MLB Columns

• Ian Stewart 3B - CHC: Ian Stewart won't be in... Feb 22, 10:08PM

  Cubs manager Dale Sveum confirmed Wednesday that Ian Stewart will not be in a platoon at third base. "Stewart's going to play," Sveum said. "These things are all left up to them and how they're doing at the time. But there is no platoon situation in mind at all for anybody right now." Stewart has a .223 career batting average against left-handers and hit just .091 against them in 2011. But the Cubs are going to give him a full-time role and see if he can make the necessary adjustments.

• Manny Pina C - KC: Pina suffers right knee... Feb 22, 8:28PM

  Royals catcher Manuel Pina injured his right knee Wednesday afternoon at spring training. Royals manager Ned Yost called the injury a "tweak," but wouldn't elaborate further. It doesn't sound like an overly troubling situation. Pina, 24, is likely to serve merely as organizational catching depth this season for KC.

• Clayton Kershaw SP - LAD: Kershaw skips bullpener... Feb 22, 7:56PM

  Clayton Kershaw skipped a scheduled bullpen session on Wednesday due to mild back stiffness. This early in the spring, the Dodgers aren't going to risk making minor injuries worse. Kershaw, already named the club's Opening Day starter, should be back to his normal routine by the weekend. He won the 2011 National League Cy Young Award after posting a superb 2.28 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 248/54 K/BB ratio in 233 1/3 innings, and should again be a fantasy ace in 2012.

• Josh Johnson SP - MIA: Josh Johnson (shoulder)... Feb 22, 7:47PM

  Josh Johnson (shoulder) threw a free and easy bullpen session Wednesday in Marlins camp. It was Johnson's first mound session since arriving at the Marlins' complex in Jupiter, Florida. "My arm felt great," he told reporters. "It still won't feel the way I want it to until I throw some more 'pens. The strengthening keeps going up with the more I'm throwing." Johnson is trying to get over the shoulder problems that plagued him last year. He's a sure-fire ace when healthy.

• Jason Isringhausen RP - (N/A): Halos sign Jason... Feb 22, 7:24PM

  Angels signed RHP Jason Isringhausen to a minor league contract. Isringhausen struggled mightily to attract free agent interest this offseason despite posting a decent 4.05 ERA and 44/24 K/BB ratio across 46 2/3 innings last year for the Mets. He'll presumably get a shot at claiming an Opening Day bullpen spot in Halos camp this spring.

• Roy Oswalt SP - (N/A): Roy Oswalt could make... Feb 22, 7:08PM

  According to Jim Bowden of ESPN and MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM, free agent Roy Oswalt "could make a decision" on where he'll play in 2012 on Thursday. It's difficult to predict where the right-hander is going to wind up. Oswalt expressed a desire to sign with either the Cardinals or Rangers earlier this offseason, but both teams have full rotations and no desire to spend big money on starting depth. The Red Sox are also known to have interest, but Oswalt turned them down.

• Michael Bourn CF - ATL: Bourn, Braves haven't... Feb 22, 6:23PM

  Micheal Bourn said Wednesday that he has not engaged in any long-term contract talks with the Braves. Bourn will earn $6.845 million this season in his final year of arbitration eligibility. If the Braves don't lock him up at some point before the beginning of free agency next fall, the speedy center fielder will be allowed to sign with any team. He batted .294 with a .734 OPS, 50 RBI and 61 stolen bases between Houston and Atlanta last season.

more MLB player news...