|
|
| Derrick Turnbow really hasn't found a new pitch, he has actually fixed a mechanical flaw in his motion that has allowed him to recapture the movement on his pitches that has been missing, this according to MLB.com. "He's like Mariano Rivera out there," said Ryan Braun. "Everything he throws has cut on it. It's absolutely nasty." Turnbow is being counted on as the team's 8th inning option this season, but with Eric Gagne in the closers role, Turnbow becomes a very interesting late round pick up in all leagues. |
|
|
|
| Yovani Gallardo threw off the hill for about five minutes for the first time since undergoing knee surgery, this according to MLB.com. "My arm feels good, my knee feels good. It was a pretty big step." Gallardo will still likely miss his first couple of starts, but this is a positive sign that he will possibly be able to contribute in April. |
|
|
|
| Jason Marquis continues to battle for a starting spot in the Cubs rotation and on Thursday he allowed no runs in three innings in the Cubs' 2-1 loss to the A's. Marquis has allowed only one run this spring in five innings and he hasn't missed a regular season start due to injury in four years marking him as one of the best 5th starters in the game. |
|
|
|
| Jake Peavy worked three innings on Thursday and picked up the win for the Padres over the Rockies. Peavy allowed four hits and two runs on the day as he also struck out four. Peavy looked sharp other than a HR allowed to Troy Tulowitzki, so consider him to be good to go as the best right handed hurler in the NL. |
|
|
|
| Chris Snyder has been hot all spring as he is hitting .615 with an NL leading 18 total bases after going 2-for-2 on Thursday. Snyder is battling with Miguel Montero for playing time behind the plate, and his bat has done an awful lot of talking thus far. |
|
|
|
| Ben Sheets worked quickly on Thursday against the Mariners, and the results were encouraging as he allowed just two hits while striking out three over three innings. Sheets possesses one of the most electric arms in the game, but the injury bug always seems to knock him out of substantial time each year. He is a risk on draft day, but few have higher upside. |
|
|
|
| Matt Cain looked awful on Thursday as he allowed five hits and five runs in just 2.1 innings against the Angels. Cain pitched three shutout innings in his first start this spring, so it's far from panic time in San Francisco. Many will look at his win total of just seven and overlook Cain on draft day this year, don't be one of them as he has the talent to be a big-time winner. |
|
|
|
| Brandon Backe went three innings on Thursday, but the results were far from ideal as he allowed four runs on seven hits. Maybe we can just chalk this up to the foot injury he has been dealing with? Keep an eye on his next outing to get a better idea of where he sits. |
|
|
|
| Juan Pierre had two hits and stole his fourth base of the preseason for the Dodgers on Thursday. Pierre is playing like his job is on the line, and since it is, his work thus far is proving to Joe Torre that he isn't ready to be a backup OF just yet. |
|
|
|
| Derek Lowe struggled mightily on Thursday as he allowed five runs on six hits and two walks over three innings to the Red Sox. Lowe has averaged 13 wins a season since coming to LA while keeping his ERA below 3.90 each year, so don't be overly concerned about this poor outing. |
|
|
|
| Kevin Gregg entered play on Thursday with three scoreless innings, but that all changed in the span of five pitches as he allowed back-to-back-to-back HR to the Cardinals. Gregg will be the Marlins closer as the highest paid player on the roster a year after he posted 32 saves for the Fish. |
|
|
|
| Skip Schumaker was impressive on Thursday as he had three hits and scored three runs from the leadoff spot for the Cardinals. Schumaker also threw a runner out on the bases as he continues to impress the Cards front office in his bid to win a large role in the team's outfield plans this season. |
|
|
|
| Jason Isringhausen picked up the win in his first appearance of the spring as he tossed one inning and allowed no baserunners. Despite injuries last year, Izzy still put up 32 saves and a 2.48 ERA despite being limited almost exclusively to one inning outings. Look for more of the same this year as Tony LaRussa certainly knows how to use his relievers. |
|
|
|
| Edwin Encarnacion had two hits on Thursday, including a grand slam, on his way to six RBI for the Reds. Encarnacion will look to take the next step with his game this year, and if he does he could make an excellent late round gamble at the third base position this year. |
|
|
|
| Adam Dunn worked this off-season on cutting down his strikeouts, and he spoke with the AP about it on Thursday. “I’m trying to be more aggressive early in the count,” Dunn said. I even hit a ball down the third-base line. I don’t think I’ve done that my entire life.” Dunn may cut down on the K which would be great, but you draft him for power, and he has tons of it with 4-straight 40 HR seasons. |
|
|
|
| David Eckstein did something he rarely does, that is he hit a HR on Thursday for the Jays. In fact, it was a grand slam. “I haven’t had solid contact the whole spring training,” said Eckstein on a report on the AP. “So it was finally nice to hit one solid.” Eckstein is struggling along with a .182 average this spring, but he figures to be his normal spunky, overachieving self for the Jays once the season starts. |
|
|
|
| Tom Gorzelanny threw a first pitch strike to only one of nine hitters on Thursday and he allowed five runs, all earned on two hits, two walks and a hit batter. At least he was able to throw without incident given the fact that he has been dealing with a sore left shoulder this spring. |
|
|
|
| Freddy Sanchez is still dealing with an injured shoulder that isn't stopping him from hitting, but it has precluded him from playing in the field. “I went out and threw about 60 feet today, not much,” Sanchez said. “I’m doing what they tell me to do. I’m doing a little throwing program here and see if that’s going to help. But I don’t know where I am as far as game-wise or when I can be back or anything like that," according to a report on the AP. Sanchez seems truly worried about his progression from off-season surgery, but the team is still hopeful that he will be able to throw in time to play once the season starts. Regardless, this news is discouraging. |
|
|
|
| Yunel Escobar went 2-for-3 with a run scored and three RBI on Thursday for the Braves. The bigger news might have been the fact that Escobar batted second in the lineup behind Kelly Johnson, the other player he appears to be battling for the leadoff spot in Atlanta. |
|
|
|
| Pedro Martinez had his first appearance pushed back after heavy rains canceled the Mets game on Thursday, this according to MLB.com. Normally Pedro would just be asked to pitch on Friday, but to avoid the 115 mile trip on Friday for the actual game, he will just throw a simulated game instead. Pedro is on track to be the Mets second starter this year behind Johan Santana and he hasn't experienced any troubles with his shoulder so far this year which is a great sign. |
|
|
|
| Though the team will likely be without the service of 41-year-old OF Moises Alou until the first or second week or May due to a hernia operation, they don't have any plans to make a move to acquire OF depth, this according to MLB.com. "It's fair to say we'll go with someone internal right now," said GM Omar Minaya. Minaya went on to hint that the team still views Endy Chavez as their fourth OF so they may go with either Brady Clark or Angel Pagan as a starter for the first month of the season. |
|
|
|
| Chipper Jones should be back from a strained hamstring and in the Braves lineup on Friday, this according to MLB.com. Chipper has not only hit but taken grounders in the field, so it sounds like the team is just being careful with its offensive leader early in camp. |
|
|
|
| Rafael Soriano could return to the mound from a stomach issue and soreness in his elbow this weekend, according to a report on MLB.com. The team still hasn't laid out a plan as to when he will see live game action, but getting him back on the hill is the first step in that process. However, given the fact that he has battled arm issues for most of his career, any issues, no matter how minor they are claimed to be, are significant. |
|
|
|
| Tom Glavine allowed two runs and two walks on Thursday in 2.2 innings, this according to a report on MLB.com. "The first two [innings] were alright," said Glavine. "But that's typically the case down here. Any time you extend yourself another inning, that next inning gets a little tougher." Given his collapse down the stretch last season which included a 6.10 ERA and 1.52 WHIP over his final six starts, Glavine has a lot to prove this year in his return to Atlanta. |
|
|
|
| Noah Lowry will undergo surgery on his wrist and likely be out of action for at least 2-3 weeks, this according to a report on MLB.com. Lowry will the pressure in the area relieved without damaging the tissue for what is being termed exertional compartment syndrome, or a condition that is caused from repetitive movements such as throwing a baseball. The upshot of all of that is that Lowry will likely not be ready to pitch until May meaning that Kevin Correia and Jonathan Sanchez both now appear to be in line to open the year in the team's starting rotation. As a result, the Giants talks with the White Sox for the services of Joe Crede might be tabled as Sanchez was believed to be the main target of the Sox. |
|
|
|
| J.R. Towles won't lose playing time to backup Brad Ausmus this year, at least as it pertains to a strict sense of each catcher only working with certain pitchers, this according to a report on MLB.com. "[If] J.R. Towles is our catcher of the future, then he needs to catch everybody," manager Cecil Cooper said. "We can't have a special guy here and a special guy there. If he's the regular catcher, then at some point, he's got to move on in there and be the guy all the time." Finally a manager that uses common sense. If Towles is able to put up 400+ AB this season chances are he will make a wonderful number two catcher who might even be useful in one catcher scenarios in mixed leagues. |
|
|
|
| Adam Eaton lasted only two innings on Thursday before being removed from the game due to back pain, this according to MLB.com. "Obviously, I didn't make good pitches. But at the same time, my back acted up a little bit and I didn't get good extension on anything." Given the fact that Eaton also experienced some issues in his last start, he is about ready to find him self in the trash heap of waiver wire starters. Given his hideous performance last year (6.29 ERA, 1.63 WHIP), Eaton shouldn't be touched right now. |
|
|
|
| One of the best power prospects in baseball is moving across the diamond. Angel Villalona, the 17-year-old Dominican Republic native, will make the move over to first base after spending the 2007 season, his first in professional baseball, at third, according to Baseball America. "I think I am better at first base," Villalona said through an interpreter. "I feel more comfortable at first base, and they put me there for a reason." Villalona is already listed at 6-3, 210 pounds at his young age, so most had speculated that he'd need to move eventually. He's a long ways away from the big leagues, but few in the minors possess his upside. |
|
|
|
| Jim Edmonds injured his calf on Thursday , this according to the AP. At this point all we know is that Edmonds was removed after one inning of action, but given his history of injuries, this is certainly a terrible start to the 2008 season for the former all-star. |
|
|
|
| According to the Houston Chronicle, Woody Williams was pleased with his effort on Thursday giving up five runs on six hits and two walks with four strikeouts over 2 2/3 innings today against the Cleveland Indians. The box score reports that Williams threw 40 of his 71 pitches for strikes.
Williams told the paper, "I think I threw a lot better than the numbers are going to show. I threw a lot of pitches, good pitches that they seemed not to put in play. They fouled them off. I went into a lot of deep counts, which is unusual for me. A lot of positives to take out of today and working for next time out."
Williams might have been pleased with his performance, but his line was horrible regardless. The Astros' pitching staff top to bottom is one of the weakest in the league, and ranks near the bottom with Baltimore's. Fantasy owners would be well served to avoid them all together regardless of format. |
|
|
|
| Livan Hernandez, who signed a one-year deal with the Twins in February, was hit hard on Thursday. The Minnesota right-hander gave up six runs, five earned, on 10 hits over three innings in his second start of the spring. He walked one, struck out one and gave up one home run. The team is expecting more for their $5 million investment. |
|
|
|
| Todd Wellemeyer was stretched out on Thursday and fared well for three innings. The Cardinals right-hander ran into trouble in the fourth and left after 3.2 innings of work. Wellemeyer allowed two runs on two hits, with four walks and four Ks. Wellemeyer was serviceable last year with the Cards. He finished the season with 11 starts, a 3-3 record, 4.54 ERA and struck out 60 in 79 innings of work. As was the case today his control is his Achilles. The righty walked 40 batters in '07. |
|
|
|
| Catcher Chris Coste launched his first home run of the spring Thursday. The shot came in the second inning off Tampa starter James Shields. Coste was 1-for-2 with two RBI on the afternoon and is hitting .300 this spring. |
Our View:
|
|
|
|
| Chase Utley hit a two-run homer, his first of the spring, off of one time top prospect Grant Balfour on Thursday. Utley has been showing off his power this spring, but it has been all or nothing for the All Star second baseman as he is hitting only .273 on the spring. |
|
|
|
| Cameron Maybin returned to the lineup for the Fish on Thursday after missing the last week with a hamstring pull. The Florida outfielder, who is expected to impress this year, singled and stole a base. He was 1-for-2 on the day and is hitting .273 this spring. |
|
|
|
| According to Mets GM Omar Minaya, Moises Alou will have surgery and should be on a bike roughly one week later, this according to MetsBlog.com. “hopefully.” He is expected to be back in four to six weeks, as had been reported on Wednesday. |
|
|
|
| C.C. Sabathia retired nine straight Astros in his three innings of work on Thursday. The former Cy Young winner isn't getting the respect of a Cy Young winner as Josh Beckett and Erik Bedard are both going before the Indian left-hander in most March drafts. |
|
|
|
| CBS Sportsline is reporting that the Giants Kevin Frandsen is out as the San Francisco shortstop.
The 25-year-old infielder was replaced by non-invitee Brian Bocock. The team continues to look for a replacement for Omar Vizquel.
Frandsen started at second base against Kansas City on Wednesday. A day later, he was at third base when the Giants played the Angels.
Frandsen came into spring training expecting to compete with Ray Durham for the starting job at second base but was moved to shortstop when Vizquel had surgery to remove a torn medial meniscus on Feb. 27. Vizquel is expected to return sometime in mid-to-late April.
Bocock, 23, hasn't played above Class A during two years in the Giants' minor league system. |
|
|
|
| Marlon Anderson has cleared to play tonight against the Nationals, according to a Mets Blogspot. Anderson has been day-to-day with a bruised sternum and is expected to be in the lineup tonight. Anderson collided with teammate Ryan Church on Saturday leaving the Mets outfielder with a concussion. |
|
|
|
| Damion Easley has been cleared to play tonight when the Mets square off against the Nationals, reports blogspot. Easley is still working his way back from last year's ankle injury and will see his first action of the spring. |
|
|
|
| Ty Wigginton is expected to be out of action until Saturday, this according to the Houston Chronicle. Wiggington is suffering from a tender right quad muscle.
Wigginton was injured last Sunday during the split-squad game against the Atlanta Braves
"I got a little knot, but I'm good to go," he said. "I think they're erring more on the side of caution." Wiggy offers mixed league owners positional versatility and cheap home runs with his switch from Tampa Bay to Houston's Minute Maid Park. |
|
|
|
| The Cincinnati Enquirer is slowly exposing the type of manager Dusty Baker is, old school. The latest report out of Reds camp notes that Baker wants his hitters to hit.
“I really, really hate the called third strike. I hate that. You're guess and you ain't ready to hit.”
Baker was referring to a Joey Votto at-bat.
Baker on Votto: “He needs to swing some more. I talked to him about that. Strikeouts aren't the only criteria. I'd like to see him more aggressive.”
Baker trusts veterans and you can bet he will put up with a strikeout from Adam Dunn long before he accepts it from the rookie first baseman. At this point expect the first-bag in Cincinnati to be platooned this year between Votto and veteran Scott Hatteberg. |
|
|
|
| Lou Piniella has finally realized, or admitted, that Cubs pitching coach Larry Rothschild needs to be supervised. Piniella told the Chicago Tribune he would take over some of Rothschild's duties during spring training, "Look, whether it's spring training or wherever, you want to play good solid game and if you lose them, that's fine. But when you get sloppy and you make mistakes ... not good, not good. The wins and losses, I told you we wouldn't care too much early in the spring, but you'd like to win once in while, too, if you're going to tee it up." The facts speak for themselves. There have been too many young arms breakdown in Chicago, and all of them have been under Rothschild's watch. It is, however, doubtful Cubs management will allow Piniella to do with Rothschild what he would really like, since the long time pitching coach has already survived the regimes of Don Baylor and Dusty Baker.
|
|
|
|
| Scott Olsen won't talk about his current shoulder injury, according to the Palm Beach Post. The report notes that Olsen is usually talkative with reporters, but had little to say about a shoulder injury that forced him to miss Thursday's scheduled start against the St. Louis Cardinals.
"It's just something,'' the left-handed starter said Thursday morning about what the team is calling tendinitis in his throwing shoulder. "I don't know what it is. It's going to get fixed. I don't want to talk about it.'' Olsen is the team projected opening day starter. |
|
|
|
| The Cincinnati Reds signed Gary Majewski to a one-year contract on Thursday, according to the Sports Network. The financial terms of the deal was not disclosed.
Majewski, 28, appeared in 32 games last year for the Reds and posted an 0-4 record with an 8.22 ERA. Majewski traveled frequently between Triple-A Louisville and Cincinnati, and will likely do the same again this season. |
|
|
|
| The Cincinnati Reds signed right-hander Bill Bray to a one-year deal on Thursday. Financial terms of the contract were not disclosed, according to the Sports Network.
Bray, 24, appeared in only 19 games, 14.1 innings and finished the season on the disabled list with finger and shoulder injuries. Bray had a 3-3 record, one save and registered a 6.28 ERA on the season. His K rate of near 1.0 offers upside to a Reds bullpen looking for help.
|
Our View:
|
|
|
|
| Albert Pujols is not thinking about surgery on his elbow, until the time comes that a complete reconstruction is needed, according to MLB.com. Pujols has a high grade tear of the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow, as well as bone spurs, inflammation, and arthritis in the joint. We will continue to monitor the situation. |
|
