Angels’ Johnny Giavotella: ‘I think I’ve opened some eyes’
by R.J. White | CBSSports.com

(5:59 pm ET) Angels second baseman Johnny Giavotella has appeared to win the second-base competition, though he’s not getting ahead of himself, MLB.com reports.

“Whether I’m in Triple-A or the big leagues,” Giavotella said, “I’m going to prepare myself the same way and make sure I’m ready.”

Giavotella is out of minir-league options and has hit .366/.422/.634 with four doubles, two triples and one home run in 41 spring at-bats.

“I think I’ve opened some eyes that I am capable of being a big leaguer; that I’m a quality option to be that guy to fill the void of Howie Kendrick,” Giavotella said. “I think I showed them that I bring a lot of energy to each game, help the lineup out offensively. Even my defense; I feel like I’ve given them confidence that I can go out and make any play out there.”

Giavotella is in the team’s starting lineup Monday and batting ninth in what could be a preview of the Angels’ regular-season lineup.

Mets pitcher Vic Black expected to start season on DL
by Brandon Wise | CBSSports.com

(5:44 pm ET) Mets pitcher Vic Black is “unlikely” to avoid a season-opening stint on the disabled list, according general manager Sandy Alderson per ESPN New York.

Black is still battling to get back on the field after a shoulder suffered in the middle of March and threw off a mound for the first time Saturday. He posted a 2-3 record with a 2.60 ERA and 32 strikeouts in 34 2/3 innings in 2014.

Padres’ Will Middlebrooks ‘in a good position’ to start at third base
by Brandon Wise | CBSSports.com

(5:41 pm ET) Padres infielder Will Middlebrooks isn’t officially the starting third baseman, but has “put himself in a good position” to be, according to manager Bud Black per U-T San Diego.

Middlebrooks, who is competing with Yangervis Solarte for the starting job, is hitting .333 in 45 plate appearances this spring with two home runs and eight RBI. 

White Sox GM Hahn: ‘Everything’s fine’ with Jose Abreu
by R.J. White | CBSSports.com

(5:40 pm ET) White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu was not in the lineup for a second straight game Monday, but general manager Rick Hahn said that there are no health issues with the first baseman, ESPNChicago.com reports.

“Everything’s fine,” Hahn said. “There’s no health issue whatsoever.”

Abreu was scheduled to take a personal day Tuesday but had the off-day moved up to Monday. He has hit .479/.490/.625 with one home run in 48 at-bats.

Twins’ Molitor intends to use Fien, Duensing in setup role
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(5:36 pm ET) Twins manager Paul Molitor said Monday he envisions Casey Fien as the team’s setup man in front of closer Glen Perkins, per MLB.com. Molitor added, however, he will consider using Brian Duensing in that role as well, if there are a few left-handed batters coming up.

Cardinals’ Michael Wacha wins in final Grapefruit League start
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(5:26 pm ET) Cardinals starting pitcher Michael Wacha earned his first victory this spring during Monday’s 6-2 win over the Nationals. Wacha (1-0) allowed two runs (one earned) on five hits and three walks, while striking out three.

Wacha, who made his final Grapefruit League start, posted a 1.77 ERA in five spring starts. He also had 16 strikeouts to four walks in 20 1/3 innings.

Rockies P Rafael Betancourt will soon learn spring training fate
by Jason Butt | CBSSports.com

(5:24 pm ET) Rockies reliever Rafael Betancourt hasn’t been in the position of wondering about his major-league fate for quite some time. 

But coming off of Tommy John surgery in 2013, Betancourt is unsure if he’ll be on the 25-man roster when camp breaks. He’s posted a 1.17 ERA in eight appearances, which should help his chances. But the Rockies possess enough depth where he could wind up in the minors. 

But Betancourt said he’s approached every spring training with the mindset that he could be sent to the minors, even when his job security was great. 

“I’m not lying, but every spring training — I’ve never said this, and maybe it’s the right time to say it — but even when I had guaranteed contracts and all that, I felt I needed to do my job to be on the team,” Betancourt said, via MLB.com. 

Before his elbow injury, Betancourt had a 4.08 ERA in 28.2 innings pitched during the 2013 season. 

Reds test out Billy Hamilton at seventh in batting order Monday
by Brandon Wise | CBSSports.com

(5:22 pm ET) Reds center fielder Billy Hamilton typically hits lead off in the batting order during the regular season. However, Monday, manager Bryan Price tried to change things up and moved Hamilton to seventh in the order, reports MLB.com.

“Well, I’ve moved everyone else this spring. … I’ve had guys all over the board,” Price said. “Having Billy hit further down in the lineup is just another option for us to see where we’re best suited. It’s not a shot at Billy. It’s a shot at trying to see if we have a way of being more productive offensively.”

Hamilton is hitting .179 in 39 spring training plate appearances with four RBI and six stolen bases.

“There definitely could be changes — left-handed or right-handed starter,” Price said. “I think what we hope to have is very similar personnel in our lineup on a daily basis, which we weren’t able to have last year. That would bode well, and our bench players would know their roles, and I’d try to get them at-bats with periodic starts. For the most part, we have a fairly set regular lineup.”