Notes 2/23/11

-Soriano said he plans to continue improving his defense and doesn't have any plans of being forced to the bench in the late innings for defensive reasons, the Chicago Sun-Times reports. "When I started working on my defense [last] season, my defense started getting better, so I want to have the same routine," said Soriano, who indicated he continued some of that work into the winter. "I want to work on my defense every day. . . and to play in the ninth inning."

-Andrus added 10 pounds of muscle this offseason and plans to be more aggressive in hitter's counts at the plate, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports. Andrus, who is expected to hit second in the lineup this season, showed almost no power last season (.301 slugging, 18 extra-base hits, no homers) despite good speed and baserunning instincts so it's nice to see him concentrate on his real weakness at the plate. Even a handful of home runs would place him among the AL elite at shortstop given his speed potential.

-Snider took some grounders Tuesday, but he will not hit for a couple more days so he can rest his sore ribs. Snider should be back at full health well in advance of the regular season

-Aardsma walked unassisted for the first time since December hip surgery at Mariners' practice on Wednesday, reports Larry LaRue of the Tacoma News Tribune.
Spin: As Aardsma goes on to say, "It takes time, and you can't rush it." One has to imagine that the Mariners will take that kind of approach with their closer, which means that he could miss the first month of the season and maybe more. Walking without crutches is a good sign for Aardsma, but at least to begin 2011, Brandon League looks to be the guy getting the save opportunities out of Seattle's bullpen.

-The Indians may continue limiting Hafner's playing time in an effort to keep him healthy this season, the team's official site reports.
Spin: The Indians limited Hafner to just four consecutive games before a day off for much of the second half of the season last year with encouraging results so a similar plan may be in the cards again this season. "We don't want to run him down to the ground way too early. I think throughout camp we're going to get a better feel of how he is physically and then I'll get together with our medical staff and see," manager Manny Acta said.