Yankees’ Alex Rodriguez will make 1B debut on Sunday
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com

(10:52 am ET) Yankees manager Joe Girardi told reporters that infielder Alex Rodriguez will make his first base debut on Sunday, per MLB.com. He will play five innings against the Astros in Kissimmee.

Rodriguez has seen time at third base and as the team’s designated hitter this spring. Earlier in the week, general manager Brian Cashman said that Rodriguez has shown enough to be trusted as the full-time DH. The 39-year-old is hitting .290 (9 for 31) with two homers and three RBI in his first 13 spring games back from suspension.

Orioles’ Jonathan Schoop returns to lineup after dental work
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com

(10:46 am ET) As expected, Orioles second baseman Jonathan Schoop (dental) returned to the starting lineup for Friday’s Grapefruit League game against the Rays, according to the Baltimore Sun. Schoop missed Thursday’s game after he had one wisdom tooth removed and another tooth in front of it on Wednesday. He is hitting .243 (9 for 37) this spring.

Nationals’ Span set to take first swings since undergoing surgery
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(10:28 am ET) Nationals outfielder Denard Span is scheduled to swing a fungo in the batting cage Friday, per The Washington Times. It will be his first swings since undergoing core muscle surgery in early March.

Jeff Samardzija on free agency: ‘I’m not looking for top dollar’
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(10:23 am ET) As long as White Sox starting pitcher Jeff Samardzija doesn’t suffer an injury or has a poor season in 2015, he is expected to land a megadeal in free agency next offseason, according to The Chicago Tribune.

Max Scherzer, James Shields and Jon Lester all received massive contracts this past offseason, and Samardzija could be in the same ballpark.

“I’m not looking for top dollar,” Samardzija said. ”For me, it’s good to see those guys are compensated. But I think if you look at maybe outside of Shields, who maybe didn’t get his first choice, you look at Jon and Max and couple other guys, the big thing for them is they went somewhere they wanted to go to, and they were excited about where they were going to.

“So for me, it’s about taking this time to watch other teams, watch everything essentially and soak it all in. A lot of things change in a year, so when you’re in that situation, it’s a long-term commitment you’re making, so you want to make sure it’s the right one.’’

Report: Marlins’ Brad Hand not expected to be traded
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com

(10:20 am ET) Although he’s slated to start on Friday for the Marlins, all signs indicate that the club won’t showcase pitcher Brad Hand to other teams this spring. According to Joe Frisaro of MLB.com, the left-hander won’t be traded before the season starts and is expected to remain in Miami.

Hand, who was the subject of trade rumors to the Rangers earlier this spring, has registered a 1.80 ERA over 10 innings of work in Grapefruit League play.

Braves send Eury Perez, Williams Perez, Manny Banuelos to Triple-A
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com

(9:55 am ET) The Braves optioned Eury Perez, Williams Perez and Manny Banuelos to Triple-A Gwinnett on Friday, per MLB.com.

Eury Perez was in competition with Eric Young Jr. for the center field job. He hit .268 with two RBI in 41 at-bats this spring. Williams Perez gave up nine runs in 6 1/3 innings in Grapefruit League play. Banuelos, who was acquired from the Yankees in the offseason, allowed eight runs — seven earned — over 6 2/3 innings this spring.

Report: Eric Young has the edge over Melvin Upton for CF spot
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com

(9:50 am ET) Braves outfielder Eric Young Jr., a non-roster invitee, appears to have the advantage for the center field gig, after Melvin Upton Jr. went down with a foot injury, reports Michael Cunningham of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Young is hitting .321/.397/.464 with one home run, eight RBI and five stole bases in 56 at-bats this spring. Upton had the hard cast removed from his injured left foot last week, and is expected to start the season on the 15-day disabled list.

Report: Peterson in line to beat out Callaspo for Braves’ 2B gig
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com

(9:44 am ET) Braves infielder Jace Peterson could be in line to beat out Alberto Callaspo for the second base job, according to Michael Cunningham of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Friday.

Peterson, 24, is hitting .341/.442/.386 with one RBI in 44 at-bats this spring. Callaspo has slashed .216/.212/.216 with four RBI over 51 at-bats in Grapefruit League play.

Rays’ Cash still mulling rotation order for Odorizzi, Karns
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(9:41 am ET) Rays manager Kevin Cash said Friday he still hasn’t decided on which order Jake Odorizzi and Nathan Karns will pitch in the season-opening series against the Orioles (April 6-8).

Chris Archer has been tabbed to start Opening Day in place of Alex Cobb (forearm), but Cash is mulling the starters for the next two games because he is still looking at matchups in the next few series after Baltimore.