Astros’ Keuchel after live BP: I was happy with my command
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com

(12:59 pm ET) Astros pitcher Dallas Keuchel told reporters he was pleased with how he felt after his first live batting practice session, the Houston Chronicle reports. The left-hander threw 30 pitches and faced some of Houston’s top prospects, including shortstop Carlos Correa.

“I felt good,” Keuchel said. “I was pretty much trying to throw as many strikes and fill up the zone as possible. I was able to establish both corners. I was just trying to let the movement take shape and see where I was at in my first time ramping it up a little bit more than bullpens.

“You get your adrenaline flowing when you see a batter up there and your competitive juices start flowing,” Keuchel said. “I was very happy with the way I was able to command the ball and some of the shape that was able to take place.”

Keuchel led the club in victories in 2014, posting a 12-9 record with 2.93 ERA.

Red Sox’s Bogaerts restores confidence after tough year in 2014
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(12:58 pm ET) Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts admitted he lost confidence in 2014 while he was struggling to get on track offensively.

“Yeah, a little bit — going really bad for two months, I mean extremely bad,” Bogaerts said of losing confidence, per WEEI.com. “Trying to have confidence everyday coming to the park was pretty tough. This year is a new year, I feel much better. I feel much more confident in myself so, it’s something I definitely learned, no matter how tough the situation is it’s just keep your head up.”

Bogaerts said the experiences he learned last season should help him well moving forward.

“It’s a really tough game,” Bogaerts said. “Especially in the Boston market — a lot of media attention, especially after winning the World Series, a lot of eyes were on us. I think this year will probably be the same because of all the new acquisitions that we have. You just have to have a lot of confidence in yourself. You go through your ups and downs. It’s definitely easy to lose your confidence.”

A’s Melvin: Mark Canha is ahead of Nate Freiman for backup 1B gig
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com

(12:53 pm ET) Athletics manager Bob Melvin indicated that Mark Canha is ahead of Nate Freiman for the backup first baseman job, according to the San Francisco Chronicle on Thursday. Melvin indicated a few days earlier that may see playing time in the outfield as well as at first base.

Canha was acquired after being selected by the Rockies in the Rule 5 draft this offseason. He spent most of his playing time in the minors at first base. He slashed 303/.384/.505 with 20 home runs and 82 RBI in 465 at-bats with Triple-A New Orleans in 2014.

Marlins’ Stanton faces live pitching for first time since beaning
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(12:51 pm ET) Marlins outfielder Giancarlo Stanton faced live pitching Thursday for the first time since being struck in the face by a pitch in September. Although, Stanton didn’t take any swings and just tracked the 10 pitches he saw.

“I think it is a day he’s been anticipating for a long time,” manager Mike Redmond said, per MLB.com. “No doubt, as his season ended last year was tough to watch. For any player, that is a tough way to go. I’m anticipating him just getting in there and tracking some pitches like he’s done a million times, and there will be no problems.”

Astros’ Peacock (hip) reports no issues after running Thursday
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(12:35 pm ET) Astros pitcher Brad Peacock reported no discomfort in his surgically repaired hip Thursday, while running a day after throwing his second bullpen session, per the Houston Chronicle. Peacock ran for 20 minutes at 80 percent of his body weight on an AlterG anti-gravity treadmill.

“I felt good,” he said. “I felt pretty good, no pain. I did 20 minutes of running on the AlterG, which takes away body weight, which is nice. I’m at 80 percent body weight.”

Peacock was happy with Thursday’s progress since he didn’t respond as well after running Monday.

“I felt a little bit of awkwardness in there (Monday), but that’s gone,” he said.

Shoulder injury could keep A’s Thompson sidelined this spring
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(12:27 pm ET) Athletics manager Bob Melvin said Thursday pitcher Taylor Thompson has a shoulder strain, which could keep him sidelined during spring training, according to Comcast SportsNet California.

Brady Aiken, No. 1 pick in 2014 MLB Draft, to enroll at IMG Academy
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(12:23 pm ET) Prospect Brady Aiken has decided to enroll at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla., to help prepare for the 2015 MLB Draft. Aiken was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2014 MLB Draft by the Astros, but he did not sign because of issues with the ulnar collateral ligament in his throwing elbow.

“We’re excited for Brady [Aiken] to join us at IMG Academy,”  IMG Academy’s Director of Baseball Dan Simonds said in a press release, per the Houston Chronicle. “At IMG [Academy] he will have access to everything from world-class coaches and performance experts to top-notch facilities and the latest technology.”

Even with the concerns over Aiken’s elbow, he is projected as a top-five pick, according to the Chronicle. The Astros have the second and fifth pick in this year’s draft, but they are not expected to re-draft Aiken after last year’s failed negotiations.

Aiken will join Jacob Nix at the IMG Academy. Nix, who enrolled at IMG in January, was the Astros’ fifth-round pick last year, but he couldn’t sign with the team due to draft pool issues after Houston couldn’t come to terms with Aiken. Nix settled a grievance issue with the Astros in December.

Matheny: Cardinals’ Matt Adams must get comfortable with bunting
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(12:08 pm ET) Cardinals manager Mike Matheny said Thursday he hopes slugger Matt Adams will bunt more in 2015 as a way to beat infield shifts, per the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

“I don’t want him to show it more. I want him to execute it more,” Matheny said. “He showed it. It just wasn’t very effective. He’s going to have to lay it down and lay it down fair.

“The guys have to buy into it. If he wants to keep hitting into the shift, don’t try to beat it. The only way to beat it is what (Cubs first baseman Anthony) Rizzo did to us. He’s got to make us think when he says, ‘I’ll take a single all day long.’ It’s smart, in my opinion.

“He’s got to be confident. He worked a lot last year. We’ll continue to work on it this year to see if he can become  more comfortable with it.”

Blue Jays’ Dirks (back) will start baseball activities in 7-10 days
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(12:03 pm ET) Blue Jays outfielder Andy Dirks (back) will start baseball activities in 7-10 days, per MLB.com. He could be elevated to major-league camp later this spring and enter the mix for the starting job in left field after it was announced Thursday left field Michael Saunders will miss the first half of the season with a knee injury.

McClendon: James Paxton doing well in recovery from forearm injury
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(11:58 am ET) Mariners manager Lloyd McClendon said Thursday starting pitcher James Paxton is “progressing fine” in his recovery from a bruised left forearm, per MLB.com.

“He feels good. They just want to wait until the first of the week to have him throw,” McClendon said.