Rangers OF Shin-Soo Choo sent home from camp with illness
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com

(12:59 pm ET) Rangers outfielder Shin-Soo Choo was sent home from camp on Wednesday due to upper respiratory infection and flu-like symptoms, according to the Star-Telegram. Assistant general manager Thad Levine indicated that he sent Choo home to avoid getting other teammates in the clubhouse sick. 

Rangers SS Elvis Andrus targeting Cactus League action next week
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com

(12:55 pm ET) Rangers shortstop Elvis Andrus, who is working his way back from a mild patella tendinitis in his left knee, is targeting game action at some point next week, per the Star-Telegram. Although he’s scheduled to miss at least Texas’ first four spring games, Andrus has been taking batting practice and working on his fielding.

“I’m still doing everything, still hitting,” Andrus said. “It’s a long spring training.

“I feel better,” Andrus said. “If I keep feeling this way I think I’ll be ready to play next week. I don’t think missing four or five games is going to do something good or bad to me.”

Cubs might bat Anthony Rizzo second at times this season
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(12:51 pm ET) Anthony Rizzo has primarily hit third in his major-league career with the Cubs, but manager Joe Maddon is toying with the idea of batting Rizzo second when he opts to hit the pitcher eighth in the lineup. 

“I liked Jimmy Edmonds batting two,” Maddon said when Edmonds was an Angel, per ESPN. “I liked when we put him in the two hole. When you get a better hitter like that in the lineup, you want someone at the bottom to feed him.” 

Rizzo would like to stay in the same spot in the lineup, but he said he is just focused on getting his timing down at the plate.

“I think everyone would like one spot but it doesn’t matter to me,” Rizzo said Thursday. “I just want to see a live at-bat first before I worry about where I’m hitting.” 

Rangers’ Martin Perez to throw off half-mound on Tuesday
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com

(12:48 pm ET) Rangers pitcher Martin Perez, recovering from Tommy John surgery last May, is scheduled to throw off a half-mound on Tuesday, according to FOX Sports Southwest on Thursday. Perez took a few days off as a precaution, and is targeting a return at some point in the middle of the season.

Cardinals OF Jay takes batting practice for first time in spring
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com

(12:41 pm ET) Cardinals outfielder Jon Jay took batting practice on Thursday for the first time this spring, reports MLB.com. Jay underwent surgery on his wrist during the offseason and said his goal is to be ready for St. Louis’ opener April 5 against the Cubs. Per the report, this puts Jay currently ahead of his rehab schedule.

Pirates 1B Corey Hart spotted taking grounders on Thursday
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com

(12:37 pm ET) Pirates first baseman Corey Hart took grounders on a back field Thursday, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Hart suffered a laceration on his foot near the arch after he stepped on a loose hot tub filter. He remains hopeful of playing Grapefruit League games next week.

White Sox’s LaRoche on DH-ing: I’d like to get off my feet a little
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com

(12:30 pm ET) White Sox first baseman Adam LaRoche told reporters that he’s open to a transition to designated hitter, reports the Chicago Sun Times on Thursday.

“I do like the fact it gets me off my feet once in a while,” LaRoche said. “I have had some very minor back issues the last couple of years that come and go and I think a lot of that is just from standing around when you’re out there at first base, standing the whole game. So getting off my feet a little, hopefully I won’t have to battle that any more. So it will be nice.”

LaRoche is also expected to spell Jose Abreu at first a few times per week to give him some more time at DH. The 35-year-old veteran hit .259/.362/.455 over 494 at-bats last year.

Yankees eye Esmil Rogers in role of long reliever/spot starter
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(12:29 pm ET) Yankees manager Joe Girardi said Thursday he would like Esmil Rogers to fill the role David Phelps had in 2014 as a long reliever and spot starter, per ESPN.

“We think he’s got good stuff,” Girardi said. “It’s learning how to use it and become more consistent. He’s got velocity, he’s got a good breaking ball, he’s got a changeup. He has the ability to pitch. We feel he can do a lot of different things. He gives us a lot of flexibility, which is good. We like having that on our pitching staff, because you never know when something’s going to pop up.” 

Lower back tightness keeps Cespedes out of Tigers’ lineup
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com

(12:21 pm ET) Tigers outfielder Yoenis Cespedes was scratched from the lineup Thursday against Atlanta due to lower back tightness, according to the team’s official website. Cespedes was acquired in an offseason trade with the Red Sox. He hit a grand slam in his first spring training at-bat in a Tigers uniform.

The Tigers will face the Mets on Friday in Port St. Lucie. His status remains uncertain.

Report: MLB could have Josh Hamilton decision next week
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(12:13 pm ET) Major League Baseball could have a decision on whether or not to discipline Angels outfielder Josh Hamilton as early as next week, industry sources told FOX Sports.

Currently, MLB is undecided about having Hamilton enter a rehabilitation program following a drug relapse, according to the Los Angeles Times. An arbitrator has been appointed after the four-member panel — with two representatives each from MLB and the MLB Players Association — assigned to Hamilton’s case could not reach a majority opinion on the proper course.

MLB officials believe Hamilton should be suspended for at least 25 games and potentially for one year. However, the union is arguing for a lesser penalty, potentially 15 games and Hamilton entering a treatment program.

If Hamilton is sent to rehab, he would receive his full salary for 30 days, and then half his salary over the next 30 days. If he’s suspended, Hamilton would not be paid during the suspension and would not have to enter a treatment program. 

Hamilton, who was suspended from baseball from 2004-06 for issues related to cocaine and alcohol abuse, admitted to MLB he experienced a relapse a few months ago, according to CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman. A source told Heyman in late February that Hamilton confessed to going on a binge that involved cocaine.