|
|
| Scott Cassidy unexpectedly decided to retire Sunday, according to the AP. Cassidy didn't pitch in the majors last year, but he was very good for the Padres in 2006, holding a 2.53 ERA and 10.3 K/9 rate. It isn't known why the 32-year-old decided to hang up his cleats. |
|
| Dmitri Young, 1B, Washington Nationals | Sunday 3/2, 11:44 PM CT |
|
| Dmitri Young told the Washington Post that he'll likely need 3-4 days of rest for the strained muscles on his left side. "We're going to be cautious with him," manager Manny Acta said. Young hurt the muscles while taking a swing last week. This won't hurt his availability for the start of the season, but it could hurt him in his competition with Nick Johnson for playing time. |
|
|
|
| Tom Gorzelanny tossed a scoreless inning Sunday, giving up one hit with no walks and no strikeouts. The left-hander's first spring start was originally scheduled for Thursday but was pushed back because of shoulder soreness. He appears to be fine now, though. "It's good," Gorzelanny said on MLB.com. "It felt fine today. It was a productive outing. I am just trying to keep getting in shape. But that's why we're here, right?" Gorzelanny had shoulder problems towards the end of last season, as well, so despite the fact that he says he's fine, this is not a good trend. Keep a close eye on him. |
|
|
|
| A.J. Burnett smashed his right hand while closing his car door Sunday, breaking the nail on his index finger, according to MLB.com. The injury will keep Burnett from throwing his curveball for 10-14 days. He won't miss any spring starts, but obviously Burnett won't be able to work on his breaking ball for a little while. |
|
| Cole Hamels, P, Philadelphia Phillies | Sunday 3/2, 10:24 PM CT |
|
| Cole Hamels is unhappy that the Phillies chose to renew his contract after the two sides were unable to agree to terms before Sunday's team-imposed deadline. Hamels will make in the neighborhood of $490,000 to $500,000. He requested $750,000. "I'm not angry," Hamels said on MLB.com. "I just feel a little... I can't think of a good word. I'm a little surprised. It's about respect, and when people don't show that to you, you're caught off guard. I thought it was a low blow." There's a chance that this could affect future negotiations between the southpaw and the team, but we're betting this ends up being a non-story. |
|
|
|
| Mark DeRosa returned to Cubs camp Sunday, three days after undergoing a radiofrequency catheter ablation to correct an irregular heartbeat. "I feel great," DeRosa told MLB.com. "I'm obviously excited to be back. I was getting cabin fever. You go from practicing in 70-degree heat and sunshine to sitting in a hotel room for a week, and there's about four inches of snow on the ground and it's 10 degrees. I'm just happy it was quick. It was a success." DeRosa is a few days behind the other Cubs hitters, but he says he'll definitely be good to go on opening day. "I'll be fine," DeRosa said. "I'll be fine by Monday - I'm fine now." This shouldn't affect where you would draft DeRosa. |
|
| Joe Crede, 3B, Chicago White Sox | Sunday 3/2, 8:18 PM CT |
|
| One of Giants GM Brian Sabean's top advisors, Ted Uhlaender, was on hand Saturday to witness Joe Crede's home run, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. It has been widely reported that the Crede could be San Francisco-bound once the Giants are convinced that the third baseman's balky back isn't an issue. The Sox want to hand the third base job to Josh Fields. |
|
| Joey Devine, P, Oakland Athletics | Sunday 3/2, 7:21 PM CT |
|
| Joey Devine will sit out a few days because of back spasms, according to the AP. He's yet to appear in a game this spring but has a good chance to make the roster as a setup man if he pitches well. |
|
|
|
| After playing in the first three spring games, Hank Blalock was out of the lineup for the second straight day Sunday and isn't scheduled to play tomorrow. He's not injured, but the team is just easing him into things, Blalock told the AP. Blalock missed most of last season after having surgery to remove a rib, and apparently the Rangers don't want to overburden him this spring. |
|
|
|
| Nick Masset twirled three scoreless innings Sunday, allowing three hits and walk with one punchout. The righty, who is out of options, is trying to win a roster spot and won't have a problem doing so with more outings like this. |
|
| Felix Pie, CF, Chicago Cubs | Sunday 3/2, 6:30 PM CT |
|
| Felix Pie cracked his second homer of the spring and also drew a walk Sunday. That's the good. The bad is that he also got picked off on the basepaths after the base on balls, which undoubtedly drew the ire of manager Lou Pinella. Pie is very talented and is a clear front-runner for the Cubs center field job, but he needs to cut down on his strikeouts and mental mistakes. |
|
|
|
| Luke Hochevar had another great outing Sunday, tossing two scoreless frames while giving up one hit and striking out two. The right-hander has allowed one hit and no runs in four spring innings thus far. Hochevar has an outside shot at cracking the Royals rotation, but the team has also discussed bringing the first-round pick out of the bullpen. |
|
|
|
| Joaquin Benoit is about “10 days behind” the other Rangers pitchers, pitching coach Mark Conner told the AP. Benoit is not injured, but he skipped winter ball for the first time in his career and is still trying to strengthen his arm. He had a bullpen session Sunday. “It was good. I was more in the strike zone, more consistent,” Benoit said. “I’m building up. It’s something that is not going to take the whole year.” Benoit is a candidate to close for the Rangers, so it would behoove him to get into game action as soon as possible. |
|
|
|
| Brandon McCarthy threw for 10 minutes off a bullpen mound Sunday and had no problems with his tender elbow. He will throw another bullpen session this week before pitching in a game, perhaps as soon as Friday. “I want him to have another good bullpen, crank up the intensity on the breaking ball a little bit and his changeup,” pitching coach Mark Connor said in the AP. “He threw all of his pitches today, and I was happy with the result.” The Rangers have held McCarthy back as a precaution but keep tabs on him to make sure he doesn't suffer any setbacks. |
|
|
|
| Kevin Millwood, who's been dealing with a sore hamstring, threw a 10-minute bullpen session Sunday and had no problems. He will throw on the side again Monday and is scheduled to pitch a simulated game Wednesday. “It will be just like throwing my first game. I just don’t have to field my position or cover first base or anything like that,” Millwood said in the AP. “There are certain things where I can feel (the hamstring), but it’s nothing pitching that’s bothering me. I think the running and turning, things like that.” Millwood had hamstring issues last year, so it's important to keep an eye on him this spring to make sure the problem doesn't linger into the season. |
|
| Aubrey Huff, DH, Baltimore Orioles | Sunday 3/2, 6:01 PM CT |
|
| Aubrey Huff's spring debut should come sometime this week. He is recovering from offseason surgery to repair a sports hernia. “He’s very close. He ran the bases today,” manager Dave Trembley said in the AP. “He’s got to slide yet, and I’d like to see him hit off live pitching again.” Huff had a very good second half last year, but he has declined each of the last five seasons. |
|
|
|
| Hideki Matsui didn’t take batting practice Sunday due to a stiff neck. He may hit Monday, though, and could see his first game action this week, according to the AP. Matsui is coming back from offseason knee surgery. Matsui is behind the other hitters but should be up to full speed by the start of the season. |
|
|
|
| Josh Towers pitched three scoreless frames Sunday against the A's, giving up two hits while striking out three. A candidate for the Rox rotation, Towers has given up one run in five spring innings. |
|
|
|
| Mark Redman tossed three scoreless innings Sunday, not allowing a single hit while striking out five. The lefty pitched two scoreless innings in his first outing this spring. Redman entered camp as one of the favorites for the No. 5 spot in the Rockies rotation, and his performance so far this spring has done nothing but help him. |
|
| Pablo Ozuna, 3B, Los Angeles Dodgers | Sunday 3/2, 5:46 PM CT |
|
| Pablo Ozuna was 2-for-2 with a double, a run scored and an RBI Sunday. He's batting .545 early on this spring. Ozuna will probably end up in his customary utility role with the Sox, but don't rule him out as a starter at second just yet. |
|
|
|
| Carlos Villanueva tossed two scoreless innings Sunday, allowing one hit while striking out one. Villanueva is trying to win a spot in the Brewers rotation this spring and could be a nice sleeper if he comes away with a starting job. |
|
|
|
| Clay Buchholz didn't have his best stuff Sunday, as he allowed four runs on five hits and a walk in two frames. Buchholz is the favorite for the No. 5 spot in the Red Sox rotation if Bartolo Colon isn't ready at the beginning of the year, but he'll need to get better. |
|
|
|
| Chris Sampson was tagged for three runs on six hits Sunday in a 6-4 loss to the Braves. With the Shawn Chacon signing, Sampson was likely on the outside looking in for a starting job, and this outing certainly isn't going to change that perception. |
|
|
|
| Brandon Backe pitched two hitless inning Sunday, permitting one walk with no strikeouts. The right-hander had been dealing with bone bruise on his foot, so it was good to see him effective this afternoon. |
|
|
|
| Kyle McClellan was terrific in his first spring start for the Cardinals Sunday, tossing three scoreless innings while allowing two hits and no walks to go along with three strikeouts. McClellan had a superb season out of the bullpen at Double-A last year but is being converted to a starter. He's expected to begin the year in the Triple-A rotation. |
|
|
|
| Brian Barton was 0-for-4 at the plate Sunday and is now hitless in eight at-bats against major league competition this spring. He did go 2-for-2 with a homer against St. Louis University last week. A Rule 5 pick, Barton is trying to win a reserve job with the Cards. They could use his right-handed bat in the outfield, but he'll have to pick it up. |
|
| Jay Bruce, RF, Cincinnati Reds | Sunday 3/2, 4:50 PM CT |
|
| Jay Bruce had to leave after a two-run double in the second inning Sunday after straining his quad. Fortunately, it doesn't look like the injury is serious. "It's no big deal," Bruce said in the Cincinnati Enquirer. "I felt it rounding first. There's no use taking any chances this early in spring. It's not serious at all." Bruce, who is batting .500 so far this spring, is considered day-to-day. |
|
|
|
| Lou Piniella and Jason Marquis met for about 10 minutes Sunday morning after Marquis said Saturday that he'd want to leave Chicago if he can't win a spot in the rotation and Piniella said, "Well, if that's the case, he can go somewhere else," according to MLB.com. "First of all, I'm going to apologize," Piniella said Sunday. "I didn't handle that situation well. I overreacted to it after the ballgame we didn't play particularly well in. I can understand why a player feels that way, and we'll leave it at that. The whole thing is I wasn't expecting it and it sort of surprised me. I should've handled it better and I apologize." Hmmm. Piniella overreacting and not handling things well in the papers? That doesn't sound like Lou. Apologies aside, Marquis is going to have to earn a spot in the rotation this spring by beating out Ryan Dempster, Jon Lieber and Sean Marshall. |
|
|
|
| Royals manager Trey Hillman said that Mark Grudzielanek likely will make his spring exhibition debut on Friday, according to MLB.com. Grudzielanek and other Royals veterans are being brought along slowly this spring so they don't get worn out. Jose Guillen might make his debut a week from today. |
|
|
|
| The Brewers renewed the contracts of Prince Fielder, Ryan Braun and Corey Hart on Sunday after failing to come to terms on new deals. Fielder is not thrilled about it, either, according to MLB.com. "I'm not happy about it at all," Fielder said. "The fact I've had to be renewed two years in a row. I'm not happy about it because there's a lot of guys who have the same amount of [major league service] time that I do, who have done a lot less and are getting paid a lot more. But my time is going to come. It's going to come quick, too." Fielder, who became the youngest player ever to hit 50 home runs in a season last year, will be eligible for salary arbitration next offseason. If he comes anywhere near the same type of production in 2008, he's correct in claiming that his time to get a big contract will come soon. |
|
|
|
| Mike Hampton held the Astros to one hit over two scoreless innings during Sunday's exihibition game. 15 of his 22 pitches were for strikes, and his sinker was clocked at its typical range around 90 mph, according to the MLB.com. Hampton's missed the past two seasons due to elbow injuries, and this actually was his first action against a big league team since Aug. 19, 2005. So far, so good for 2008. |
|
|
|
| Hanley Ramirez collided with Yadier Molina during Sunday's exhibition game, according to MLB.com. He didn't get up at first, though he eventually walked off the field with a slight limp with his left leg. It sounds like he's all right, but we'll have an update later as more information comes in. |
|
| Troy Patton, P, Baltimore Orioles | Sunday 3/2, 2:15 PM CT |
|
| Troy Patton cut his side session short after only 10 pitches on Sunday. Patton, who's believed to have a SLAP (superior labrum anterior to posterior) lesion in his shoulder, will undergo an arthrogram in the next few days that will pinpoint the nature of his injury, according to MLB.com. If the arthrogram confirms the tear, Patton will have to choose between season-ending surgery and trying to rest and rehab the ailment. Either way, it appears unlikely that he will be able compete for the fifth starter's role this spring. |
|
|
|
| Alfonso Soriano missed Sunday's game after sustaining a non-displaced fracture of the tip of his right middle finger during a pre-game drill, according to MLB.com. At this point, the Cubs expect him to be limited for 3-5 days and not throw or swing a bat. Luckily this happened early enough in spring training that it shouldn't affect his regular-season status. |
|
|
|
| Chipper Jones injured his right hamstring while taking batting practice on Sunday, according to SportsTicker. "You’re going to do it down here from time to time," Jones said. "(We) caught it early enough. I don’t think this should be a big deal." Jones will turn 36 next month and has missed 158 games over the past four seasons, so this is something to watch closely. |
|
|
|
| Tyler Johnson was shut down Saturday after experiencing tightness and weakness in his shoulder, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. "We stopped him right there," trainer Barry Weinberg said. "Any time you have to stop a pitcher from throwing, there is a concern." Johnson will undergo an MRI Monday, which should give a better idea of exactly what is bothering Johnson, who missed two months last season due to biceps tendinitis. |
|
|
|
| Nate McLouth was a late scratch from Saturday's game due to a tight hamstring, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. "Nothing serious," manager John Russell said. Hopefully, he'll be back in the mix soon, competing with Nyjer Morgan for action in center field. |
|
| Shawn Hill, P, Washington Nationals | Sunday 3/2, 10:33 AM CT |
|
| Shawn Hill will get a second opinion on his sore right forearm on Monday, according to the Washington Post. "Based on the MRI, we believe Shawn will be fine," GM Jim Bowden said. "This second opinion is only for precautionary reasons." That MRI, taken Saturday, revealed no torn tendons or swelling, but the Nats want to make sure there's nothing else going on with Hill. The current plan is to rest him for a few days, but that could change, depending on Monday's examination. |
|
| Mike Maroth, P, Kansas City Royals | Sunday 3/2, 10:24 AM CT |
|
| Mike Maroth is slated to test his sore shoulder by throwing in a bullpen on Monday, according to the KC Star. "I really let it go last Wednesday," he said, "and I felt it the next day. We just backed off." So long as everything goes well with his sore shoulder, Maroth should make his spring debut Thursday, as he tries to claim a spot in the Royals rotation. |
|
|
|
| Salomon Torres threw off a mound for the first time this spring on Saturday, according to the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. He's been brought a long slowly thus far due to some soreness, but it doesn't appear to be anything serious at this point. |
|
|
|
| Brian Anderson is going to throw a bullpen session on Sunday, and if that goes well, it's possible he could take part in a game as soon as next week, according to the Tampa Tribune. " When I first showed up here, my feeling on everything was there was no way I was going to get into a game and it was basically going to be working out for six weeks and hope to get into some extended spring training games," Anderson said. "Things have progressed, I think, quicker than they thought." Anderson missed all of last season due to Tommy John surgery, so the Rays weren't expecting anything out of him for at least the first couple of months of the 2008 season when they signed him to a minor league deal. If he keeps progressing, he might be able to contribute much sooner. |
|
| Brad Lidge, P, Philadelphia Phillies | Sunday 3/2, 10:02 AM CT |
|
| Brad Lidge already has begun playing catch and could throw off a mound as soon as this weekend, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer. Lidge underwent arthroscopic knee surgery on Monday and will require 3-6 weeks to recover from the procedure. Barring any setbacks, Lidge has a good chance to be ready for opening day. |
|
|
|
| Still working his way back from last year's ankle injury, Damion Easley has begun running and cutting on the bases, according to the New York Daily News. "It went well," Easley said. The utilityman's 2007 campaign ended Aug. 19 due to a severe ankle sprain, but he should be ready when this season begins. |
|
|
|
| Carlos Delgado was sent back to New York Satruday to undergo an MRI, the results of which came back negative, according to the New York Daily News. However, he's been diagnosed with an impingement in his hip that will keep him sidelined for a few days. While GM Omar Minaya insisted the injury isn't believed to be serious, the ailment is in the same part of the hip as the injury that cost him a couple of weeks in September. So there must be some legitimate concern here. |
|
|
|
| The Mets currently list Marlon Anderson as day-to-day with a bruised sternum, according to the New York Daily News. However, that diagnosis and timetable could change depending on the results of a CT scan. Anderson collided with Ryan Church on Saturday, and both players were injured -- Church has a concucsion. |
|
|
|
| Ryan Church has been diagnosed with a Grade III concussion following his collision with Marlon Anderson on Saturday, according to the New York Daily News. That's the middle of three grades of severity given for concussions. He won't be allowed to play until all the symptoms have subsided, so consider him week-to-week at this point. |
|
|
|
| Chad Gaudin threw off a mound Saturday for the first time since September, according to the San Francisco Gate. Pitching coach Curt Young said that Gaudin's arm is strong, "very lively," he said. "He wasn't holding back." Gaudin, working his way back from hip and foot surgeries, is a couple of weeks behind the rest of the A's pitchers. However, he's right on track to make his first regular-season start April 12. |
|
| Jeff Baker, 2B, Colorado Rockies | Sunday 3/2, 9:19 AM CT |
|
| X-ray's on Jeff Baker's elbow revealed no major damage, according to the Denver Post. Baker has a bruised elbow and will not be available for Sunday's game, but it appears it shouldn't keep him sidelined for too long. |
|
|
|
| Wyatt Toregas left Saturday's exhibition game after being hit on his left index finger by a pitch, according to the Cleveland Plain Dealer. "The finger was dislocated and he popped it back in," manager Eric Wedge said. "It was bothering him quite a bit." More will be known about his status going forward after he's examined further on Sunday, but an extended absence could cost him his chance at being the Indians' third catching option. |
|
|
|
| Jonathan Papelbon had migraines bad enough last year that he had to ask manager Terry Francona for the night off on a couple of occasions, according to the Boston Herald. "When I get them, they shut me down - I can’t open my eyes," Papelbon said. "I don’t know, maybe we can get to the bottom of it this year. It’s something I have to deal with and hopefully it’s something we can find a cure for sooner than later." What he's doing this year is using a new mouthpiece that helps him deal with intense teeth-grinding while sleeping and when pitching. With any luck that will do the trick and allow the stud closer to be available every game. |
|
|
|
| Sergio Mitre ended up undergoing an MRI on his strained forearm, but the test revealed no damage to his elbow ligaments, according to the Miami Herald. "The ligament is safe," Mitre said Saturday. Mitre was pulled from his spring debut Thursday due to soreness in his forearm. The Marlins will keep him shut down for a bit in order to let the injury heal, but it's not clear if this will affect his availability for the beginning of the regular season. |
|
|
|
| Takashi Saito was slated to make his spring debut in Tuesday's game, but he's probably not going to make it into that contest now, according to the LA Times. He came down with a cramp in his right calf on Saturday, which forced him to cut his throwing session short. He was slowed last spring by the same problem, but at this time, the Dodgers aren't concerned about the ailment. They'll just let him rest for a couple of days and hope it goes away. |
|
|
|
| Cubs manager Lou Piniella was not happay that Jason Marquis said if he doesn't earn the last spot in the team's rotation, he wants to ""take my services elsewhere," according to the Chicago Sun-Times. "Well, if that's the case, he can go somewhere else," said Piniella. "How's that?" Ryan Dempster and Jon Lieber are Marquis' primary competition, but he's not doing himself any favors by irritating the already irritable Piniella. |
|
| Coco Crisp, CF, Boston Red Sox | Sunday 3/2, 8:21 AM CT |
|
| The Cubs had talks in recent weeks with the Red Sox about acquiring Coco Crisp, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. However, the talks reportedly were initiated by the Sox, who weren't impressed with the Cubs' tossing out Matt Murton in their offer. The White Sox rapped with the Sox about Crisp earlier in the offseason, but they also couldn't come to an agreement. Things should heat up as spring training goes along, but Chicago is just one of many possible destinations for Crisp. |
|
|
|
| It appears unlikely that the Braves will be able to lock up Jeff Francoeur to a long-term contract before the regular season begins, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. "I think I've made it known to everybody I want to be a Brave," said Francoeur. "I want to be here a long time. It's also got to be right on both sides." GM Frank Wren said Saturday that the only recent talks have revolved around a one-year deal, so unless he's putting up a smoke screen or things change soon, that's probably all that will be worked out. At this point, Francoeur seems fine with working through his one-year deals until he can hit salary arbitration. |
|
|
|