Spring training notes

PIRATES

Marte gets $31M deal

BRADENTON, Fla. - Left fielder Starling Marte and the Pittsburgh Pirates have completed their $31 million, six-year contract.

The deal announced Thursday calls for Marte to receive a $2 million signing bonus and make $500,000 this season, $1 million next year, $3 million in 2016, $5 million in 2017, $7.5 million in 2018 and $10 million in 2019.

Pittsburgh has an $11.5 million option for 2020 with a $2 million buyout. If that option is exercised, the Pirates have a $12.5 million option for 2021 with a $1 million buyout.

If Marte finishes among the top five in MVP in any of the next six seasons, the option prices would increase by $500,000 each. If he finishes among the top five in 2020, the option for the next year would go up by $500,000. The option prices can increase by a maximum of $1 million each.

The deal replaces a one-year contract agreed to earlier this month that would have paid him $516,000 while in the major leagues and $300,000 while in the minors.

Marte hit .280 with 12 home runs, 35 RBI and a team-high 41 steals last year, his first full season in the majors.

MIAMI

Rodriguez reassigned

JUPITER, Fla. - Pitcher Henry Rodriguez was reassigned to minor league camp by the Miami Marlins on Thursday before the final game at their spring training complex.

Miami Manager Mike Redmond said control issues and the lack of an ability to throw multiple innings prompted the decision. The 27-year old right-hander struck out 14 and allowed six runs in nine innings during spring training.

“I hope we are able to keep him in the system and build him up,” Redmond said.

Rodriguez, signed as a free agent, is 5-7 with a 4.24 ERA in a five-year career with Oakland, Washington and the Chicago Cubs.

Miami optioned outfielder Jake Marisnick and infielder Donovan Solano to Class AAA New Orleans and reassigned pitcher Chris Hatcher, outfielder Matt Angle and infielders Juan Diaz and Austin Nola to the minors.

The 22-year-old Marisnick hit .432 in 44 spring training at-bats and stole 4 bases.

“That was a tough one,” Redmond said. “There’s no doubt that this guyis the centerfielder of the future for us.”CUBS Olt, Kalish make roster

MESA, Ariz. - Third baseman Mike Olt and outfielder Ryan Kalish have made the Chicago Cubs’ opening day roster.

Chris Coughlan will be sent to Class AAA Iowa to play outfield, and infielder Ryan Roberts has to decide whether he will report to Iowa or ask for his release,

Olt, acquired from Texas in the Matt Garza trade on July 22, struggled with his vision last year and hit .197 with 14 home runs and 40 RBI at Class AAA Round Rock and Iowa. He was hit on the head with a pitch in the Dominican Winter League.

Kalish missed much of 2012 with Boston while recovering from surgery on his left shoulder, then had right shoulder surgery in January2013 and missed the entire season. He had cervical fusion surgery in August, then became a free agent in December when the Red Sox failed to offer a 2014 contract.

REDS

Cueto set for opener

GOODYEAR, Ariz. - Johnny Cueto is set to start on opening day for the Cincinnati Reds for the third consecutive season.

First-year Manager Bryan Price said Thursday that Cueto will pitch Monday at home against St. Louis.

Price had to sort through a series of minor injuries, including Cueto’s tender right shoulder, before making the final determination. Cueto missed a turn this spring because of soreness.

“When Johnny’s been healthy, he’s been our No. 1 starter, legitimately for the previous four years,” Price said. “Keeping him healthy is the key. He only made 11 starts for us last year. Yesterday, I had him long toss. I asked him how he felt after it, then made the decision.”

Tony Cingrani will pitch the second game. He was the only starter in the rotation without an injury issue this spring.

Homer Bailey was skipped with a sore right groin and Mike Leake had slight pain in his abdomen. Bailey will start the final game of the Cardinals series. Leake will start the first game in New York.

Mat Latos will miss at least one start after minor elbow and knee surgery. Alfredo Simon will start the fifth game in New York against the Mets.

Brett Marshall is slowed by a strained tendon in his middle finger, and he will see a hand specialist in Phoenix today.

Marshall and catcher Devin Mesoraco may join Aroldis Chapman, Jonathan Broxton, Jack Hannahan and Skip Schumaker on the disabled list.

Mesoraco hasn’t played in 10 days with a strained oblique.

“Devin has to play. He has to catch, throw, hit and run. It is unlikely that he will join us but we haven’t signed off on putting him on the disabled list,” Price said.

BREWERS

Hank gets bobblehead

MILWAUKEE - The Milwaukee Brewers and their fans can look forward to the dog days this season.

The Brewers announced Thursday that popular pup Hank will have his own bobblehead night in September.

Hank is the little dog that wandered into the Brewers’ complex at spring training. The stray became the unofficial team mascot, and is now living in Milwaukee with the family of a club executive.

Bobblehead Hank night will be Sept. 13 against Cincinnati at Miller Park.

Thursday’s results Washington 4, NY Mets 0 Detroit 9, Atlanta 3 Toronto 3, Philadelphia 0 Miami 6, St. Louis 4 NY Yankees 4, Pittsburgh 2 Chicago Cubs 4, Chicago White Sox 3 Cincinnati (ss) 8, Milwaukee 2 Cincinnati (ss) 9, Arizona (ss) 1 Cleveland 3, Arizona (ss) 2 Minnesota vs. Boston, (n) Tampa Bay vs. Baltimore, (n) LA Angels at LA Dodgers, (n) Oakland at San Francisco, (n)