| John Danks, P, Chicago White Sox | Saturday 3/8, 11:55 PM CT |
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| John Danks started for the Chicago White Sox, going four innings and allowing one run and three hits in the Sox's 6-4 victory over the split-squad San Francisco Giants. The team felt Danks' work was so effective, he was allowed to throw 20 more pitches in the bullpen after the outing. Clearly, the hope is to encourage and progress a young man that has been somewhat inconsistent this spring, not to mention last season (allowing 28 homers in just under 140 innings). Today's performance may be a step in the right direction. |
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| Billy Butler, 1B, Kansas City Royals | Saturday 3/8, 11:44 PM CT |
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| Billy Butler singled twice and ran over Royals starter John Bale while trying to cover second base in the Kansas City Royals' 8-2 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers on Saturday, according to the Associated Press. Butler, who also walked and has six hits in his last seven at-bats, was trying to get to second base after CF Joey Gathright made a spectacular play running down a deep fly ball by J.J. Hardy in the second inning. As noted last week, Butler's bat is not in question, but the fielding is. Today's mishap is another brick in that wall, but Butler's problems may be easily improved with proper coaching. It may take time, but he is young and has the game the Royals need in a young star on the rise. |
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| Carlos Gonzalez, sent to Oakland as part of the deal for Dan Haren, is giving the Athletic fans reason for hope, going 2-for-5 with one run scored in the A's 5-2 split-squad victory over Seattle. The chance of making the major league roster this season seems slim, but the kid has a bright future and could be seen on the MLB field should an opportunity open in the A's outfield this season. |
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| Mike Sweeney, 1B, Oakland Athletics | Saturday 3/8, 11:34 PM CT |
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| Mike Sweeney continues to push his value as a bat that should be in the order, hitting 2-for-3 with two runs scored in Oakland's split-squad victory over Seattle, 5-2. He's hitting over .500 this spring and appears to have his old magic working at the plate once more. The hope was to earn a spot as the backup DH or 1B. If he keeps it up, a shot at forcing opportunity seems all too certain. |
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| Juan Rivera, RF, Los Angeles Angels | Saturday 3/8, 11:28 PM CT |
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| Juan Rivera continues to push for a spot on the major league roster, hitting 2-for-3 in the Angels' 2-6 loss to the Colorado Rockies. The opportunistic play is a positive sign for the Angels, but the timing is off. The Angels carry more than a few options at 1B, though Rivera got his shot in left field today. If he keeps the hot bat in form and a spot can be found on the bench as a backup, Rivera may have a seam of hope in '08. |
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| Four days after Carl Crawford leveled a catcher on a play at the plate, Elliot Johnson lowered his shoulder and barreled catcher Francisco Cervelli in the Rays' 4-1 victory on Saturday. Cervelli broke his right wrist in the play, according to the Associated Press. Yankees manager Joe Girardi was more than happy to express his anger with the aggressive play. "I think it's uncalled for," Girardi said. "Spring training, you're going to get people hurt, and that's what we got, we got Cervelli hurt. It's one thing to get hit by a pitch, it gets away, but, I don't understand it." Cervelli has been fitted with a cast and will be out an undetermined length of time. |
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| RHP Chien-Ming Wang threw 75-pitches during a 25-minute bullpen session two days after allowing six runs in two-thirds of an inning against Cincinnati Reds, according to the Associated Press. The expected opening-day starter worked on the balance point of his delivery. "Better at the end," Wang said. Following such a troubled outing, it is understandable that concerns follow. It is still early, but Wang is the projected starter for opening day and the rotation is one of the more significant worries for the Yanks this season. Stay tuned. |
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| Juan Rincon, P, Cleveland Indians | Saturday 3/8, 9:29 PM CT |
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| With three runs already scored against Brian Duensing, reliever Juan Rincon pitched the Twins out of a bases-loaded, none-out situation in the fourth, striking out Nyjer Morgan and Jack Wilson, then getting Nate McLouth on a line drive to right in the Twins' 8-4 win over the Pirates in Grapefruit League action. Rincon is likely to be a strong force for Minnesota this year, working in relief of a starting rotation in flux. Their top starter, Johan Santana, is gone, leaving the bulk of the hope in the arms of unproven youth. Outings like this from Rincon provide a bit of relief looking forward. |
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| In an attempt to avoid a fall from last season's success, the Cleveland Indians are opening the bullpen to a full-blown competition rather than put full faith in Joe Borowski , according to the Cleveland Plain Dealer. To create an ideal situation for this season, the Indians have brought back the entire bullpen with the addition of Japanese right-hander Masa Kobayashi. They've also opened one of the seven spots for competition with holdover Tom Mastny competing against spring-training invitees Jorge Julio, Rick Bauer, Scott Elarton and others. GM Mark Shapiro is reluctant to say what lies ahead for 2008. Shapiro and scouts note Rafael Betancourt could be the player to watch should Borowski struggle while Kobayashi, Rafael Perez, and Aaron Fultz could be viewed as optimal setup men. |
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| Rich Harden, P, Oakland Athletics | Saturday 3/8, 7:57 PM CT |
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| Rich Harden , making his second spring start after missing most of last season with a sore right shoulder, was roughed up for three runs on four hits and a walk in the first inning of a 6-7 loss to the Cubs, according to MLB.com. Harden allowed seven hits (five for extra bases), four runs, two walks and a home run, while whiffing two in his three innings. However, Harden remains positive that he is headed in the right direction, saying he was working on realigning his motion so that his arm, hip and legs all moved fluidly and directly toward home plate. Coming into the spring, Harden hadn't pitched since last July 7. When asked what working on these mechanics would help, Harden answered, "Everything." |
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| Updating an earlier story, Wilkin Ramirez , injuring his shoulder diving for a line drive on Friday, appears to be done for the remainder of spring training but should be available for the regular season, according to MLB.com. The partially dislocated shoulder was popped back into place but muscles in that area have been stretched and will need time to heal. There wasn't an expectation that Ramirez would make the major-league roster, but his performance in these early games have been impressive and the team had hopes he could surprise. Now the plan has him starting in Double-A Erie and working his way towards health and Detroit. |
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| Matt Stairs, DH, Toronto Blue Jays | Saturday 3/8, 7:30 PM CT |
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| As one of the more intriguing players to watch this spring, Matt Stairs is showing his bat could continue as a positive note for the Blue Jays and may be worthy of starts in left field. Stairs went 1-for-2 today with a run scored in Toronto's 4-3 win over Detroit. Meanwhile, other options in left failed to make noise. Reed Johnson went 0-for-1 and Adam Lind did not play. |
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| Aaron Hill, 2B, Toronto Blue Jays | Saturday 3/8, 7:26 PM CT |
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| 2B Aaron Hill had two hits and two RBIs and Shannon Stewart doubled twice for Toronto in today's 4-3 win over Detroit. Hill appears to be the main man at 2B for the Blue Jays and getting this kind of lift from the position is a definitive positive. |
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| Ryan Garko, 1B, Cleveland Indians | Saturday 3/8, 6:37 PM CT |
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| Ryan Garko went 2-for-2 today, hitting a double and homer with a whopping four RBI in helping the Indians to a 9-5 win over the Phillies in Grapefruit League play. Garko is penciled for the starting job at 1B and showed why today. These performances only bolster the momentum gained through positive play in '07 and should warn fantasy owners to be on the lookout in '08. |
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| Josh Barfield went 1-for-3 today in Cleveland's 9-5 win over the Phillies in Grapefruit League action, hitting a double and scoring two runs. Barfield is battling to stay in the mix for a spot on the major league roster this season, following a disappointing 2007 campaign in which he hit just .243 with three home runs in 420 at-bats. Today's game certainly helps. |
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| Fans were introduced to the power-that-could-be, young outfield Jacoby Ellsbury , during the World Series last season. In spring training the anticipation continues to grow as Ellsbury went 3-for-5 in Boston's 2-5 loss to the Marlins in Grapefruit League play today. Ellsbury finished with a double, a homer, two RBI, and a run scored on the day. With days like this, it is hard to imagine Coco Crisp will remain in the race for the starting job. |
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| Tike Redman, CF, Baltimore Orioles | Saturday 3/8, 5:44 PM CT |
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| Tike Redman went 1-for-2 today in the Orioles' 1-4 loss to the Mets in the Grapefruit League. Playing in left field, Redman is hoping to earn a spot of any kind on the major league roster and avoid starting in the minors. Left field is a bit of battle with Jay Gibbons and the loser of the 1B battle between Kevin Millar and Aubrey Huff vying for the position. Redman offers much more speed and a better glove than those veterans might bring to the table. If his bat proves worthy, he could be a darkhorse candidate for the position. |
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| Kevin Millar went 1-for-2 with an RBI and a sacrifice fly in Baltimore’s 1-4 loss to the Mets in the Grapefruit League today. Millar is battling with Aubrey Huff (who did not play today) to retain the starting 1B job in Baltimore. Outings such as this help the cause and could put Millar in the driver’s seat. |
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| George Sherrill continues his bid to fill the role of closer for the Orioles this season, closing the only three batters he pitched to today without problems. Sherrill has now thrown 1-2-3 innings in each of his last two opportunities and is asserting his name as the leading candidate for the coveted closing role in Baltimore. |
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| Freddie Bynum will have arthroscopic surgery on his right knee and miss at least five weeks, ending his bid to be Baltimore's starting shortstop on opening day, according to SI.com. Bynum was competing with Luis Hernandez and Brandon Fahey to fill the void at shortstop left by the offseason trade of Miguel Tejada to the Houston Astros. By submitting to surgery, Bynum eliminated himself from contention. |
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| Manny Delcarmen earned a start in place of ailing Josh Beckett (back spasms), going two scoreless innings without allowing a hit or a walk as the Red Sox went on to lose 5-2. Thus far it appears Delcarmen ranks high on Boston's list for potential options, be it out of the bullpen or otherwise. Stay tuned. |
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| Eric Chavez, 3B, Oakland Athletics | Saturday 3/8, 3:30 PM CT |
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| Eric Chavez was able to hit living pitching in a batting cage and played some catch Saturday for the second straight day, though he didn't do any fielding, according to MLB.com. "I just won't field any ground balls," Chavez said. "I don't know when I'll be doing that. It's impossible to say. It's days away." The A's believe working in the field led to the back spasms that in turn led to an epidural injection. At this point, the A's trainer is deciding daily what Chavez will be allowed to do, but he still hopes to be ready for opening day. |
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| B.J. Ryan, P, Toronto Blue Jays | Saturday 3/8, 2:25 PM CT |
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| As expected, B.J. Ryan faced four batters in a simulated game on Saturday, according to the National Post. He felt fine, and his fastball reached 88 mph on the radar gun. "I’m not even really thinking about my elbow now," he said. "I’m just worried about the end results. I threw some fastballs that had some good life. They finished down in the zone." Ryan, working his way back from Tommy John surgery, will toss another simulated game Tuesday with the hope of making his spring exhibition debut later in the week. |
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| Josh Beckett began to deal with back spasms as he warmed up for Saturday's spring game, so he was scratched from the contest, according to the AP. We'll get more information to you about his status as it comes in. |
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| Coco Crisp, CF, Boston Red Sox | Saturday 3/8, 11:54 AM CT |
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| Coco Crisp told the Boston Globe that it was "bogus" he had to compete for the center field role, and that he was not willing to be a bench player for the team. It's this kind of Neanderthal attitude that give athletes a bad name. You're only as good as your last performance or your last season, and neither of those efforts by Crisp were up to snuff.
“Why would you want to sit on the bench? Why would you want to do that?” Crisp said. “I want to play. It’s just a matter of getting out there and having to reprove yourself (this spring). It’s kind of bogus.” |
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| Bartolo Colon threw 50 pitches in the City of Palms Park bullpen Friday morning, according to the Boston Globe and cleared to face live hitters on Sunday. If the 2005 American League Cy Young Award winner continues to have no problems with his right elbow and shoulder, he will make his Grapefruit League debut either Friday vs. Baltimore or next Saturday vs. Cincinnati. |
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| Mike Lamb, 3B, Minnesota Twins | Saturday 3/8, 10:04 AM CT |
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| Mike Lamb sustained a bruised hip this week and aggravated it during Friday's game, according to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune. It sounds like a minor ailment, but the Twins will hold him out of a couple of games to rest up. |
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| Hank Blalock was able to take some swings, run the bases and play catch on Friday, according to the Dallas Morning News. He hasn't played since suffering a sore neck in a car accident Monday, but he likely will be able to DH on Saturday. |
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| Mark Teahen, 1B, Kansas City Royals | Saturday 3/8, 9:45 AM CT |
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| Mark Teahen was back in the mix for Friday's game, working as the DH, according to the KC Star. "See," he said, "we were telling the truth when we said it was no big deal." Teahan had taken a couple of days off from hitting to rest a sore forearm. It appears that it really was no big deal after all. |
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| Rocco Baldelli still isn't taking part in games due to his sore leg muscles, according to the St. Petersburg Times. "The reason I'm taking these days off is to give my muscles a chance to recover," he said. "I'm thinking getting these extra days will do nothing but help me." Baldelli added that despite extensive tests by multiple specialists, he doesn't know exactly what the problem is. Considering his lengthy injury history and last year's hamstring injury that ended his season in May, this clearly is concerning. |
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| A sore left thumb kept Adrian Beltre from taking part in drills on Friday, according to the Seattle Times. It's the same digit that was sprained last year and cost him five games in June, but he could return from this minor ding as soon as Saturday. |
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| Leg cramps will keep Gary Sheffield from taking part in Saturday's exhibition game, according to the Detroit Free Press. "We're not going to take a chance with it," manager Jim Leyland said. Sheffield is 0-for-11 this spring, but clearly his health is of much more relevance right now. |
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| Fernando Rodney said Friday that he plans to throw a bullpen session next week, according to the Detroit Free Press. "I feel ready to go," he said. Rodney has been shut down since late last month due to a sore shoulder, but he should still have time to prepare himself for opening day, barring a setback. |
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| The trade talks between the Cubs and O's concerning a deal for second baseman Brian Roberts are on hold for now. The teams have not agreed to a package that both find suitable. According to the Baltimore Sun, the Cubs have offered infielder Ronny Cedeno, pitching prospects Sean Gallagher and Donald Veal, and one other player for Roberts, but the Orioles are holding out for a better offer. Almost everyone close to this situation believes a deal will get done, but as opening day approaches it becomes less and less likely. |
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| Julio Lugo, SS, Boston Red Sox | Saturday 3/8, 8:23 AM CT |
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| The Red Sox have decided to keep Julio Lugo out of action until Monday, at which point he'll be examined again, according to the Boston Globe. Lugo is dealing with some minor back stiffness, and it appears the Sox are just taking it easy on him since it's still early in spring training. |
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| Jerry Owens, CF, Chicago White Sox | Saturday 3/8, 7:41 AM CT |
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| White Sox trainers examined Jerry Owens on Friday and cleared him to return to baseball activities on Monday, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. The Sox had shut Owens down for a bit to keep his groin injury from worsening into a nagging problem. |
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| The O's and Cubs have not had any recent discussions about dealing Brian Roberts, according to the Baltimore Sun. "Our scouts are out and about doing their due diligence and watching the teams that they should be watching," Orioles president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail said. The two clubs have been talking trade for months but can't agree on which players should end up in the deal, so they continue to scout each other's teams trying to find the right mix. Obviously, both teams would prefer to have a deal done before the regular season begins, but this could drag on past opening day. |
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| Cleveland agreed to terms with outfielder Shin-Soo Choo on Friday. Choo is hoping to return from Tommy John surgery in May. |
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| Keith Foulke , whose wife gave birth to a boy early Friday morning, threw his second simulated game of the spring on Friday. According to the team website Foulke said he used all his pitches and is coming along. Foulke sat out last season after leaving Indians spring camp because of assorted injuries and at one point retired. The right-hander has no fantasy value in traditional formats. |
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