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| Edinson Volquez had a fantastic outing on Monday as he punched out eight Yankees on Monday night, this according to MLB.com. "Volquez threw the ball very well -- he's throwing the ball great," manager Dusty Baker said. Volquez allowed two runs and six hits in four innings, but all those punchouts are what everyone will be talking about. |
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| Johan Santana was at his dominating best on Monday as he held the Red Sox to two hits while issuing no walks in four innings. Santana, as is his trademark, also didn't walk a batter in what could be described as the perfect tuneup outing for the regular season. |
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| Ian Snell hurled four innings on Monday and he picked up the victory as he allowed only two hits, one walk and one run on the day. Snell, who fell from 14 victories to just nine last season, is a pitcher to keep an eye on this year given the strikeouts (177) and his solid control of the strikezone 2.60 (K/BB). |
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| Carlos Delgado was hitless in two AB on Monday, his first game back since being diagnosed with a right hip impingement, this according to MLB.com. The good news is that Delgado was pain free today, and though he has a lot to prove this season after his 24 HR year in '07, Delgado could be a nice value play if he slips in your draft. |
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| Carlos Beltran played his first game since last season on Monday, though he only DH'd and didn't play in the field, this according to MLB.com. Beltran had surgery on both knees last October and the report stated that he felt "a little weird" and that he was still not pain free. With only about three weeks until the regular season begins we aren't exactly thrilled with Beltran's progress, but barring a setback he still figures to start in CF on opening day. |
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| Omar Vizquel is progressing well from his his knee injury and surgery, and has begun work on his rehab program, this according to MLB.com. Initially estimated to miss 4-6 weeks, Vizquel has been out for almost three weeks already. "Everything is going all right," he said. "I'm about a week from running." One of the few things he is still capable of doing on offense is running, so be very careful with rostering Omar until you see his bad wheel is back in shape. |
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| Nomar Garciaparra will miss the Dodgers trip to China with his injured right wrist, this according to MLB.com. Mike Sweeney (knee), will also miss the trip. The Dodgers still believes the injury is a bruise and not a broken bone, but the team is taking it easy considering the fact that the injury is close to where he had surgery in 2000. |
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| Scott Olsen will return to the hill on Tuesday and throw his first bullpen session since tweaking his shoulder last week, this according to MLB.com. Olsen still hopes to be able to pitch in the first week of the season, that is if he can avoid any more setbacks this spring with his shoulder. |
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| Ryan Braun will bat cleanup this season behind Prince Fielder, this according to MLB.com. "They're gonna pitch around Prince, just because of Prince's intimidation factor," said manager Ned Yost. "They're not gonna pitch around Prince too long with me behind him," said Braun. While this bodes well for Fielder, it could be considered a bit of a letdown for Braun who must become more selective at the plate as pitchers will certainly try to get him to expand his already large zone with Brewers on base. |
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| Chan Ho Park had a strong start on Monday as he threw three perfect innings in his attempt to secure the Dodgers' 5th starters spot, this according to MLB.com. "He couldn't be much better," said manager Joe Torre. "He certainly hasn't done anything to hurt his chances." Park has allowed only two hits through seven innings and really seems to have turned back the clock this spring. Still, Park hasn't been a useful play since 2001, so don't go overboard with the bidding. |
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| Kazuo Matsui will likely be sidelined for another 4-5 days due to an "anal fissure", according to a report on MLB.com. The Astros are counting on Matsui to a spark at the top of the order so they want to make sure he is 100% healthy by the time that game action roles around. |
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| Randy Johnson allowed four runs in 1.1 innings on Monday as he threw 20 of 33 pitches for strikes, this according to MLB.com. Johnson will likely make his next start on Saturday. While the results certainly weren't ideal, the fact that Johnson made it through the outing without a setback is a huge positive. It's looking more and more likely that Johnson will be able to help the D'Backs this season, and perhaps early in April with his comeback from back surgery going so well. |
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| Jair Jurrjens has impressed the entire Braves organization with his stuff this spring, this according to a report on MLB.com. Jair allowed only two hits and one walk in four innings during which time he blanked the Cardinals on Monday. In three spring starts, Jair owns a 1.00 ERA and he appears to be the clear-cut leader in the battle for the 5th spot in the rotation. |
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| Takashi Saito, dealing with a strained calf, threw a bullpen session on Monday and looked great, and the team now hopes that he will be able to face hitters on Wednesday, this according to MLB.com. Saito still has plenty of time to get his arm in shape to close. If for some reason he is unable to go come opening day, the Dodgers will turn to fireballer Jonathan Broxton, though after a 1.40 ERA and 0.72 WHIP last season, the team certainly is in no hurry to get rid of Saito. |
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| The St. Louis Cardinals will likely bat the pitcher eighth, not ninth, in their lineup this season according to a report on MLB.com. "A position player has a better chance to get on base than the pitcher. And the more guys on base in front of Albert [Pujols] or your middle guys, the more runs you score. I like the reasons," manager Tony LaRussa said. The Brewers have also toyed with the idea this spring, and it makes a lot of sense, so keep an eye on both teams to see if either goes through with the plan. |
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| Lance Berkman had to leave the Astros game on Monday due to tightness in his leg, this according to MLB.com. "I pretty much took myself out of the game," Berkman said. "During the season, I wouldn't have come out of the game." No one seems too excited here, so we will figure this is just a case of the team, and a player, playing it safe in the early going. Stay tuned. |
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| Scott Podsednik doesn't have a starting spot with the Rockies, but according to a report on SI.com, he has looked really, really good this spring. Willy Taveras will be the main speedster in the Rockies lineup, but if he once again struggles with injuries, the team could turn to Podsednik and see little if any drop-off at the top of the order. |
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| Mark DeRosa returned to the Cubs lineup on Monday as he played his first game of the spring a week and a half after he had a minor operation to fix an irregular heartbeat, this according to the AP. DeRosa has back-to-back season of a .290 average 10 HR and 70 RBI, and qualifying as a 2B, 3B and OF makes him an extremely valuable spare part in almost any format. |
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| Steven Pearce will attempt to pick up the position of OF as the team tries to find a way to get his big bat in the lineup, this according to the AP. With Adam LaRoche entrenched at 1B, Pearce will move to the OF full-time. Pearce hit 31 HR with 113 RBI last season, so the bat is certainly legit, and with the Pirates possibly looking to trade either Xavier Nady or Jason Bay during the season, Pearce could be a full-time player by the end of the season in Pittsburgh. |
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| Felix Pie will miss about three to five days of action, according to ChicagoSports.com. He will need to undergo surgery to correct a personal problem called testicular torsion and the ailment is not expected to compromise his bid to be the Cubs starter in center field. |
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| Noah Lowry is recovering from surgery on his left forearm, according to cbssportsline.com. He could reportedly begin playing catch again in about a week and no muscles were damaged during the procedure. He could be able to return in mid-April and stated, "When I'm back throwing again I'll have a better understanding. I just pray to God this has taken care of the problem I've had." Perhaps this will correct his control problems of 2007.
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| J.R. Towles is expected to miss three to five days due to a strained right hamstring, according to MLB.com. He shouldn't lose too much ground while out of action. |
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| Mike Hampton is determined to keep his schedule, according to MLB.com. He will pitch Wednesday. How he feels on Tuesday will determine whether it is an exhibition game or a simulated game. He pitched a 10 minute bullpen session on Monday and felt discomfort in the groin he strained Friday, but he is still optimistic he will begin the regular season in the Braves' starting rotation. Hampton has a long history of ailments and notably hasn't pitched in a regular season game since August 19,2005. |
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| Eric Gagne is getting ready for the season at a relaxed pace, according to MLB.com. Gagne says he is at ease and knows his role is to close games for the Brewers, as opposed to the younger guys who are fighting for a spot on the roster. He knows the games don't count right now and doesn't have to prove himself to the Brewers yet. He commented,"Right now, I'm working on my fastball, just the location, and really getting my body under control." He also mentioned that he feels good. |
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| Brad Lidge returned to the mound on Monday, according to the Philadelphia Enquirer. The former star threw 25 pitches during a bullpen session and later stated, "I was really happy. I didn't feel the knee at all. I tried to let it go, and it felt great. I'm obviously real encouraged by that. That's a big step for me." He also mentioned that he thinks he will be ready for the March 31 season opener. This is good news for him and the Phillies.
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| Felix Pie has taken a sizable lead over Sam Fuld to be the Cubs starting center fielder, according to the Chicago Tribune. Pie is hitting .321 with two home runs so far this spring and said,"I just want to do my job every day and change the manager's mind. It's Piniella's decision, so all I can do is play." Piniella also mentioned that he would like to see Pie raise his on-base percentage and limit his strikeouts, which he has done so far.
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| Adam Eaton has a herniated disk in his back according to the AP. He also has slight arthritis in his back and team trainer Scott Sheridan said,"The most important thing to know about that is it's not pressing against the nerve root, which is really what your concern is. All of his symptoms are centrally located in his back. He has long-tossed the last two days and he's going to try to throw a bullpen tomorrow." Eaton has allowed seven runs and 10 hits in two starts this spring.
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| Mark Loretta has landed on the Orioles radar, according to The Baltimore Sun. They reportedly like the option of having him in case they decide to trade Brian Roberts, and they also like his versatility, which is important since Freddie Bynum underwent surgery to repair a torn meniscus. Loretta is 36, but was the league's best number two hitter in the league while in his prime. |
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| Wes Helms has landed on the Dodgers radar as they hunt for a third baseman, according to the Philadelphia Enquirer. Helms was made expendable in Philadelphia following the addition of Pedro Feliz and he would jump at the chance to possibly start the season with the Dodgers. |
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| Aaron Rowand has urged the Giants to make a play for White Sox third baseman Joe Crede, according to the Chicago Tribune. Rowand stated that Crede would no doubt help the Giants and added that he's healthy now and could be in line for his best season. He also admits that he is biased, which is understandable since they enjoyed one of the most magical seasons ever with the Sox in 2005. While Crede is not likely to live up to Rowand's expectations, the fact remains that the Giants do need a third baseman. |
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| The Angels are in the hunt for a utility player and Clint Barmes is on their radar, according to the Denver Post. Barmes was memorably a hot hitter before getting hurt in 2005 and the Angels have a void at shortstop following the departure of Orlando Cabrera. |
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| Ryan Freel could be on the trading block, according to the Hamilton Journal News. Utility man Freel realizes that he doesn't hold a spot in center field, second base, or right field, especially after the team brought in Corey Patterson. Freel has been nursing a contusion on his right wrist and said this about his feelings and future with the Reds, "You can't help but look around. I've been around the game awhile now, and I can look around and see what is going on. I can see what they're trying to do and hey, they're going in the right direction. When you get to a point in your age (32) and you see what's around you, one second you are at the top of their list and the next thing you know you don't know where you stand. You get an idea of how they're using guys and playing guys. There are some guys on this team who can flat-out play, and it's all about winning right now. It's not about what is going on with me, but as an individual, what is going on in my head, I'm thinking, 'What's going to happen next? I wonder what their options are and what they're thinking about me."
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| Daniel Moskos has been cut, according to the Post Gazette. Moskos was the Pirates first round draft pick of last June. He commented, "I kind of knew my days were numbered." He is expected to start the season at Class A Hickory. |
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| The injury of Andy LaRoche and the age and durability of Jeff Kent and Garciaparra has the Dodgers in the market for a versatile infielder, according to Ken Rosenthal of FoxSports.com. So far Ronnie Belliard and Esteban German have been named, as well as Delwyn Young. |
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| Fernando Nieve had a solid bullpen session on Saturday, but was ultimately cut by the Astros, according to the Houston Chronicle. He would have battled for a rotation spot if healthy and should turn up with another team. |
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| Ryan Dempster is in a heated battle with Jason Marquis to be the Cubs fifth starter in the rotation, according to the Daily Herald. Dempster has been previously promised a starting role when leaving the bullpen. He has looked good so far and is reportedly feeling good. Coach Piniella added, "He came to camp in really good shape. He's maintained that. He's worked hard, and he's enthused and excited about the prospect of starting. And we told him we were committed to giving him that opportunity, and that's exactly what's happening." He also called Dempster's pitching impressive.
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| Jeff Keppinger has started four of the last six games at shortstop, according to the Columbus Dispatch. Dusty Baker has not mentioned starting Keppinger ahead of Alex Gonzalez on opening day, but the Reds could end up heading that way if he continues to perform well and Gonzalez remains on the shelf. |
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| Michael Bourn missed Sunday's game due to back spasms, according to the Houston Chronicle. The injury is believed to be minor and he is listed as day-to-day. |
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| John Maine is firmly planting himself as the Mets No. 2 starter in the rotation, according to Metsblog.com. He has only allowed one run in his last seven spring innings and Rich Peterson commented, "It’s hard to say what Maine is, was or will be, since he is still young…this will be his tipping point season, i suspect…that said, i do know this: i trust John Maine…is he a number two, an ace, a back end guy, who knows…those are just labels…either way, i trust him when he is on the mound." |
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