Padres SP Ian Kennedy set for extended spring action on Monday
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com

(12:57 pm ET) Padres pitcher Ian Kennedy completed a bullpen session at Wrigley Field without any reported issues with his left hamstring strain, per MLB.com. Kennedy is scheduled to throw 75-90 pitches in an extended spring training game on Monday in Arizona. He is eligible to be activated from the disabled list as early as April 25, five days removed from Monday’s extended spring game.

Padres’ Bud Black: 1B Yonder Alonso is going to hit to all fields
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com

(12:51 pm ET) Padres first baseman Yonder Alonso has worked past defensive shifts, which has contributed to an 11-for-31 (.355) start with two doubles and a home run with four RBI in nine games.

All three opponents (Dodgers, Giants, Diamondbacks) Alonso has faced this season have implemented a defensive shift with three infielders on the right side. Of his 11 hits, five have been to the left side of the diamond to beat the shift, per MLB.com.

“Yonder’s going to hit to all fields, hit for average and be productive,” Black said.

Cubs placed 3B Mike Olt on 15-day DL
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com

(12:35 pm ET) The Cubs placed third baseman Mike Olt on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to April 15, with a hairline fracture in his right wrist, per the team’s official website. Olt will have a cast on his wrist for three weeks before he resumes his rehab.

Third base prospect Kris Bryant was promoted to take his place at third base. Olt batted .154 on 13 at-bats before landing on the DL.

Giants SS Crawford finally breaks out with Thursday blast
by Marty Gitlin | CBSSports.com

(12:30 pm ET) Giants shortstop Brandon Crawford took out a lot of frustration Thursday night at the plate with a two-run homer against Arizona that cut his team’s deficit to 4-3. After all, he was hitless in his previous 24 at-bats.

Crawford, who also walked twice in the San Francisco defeat, managed to sweeten his slash line on the season to .167/.268/.333.

Giants 2B Panik breaks loose Thursday with three-hit game
by Marty Gitlin | CBSSports.com

(12:23 pm ET) Giants second baseman Joe Panik has sandwiched two big performances at the plate around a lot of bad ones.

Panik slammed three hits in the season opener and three more in a Thursday loss to Arizona. He was 3-for-29 in-between.

His effort against the Diamondbacks was encouraging. His biggest hit was a game-tying, two-run triple in the ninth off closer Addison Reed that sent the game into extra innings. He also singled twice.

Report: MLB contacted Marlins over Carter Capps’ unusual delivery
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com

(12:17 pm ET) The Marlins were contacted by Major League Baseball officials over relief pitcher Carter Capps‘ unusual hop-step delivery, per Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. The league spoke with the Marlins to clarify what made some of his pitches illegal.

Capps was sent down to Triple-A New Orleans on Wednesday and pitched a scoreless inning for the Zephyrs against the Iowa Cubs on Thursday. Marlins general manager Dan Jennings told Rosenthal that Capps’ issue “has been worked on and corrected.”

“He pitched last night in Triple-A and was in compliance with the rule,” Jennings said.

Diamondbacks 3B Hill provides big hit in Thursday victory
by Marty Gitlin | CBSSports.com

(12:15 pm ET) Diamondbacks third baseman Aaron Hill only managed one hit Thursday night, but it sure came at an ideal time.

Hill slugged a two-run double to deep left-center off Giants reliever Sergio Romo to break a 5-5 tie and key an Arizona victory.

Perhaps the hit will help Hill emerge from an early-season slump. It broke a 1-for-22 string, provided his first RBI of the year and lifted his batting average to .188.

Yankees’ Gregorius: ‘I’m trying to get better every day I go out there’
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(12:12 pm ET) Yankees shortstop Didi Gregorius isn’t hiding from the fact he is off to a slow start, batting .172 (5 for 29) through nine games.

“It’s started slow, I’m not going to lie,” Gregorius said, per The Journal News. “Everybody can see that. But it’s a couple of games in, hopefully I can pick it up and get better when I go out there. … The Yankees gave me the opportunity to be here, and for me it’s just amazing to follow in (Derek Jeter’s) footsteps. I’m trying to get better every day I go out there, making a lot of adjustments and everything and be the best I can be whenever I go out there.”

Manager Joe Girardi is also stressing patience as Gregorius replaces a Yankees legend.

“Let’s not forget that (Gregorius) is 25,” Girardi said. “There’s an adjustment period for a lot of people when they come to New York. It’s not the easiest position to handle either. He’s, in a sense, the captain of an infield and in charge. He has a lot of responsibilities. It’s been a week, too, and that’s why I don’t make too much of it.”

D-Backs’ Mark Trumbo unleashes first home run of the season
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com

(12:05 pm ET) Diamondbacks right fielder Mark Trumbo went deep for the first time this season in Thursday’s 11-inning win over the Giants.

Trumbo launched a solo home run off Madison Bumgarner in the second inning for his only hit of the night. He finished 1 for 4 with a run scored and an RBI in a 7-6 victory. He is hitting .278/.278/.500 with one double, two triples, a home run and four RBI over 36 at-bats to start the season.

D-Backs’ Paul Goldschmidt goes deep in back-to-back games
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com

(11:58 am ET) Diamondbacks first baseman Paul Goldschmidt homered for the second time in as many days Thursday night against San Francisco.

Goldschmidt took Madison Bumgarner deep for a three-run home run in the fifth inning. He finished 1 for 5 with a walk, two runs scored and three RBI in a 7-6 win in 11 innings. He is hitting .324 (12 for 37) with four homers and 12 RBI in 10 games.

Goldschmidt has homered in at least back-to-back games 14 times in his career. He’s has only hit a home run in three straight games once. He’ll get a crack at it Friday night against Jake Peavy and the Giants. He has a home run in two at-bats against the right-hander.