Orioles’ Paul Janish hopes to begin throwing by end of the week
by Sean d’Oliveira | CBSSports.com

(9:56 am ET) After having surgery to remove bone chips from his right elbow, Orioles shortstop Paul Janish hopes to begin throwing by the end of the week, reports CSNBaltimore.com.

Janish had the surgery in mid-February and was expected to miss six-to-eight weeks.

Yankees’ Alex Rodriguez may play in spring training opener
by Sean d’Oliveira | CBSSports.com

(9:45 am ET) Yankees coach Joe Girardi said the team will decide Monday if Alex Rodriguez will play in Tuesday’s spring training opener, reports the Associated Press.

Rodriguez is attempting to comeback after being suspended for the entire 2014 season and Girardi said the decision will be based on how Rodriguez is feeling.

“It’s something I have to talk to him about,” Girardi said. “See where he’s at physically.”

Blue Jays sign Dayan Viciedo to minor-league deal
by Sean d’Oliveira | CBSSports.com

(9:17 am ET) The Blue Jays signed outfielder Dayan Viciedo to a minor-league contract Sunday, the team announced.

The deal includes an invite to spring training. In 2014, Viciedo hit .231 with 21 home runs and 58 RBI.

Red Sox’s Henry Owens impresses during camp
by Chris Cwik | CBSSports.com

(1:19 am ET) Red Sox pitcher Henry Owens impressed during batting practice recently, according to the Boston Herald. 

Owens hadn’t faced big league hitters since last spring training, and had something to prove. While Owens didn’t have great fastball command during the session, his changeup was spot on. 

“Great deception, hard to pick up,” catcher Ryan Hanigan said. “He got me on the changeup today because you can’t see the spin. It looks just like his fastball. That’s a huge advantage.”

Pitching coach Juan Nieves agreed, but said he wasn’t sure whether Owens was ready for the majors just yet. “Is anybody ready to come to the big leagues?” Nieves said. “I don’t know. We don’t know until they get there and experience the competition.”

The 22-year-old Owens enters the year as the team’s second-best prospect according to Baseball America. He posted a 2.94 ERA over two minor-league levels last year. 

Brewers GM confident Jean Segura will bounce back
by R.J. White | CBSSports.com

(2/28/2015) Brewers general manager Doug Melvin expressed confidence Saturday that shortstop Jean Segura will bounce back after a subpar 2014 season, the Journal Sentinel reports.

“I’m pretty confident he’s going to bounce back,” Melvin said. “He had a very good September. He had a lot of stuff going on last year. But everybody says he’s a much happier person and everything. He’s a good, athletic player that we need.”

After delivering a .294 average, smacking 12 home runs and stealing 44 bases in 2013, Segura hit just .246/.289/.326 with five home runs, 31 RBI and 20 stolen bases in 513 at-bats in 2014.

Brewers’ Dontrelle Willis making a good impression in camp
by Chris Cwik | CBSSports.com

(2/28/2015) Brewers pitcher Dontrelle Willis has made a favorable impression during camp, according to the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel.

In particular, Willis has impressed manager Ron Roenicke. “He’s got a great attitude,” Roenicke said. “The things he said are exactly what you want a player to say. He gets it.” Willis has also made a strong impression on his new teammates.

Willis, 33, has not pitched in the majors since 2011. He’s attempting to make a come back with the Brewers this spring. 

Blue Jays’ Michael Saunders: ‘No pain’ day after surgery
by R.J. White | CBSSports.com

(2/28/2015) Blue Jays outfielder Michael Saunders said Saturday that he’s feeling no pain one day after undergoing knee surgery, the Toronto Sun reports.

“I feel great,” Saunders said. “I couldn’t believe it when I woke up this morning and I was walking around just fine. I walked out of surgery just fine. I actually started doing some exercises today and just got checked out by the doctor and he was pleasantly surprised with what he saw. There’s not as much swelling as he originally thought. Everything is checking out so far and everything is good news. No pain. It feels like I banged my knee on a pole and it’s a tiny bit swollen.”

Saunders suffered a torn meniscus while tracking a foul ball Wednesday, tripping over a sprinkler head and hearing a popping sound. After initially being told he could need to have the meniscus repaired, a procedure that carries a recovery time of three-to-five months, Saunders had the torn portion of the meniscus removed, which places him on track to return to action within six weeks. While the outfielder is excited to be back on the field in a much shorter time, he indicated he’ll be cautious with his rehab.

“I’m going to miss some spring training but it could be a lot worse,” Saunders said. “My ligaments are intact. For me this is the best-case scenario. I’m going to do everything I can to make sure I’m ready to go. I’d love to say that I’ll be ready opening day. That’s my goal. But we’re targeting more mid-April, on the safe side. At the end of the day I have to listen to my knee. It’s a long season. I’m going to get this right the first time and not rush back.”

Athletics’ Doolittle hoping to throw in a week or two
by Chris Cwik | CBSSports.com

(2/28/2015) Athletics reliever Sean Doolittle is hoping to be cleared to throw in a week or two, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. 

Doolittle was able to participate in strength tests on Saturday, and the results were positive. He has not been cleared to throw just yet, but is hoping that will come shortly. Doolittle has been sidelined by a shoulder injury during the start of camp. 

The 28-year-old posted a 2.73 ERA over 62 2/3 innings last year. 

Rays release OF Josh Sale
by R.J. White | CBSSports.com

(2/28/2015) The Rays have released outfielder Josh Sale, Baseball America reports.

Sale was suspended for use of performance-enhancing drugs in 2013 as well as for conduct detrimental to the team that same season. He received a 50-game suspension last August for a second positive test for a drug of abuse. Before his most recent suspension, he hit .238/.313/.344 with four home runs and 46 RBI in 323 at-bats with high Class A Charlotte.

Yankees’ Cashman downplays Bailey’s chances of making team
by Chris Cwik | CBSSports.com

(2/28/2015) Yankees general manager Brian Cashman downplayed reliever Andrew Bailey‘s chances of making the 25-man roster, according to the Journal News.

Bailey, 30, is attempting to come back from a shoulder injury. He has not pitched in the majors since 2013 due to the issue. While Bailey has been able to participate in bullpen sessions this spring, Cashman took a more realistic view of the situation. “It’s one of those things where, non-roster situation, it’s a flyer, and the odds are against it,” Cashman said. “And it didn’t work out for us last year. But because of who he is, his makeup, his work ethic, all those things, it made it easier to say, ‘All right, let’s keep trying,'” he added. 

Cashman stressed that while things look good now, the team wants to see how Bailey will respond in game situations. Bailey, meanwhile, has been optimistic during camp, saying he feels like he’s finally over his injury.

Bailey posted a 3.77 ERA over 28 2/3 innings back in 2013.