Athletics’ Ryan Cook: ‘I need to get the ball to drop more’
by R.J. White | CBSSports.com

(2:53 pm ET) Athletics pitcher Ryan Cook surrendered three runs in two innings Monday and owns a 16.88 ERA this spring, and he said Tuesday that he’s having problems preventing his pitches from being too high up in the strike zone, the Contra Costa Times reports.

“I need to get the ball to drop more,” Cook said. “I need to put myself in a position where I have a higher probability of success.”

Cook said he’s healthy and feeling stronger than he has in recent seasons, so he’s able to not go crazy due to spring struggles.

“I’m really feeling good, and it’s not translating into results right now,” Cook said. “That’s frustrating, waiting for that translating.”

Tigers option Lobstein, Wilson, Zeid to Triple-A; reassign Cabrera
by R.J. White | CBSSports.com

(2:42 pm ET) The Tigers optioned pitchers Kyle Lobstein, Alex Wilson and Josh Zeid to Triple-A Toledo Tuesday while also reassigning pitcher Alberto Cabrera to minor-league camp, the team announced.

Lobstein allowed four earned runs in 10 innings this spring. Wilson surrendered 10 runs (six earned) in 6 2/3 innings. Zeid gave up six earned runs in 7 2/3 innings. The moves leave the Tigers with 39 players in major-league camp.

Indians release minor-leaguers Rob Nixon, Jerrud Sabourin
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com

(2:36 pm ET) The Indians have released the following minor-league players: Pitcher Anthony Vizcaya, pitcher Rob Nixon, pitcher Wander Beras, infielder Leonardo Castillo, first baseman Jerrud Sabourin, catcher Richard Stock and pitcher Alexis Paredes.

D-Backs’ Addison Reed tops out at 90 mph in ‘B’ game Tuesday
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(2:36 pm ET) Diamondbacks closer Addison Reed (shoulder) struck out one and hit one batter in one scoreless inning during a “B” game Tuesday, according to The Arizona Republic. His fastball topped out at 90 mph, but he mostly threw in the 88-89 mph range.

Rays manager Cash: Nick Franklin ‘won’t be ready’ for opener
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com

(2:29 pm ET) Rays manager Kevin Cash revealed that infielder Nick Franklin “will not be ready for Opening Day,” according to the Tampa Bay Times. Franklin was scratched from the lineup after suffering a strained oblique on the last swing of batting practice Monday.  

Royals’ Finnegan to open the season in rotation at Double-A
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(2:26 pm ET) Royals prospect Brandon Finnegan, who was optioned to the minors Sunday, will open the season in the rotation at Double-A Northwest Arkansas. Finnegan lost out on his bid for a spot on the major-league roster following a disappointing spring (8.53 ERA).

“We think that’s the best place for him to start,” general manager Dayton Moore, per The Kansas City Star. “I mean, we could do it either way. But as I’ve said before, we’re still learning about Brandon.”

Finnegan, who was drafted 17th overall in the 2014 MLB Draft, totaled 145 2/3 innings last year between the minors, majors and college. The Royals intend to monitor his workload in 2015 after he sped through the minors last season on his way to pitching out of the Royals’ bullpen.

“Our medical team is very content with where he is,” Moore said. “But, let’s face it: It’s moved very, very fast for Brandon. We have to take into his account his workload over the last 18 months. That’s what we continue to evaluate.”

Moore also added he is not disappointed with how Finnegan performed this spring.

“We felt very good about the quality of his stuff and the way he presented himself,” Moore said. “He’s a big part of our future.”

Rockies’ Weiss: Jorge De La Rosa likely headed to disabled list
by R.J. White | CBSSports.com

(2:22 pm ET) Rockies manager Walt Weiss said Tuesday that pitcher Jorge De La Rosa (groin) is “pretty much shut down” aside from playing catch and that he expects the pitcher to begin the season on the disabled list, the Denver Post reports.

“It’s starting to look that way,” Weiss said.

It was reported Monday that an MRI on De La Rosa’s injured groin revealed “nothing bad” after the pitcher was pulled from Friday’s start due to a reaggravation of the injury. However, Weiss on Tuesday described the groin injury as “chronic.”

With De La Rosa unlikely to be ready for the first trip throgh the rotation, the Rockies are looking for pitchers to line up behind Kyle Kendrick, Tyler Matzek and Jordan Lyles.

Pitch location a key to Cubs SP Kyle Hendricks’ success
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(2:07 pm ET) Cubs starting pitcher Kyle Hendricks burst onto the scene as a rookie in 2014, going 7-2 with a 2.46 ERA and 1.08 WHIP in 13 starts. A lot of folks are interested to see where Hendricks goes from there in his second MLB season.

While Hendricks was never considered an elite prospect in the minors, despite some pretty good numbers (2.69 ERA, 1.07 WHIP), the Cubs are confident the 25-year-old right-hander can continue to have success at the major-league level.

“He’s shown the ability to make the big pitch,” Cubs president Theo Epstein said, per ESPN. “He has some tools now. He has a really good sinker. His sinker moves straight down. And it’s late. Who cares if its 89 or 88, it gets a ground ball?

“He can make balls look like strikes and strikes look like balls. It opens up a lot. He has a lot of different ways to shape a big pitch in a big spot.”

Joe Maddon is in his first spring with the Cubs, and it hasn’t taken Hendricks long to make a strong impression.

“People will not project him highly because he’s not lighting up the gun but he lights up the location,” Maddon said. “Ask a hitter what they think. A hitter is going to tell you by the way he reacts to his pitches. He’s good. He’s real good. He just gets hitters out. They go back to the dugout, they’re all very upset. They’re breaking bats, wondering how did he beat me like that? And that happens 16, 17 times a year when he wins games.”

Twins’ Josmil Pinto remains sidelined with concussion-like symptoms
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com

(1:42 pm ET) Twins catcher Josmil Pinto remains sidelined with concussion-like symptoms, according to the Star Tribune. Pinto was hit on the back of the head three times by an Adam Jones backswing Saturday, but is starting to “feel better,” after using the stationary bike, per the Tribune.

“I don’t remember (it) very well,’ Pinto said of the Jones’ swing, per the St. Paul Pioneer Press. “I know it was the third time. They just took me out of the game for precautionary reasons.”

Rays’ Jake McGee is five bullpens away from facing live hitters
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com

(1:34 pm ET) Rays pitcher Jake McGee (elbow) told reporters he was pleased with his 30-pitch bullpen session on Tuesday. it was his third bullpen of the spring, as he’s scheduled to throw five more before he’s cleared to face hitters, according to the Tampa Tribune. He’s scheduled to throw another bullpen on Friday.