NEWS
Dan Plesac of MLB Network will be a guest instructor for the Phillies in Spring Training, Feb 23-27. Plesac played with the Phillies in 2002 and 2003.
Josh Hamilton of the Angels will undergo right shoulder surgery. He will be out 6-8 weeks.
Victor Martinez of the Tigers suffered a torn medial meniscus in his left knee and will undergo surgery soon, very doubtful that he will be ready for the start of the season.
Cuba wins the Caribbean Series for the first time since 1960, 55 years. Cuba beat Mexico 3-2. There are 17 players that are on MLB 40 man rosters that played in the Caribbean Series.
PITCHERS & CATCHERS REPORT DATES
Thursday, Feb 19 Cincinnati Reds, Philadelphia Phillies, Pittsburgh Pirates, San Francisco Giants
Friday, Feb 20 Arizona Diamondbacks, Baltimore Orioles, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Cleveland Indians, Detroit Tigers, Kansas City Royals, Anaheim Angels, Los Angeles Dodgers, Miami Marlins, Oakland A’s, St. Louis Cardinals, San Diego Padres
Saturday, Feb 21 Atlanta Braves, Boston Red Sox, Colorado Rockies, Houston Astros, New York Mets, New York Yankees, Seattle Mariners, Texas Rangers, Washington Nationals
Sunday, Feb 22 Milwaukee Brewers
Monday, Feb 23 Minnesota Twins, Tampa Bay Rays, Toronto Blue Jays
TRANSACTIONS
The Padres signed free agent RHP James Shields to 4 year/$75 million contarct with a club option for a 5th year.
The D-Backs signed C Gerald Laird to a minor league deal with a Spring Training invite.
The Rockies signed RHP John Axford to a minor league deal with a Spring Training invite.
The Mets and 1B Lucas Duda agreed to a 1 year/$4.2 million deal to avoid arbitration.
The Rockies have signed RHP Kyle Kendrick to a 1 year/$5.5 million contract.
The Royals and OF Lorenzo Cain agreed to a 1 year/$2.73 million deal to avoid arbitration.
The Rangers signed OF Ryan Ludwick to a minor league deal with a Spring Training invite.
The Brewers signed RHP Chris Perez to a minor league deal with a Spring Training invite.
The Red Sox and RHP Wade Miley agreed to a 3 year/$19.25 million contract extension that buys out all his arbitration years. The deal includes a club option for a 4th year.
The Rangers signed OF Nate Schierholtz to a minor league deal with a Spring Training invite.
The Royals and LHP Danny Duffy agreed to a 1 year/$2.43 million deal to avoid arbitration.
The Reds and 3B/1B Todd Frazier have agreed to a 2 year/$12 million deal that buys out both his arbitration years.
The Marlins and LHP Mike Dunn agreed to a 2 year/$5.8 million deal that buys out both his arbitration years.
RUMORS
The Indians are still looking to add a right handed bat and some relief help.
The Astros are among the teams talking to RHP Jose Veras.
The Phillies could make LHP Cliff Lee available if he shows that he is healthy in Spring Training.
The Reds have some interest in OF Dayan Viciedo.
The Marlins have been talking to RHP Francisco Rodriguez.