MLB Player News

Saturday, February 11

• 02/11/12 - 12:18PM ETTommy Hanson : (Shoulder) Changes Delivery

  Hanson has changed his throwing motion this winter to eliminate a pause that was seen contributing to a sore shoulder which prematurely ended his 2011 season, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

  Hanson didn't pitch in a game after Aug. 8 due to a small rotator cuff tear, which didn't require surgery. He says he will be ready for the start of spring training. The fact they found a flaw in his delivery is encouraging since it could fix the issue, but it remains to be seen if he'll be able to stick with the new motion. Either way, watch Hanson's health closely this spring.

Wednesday, February 8

• 02/08/12 - 8:40AM ETHideki Matsui : Expects to Sign With an MLB Team

  Matsui is confident he'll sign with a MLB team before spring training and isn't considering a return to Japan, the Kyodo news service reports. "I haven't heard anything concrete on that. That's probably out of the question," he said.

  The Yankees are considering signing Matsui, but it sounds like he'll find an offer elsewhere even if he doesn't return to the Bronx.

• 02/08/12 - 3:32AM ETRoy Oswalt : Philadelphia Return Unlikely

  GM Ruben Amaro Jr. downplayed the possibility of Oswalt returning to the Phillies, the team's official site reports.

  A report last weekend suggested the Phillies remain in the mix to sign Oswalt. "We really don't have any room for him," Amaro said. "We have five, six starters, and our resources are about where we want to be right now. I think he wouldn't mind coming back, but I don't know that's feasible or a real possibility." Oswalt is looking for a one-year deal and has been mentioned in connection with the Reds, Cardinals, Red Sox and Rangers in the past few weeks.

Tuesday, February 7

• 02/07/12 - 1:47PM ETClayton Kershaw : Avoids Arbitration

  The Dodgers have signed Kershaw to a two-year $19 million deal, avoiding arbitration, tweets Dylan Hernandez of the LA Times.

  Kershaw is under team control through the 2014 season, so this just buys out two of his remaining three years of arbitration. Locking Kershaw down long-term should be priority #1 on the new owner's agenda.

• 02/07/12 - 1:25PM ETBill Hall : Signs With Yankees

  Hall has signed a minor league deal with the Yankees, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

  He'll contend for a utility infield job, which would likely be a second-fiddle opportunity behind Eduardo Nunez with the occasional opportunity to make spot starts in the outfield. Don't expect anything more than his surprising 2010 campaign with Boston (.247/.316/.456) and even that is probably generous given his struggles between Triple-A and the big leagues last season.

• 02/07/12 - 1:21PM ETJamey Wright : Minor League Deal With Dodgers

  Wright has signed a minor league deal with the Dodgers, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports.

  He's going to be in the mix for a bullpen job during spring training, while Wright follows former Seattle teammates Adam Kennedy and Josh Bard in Dodgers camp this spring.