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| Jarrod Washburn worked three scoreless innings in his first Cactus League start in the Mariners Monday afternoon loss to the Cubs 6-5. The Seattle southpaw surrendering four hits and struck out one in the loss. Washburn is a reserve in mixed formats and a back end starter in AL-only formats. |
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| John Bale, P, Kansas City Royals | Monday 3/3, 9:23 PM CT |
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| Lefty John Bale threw three scoreless innings on Monday as the Royals defeated the White Sox 7-6. Bale struck out four, giving him seven K's in five innings of spring work. Bale was signed during the 2007 season after spending three years in Japan. The southpaw will begin the season as specialist out of the bullpen but continued success this spring will raise question marks about his ability to get the team out of any jam with a strike out. |
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| Joey Gathright stole three bases, scored twice and recorded an RBI in big day for the speedster who is fighting for a starting role in a deep KC outfield. Last month Gathright told a reporter from the AP that he wouldn't be considered the team's fourth outfield had ex-manager Buddy Bell let him run last year. Last month, Gathright told a reporter from the AP that he wouldn't be considered the team's fourth outfield had ex-manager Buddy Bell let him run last year. Gathright certainly has the talent to steal at least 30 bases; in an everyday role the center fielder could likely steal closer to 50. |
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| Alexei Ramirez's hot bat continued on Monday as the young infielder hit a bases-loaded triple, making him 6-for-13 this spring. Ramirez's spring training average is .462. |
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| Jason Bay, LF, Boston Red Sox | Monday 3/3, 7:50 PM CT |
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| Jason Bay was limited to one hit in Sunday's loss to the Rays, but the center fielder's average is at .400 on the spring and he looks comfortable in all phases of his game. Bay didn't play in Monday's loss to the Phillies. The early round fantasy disappointment of a year ago, hit but .247 with 21 HR and four stolen bases. Those numbers followed a .286, 34 home run campaign. A return to his 2006 numbers makes the Pirate a draft day steal this March -- as he is leaving the draft boards in the middle-rounds of traditional formats. |
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| B.J. Upton, CF, Tampa Bay Rays | Monday 3/3, 7:41 PM CT |
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| B.J. Upton led the Rays to victory over the Pirates on Sunday, and much of his success was a direct result of his speed. The outfielder had a two-run triple in the third after having doubled in the first inning. He later reached base on a walk and stole second before being pulled for backup Justin Ruggiano. Upton continues to raise his fantasy stock, shares that soared last year even with his move to the outfield. |
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| Jeremy Bonderman tossed three scoreless innings in his second start of the spring, but the Tigers fell to the Rays 10-9 on Monday afternoon. The Tigers right-hander allowed two hits and struck out a pair. Bonderman was overvalued in most fantasy drafts a year ago and disappointed overall. His 11-9 record and 5.01 ERA didn't equate to a top-10 pitching option, which is where he was drafted in most formats. |
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| Matt Garza, P, Tampa Bay Rays | Monday 3/3, 7:28 PM CT |
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| Matt Garza didn't impress in his first outing as a Ray. The ex-Twin needed 35 pitches to get through the first inning alone. Garza was knocked out of the game after he gave up one run on five hits allowed over 1 2/3 innings against Detroit. The Tampa prize of the six-player deal with the Twins will have his moments, but he will also have his hurdles, much like he did in his outing today. |
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| Jonny Gomes went 2-3 on Monday with a home run and two runs scored. It was Gomes first home run of the spring but an important one. The right fielder is battling with veteran Cliff Floyd for the rights to the starting role. Unless Gomes has a landslide showing during camp, it's likely he and Floyd will platoon in right, with Floyd receiving more at-bats on the season. The ex-Met will face right-handers while Gomes would get the start against opposing lefty's. |
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| Carlos Pena has taken up right were he left off last year as Comeback Player of the Year. Pena recored two hits and an RBI in Tampa's win over Detroit on Monday. The first baseman raised his average to .500 this spring. |
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| Willy Aybar's two-run double in Monday's game against Detrot helped his cause for earning the starting third base gig in Tampa. Aybar was 2-3 with two RBI on the day raising his spring average to .300. Aybar is battling with would-be rookie Evan Longoria for the starting role at third. |
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| Bobby Crosby was scratched from Monday's lineup due to back spasms. The issue popped up during pregame warm-ups, MLB.com reports. He is day-to-day. |
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| Eric Chavez, 3B, Oakland Athletics | Monday 3/3, 3:10 PM CT |
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| Eric Chavez admitted on Monday that he may not be ready for the start of the season. On Friday, he received an epidural to help alleviate his back pain. Chavez underwent surgery in November to repair two damaged discs. "Right now I'm staying very positive with him because all his rehabs went so well this winter," manager Bob Geren tells MLB.com. "This was just a minor setback. He got the treatment to hopefully calm it down. I'll know more about that and where he is in a week or two." Jack Hannahan would start if Chavez were out. |
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| Hideki Matsui is slated to take batting practice on Monday. He tweaked his neck two days ago and is still rehabbing his right knee. "The running is the important part, the cutting," manager Joe Girardi tells MLB.com about the knee. "And he's not having any problems. When I saw him the first day in Spring Training, I [said], 'Wow, he looks great.'" Matsui is expected to be ready for opening day. |
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| The Orioles and Cubs are once again discussing a trade involving Brian Roberts, a source informs SI.com. The Orioles may send outfielder Jay Payton to Chicago in the deal. |
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| Jeremy Bonderman worked three scoreless innings against the Rays regulars on Monday. He allowed two hits, walked none, and struck out two. We're not sure if the Tigers allowed Bonderman to use his slider this time out, as they are still being cautious about his elbow. Either way, this line is promising. |
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| Mike Mussina made his spring debut on Monday and allowed six hits and five runs (four earned) over two innings. He served up one homer, walked none, and struck out none. |
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| Bartolo Colon threw 42 pitches in a bullpen session on Monday morning. He tossed mainly fastballs and got up to 90 mph. Colon also threw some changeups. "For not being on the mound for 3 1/2 weeks, I thought he threw to both sides of the plate, he got through the glove well with good carry. A very good day for him," pitching coach John Farrell tells the Boston Globe. |
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| Jose Vidro, DH, Seattle Mariners | Monday 3/3, 1:02 PM CT |
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| Jose Vidro has a sore right elbow and may miss a few days. It's "nothing major," manager John McLaren tells the Seattle Times. "We just don't want to have him swing during a game and hurt it worse." |
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| B.J. Ryan, P, Toronto Blue Jays | Monday 3/3, 9:53 AM CT |
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| B.J. Ryan threw against minor league hitters in a batting practice session on Sunday. He tells MLB.com that he was able to concentrate on his mechanics, rather than the state of his surgically repaired left elbow. "That was the big thing for me today," Ryan explains. "You stop worrying about your arm, because you know it's OK, and now you start nitpicking things that you need to work on, which is where I want to be at right now." He threw 25 pitches in the session. |
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| Chris Bootcheck suffered a left oblique injury on Sunday and had to leave the game in the fourth inning. "He felt something down his side," manager Mike Scioscia tells MLB.com. "It tightened up on him, so we'll get it checked." Bootcheck is day-to-day. |
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| John Lackey, P, Los Angeles Angels | Monday 3/3, 9:43 AM CT |
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| John Lackey did not throw a bullpen session on Sunday. Instead, he took an extra day of long toss in order to work out the tightness in his right elbow, MLB.com reports. Lackey plans to throw in the bullpen on Monday and possibly start on Friday. |
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| Ryan Sweeney hopes to return to action by Tuesday, MLB.com reports. He bruised his left knee on Thursday. |
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