “I ain’t going to sweat it if they go add somebody, and if they don’t I’m not going to sweat,” Broxton said. “I’m going to go out there and give it everything I have, every day.”

Broxton posted a 2.30 ERA over 58 2/3 innings last year. 

Brewers considering Tyler Thornburg for the rotation
by Chris Cwik | CBSSports.com

(2/22/2015) The Brewers are considering pitcher Tyler Thornburg as a starter, according to the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel.

Thornburg pitched in relief last season, but was shut down in June due to an elbow injury. The team is considering stretching him out this spring. “We know he can do that but we want to make sure if we need a long man he’s able to do that,” manager Ron Roenicke said. “We’ve talked about both (starting and long relief).” Roenicke said he won’t make a decision until he discusses things with Thornburg first. The club wants to make sure Thornburg is comfortable with the decision, especially since he’s coming off an arm injury.

The 26-year-old posted a 4.25 ERA over 29 2/3 innings last year. 

Athletics’ Josh Phegley hoping to win starting job
by Chris Cwik | CBSSports.com

(2/22/2015) Athletics catcher Josh Phegley is hoping to win a starting job with his new club, according to MLB.com.

Phegley came over in the Jeff Samardzija trade during the offseason, and sees this as the first time he’ll be seriously considered for the starting job. Manager Bob Melvin agreed, saying Phegley has “got a great opportunity to be that guy.” 

The 27-year-old had chances at playing time with the White Sox over the past few seasons, but the club opted to go with Tyler Flowers instead. Coming over to the A’s should speed up the process for Phegley. “I was extremely surprised, but very excited when I heard I was coming over here,” he said. “Anytime you get traded, that team obviously wants you. Everything I’ve heard, all the feedback I’ve gotten, it looks like I’ve got a pretty good opportunity.”

Phegley has hit .207/.221/.332 over 241 career at-bats in the majors. 

Indians’ Zach McAllister hoping versatility earns him a spot
by Chris Cwik | CBSSports.com

(2/22/2015) Indians pitcher Zach McAllister is hoping his versatility will earn him a spot on the team’s 25-man roster, according to the Northeast Ohio Media Group.

McAllister is out of options, and the team could lose him on waivers if he doesn’t make the final roster. While it would be tough for him to break the rotation, McAllister showed he could excel as a reliever last September.

Manager Terry Francona said McAllister should make the team if he performs up to his expectations. “From where I sit, as long as he throws the ball like he did in September, regardless of what his role is, he’s going to help us win.” 

McAllister said he would be happy pitching in any role. “I’m here to compete whether it’s in the bullpen or as a starter,” McAllister said. “Eventually it will all play itself out. I’m not here to really worry about what will happen.”

McAllister posted a 5.23 ERA over 86 innings in 2014. 

Report: Brewers negotiating with Francisco Rodriguez
by Chris Cwik | CBSSports.com

(2/22/2015) Brewers owner Mark Attanasio is talking to Francisco Rodriguez‘s agent about a possible deal, according to FoxSports.com.

Rodriguez is represented by Scott Boras, and pitched for the club last season. The 33-year-old posted a 3.04 ERA over 68 innings. He saved 44 games with the team. Rodriguez was reportedly looking for a deal close to $10 million per season.

Dodgers’ Brett Anderson being brought along slowly
by Chris Cwik | CBSSports.com

(2/22/2015) Dodgers pitcher Brett Anderson is being brought along slowly this spring, according to MLB.com.

Anderson did not throw a bullpen session on Sunday in order to get an extra day of rest. Anderson is coming off back surgery, and was limited to just 43 1/3 innings last year. Anderson did play catch on Sunday, and said he plans to throw another bullpen session on Monday. He’s been taking extra days off after throwing, but expects to be on a normal schedule soon.

Anderson posted a 2.91 ERA with the Rockies last year.

Angels 1B Albert Pujols could retire if daughter makes Olympics
by Jason Butt | CBSSports.com

(2/22/2015) For Angels first baseman Albert Pujols, family comes first.

If Pujols’ daughter, Sophia, reaches the 2020 Olympics in gymnastics, that could be the year he retires.

“That might have to be the year I retire,” Pujols said, via the Los Angeles Times. “You can put that in the paper, because I don’t want to miss it. … Either that, or they’ll have to put me on the disabled list for two weeks.”

Pujols is 35 and will be 40 by the time that comes. Pujols’ daughter is 9 and considered to be a high-caliber gymnast.

Pujols’ 10-year, $240-million contract expires in 2021.