| Jim Edmonds, CF, Chicago Cubs | Saturday 5/17, 11:57 AM CT |
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| Jim Edmonds is going to platoon with Reed Johnson in center field, according to MLB.com. Edmonds is going to get starts against right-handed hurlers, and Johnson is expected to start against lefties. |
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| Reed Johnson is going to platoon with aging vet Jim Edmonds in center field, according to MLB.com. Edmonds is expected to get starts against right-handed pitchers and Johnson is to start against lefties. Johnson isn't bothered by a platoon, and said, "When I came into this situation, I didn't really have too many expectations as far as playing time went. I was just kind of taking care of my business as far as going down to the cage and getting my work in, working out in the outfield with third-base coach Mike Quade and making my defense better. You know the playing time is just going to take care of itself."
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| Hanley Ramirez officially signed a new six-year deal with the Marlins, according to the AP. The team did not disclose the financial terms, but it was believed to be worth $70 million, which is the largest contract in team history. Marlins' owner Jeffrey Loria stated, "Hanley can do it all on the field, and he’s always trying to improve himself and our team. We are looking forward to Hanley remaining an integral part of our team for many years." |
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| Freddy Garcia, P, Philadelphia Phillies | Saturday 5/17, 10:26 AM CT |
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| Right-handed hurler Freddy Garcia will be on the radar of the Red Sox, Braves, Yankees, Mets, White Sox, Rangers, and Mariners when the free agent is ready to audition, according to MetsBlog.com. |
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| Eric Reed, OF, New York Mets | Saturday 5/17, 9:05 AM CT |
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| Eric Reed has been signed to a minor league deal by the Mets, according to the Press and Sun-Bulletin. He was brought in to fll a roster spot for top outfielding prospect Fernando Martinez, who is out three weeks with a hamstring injury. |
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| Brad Lincoln, P, Pittsburgh Pirates | Saturday 5/17, 8:59 AM CT |
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| Brad Lincoln will return to the diamond on Sunday after recovering from Tommy John surgery for over a year, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. He will start for Class-A Hickory in Rome, Georgia, marking his first competitive pitching since Aug. 6, 2006. He is progressing well and is ready to go. His strength and "stuff" have been good. |
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| Ty Wigginton returned to the starting lineup against the Rangers on Friday, according to the Houston Chronicle. He missed the previous three games in San Francisco after being hit by a pitch in the left rib cage, and Wigginton stated, "I'm focusing more on the actual games than I am my body. Obviously, there is still some soreness in there, but it's something I feel very comfortable that I can play through it."
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| Michael Bourn commented on Manager Cecil Cooper's decision to drop him from the leadoff spot down to eighth in the order, according to the Houston Chronicle. Bourn said, "Not surprising because I'm struggling. If I'm hitting good, then I'm hitting first. I have to keep fighting through it. I'm not feeling too bad up there. I'm just not finding the holes. I guess I have to keep going at it and keep plugging along." Cooper added, "Maybe it will take some of heat off of him. He's a young player trying to make adjustments playing every day. That's really the big thing. We know the ability is there. Young players struggle. They're like a roller coaster. They go around and around, up and down. It just happens."
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| Wandy Rodriguez will throw a simulated game on Saturday, according to the Houston Chronicle. Manager Cecil Cooper said Rodriguez will throw five simulated innings of about 15 pitches each. He is recovering from a strained left groin. |
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| GM Omar Minaya commented that Orlando Hernandez's return is still far off, according to the NY Daily News. He hasn't thrown off a mound yet. |
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| Pedro Martinez is expected to throw a simulated game on Monday in Port St. Lucie, according to the NY Daily News. He will be trying to get his pitching number up from the 55 he threw in Wednesday's simulation. GM Omar Minaya said, "We'll try to get to the 70-pitch mark." He is recovering from a strained left hamstring. |
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| Rafael Furcal has an outside chance to come off the DL on Wednesday, according to the LA Daily News. Furcal said Friday that his lower back felt much better after receiving a cortisone shot on Tuesday. He doesn't think his lower back tightness will become a chronic problem either.
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| Brian Giles, RF, San Diego Padres | Saturday 5/17, 7:51 AM CT |
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| Brian Giles went 4-for-5 with two RBI in Friday's 6-4 win over the Mariners. Two of his hits went for doubles. |
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| Chris Young, P, San Diego Padres | Saturday 5/17, 7:47 AM CT |
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| Chris Young notched his fourth win of the season on Friday as San Diego topped Seattle 6-4. Young allowed four runs on five hits over six innings, with four walks and five strikeouts. |
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| Ray Durham, 2B, San Francisco Giants | Saturday 5/17, 7:40 AM CT |
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| Ray Durham went 3-for-4 in Friday's 2-0 loss to the White Sox. He also stole his fith base of the season. |
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| Jonathan Sanchez pitched well on Friday, but was dealt a loss due to no run support as Chicago blanked San Francisco 2-0. Sanchez only allowed the two runs on five hits over 6.2 innings, with three walks and six strikeouts. All of the damage came on a two-run homer by Alexei Ramirez, which was his first of the season. |
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| Hiroki Kuroda surrendered four runs on seven hits over 6.1 innings in Friday's 4-2 loss to the Angels, with two walks and five strikeouts. |
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