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| Josh Anderson will open the season as the Braves 4th OF according to a report on The Sports Network. Anderson could be in line for a substantial amount of AB if Mark Kotsay continues to be limited by his injured back, so if you hear that Kotsay is struggling Anderson would be a great target in NL Only leagues after hitting .358 in 67 AB last season. |
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| Ryan Dempster has full faith in his teammates and feels like they have a great shot to win the World Series this year, just ask him. "I think we are going to win the World Series. I really do," said Dempster in a report on MLB.com. Dempster will try and do his part from the starting rotation leaving the Cubs to decide between Carlos Marmol, Bobby Howry and Kerry Wood for the closers role. |
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| Ray Durham, 2B, San Francisco Giants | Wednesday 2/13, 7:43 PM CT |
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| Ray Durham will face a stiff battle for playing time from Kevin Frandsen this year after hitting .218 last season for the Giants according to the San Francisco Chronicle. "I think that the best policy is to be honest," manager Bruce Bochy said. "...[Durham's] got a real good, talented player (Kevin Frandsen) who's trying to get that job, and it's going to be a close call and it's going to be deep in spring before we know who's going to be out there." The report also went on to say that if Durham can hold off Frandsen that Kevin could battle with Rich Aurlia for AB in the infield, and at this point the team still doesn't have a 3B so it's possible that Frandsen could end up shifting across the diamond leaving second base for Durham. |
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| Duaner Sanchez is ready to make a return from the shoulder surgery that he underwent last season. "If we get Duaner back to where he was," manager Willie Randolph said. "We'll have one more big weapon in the 'pen." Sanchez is obviously a risk coming off shoulder surgery, but he could be a very nice addition in NL Only league's if healthy considering he posted a 3.31 ERA and 1.32 WHIP in 2004-06 while vulturing 12 victories. |
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| Ryan Wagner, P, Washington Nationals | Wednesday 2/13, 6:58 PM CT |
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| Ryan Wagner, who had a tear in his shoulder last season, may not be ready by opening day, but he is proceeding well in his recovery according to MLB.com. "[Playing in] Spring Training games is not looking too likely -- not necessarily because I wouldn't be ready, but because there is no reason to rush it," Wagner said. Wagner has long been rumored as a future closer, but up until this point of his career he has never been able to harness his stuff to the point that any team has trusted him late in games. At this point his goal is just to get healthy and secure a spot in the Nats bullpen. |
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| Nick Johnson, 1B, Washington Nationals | Wednesday 2/13, 6:54 PM CT |
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| Nick Johnson feels that his injured leg has sufficiently healed to the point where he shouldn't be limited on the field in 2008 according to a report on MLB.com. "I want to play every day," Johnson said. There might be one problem with that declaration. First base just so happens to be the position of Dimitri Young who was arguably the Nationals best hitter last season (.320-13-74). Neither player is particularly athletic, so the only way for both to get 500 AB this year would likely mean one of them would need to be traded. |
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| Greg Norton, 1B, Atlanta Braves | Wednesday 2/13, 4:45 PM CT |
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| Greg Norton signed a minor league contract with the Mariners and will be invited to training camp according to a report on MLB.com. Norton had spent the past two seasons with the Rays hitting .243 with four HR in 75 games, hardly exciting numbers. He does have one skill, he is a solid pinch-hitter, but that doesn't matter in fantasy. |
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| Kris Benson, P, Philadelphia Phillies | Wednesday 2/13, 2:59 PM CT |
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| The Phillies have signed Kris Benson to a minor-league deal, pending a physical, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer. Phillies scout Chuck LaMar said that Benson, who missed the 2007 season while recovering from shoulder surgery, is throwing only at 60 to 70 percent, which makes it very doubtful the right-hander will break camp with a spot in the rotation. |
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| Takashi Saito agreed to a one-year, $2 million contract Wednesday. Saito, who can earn an additional $200,000 in incentives, posted a 1.40 ERA while recording 39 saves in 43 chances with the Dodgers last season. The Dodgers closer has been one of the best relievers in baseball over the last two years, though the fact that he dealt with shoulder problems at the end of last year and he'll turn 38 tomorrow should at least give fantasy owners a bit of pause. |
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| Matt Herges, P, Colorado Rockies | Wednesday 2/13, 2:07 PM CT |
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| Matt Herges admitted Wednesday to using performance-enhancing drugs, according to SportsTicker. The Rockies reliever was one of 86 players named in the Mitchell Report.
"Several years ago, I made a poor decision rather than trusting in the abilities the Lord has blessed me with," Herges said in a statement Wednesday. "With great insecurity, I chose to cross the line and briefly use performance-enhancing substances. I have no excuse for my actions." Herges re-signed with the Rockies last November, before the report came out. |
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| Matt Clement, P, St. Louis Cardinals | Wednesday 2/13, 9:49 AM CT |
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| Matt Clement, coming back from shoulder surgery, had been throwing indoors and Tuesday was his first throw off a mound. He said it was similar to what he normally would be doing this time of year. "I expect a normal spring and, as of right now, I expect to do everybody else is doing," Clement said in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. "The big thing is I don't want to waste my throws. The important throws have to be when I'm on the mound, and we'll see how my arm reacts." Clement has yet to try throwing breaking balls. |
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| The Astros expect Miguel Tejada to arrive in camp on time despite concerns he could have faced trouble entering the United States because of his legal woes. "We're still optimistic he's going to be there on time," manager Ed Wade said in the Houston Chronicle. "I talked to one of his representatives (Tuesday), and we still believe that everything is on schedule." The FBI opened a preliminary investigation last month into whether Tejada lied when he told federal authorities he never took steroids or other performance-enhancing drugs. |
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| Adam Eaton, P, Philadelphia Phillies | Wednesday 2/13, 9:37 AM CT |
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| Adam Eaton will have to earn his spot in the rotation this spring despite his big contract, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer. "I'd say he definitely has the inside track, without a doubt," manager Charlie Manuel said of Eaton. "But that doesn't mean that somebody can not move him out." Eaton won 10 games but posted a ghastly 6.29 ERA in 30 starts in his first year with the Phils last season. He'll have to hold off Chad Durbin, J.D. Durbin and Travis Blackley for the No. 5 spot in the rotation. Kris Benson would also be in the mix if he signs on as expected. |
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| Kris Benson, P, Philadelphia Phillies | Wednesday 2/13, 7:40 AM CT |
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| A contract with veteran pitcher Kris Benson could be signed soon reports Philly.com. Amaro said he expects a "resolution" within 24-to-48 hours. Benson missed all of last season with a torn labrum after going 68-73 with a 4.34 ERA in seven seasons with the Pirates, Mets and Orioles. Benson's agent, Gregg Clifton, said his client is completely healthy and has been throwing between 70 and 90 pitches during his offseason workouts for prospective teams. The two sides talked late last night and will talk again this morning in hopes of hashing out a deal. * |
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| Phillies assistant general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. told Philly.com that reliever Scott Mathieson visited team physician Michael Ciccotti yesterday and will soon visit specialist Dr. Lewis Yocum. The 24-year-old righthander, who is recovering from 2006 Tommy John surgery, has been experiencing discomfort in his pitching elbow.
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| Chuck James, P, Atlanta Braves | Wednesday 2/13, 12:31 AM CT |
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| LHP Chuck James has been throwing off flat ground, starting at two sets of 20 throws at 90 feet, according to Fox Sports. James, who suffered a slight tear in his rotator cuff, said his shoulder is still bothering him on occasion. James' fantasy potential is high, but so is his risk of injury; including a possible lighter workload early this season to protect his shoulder. |
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| Brian McCann , who elected not to have offseason surgery on his left ankle, is strengthening it with yoga instead according to Fox Sports. The Braves catcher did, however, undergo laser eye surgery, which could help both his catching and his hitting. |
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