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| Jeremy Affeldt had a nightmarish outing on Thursday as he allowed seven runs on nine hits over a mere 3.1 innings of work. He had three strikeouts with only one walk but his hopes to win a spot in the Reds' rotation decreased with that performance. |
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| Jamie Moyer surrendered four runs on four hits over five innings of work against the Reds on Thursday. The aging vet picked up two strikeouts but walked three. His spring ERA rises to 4.50. |
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| Brandon Phillips went 1-for-3 with a two-run double, as he pushed his spring RBI count to 11. Phillips knocked in 94 RBI in 2007 and is off to a great start in that department. |
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| Tim Redding enjoyed a strong outing on Thursday as he threw five scoreless innings with only one hit surrendered. He walked one with four strikeouts and helped his chances in his bid for a rotation spot. |
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| Mark Hendrickson had a strong outing on Thursday as he allowed one run on three hits over five innings, with an impressive six strikeouts and no walks. He is expected to start in the Marlins' rotation this season and a performance like this will keep him on our radar. |
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| Cameron Maybin hit a two-run homer in his only at-bat on Thursday. He has now hit three home runs and knocked in eight RBI this spring. He has a shot to start in the Marlins' outfield, but the team may like to bring him along slowly. |
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| Mark Loretta picked up three RBI on one hit Thursday, and now co-leads the Astros with nine. He has drawn interest from the Orioles, and this should keep him on their radar. |
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| Michael Bourn went 2-for-4 on Thursday, while scoring a run, and looks to be back on the right track following a bout with upper-back spasms. Bourn is still on pace to win a starting outfield job. |
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| Carlos Lee is off to a slow start and is currently in an 0-for-6 slump. Lee hit 32 home runs in 2007 and his swing should come back soon enough. |
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| Yorvit Torrealba went 1-for-3 on Thursday, and extended his spring hit streak to six games. He also notably knocked in two RBI with his hit. He should be the opening day starter at catcher. |
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| Conor Jackson went 3-for-3 on Thursday. He now has 11 hits over 11 spring games and continues to solidify his bid for a starting role. |
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| Jeff Suppan had a tough day on the bump as he allowed six runs on seven hits over three innings of work, with three walks and one strikeout. He continues to have a tough spring and looks to remain a weak link in the middle of their rotation. |
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| Fred Lewis went 2-for-4 on Thursday with an RBI, his eighth of the spring. He continues to hit well as he fights for a spot in the Giants' outfield. |
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| Mark DeRosa went 2-for-3 on Thursday and continues to hit well following his operation to fix an irregular heartbeat. He seems to be a safe fantasy prospect again. |
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| Callix Crabbe went 3-for-4 on Thursday with one RBI, his fourth of the spring. Crabbe is enjoying a solid spring and is fighting for a spot as a utility man. |
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| Paul Maholm was nearly perfect over four innings on Thursday as he only allowed one hit, while striking out three with no walks. He needs more outing like this one as he held a 10-15 mark in 2007. |
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| Prized prospect Brandon Moss hit his first home run on the spring. He now has five RBI, but will likely start the season in the minors due to solid depth for Boston. |
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| Braden Looper had another tough outing this spring as he allowed four runs on seven hits over four innings, with two walks and two strikeouts. He gave up seven runs back on March 8 and has a spring ERA of 11.57. |
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| Endy Chavez went 2-for-3 and led the Mets with two RBI in a losing effort against the Cardinals. This was a great day for him as he has been battling ankle and hamstring ailments that he suffered in winter ball. |
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| Shawn Chacon got rocked on Thursday as he allowed five runs on five hits over three innings, with two walks and one strikeout. He has been battling for a rotation spot, but now has an ERA of 10.13 for the spring. |
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| Blake DeWitt had a big day in a losing effort for the Dodgers as he went 3-for-4 with three RBI. Two of his hits were a triple and a home run, his second of the spring. |
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| Joe Borchard had another solid day at the plate as he went 2-for-3 with an RBI, his 11th of the spring. Borchard is fighting for a bench job with the Braves. |
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| As expected, the Cardinals team website confirmed Thursday that the club will bring in free agent right-hander Kyle Lohse for a physical examination on Friday.
According to team spokesman Brian Bartow, the deal isn't done, but the Cardinals need for starting arms required the team to investigate their options. One of the few remaining qualified pitchers on the market is Lohse. |
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| The Astros eliminated Mark McLemore from the starting mix, this according to the team website. The left-hander will instead compete for a spot in the bullpen.
"I'm just happy I'm in the running for something," McLemore said. "The last few years, I'd go [to the manager's office] and they'd tell me I'm going to Minor League camp, out of the running completely. So, I'm OK with it."
The nine pitchers either considered locks for the rotation or candidates for a spot are Roy Oswalt, Brandon Backe, Wandy Rodriguez, Woody Williams (who should be eliminated), Chris Sampson, Shawn Chacon, Runelvys Hernandez, Jack Cassel and Brian Moehler. |
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| The New York Daily News reported Thursday that center fielder Carlos Beltran gave a positive review of his first game in the field since surgery to clean out both knees. Beltran played four innings and went 1-for-2 with a walk and RBI single.
As for his damaged and recovering knees? The report noted, "I got tired a little bit. It’s still the same. The left side is weaker than the right side," said Beltran. "I’m not ready to play nine innings right now." Expect Beltran to get out of the gate slow, and the Mets to have some offensive woes early on this April. But as the temps rise, and some of the aging veterans on the Mets squad warm, so will their statlines. |
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| The Houston Chronicle outlined Woody Williams' Wednesday performance as a veteran trying to explain another bad outing Wednesday — an eight-run, four-home run, 10-hit debacle — that has all but sealed his fate for those in touch with reality.
"It left me scratching my head, to tell you the truth," Williams said after the 11-4 exhibition loss to the Detroit Tigers.
Managers in any format, regardless of circumstance, that are depending on Williams - are in line for a long fantasy season. |
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| The good news from Philly camp on Thursday was the performance of ninth inning option, Brad Lidge , this according to Philly.com. Lidge threw another bullpen session yesterday and will face live hitters tomorrow and Sunday. If all goes well, he estimates that he'll make an appearance in a simulated game sometime next week before making his first Grapefruit League appearance. Lidge threw 25 to 30 pitches without issue. |
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| Freddy Sanchez is close to making his spring debut, according to the team website. The Pirates second baseman continues his rehab from shoulder surgery and all reports indicate he is on schedule.
"He's been doing all of his work, taking a lot of groundballs," manager John Russell said. Sanchez will hit for average, but that's about it. He won't be a top contributor in any other category, including stolen bases (0 in 2007). |
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| The Mets optioned Carlos Muniz to Triple-A New Orleans on Thursday, notes Matthew Cerrone's Mets Blog. The right-hander appeared in two games for New York last season throwing 2.1 innings, giving up one hit, two walks and two earned runs. Muniz did strike out two in his limited 2007 big league work. |
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| The Mets optioned Willie Collazo to Triple-A New Orleans on Thursday, this according to Matthew Cerrone's Mets Blog. The left-hander pitched in six games last year throwing 5.2 innings, giving up seven hits and four earned runs. Collazo didn't strike any one out during his five innings plus but found a way to walk four. Fantasy owners won't be ogling his digits anytime soon. |
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| The Mets have re-assigned infielder Michel Abreu to minor league camp on Thursday, according to Matthew Cerrone's Mets Blog. Abreu has no current fantasy value, not even for the most passionate Mets fan. |
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| Tyler Johnson will remain inactive for at least another week, this according to the team website. The report notes that a re-evaluation of his injured shoulder determined that he is not yet ready to begin throwing again.
Johnson has been sidelined with tendinitis and a rotator cuff strain.
"I still have discomfort in there," Johnson said. "He said he wants me to be pain-free from doing my exercises, and I'm just not yet."
It was believed that Johnson would not be be prepared for opening day, but this latest news cinches it. |
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| Cole Hamels' next start is in question, this according to the Philadelphia Daily News. The lefthander had been scheduled to pitch in a minor league game Wednesday, but was scratched after coming down with the flu. Manuel said he'll pitch again whenever he is healthy.
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| Angel Pagan , who hit a two-run home run as a pinch hitter in the seventh inning Wednesday, is batting .419 with 10 RBI in 15 games this spring.
According to Matthew Cerrone's Mets Blog, Willie Randolph told the New York media after Wednesday's win that Pagan is talented.
“I’ve seen this happen a lot in spring training. The guys in a good rhythm, in a good groove, and determined to make the team. I’ve seen that before, where guys go crazy in spring training. Like I said, he’s in great shape, he’s matured a lot since the last time I saw him and he’s having a real good spring so far." The injury to Moises Alou opens the door for Pagan to get the call for opening day, and if he continues to perform in March, there is little reason to believe the Willie "Wheels" Randolph, won't give him the opportunity. |
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| Matt Treanor suffered a cramp in his left calf during Wednesday's spring game, reports the Sun Sentinel. The Rays catcher suffered the injury while running to first on a base hit. He left the game and will be re-evaluated today. Treanor has no fantasy value. |
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| Dallas McPherson, who already missed work to a sore side, is out again with a groin strain, notes the Sun Sentinel. McPherson missed all of 2007 after back surgery and is currently 1-for-15 on the spring. The oft-injured, one-time top prospect, is expected to open the season at Triple-A Albuquerque. His fantasy value is nil. |
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| Renyel Pinto is suffering from a stubbed toe. Yes, the left-hander has a sore piggy. Pinto stubbed his toe while getting out of bed on Wednesday morning and left the training facility to have it checked. The Sun Sentinel reports that Pinto walked to his car with a pronounced limp and Fish skipper Fredi Gonzalez expects him to be ready to pitch today. |
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| Left-hander Scott Olsen (shoulder tendinitis) will take the bullpen rubber for a throwing session today. According to the Sun Sentinel, Olsen has not yet been ruled out as the opening day starter. The paper noted that some combination of Mark Hendrickson, Andrew Miller and Ricky Nolasco, Gaby Hernandez, Rick VandenHurk or Doug Waechter will join Olsen in the rotation. The Marlins don't need a fifth starter until April 13. |
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| Ryan Madson allowed just one run over three innings in a 6-1 loss to Cincinnati on Wednesday.
The Philadelphia Inquirer suggests that despite the Phillies weakness at the fifth starter's spot, Madson is not a candidate for the job. He was assigned the Wednesday start because the team did not want Cole Hamels facing the Reds when he could oppose them in the second week of the regular season. Madson was groomed as a starter in the minors and would someday like to return to that role, but for now he will continue to work out of the bullpen. |
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| Luis Castillo was scheduled to be in the Wednesday lineup for the first time this spring, but a change in plans now has the Mets' second baseman waiting until Saturday to dress out. Castillo will begin testing and pushing his surgically repaired knee and increase his daily regiment as he works towards an opening day assignment. |
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| Mike Hampton's comeback is back on the track. According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution the oft-injured veteran left-hander had no problems with his groin during a four-inning simulated game against Braves hitters Wednesday. Barring any setbacks (and "any" is an appropriate word in context with Hampton), the Braves southpaw is expected to make his next scheduled start Monday against the Cardinals. |
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| Nate McLouth remained en fuego this spring going 3-for-3 at the plate on Wednesday and raising his spring average to .400 (8-for-20). McLouth is fighting for center field positional rights with teammate Nyjer Morgan this spring, and all things being equal, McLouth has earned the starting nod. Morgan is hitting .269 and showing little power in the process. NL-only owners will want to look at McLouth in the late rounds of March drafts. |
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| It's probably time to give San Diego's young outfielder Chase Headley his due; it's also time to anoint him the starting left fielder heading in to April. Headley is hitting .400 in March and his defense has been acceptable. The Padres left-fielder had a three-run double in three at-bats Wednesday against the Giants, running his spring plate appearances to an attractive 10-for-25. With Jim Edmonds likely to start the season on the disabled list the San Diego coaching staff has no alternative but to give Headley the nod for opening day. |
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| Juan Pierre walked three times in three plate appearances on Wednesday, and stole two bases against the Reds pitching staff. The supposed battle in left field between Pierre and Andre Ethier (who homered for the third time this spring) has been intriguing, and diminished Pierre's fantasy value, but all indications point to the veteran speedster winning the job. Look for Pierre to be the club’s opening day leadoff-hitting left-fielder. |
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| Albert Pujols hit his fourth home run of the spring on Wednesday. Despite his elbow injury, the Cardinals first baseman has been productive during camp -- and his showing has been head and shoulders better than last years Grapefruit campaign. All of his March success doesn't dissipate the uncertainty that surrounds the former MVP, and eventual surgery is inevitable. Pujols remains a risky early round pick in fantasy drafts and regardless of his spring digits he doesn't offer long term security for simulated managers. |
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