The Major League Baseball Players Association will back Alex Rodriguez if the New York Yankees attempt to deny him any future payments.

"The union would challenge any breach of contract with the union," a source close to the MLBPA said. "A player can't be punished again for something he's already been punished for."

Under the terms of the contract Rodriguez signed in 2009, the Yankees would owe him a $6 million bonus if he hits six more homers and ties Willie Mays on the all-time home run list.

However, the Yankees are bracing for a battle, believing that mark is now tarnished and they won’t be able to use it for marketing purposes.

Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun has more pressing fatherhood matters to worry about right now than whether an offseason medical procedure will finally fix the nerve damage near his right thumb that affected his swing.

In a month, baseball will become more of a priority when spring training begins in Arizona for the Brewers. Braun hopes to get a better feel by then about what kind of impact that the procedure known as cryotherapy had on his lingering nerve problem.

Troy Tulowitzki insists he is healthy and can stay that way for an entire season, according to an ESPN.com report.

The Rockies' often-injured, veteran shortstop realizes everyone is wary of such talk. So, he took a different path when asked about the status of his surgically repaired hip.

"Honestly, I can say I feel as good as new," Tulowitzki said Saturday at Rockiesfest at Coors Field. "But at the same time, no one is going to believe me until they see me go out and see me play. Come to spring training, watch me play and then make your opinion."

A's closer Sean Doolittle is unlikely to be ready for the start of the season because of a slight tear to the rotator cuff in his left shoulder along with considerable inflammation and irritation in the area.

Doolittle had a platelet-rich plasma injection last Friday in an attempt to decrease the inflammation and irritation before he begins rehabilitation under the direction of athletic trainer Nick Paparesta, assistant GM David Forst said Friday. There is no timetable for Doolittle's return, although doctors believe the left-hander will recover to pitch without needing surgery.

Johan Santana, who is attempting a comeback, has experienced shoulder soreness following a Venezuelan Winter League outing.

Santana, in his first action since tearing an Achilles tendon last June, suffered the injury after retiring six straight batters on Jan. 14.

The left-hander had an MRI which revealed no structural damage to the shoulder, according to a report.

The Detroit Tigers don't think Miguel Cabrera, who is coming off right foot surgery, will be ready for the start of Spring Training.

The franchise is hopeful that Cabrera will be in the Opening Day lineup.

The slugger is doing partial weight-bearing activities with help from a walking boot. He has been doing that since mid-December, as well as some upper-body weight work that doesn't require much mobility.

He is scheduled to wear the walking boot until a mid-February follow-up.

CC Sabathia, on the comeback trail from knee surgery, is experiencing no pain and expects to be ready for Spring Training.

Sabatha, 34, made only eight starts last season, going 3-4 with a 5.28 ERA.

He last pitched on May 10, suffering from a degenerative right knee condition that led to surgery in late July.

"I feel good, I don't have any pain, no nothing," Sabathia said. "My arm feels good."

Sabathia has two years and $48 million remaining on his contract, plus a $25 million vesting option or $5 million buyout for 2017.

Left-hander Johan Santana, whose career appeared to be in serious jeopardy after he tore his left Achilles tendon in June, is making a comeback in the Venezuelan Winter League and expects to return to the major leagues in 2015, his agent said Friday.

Santana, 35, has a 139-78 career record with two Cy Young Awards and four All-Star appearances over 12 seasons with the Twins and Mets. 

Jayson Werth was scheduled to have surgery on his right shoulder on Friday, according to a source.

The Washington Nationals haven't made an official announcement, but Werth is expected to be ready by the start of the regular season in April.

The 35-year-old was troubled by his right shoulder in early August, when he sat out a week.