A’s RP Sean Doolittle (shoulder) starts throwing program
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(12:48 pm ET) Athletics reliever Sean Doolittle (shoulder) did sock throws Monday morning, which is the first step in his throwing program, according to CSNCalifornia.com.

A’s SP A.J. Griffin (elbow) ready to throw all of his pitches
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(12:44 pm ET) Athletics starting pitcher A.J. Griffin will throw all of his pitches in a bullpen session Tuesday for the first time since undergoing Tommy John surgery last year, according to InsideBayArea.com.

Rays’ Nick Franklin (side) scratched from spring lineup Monday
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(12:39 pm ET) Rays infielder Nick Franklin was scratched from the spring lineup Monday after suffering an injury to his left side, the team announced. 

Earlier Monday, manager Kevin Cash said Franklin will platoon at second base with Logan Forsythe and serve as a backup shortstop to Asdrubal Cabrera, who was named the starting shortstop.

Athletics 3B Brett Lawrie held out Monday due to general soreness
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(12:36 pm ET) Athletics manager Bob Melvin held third baseman Brett Lawrie out of action Monday due to general soreness. Lawrie is batting .179 (5 for 28) with one home run, two doubles and three RBI in 11 spring games.

Bad spring doesn’t sour Tigers on OF prospect Steven Moya
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(12:28 pm ET) Tigers outfielder Steven Moya was optioned to Triple-A Toledo on Sunday following a rough spring at the plate. The 23-year-old prospect hit just .125 (4 for 32) with one home run, 12 strikeouts and no walks.

Despite the poor performance, the Tigers still have high hopes for Moya, who hit .276 with 33 doubles, 35 home runs and 105 RBI in 133 games at Double-A last season.

“He scuffled a little bit and he knows he’s been scuffling with his swing,” manager Brad Ausmus said, per the Detroit Free Press. “But this was only roughly a month’s worth of Steven Moya’s resume.

“He’s going to be a good player. He wasn’t sent out just because he was struggling. We have other outfielders that are kind of locked in at this point but he’s a good kid, he’s as hard a worker as I’ve come across and he will get through this.

“I’m not concerned about it at all but it’s tough for a guy to go through it, a hitting funk like this. It’s hard on you mentally but he’ll be fine.”

Sam Fuld may return to Athletics’ lineup on Tuesday
by Shawn Krest | CBSSports.com

(12:28 pm ET) Athletics outfielder Sam Fuld has missed the last two games after getting hit in the jaw with a throw during Saturday’s game. 

Fuld said he is feeling better and could return to the field for the Athletics as soon as Tuesday, per MLB.com’s Jane Lee. 

Marlins’ rotation likely set, Henderson Alvarez likely to pitch opener
by R.J. White | CBSSports.com

(12:24 pm ET) Marlins manager Mike Redmond strongly indicated Monday that the team’s rotation is set, and though he did not make a formal announcement, Henderson Alvarez is expected to pitch Opening Day, MLB.com reports.

Alvarez will likely be followed in order by Jarred Cosart, Mat Latos, Dan Haren and Tom Koehler.

“I’d say we’re probably set with those five guys, but I would never say 100 percent that we’re set, because you never know what will happen,” Redmond said.

Alvarez, Cosart and Koehler have struggled this spring while Haren and Latos have pitched well, but Redmond indicated he’s not overly concerned with spring numbers.

“Part of spring training is not only building up your arm strength and your pitches,” Redmond said, “it’s working on things you’re trying to sharpen up, whether it be Cosart working on his changeup, or guys working on secondary pitches they’re trying to lock in for the season. I don’t get overly excited about spring training outings. I look more at how they’re executing pitches, whether they are keeping the ball down. We’ve missed up in the zone probably more than we have all spring, the last couple of starts for guys.”

White Sox acquire Neftali Soto from Reds
by Shawn Krest | CBSSports.com

(12:24 pm ET) The White Sox acquired infielder Neftali Soto from the Reds on Monday for cash considerations, per CSN Chicago’s Dan Hayes. 

Soto has appeared in 34 games for the Reds over the past two seasons. He hit .286 in seven spring at bats this year. 

Astros’ Luhnow: Mark Appel on good trajectory coming off down year
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(12:23 pm ET) Astros starting pitcher prospect Mark Appel will likely begin the season in the rotation for Double-A Corpus Christi, per MLB.com. Appel was reassigned to minor-league camp Monday after allowing two runs on five hits and three walks, while striking out five in seven innings this spring.

The Astros liked what they saw from Appel, who was the No. 1 pick in the 2013 MLB Draft, coming off a down season in the minors in 2014.

“He’s on a good trajectory right now after a down season last year,” general manager Jeff Luhnow said, per MLB.com. “He ended the season strong and had a good [Arizona] Fall League and a good camp, and he’s exactly where we need him to be. He’s one of the top major-league starting prospects in the game, and I expect he’s going to be in Houston and be close to or at the top of our rotation for many years to come.”

MRI on Rockies’ Jorge De La Rosa reveals ‘nothing bad’
by R.J. White | CBSSports.com

(12:20 pm ET) An MRI on the injured groin of Rockies pitcher Jorge De La Rosa has revealed “nothing bad,” MLB.com reports.

De La Rosa is not dealing with soreness Monday after feeling some the previous day. He’s scheduled to play catch Monday as he tries to get ready in time for the team’s home opener April 10.