| Barry Bonds, OF, San Francisco Giants | Thursday 2/14, 8:54 PM CT |
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| Barry Bonds tested positive for steroids in November 2001, according to The Star. The positive test came just one month after the home run king hit his record, 73rd, single season home run.
The allegation was published in a legal filing for the upcoming steroid perjury case against Bonds. If this report is on the up-and-up, then Bonds' request for a dismissal scheduled for Feb. 29th in Federal Court will be denied. |
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| Reggie Willits underwent January surgery for the removal of a gallbladder, reports the team's official website. "I feel 100 times better since I had my surgery," Willits said on Thursday. The speedy outfielder might feel better physically, but he can't feel good about the team's signing of Torii Hunter during the offseason. The team is loaded with talent in the outfield; along with Willits and Hunter the team also rosters Vlad Guerrero, Garret Anderson, Juan Rivera and Gary Matthews Jr. With this group of outfielders Willits will have a tough time buying at-bats. |
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| Jered Weaver, P, Los Angeles Angels | Thursday 2/14, 7:03 PM CT |
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| Jered Weaver, who was forced to begin the 2007 season on the disabled list with biceps tendinitis, has been throwing since Thanksgiving and preparing hard for a successful spring. According to the team's official website, Weaver has been working mostly on his lower body strength, wanting to keep his upper half free and easy for his rhythmic delivery. The tall, lanky right-hander is still underweight for his 6'7" frame but is beginning to understand the importance of year-round conditioning. "By not being able to be with the team and pitch when I was supposed to pitch," Weaver said of last spring, "I let my team down, mostly. Obviously, I let the whole organization down by not coming in here and being ready to go. I think that was the most disappointing part about it."
Weaver finished 13-7 with a 3.91 ERA in 28 starts last year and is a top-tiered talent in the fantasy realm. |
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| Angels skipper Mike Scioscia told the team's official website that Kelvim Escobar is still experiencing the shoulder discomfort that caused him problems at the start and finish of what was a stellar 2007 season.
"He's getting his treatments, doing his rehab," Scioscia said of Escobar, who was 18-7 with a 3.40 ERA despite September struggles (7.99 ERA). "It's still a matter of strengthening his shoulder. There is no timetable for Escobar's return to the mound, making him a draft day risk. The Venezuelan right-hander is expected to start the regular season on the disabled list. |
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| Danys Baez, P, Baltimore Orioles | Thursday 2/14, 5:40 PM CT |
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| Danys Baez , who underwent Tommy John Surgery last season, has yet to be cleared to start throwing, according to the Baltimore Sun. The report mentioned that recent inflammation in his elbow has slowed his rehab. He's scheduled to visit Dr. James Andrews in Birmingham, Ala., later this month. The O's set-up man wasn't expected to pitch this season so this negative report won't effect his fantasy value. He has none.
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| Francisco Liriano is not being allowed to travel into the United States due to a problem with his visa. The StarTribune.com reports that the southpaw is having visa problems because of a drunken-driving arrest. The visa issue will cause Liriano to be late for the beginning of Spring Training. "(The Twins) told me to take it easy and not to worry, that everything is going to come out OK," Liriano said. Liriano was 12-3 with a 2.16 ERA in 2006 and says his surgically repaired elbow is ready for a full work load this spring. |
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| Chris Ray, who had season ending Tommy John Surgery on his right elbow last year, expects to be pitching again sometime this season. In the mean time, Baltimore wants to give recently acquired George Sherrill a chance to earn the closer job.
Sherrill a set-up man with the Seattle Mariners is excited about the opportunity, according to the Baltimore Sun.
"I'd love to close. I think it's every reliever's goal. But just being part of something is all I can ask for," he said.
Sherrill, a minor league closer, has four career saves in four major league seasons.
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| Chris Ray, P, Baltimore Orioles | Thursday 2/14, 5:23 PM CT |
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| Chris Ray, who is still recovering from ligament-reconstructive surgery on his right elbow, expects to be pitching again sometime this season, according to the Baltimore Sun. In the mean time, Baltimore wants to give recently acquired George Sherrill a chance to earn the closer job. |
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| Josh Bard, C, San Diego Padres | Thursday 2/14, 3:24 PM CT |
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| The Padres inked Josh Bard to a one-year, $2.2375 million deal Thursday, avoiding arbitration. Bard is slated to share time behind the plate with Michael Barrett this year. |
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| Jason Schmidt told the LA Times that he's made a breakthrough over the last two weeks in his rehab. The righty said he woke up one day to discover that the stiffness and nagging soreness in his surgically repaired shoulder were suddenly gone. The balls he threw later that day had more carry, so much so that the first one he released sailed over the head of his catching partner. "I don't want to read too much into it," Schmidt said. Schmidt's status for opening day remains uncertain, though manager Joe Torre has said he isn't counting on the right-hander being ready by opening day.
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| Tigers manager Jim Leyland said Thursday that there's a "strong possibility" that Brandon Inge will still be traded, according to the Detroit News. With Miguel Cabrera now in tow, Inge would be used in a utility role if he remains in Motown. Obviously it depends on where he would end up, but Inge's fantasy value is sure to go up if he gets dealt, because he doesn't appear to be in line for much playing time in Detroit. |
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| Hideki Matsui admitted to MLB.com that although he hasn't returned to game shape quite yet, he expects to be there by the end of spring training. The outfielder admitted on Thursday that his running ability was affected over the last two months of the year due to pain in his right knee. "We still have about a month and a half until opening day," Matsui said through an interpreter. "That's a lot of time. I'm sure that by then, I should be feeling pretty good." Keep an eye on Matsui's progress this spring. Even if it turns out that he's ready by opening day, this could turn out to be a reoccurring problem. |
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| Chris Roberson cleared waivers on Wednesday and was outrighted to the Orioles Triple-A affiliate in Norfolk, according to the team's official website. Roberson was acquired in early January from the Phillies for cash considerations. |
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| Sam Fuld, CF, Chicago Cubs | Thursday 2/14, 1:47 PM CT |
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| With the exception of Japanese import Kosuke Fukudome, the Cubs coaching staff not only know what they have this spring, there's little question about the opening day lineup. The center field position is Felix Pie's to lose. The rookie will be given every opportunity to keep the starting job after struggling last year. Pie's competition is another rookie, Sam Fuld, who made a good impression during his September call-up and was named the MVP in the Arizona Fall League. MLB.com reported very much the same assessment on Wednesday stating, "Sam Fuld will be competing with Felix Pie for the center-field job. "The more competition the better," Fuld said. "We're two competitive guys. We're going to go out there and compete, and whatever happens, happens." |
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| The Los Angeles Daily News reports that "Assuming no one gets hurt before Opening Day..."Brad Penny, Derek Lowe, newly signed Japanese import Horoki Kuroda and Chad Billingsley are in the starting rotation, as is Jason Schmidt if he completes his rehabilitation from major shoulder surgery in June."
If Schmidt can't get his inning count up before April's Opening Day, however, veteran Esteban Loaiza will be the team's fifth starter when needed. |
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| According to the Los Angeles Daily News, "this much is clear: Brad Penny, Derek Lowe, newly signed Japanese import Horoki Kuroda and Chad Billingsley are in the starting rotation, as is Jason Schmidt if he completes his rehabilitation from major shoulder surgery in June."
However, if Schmidt isn't capable of starting the season in the rotation, Esteban Loaiza will take the fifth spot. |
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| Juan Pierre, LF, Los Angeles Dodgers | Thursday 2/14, 1:23 PM CT |
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| Juan Pierre, who showed up early to Dodgers Spring Training, declined to discuss his starting status in left field with the national media. The LA Daily News reports that "Torre said hello to Pierre but didn't address the left field matter with him beyond what the two discussed over the telephone this winter." It looks more and more like Pierre will compete with Andre Ethier for the starting gig. The report noted that Torre admits he prefers veteran players. Currently, most media outlets list Pierre as the team's starter, but the popular fantasy option must lock down the everyday job if owners are to depend on the speedy outfielder for his stolen base contribution. |
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| The Mercury News reports that not only did Chad Gaudin have surgery on his left hip and right big this offseason, but he also had a procedure to remove a tumor on his esophagus. Doctors had known about the tumor since 2002, but since a biopsy showed it was non-cancerous and it wasn't very big, they left it alone. But several months ago Gaudin began having trouble swallowing because the tumor had grown. Gaudin hopes to be able to pitch by March 1. |
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| Dan Johnson, 1B, Tampa Bay Rays | Thursday 2/14, 12:29 PM CT |
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| The acquisition of Mike Sweeney puts Dan Johnson's roster spot in jeopardy. The two will compete for time at DH, and with the middle of the A's lineup already left-handed heavy, the right-handed hitting Sweeney could have an edge. "I don't even know what to say, which way they're going," Johnson said in the Mercury News. He added that he wouldn't expect he and Sweeney "to be on the same team if we're at the same position." Johnson's production has dipped the last two years after a strong rookie campaign. He is a lot younger than Sweeney and isn't nearly as much of an injury risk, but it sounds as if the A's may be ready to go in another direction. Keep an eye on this battle in spring, because whoever wins the DH job will at least have some value in AL-only play. |
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| Rich Harden is not happy with how he was handled by A's management last year. "The whole year (last season) I've got people in the organization telling me I'm fine, that I've got to pitch with pain," Harden said in the Mercury News. "It's insulting, because they don't know what's going on." Harden refused to point his finger at a specific individual. "I've got a lot of stuff to say. I don't want to say it," he said. Harden made just seven appearances last year because of injures. He said he second-guessed a decision to have him pitch in relief as he tried to come back from a strained shoulder. The righty feels fine at the moment, but it's clear injuries will always be an issue with him. |
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| Gary Bennett, C, Los Angeles Dodgers | Thursday 2/14, 12:16 PM CT |
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| Gary Bennett is the latest to come forward and apologize for HGH use. "With it all coming out, it was very embarrassing," Bennett told the AP. "Going into it, I knew it was wrong. It was a situation in '03 that I was on the DL for 6 1/2 weeks with a partially torn MCL in my right knee. It got to a point where I was extremely frustrated, my knee was hurting. That led me to make a stupid decision." The Dodgers signed Bennett in December to back up Russell Martin. |
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| Ben Johnson, OF, New York Mets | Thursday 2/14, 12:10 PM CT |
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| The Mets signed Ben Johnson to a minor-league deal Thursday. Johnson had five hits in 27 at-bats last year for the Mets but spent most of the year at Triple-A New Orleans before breaking his ankle in a game with the Zephyrs in August, according to Sports Network. Johnson could possible end up platooning with Ryan Church in right field, but it's more likely that he'll end up at Triple-A - assuming he passes through waivers. |
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| Justin Germano, a candidate for the last spot in the Padres rotation, is out of options, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune. It's possible this could increase his chances at winning the job, as the Pads would probably lose him if they tried to put him through waivers. Shawn Estes and perhaps Enrique Gonzalez are also in the mix for the No. 5 job, as is Mark Prior once he's healthy. |
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| Jason Bay, LF, Boston Red Sox | Thursday 2/14, 11:55 AM CT |
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| Padres GM Kevin Towers said he will continue to pursue a trade for a right-handed hitting outfielder, and Jason Bay is one guys that's still on his radar, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune. Bay's teammate and former Padre Xavier Nady is also an option, as is Cub Matt Murton. |
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| Paul McAnulty could be traded by the end of spring training. The left-handed swinger is out of options and will probably have to beat out Jody Gerut for a job, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune. McAnulty has posted pretty good numbers in the minors, but he's played very little in parts of three seasons for the Pads. |
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| Yadier Molina, who is coming off 2007 season ending surgery, lost 10 to 15 pounds this winter, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. The feared arm of Molina is a plus for the Cards defense, but his offense must improve if he is to be considered a fantasy option in mixed formats. |
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| Gavin Floyd, P, Chicago White Sox | Thursday 2/14, 11:29 AM CT |
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| Gavin Floyd must perform during Spring Training if he plans to stay in Chicago moving forward. The right-hander is out of minor-league options and will be waived if he doesn't rate as a member of the team's Opening Day roster according to Chicago Sports. The 2007 season wasn't kind to Floyd; who was 1-5 in 10 starts with a 5.27 ERA. |
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| Juan Uribe, 2B, Chicago White Sox | Thursday 2/14, 10:43 AM CT |
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| Baltimore will scout the Sox's Juan Uribe in case 23-year-old Luis Hernandez falters as Miguel Tejada's replacement at shortstop, according to Chicago Sports. Uribe lost his starting gig to former Angel Orlando Cabrera, who was acquired in a trade for Jon Garland. Cabrera was a solid fantasy contributor in Los Angeles last year batting .301 with 35 doubles, eight home runs, 86 RBIs and a career-high 101 runs scored. Uribe has two straight seasons of 20-plus HRs, but his high strike out total and miserable batting average doesn't excite Roto owners. |
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| Alex Cintron, SS, Baltimore Orioles | Thursday 2/14, 10:23 AM CT |
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| The Baltimore Sun reports that the Orioles are in discussions with free agent Alex Cintron to provide them another option at shortstop. After trading away Miguel Tejada in the offseason, the team was going to open up a competition at the position among Luis Hernandez, Brandon Fahey and Freddie Bynum. Cintron would fit in that mix. |
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| Brett Tomko, P, San Diego Padres | Thursday 2/14, 10:22 AM CT |
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| The Kansas City Star reports that "11 pitchers will open camp as candidates for the rotation: Gil Meche, Zack Greinke, Brian Bannister, Brett Tomko, Jorge De La Rosa, Luke Hudson, John Bale, Brian Lawrence, Kyle Davies, Hideo Nomo and Mike Maroth." Three pitchers in the mix are a lock to break camp as starters. Barring injury, Meche, Greinke and Bannister will make up the first three arms in the rotation. The report noted that team officials indicated Tomko must pitch his way out of the No. 4 slot. |
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| Zack Greinke, P, Kansas City Royals | Thursday 2/14, 10:18 AM CT |
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| Pitching coach Bob McClure told the KC Star that "11 pitchers will open camp as candidates for the rotation: Gil Meche, Zack Greinke, Brian Bannister, Brett Tomko, Jorge De La Rosa, Luke Hudson, John Bale, Brian Lawrence, Kyle Davies, Hideo Nomo and Mike Maroth."
Three pitchers in the mix are a lock to break camp as starters. Barring injury, Meche, Greinke and Bannister will make up the first three arms in the rotation. |
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| Luke Hochevar is a candidate for the Royals 2008 rotation and according to the KC Star he also could start the season as a reliever.
“I want to break him in out of the pen,” McClure said, “but he’ll pitch longer than a short reliever. I can’t say he’s not a likely candidate (for the rotation). I can’t put it to you that way. I’m going to have to watch him pitch.”
Hochevar's four-pitch arsenal features a solid fastball with movement, a big league curve, and a solid slider and change. However, his minor league lines are not impressive. Hochevar posted a 4.69 ERA and a .286 batting average against in 94 innings in Double-A -- followed that with a 5.12 ERA and a .244 batting average against in 58 Triple-A innings. |
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| Kerry Wood, P, Chicago Cubs | Thursday 2/14, 9:58 AM CT |
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| The Cubs plan to settle on a closer by late March, and manager Lou Piniella plans to pick one guy and stick with him, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. ''We'll have one guy,'' Piniella said. ''By the end of spring training, no question. Probably three-quarters of the way through spring training, we'll have one guy. We've got people here that are very capable of getting it done.'' Kerry Wood, Carlos Marmol, and Bobby Howry are the prime candidates for ninth-inning duty on the north side of Chicago, but Piniella isn't ruling out Ryan Dempster returning to the role if he doesn't win a job in the starting rotation. Dempster, Jason Marquis, Jon Lieber, Sean Marshall and possibly Kevin Hart are batting it out for the final two spots in the Cubs' rotation. |
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| CC Sabathia, P, Milwaukee Brewers | Thursday 2/14, 9:50 AM CT |
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| C.C. Sabathia announced on his official website today that he has cut off contract talks with the Indians, saying "there will be time after the season for the Indians and my representatives to discuss my contract status." Of course, the Indians can hardly afford to lose Sabathia for mere draft picks if he demands a Johan Santana like deal and signs elsewhere this fall, so it's possible he could be traded at some point this year. |
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| Erick Aybar, SS, Los Angeles Angels | Thursday 2/14, 9:46 AM CT |
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| When the Angels traded Orlando Cabrera to the White Sox for Jon Garland, they did so with the intention of turning their starting shortstop job over to Erick Aybar. However, the LA Times reports that Aybar raised serious concerns by making 19 errors in 35 winter-league games in the Dominican Republic, and that could open the door for Maicer Izturis to win the job. Izturis doesn't have as impressive a skill set as Aybar, but he batted .406 with runners in scoring position last season. Stay tuned. |
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| Mike Zagurski underwent surgery on his right hamstring last August, but the southpaw told Philly.com that it is not as strong as he'd hoped heading into Spring Training. He said he probably would not start doing mound work until March 1.
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| Matt Cain, P, San Francisco Giants | Thursday 2/14, 12:52 AM CT |
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| Matt Cain will be the new face of the Giants as he will be the team's poster boy on their pocket schedule and their "What Would A Gamer Do?" ad campaign according to a report in the Mercury News. He will even take up residence in Barry Bonds old locker. Cain will look to build on what was a solid season despite his 7-16 record, a grossly exaggerated total that was the result of horrific run support (3.51 runs per 9 IP, the second lowest mark in baseball). |
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