Andrew McCutchen sidelined Friday due to lower body soreness
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(11:52 am ET) Pirates All-Star center fielder Andrew McCutchen was scratched from Friday’s spring lineup against the Orioles due to lower body soreness.

McCutchen, who has made the All-Star team four straight seasons, is off to a slow start this spring. He is batting .167 (2 for 12) with one double, one RBI, one walk and one run in five spring games.

Royals to decide Brandon Finnegan’s role after two more outings
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(11:34 am ET) Royals pitcher Brandon Finnegan will make two more spring appearances before the team decides whether to use him as a starter or reliever, according to The Kansas City Star.

Finnegan has thrown once this spring in relief. He allowed two runs on three hits and one walk, while striking out one in two innings.

Royals’ Guthrie might miss spring start Sunday due to illness
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(11:30 am ET) Royals starting pitcher Jeremy Guthrie might miss his spring start Sunday against the Rockies due to a stomach illness, per The Kansas City Star. Aaron Brooks would replace Guthrie if he is unable to start.

Guthrie allowed three runs on four hits in two innings during his spring debut Tuesday against the White Sox. He struck out one.

Mets RP Josh Edgin getting second opinion from Dr. Andrews
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(11:23 am ET) Mets reliever Josh Edgin is seeking a second opinion and has sent his MRI to Dr. James Andrews, per Newsday. Edgin might need Tommy John surgery due to an overstretched ligament in his elbow.

Rays’ Alex Colome out indefinitely due to pneumonia
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(11:01 am ET) Rays pitcher Alex Colome is out indefinitely after being diagnosed with pneumonia, according to the Tampa Bay Times. Colome reported to camp this week after missing the first few weeks of camp due to visa issues.

Colome, who is competing for the fifth spot in the team’s rotation, threw live batting practice Wednesday before not showing up to camp Thursday due to an illness.

Angels’ Cron showing good power swing early in spring training
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(10:50 am ET) Angels 1B/DH C.J. Cron homered for the second straight game during Thursday’s spring game against the Cubs. He went 2 for 4 with two runs and one RBI.

Cron is off to a good start this spring. He is batting .389 (7 for 18) with one double, two home runs, four RBI and four runs in seven games.

Orioles’ Paul Janish progressing toward playing in games
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(10:25 am ET) Orioles infielder Paul Janish has thrown the last three days and took batting practice on the field Thursday for the first time since undergoing elbow surgery in February.

“That was good,” Janish said, per MASNsports.com. “At this point, the throwing has gone really well. I don’t have a really good estimate in terms of how long the throwing program is going to take, but I don’t think it’s going to be too long, so it looks like I’ll play for the last couple weeks of camp, hopefully.”

Janish is still hoping to make his spring debut March 20 or March 21.

“It’s optimistic,” he said. “That would be next Friday. It’s a feasible option, but like I said, it’s optimistic. But probably, assuming everything goes well over the next week, sometime in that timeframe or next weekend being in the mix to hopefully play in games.

“That’s not entirely my decision, so I’ll be at the disposal of the trainers, but health-wise I’m feeling good and I think we’re going to be in the clear in terms of having the opportunity to play while we’re down here, which ultimately was my goal.”

Orioles’ Norris doesn’t appear too concerned about back issue
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(10:19 am ET) Orioles starting pitcher Bud Norris, who has pitched through back soreness, said Friday he felt better Thursday against the Cardinals than he did in his previous spring outing, per The Baltimore Sun.

“It’s early in camp, you’re getting your baseball legs back under you, it’s kind of expected that there will be some tight backs,” Norris said, “so you just want to come in and do your hot tub and get some hot packs on it, but I felt fine. You’re body’s going to adjust to getting back to throwing every five days like that.

“It’s more about the up and downs, the half innings when you’re sitting on the bench and staying loose and getting back up. That’s where you’re building up some momentum and pitch counts and getting ready for an eight-inning or a nine-inning game.”

Norris doesn’t appear to be too concerned about his back issue.

“I think over the course of your career you’re back’s going to start getting a little bit worse,” he said. “It was pretty sore after my first spring start, but a lot better yesterday. Nothing too crazy.”

Ichiro getting playing time at all three outfield positions
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(10:14 am ET) Marlins outfielder Ichiro Suzuki drew the start in left field Friday against the Cardinals. It is significant because Suzuki has now started at all three outfield spots and DH this spring.

“He’s going to have to be able to do that and he knows that,” manager Mike Redmond said of Suzuki’s versatility, per The Palm Beach Post. “That’s the beauty of Ichiro, he can do all those things. He can play all those positions. We talk about ways of getting him in the lineup during the season and that’s how it’s going to be, maybe a day off for (Christian) Yelich, a day off for (Marcell) Ozuna, a day off for (Giancarlo) Stanton at some point maybe. I want to make sure we’re comfortable with him playing all those positions. This is a great time to do it.

“When you start filling out those bench spots you want guys to do and cover as much as you possibly can and I got to feel comfortable (we can) throw those guys out at any position.”