|
|
| Rays highly pimped shortstop prospect, Reid Brignac , got his first hit of the spring, an RBI single in the fourth inning. Brignac has been hampered by a toe injury he suffered in a team intrasquad contest in late February. Brignac won't make the Rays opening day roster when camp breaks in late March -- but he's their shortstop of the future and could see some at-bats in September. |
|
|
|
| Scott Thorman has been struggling at the plate but erupted for four RBI on Sunday, while also collecting his first home run of the spring. The Braves are reportedly trying to deal Thorman, and a performance like this will improve his worth and help him land elsewhere. |
|
| Brian Barton, LF, St. Louis Cardinals | Sunday 3/9, 11:15 PM CT |
|
| Brian Barton had another strong day at the plate as he fights to earn a roster spot with the Cardinals. He picked up his second triple of the spring on Sunday and collected two RBI, giving him four. |
|
|
|
| Carlos Guillen crushed his third home run of the spring as he led the Tigers to an exciting 9-7 win over the Pirates. He also tripled in a run on his other hit, and now has six RBI. Guillen has been an unsung hero for the Tigers as he quietly racked up 102 RBI in 2007. |
|
| Joe Blanton, P, Philadelphia Phillies | Sunday 3/9, 10:57 PM CT |
|
| Joe Blanton was struggling through a tough spring, but seemingly got himself back on track on Sunday as he only allowed one run on three hits over five innings, with five strikeouts. He will need to keep this up to solidify his role as the A's number two starter behind Harden. |
|
|
|
| Boof Bonser had a dismal outing on the bump as he allowed three runs over three innings, with four walks. Bonser ended the 2007 season poorly and it has unfortunately followed him into 2008. |
|
|
|
| Miguel Batista lost command of his pitches on Sunday as he allowed two runs on four hits over three innings, while walking three. He was battling a sore back, which was the likely culprit of his pitching woes. |
|
| J.J. Hardy, SS, Milwaukee Brewers | Sunday 3/9, 10:33 PM CT |
|
| J.J. Hardy was the Brewers' only offensive force on Sunday as he knocked in both of Milwaukee's runs on a hard hit double. The pair of RBI now give him six for the spring. |
|
| Dan Ortmeier, LF, San Francisco Giants | Sunday 3/9, 9:38 PM CT |
|
| Dan Ortmeier had a rough day at the plate as he struck out twice over three at-bats. He was expected to be the Giants featured first baseman this season, but is not helping his cause as he currently has the most strikeouts on the team. |
|
|
|
| Franklin Morales was awarded a start over the injured Jason Hirsch and he effectively seized the opportunity as he only allowed one run and three hits over four innings, with three strikeouts. He has an ERA of 2.00 over nine innings and should solidify a spot in the Rockies bullpen at the start of the season. |
|
| Juan Rivera, RF, Los Angeles Angels | Sunday 3/9, 9:29 PM CT |
|
| Juan Rivera registered two-run single in a three-run seventh inning, helping his Angels defeat the Texas Rangers 6-4 on Sunday.
Juan Rivera , who missed most of the 2007 season with a broken tibia, is fighting for at-bats in a loaded LA outfield. The acquisition of Torii Hunter during the offseason has resulted in Rivera receiving action at first base this spring.
|
|
|
|
| Jeremy Sowers had a rough day at the ballpark as he allowed six runs on seven hits over a mere two innings of work on Sunday. Sowers needs to bounce back if he expects to make the Indians roster. |
|
| Chris Burke, LF, Arizona Diamondbacks | Sunday 3/9, 9:24 PM CT |
|
| Chris Burke, acquired from Houston in the Jose Valverde deal last December, doubled twice on Sunday and drove in three runs.
Burke has played at shortstop, second and third base this spring and the team would like to get him work at first before the exhibition season ends. Burke, who is hitting .363 this spring, with four doubles, a homer and five RBI, will be a valuable asset in NL-only formats by mid-season if he continues to be used in the primary utility role by manager Bob Melvin. |
|
|
|
| Claudio Vargas pitched five hitless innings, walking one and striking out two, to help Milwaukee beat the Seattle Mariners in a split-squad game. Vargas made a strong case to begin the season in the Brewers starting rotation with Sunday's performance. Vargas is battling David Bush, Chris Capuano and Jeff Suppan for the final two slots of the rotation.
Vargas was 11-6 with one save and a 5.09 ERA in 23 starts and 29 total appearances last season. |
|
|
|
| Jose Guillen went 0-for-3 in his Royals spring debut today. The Royals scooped him up to add much needed "pop" to their lineup. |
|
|
|
| Daryle Ward went a perfect 4-for-4 on Sunday with three RBI, pushing his spring total to seven. He played DH today, but unfortunately for him he plays in the NL. |
|
|
|
| Esteban Loaiza is making a case for the Dodgers No. 5 slot in the Los Angeles rotation.
The 36-year old veteran outpitching Daisuke Matsuzaka working three innings, allowing two hits and two walks in a victory over the Red Sox. He struck out four of his 13 batters, including David Ortiz, Manny Ramirez and Mike Lowell.
|
|
|
|
| Edwin Jackson did not help his chances to win a spot in the Rays rotation as he got rocked for six runs on seven hits over four innings of work. Jackson was once haied as one of the most promising pitchers when he was groomed by the Dodgers, but now you can see why they gave up on him. |
|
|
|
| Kyle Kendrick was hit hard again on Sunday. The right-hander lasted just two innings, yielding six runs and seven hits. He threw 40 pitches while facing 11 batters in the second, and his spring ERA has ballooned to 16.43. Kendrick is still penciled in as the team's third starter behind Cole Hamels and Brett Myers, but the staff won't hesitate moving him down in the rotation while moving up veterans Jamie Moyer and Kent Benson if he continues to struggle. Both Kendrick and Adam Eaton have not looked sharp this spring. |
|
|
|
| Jolbert Cabrera continues to perform very well as he knocked in his team leading 10th RBI on Sunday. He is fighting hard to earn a roster spot in the Cincinnati infield. |
|
|
|
| Vernon Wells' surgically repaired right shoulder appears to be nearing 100 percent. The All Star center fielder recorded four RBI Sunday as the Blue Jays defeated the Phillies, 9-4. |
|
|
|
| Toronto Blue Jays got four solid innings from Jesse Litsch in a victory over the Philadelphia Phillies. Litsch is fighting for the fifth and final slot in the Jays starting rotation.
The right-hander allowed two hits, struck out six and threw 39 of his 65 pitches for strikes. |
|
| Randy Wolf, P, Houston Astros | Sunday 3/9, 8:35 PM CT |
|
| Randy Wolf finally made it out of the first inning after failing to do so in each of his last two outings, but he was still sluggish as he allowed two runs and five hits over three innings of work on Sunday. On a positive note, he did have five strikeouts and still has time to solidify his spot in the Padres rotation. |
|
| Ryan Howard, 1B, Philadelphia Phillies | Sunday 3/9, 8:25 PM CT |
|
| Ryan Howard hit his second home run of the spring on Sunday. The Phillies bagman won his arbitration this winter and will earn 10 large for the season. Arguably the top fantasy first baseman, a healthy Howard will battle Prince Fielder for the home run title this summer. |
|
|
|
| Octavio Dotel got hammered for four hits and three runs in his only inning of work. Performances like that will not help his chances to be the featured setup man for the Sox. |
|
|
|
| Hideki Matsui returned to the New York Yankees' lineup, his spring debut Sunday.
The team's designated hitter received his first live action and looks rusty in the process. Matsui was 0-for-3 with two groundouts and a flyout. |
|
|
|
| Chris Roberson enjoyed another solid day at the plate as he went 2-for-3, while picking up his third RBI. He needs to continue to perform well if he expects to make the Orioles, who have one of the deepest outfields in the league, especially since adding Luke Scott. |
|
|
|
| Phil Hughes was again unhittable in his second spring start. The Yankees' right-hander pitched four hitless innings, retired his first nine batters before walking two in the fourth, and struck out one during the Sunday afternoon win over the Twins. |
|
|
|
| Matt Belisle has all but locked up a spot in the Reds rotation with his spring work.
Belisle allowed an unearned run and two hits in three innings to earn his second win this spring. He walked three and struck out one. |
|
|
|
| Jeremy Hermida has been struggling mightily at the plate this spring but could be ready to turn it around as he hit his first home run on Sunday. That was only his fourth hit in 27 at-bats. |
|
|
|
| Nate Robertson is having a dominant spring. On Sunday the left-hander allowed only a Chris Gomez's single leading off the third and lowered his ERA to 1.00 during his spring work. Robertson struck out four and walked none. Robertson is slated to be the Tigers No. 5 starter to begin the season but he's pitched more like an ace. |
|
|
|
| Cristian Guzman homered from both sides of the plate on Sunday helping the Washington Nationals beat the Cleveland Indians in a split-squad affair.
Guzman finished with three hits and four RBI. He hit a three-run homer off starter Jeremy Sowers in the second inning batting right-handed and a solo shot in the fourth batting left-handed against Rick Bauer. |
|
|
|
| Jake Westbrook pitched three solid innings on Sunday, and the Cleveland Indians hit three solo home runs to defeat the Washington Nationals, 5-2. Westbrook has been bothered by a sore right arm this spring but appears to be ready for the opening week of the regular season. The Indians right-hander missed several starts last year to injury and logged a substandard K rate and had only six wins on the season. In Westbrook's second start this spring he gave up one hit, one walk and struck out five. |
|
|
|
| Jarrod Saltalamacchia hit his first home run of the spring on Sunday, a shot to right-center. Saltalamacchia came into today's game batting .167 on the spring. |
|
|
|
| Dodgers manager Joe Torre continues to be impressed with Clayton Kershaw and even went as far as comparing his left-hander to a blast from the past lefty, Sandy Koufax, according to MLB.com.
Kershaw worked his way through Major League hitters Mike Lowell, J.D. Drew and Sean Casey in a perfect 10-pitch inning on Sunday, after which Torre acknowledged that the teenager (he turns 20 on March 19) had been promoted from Minor League camp and into the Major League clubhouse. Could he stick when the team breaks camp? No, according to Torre. Torre was saying he was "about as close to 100 percent without being 100 percent" sure that Kershaw would not be in his starting rotation when the season opens in three weeks. He cited the flameouts of Kerry Wood and Mark Prior as cautionary examples of rushed talent and left only slight wiggle room to change his position "if everything else fell into place." |
|
| John Maine, P, New York Mets | Sunday 3/9, 6:39 PM CT |
|
| John Maine threw four no-hit innings on Sunday, and retired 12 of the 13 batters he faced, allowing only a walk to David Newhan in the second inning.
The Astros didn’t get a hit until Nick Gorneault’s two-out single off Billy Wagner in the fifth. Maine is a mixed league option regardless of format and with the smallest success this year will push a 13-15 win season.
|
|
|
|
| Freddy Guzman's three-run home run with two outs helped Detroit to a 9-7 victory against the Pirates in 10 innings on Sunday. Guzman, who was a December acquisition from the Rangers, was a Triple-A monster last year in Oki City registering 56 steals in 133 games. He continues to compete for a utility role with arguably the best team in the American League. |
|
|
|
| Rocco Baldelli has not played since March 4, and he wasn't active for the Rays game on Sunday. Joe Maddon said he will not be in the lineup on Monday against the Indians, according to MLB.com.
In light of those comments, Baldelli was asked if he felt any pressure.
"I don't feel any pressure," Baldelli said. "I'll do what I feel I can. I guess you could say it's precautionary."
Baldelli said he can't categorize the problem that's preventing him from coming back full bore after missing most of the 2007 season with hamstring problems -- but if it wasn't obvious before this spring -- it is now - the one time top prospect compared to the Yankees Joe DiMaggio - has legs made of glass. |
|
|
|
| Major League Baseball is approaching the midpoint of Spring Training games and Freddy Sanchez has yet to be cleared to play.
The Pirates will not rush their second baseman and his shoulder injury, but Sanchez is continuing to increase how hard he throws and is taking ground balls during the team's infield work before games. But he's still not able to do so at 100 percent effort.
The good news is according to MLB.com is Sanchez has reported no soreness or discomfort in his shoulder recently. Sanchez has no timetable for when he will be cleared to return to the field. |
|
|
|
| Ben Zobrist recorded a single and a double in three trips to the plate on Sunday and improved his spring average to .444 (8-for-18). Zobrist also stole a base and scored a run. Zobrist is fighting for a utility role for the Rays and if he can find a spot on the 25-man roster he'll have some fantasy value in AL-only formats. |
|
| Chip Cannon, 1B, Toronto Blue Jays | Sunday 3/9, 5:13 PM CT |
|
| The Toronto Blue Jays assigned infielder Chip Cannon to their minor league camp on Saturday. Cannon has no current fantasy value in any format. |
|
|
|
| Toronto Blue Jays optioned Davis Romero to Triple-A Syracuse on Saturday. Davis last pitched for Toronto in 2006 when he appeared in seven games compiling 16 innings and a 3.86 ERA. Romero has no fantasy value in traditional formats. |
|
|
|
| The New York Yankees sent Mark Melancon to their minor league camp on Saturday. Melancon has no fantasy value in traditional formats. |
|
|
|
| The New York Yankees assigned Steven Jackson to their minor league camp on Saturday. Jackson has zero fantasy value in traditional formats. |
|
|
|
| The New York Yankees assigned Scott Strickland to their minor league camp on Saturday. Strickland has no fantasy value in traditional formats. |
|
|
|
| Ricky Nolasco pitched three perfect innings on Sunday afternoon, but wasn't able to finish out the forth inning in the Marlins spring loss to the Orioles. The right-hander exited after 3 1/3 innings, allowing three runs on four hits and no walks. He struck out four and threw 56 pitches -- 38 for strikes. Nolasco, who missed most of the 2007 campaign to an elbow injury, has the ability to contribute this year if healthy. Consider the Marlins' starter a reserve option in NL-only formats. |
|
| Adam Loewen, P, Baltimore Orioles | Sunday 3/9, 4:38 PM CT |
|
| Starter Adam Loewen, who is out of minor league options, gave up three runs in the third inning of Sunday's 7-3 win over the Marlins. Loewen was forced to the showers after 2 2/3 innings, having allowed four hits and three earned runs. He walked three, struck out two and threw 55 pitches -- 32 for strikes. Outside of AL-only formats, Loewen shouldn't be a fantasy consideration. |
|
|
|
| Mark DeRosa is expected to make his spring exhibition debut on Monday, according to MLB.com. "I feel fine," DeRosa said Sunday. "I'm ready to be one of the guys again." DeRosa has been working his way back from a procedure that corrected an irregular heartbeat. He should have enough time to get into game shape for the start of the regular season. |
|
|
|
| Red Sox manager Terry Francona said Sunday that Josh Beckett "looked way better than we expected," according to the Boston Globe. However, Francona failed to commit as to whether Beckett would be ready for their season-opening trip to Japan. Beckett came down with back spasms while warming up for his Saturday start and was scratched. Hopefully, he'll be back on the mound soon and ready to roll in Japan. |
|
|
|
| Gary Sheffield skipped his third straight game on Sunday due to leg cramps, but he should return in a couple of days, according to the AP. "I’d be worried more if he was the shortstop, where you’ve got to play, take groundballs, make the double play," manager Jim Leyland said. "He’s probably not going to play the outfield to start with. If he’s able to hit to start with, that’s good enough for right now." The malady doesn't appear to be any big deal, but when you're talking about a 39-year-old, it's still something to pay attention to. |
|
|
|
| Francisco Cervelli is expected to miss eight to 10 weeks after sustaining a broken wrist when he was run over by Elliot Johnson in an exhibition game on Friday, according to MLB.com. "I'm not sure exactly what our plans were with him," manager Joe Girardi said. "But obviously, he's a very good player and he's going to be missed wherever he would have been the next eight to 10 weeks." He probably would have been at Double-A Trenton, which is where he should pick things up once he's healthy again. |
|
| Adam Eaton, P, Philadelphia Phillies | Sunday 3/9, 2:39 PM CT |
|
| Adam Eaton will skip his next start due to his ailing back, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer. "We're giving it a couple days off," said Eaton. "The MRI results were .... slight herniated disc. And some arthritis on the right side. Which is kind of what we knew going in. But it's official." He could get back into game action on Saturday, but he's going to be cutting it close for the beginning of the season if he doesn't resume pitching relatively soon. |
|
|
|
| Anthony Reyes was a late scratch from his scheduled start Sunday because he was under the weather, according to MLB.com. "He came to the park this morning," Cardinals manager Tony La Russa said. "[He had a] headache, sore throat. I told him to get out of here." Reyes was knocked around for four runs on six hits in two innings in his last outing after working three scoreless innings in his first appearance. |
|
|
|
| Bartolo Colon tossed 43 pitches in his first batting practice of the spring on Sunday, according to MLB.com. "I think the most important thing was getting loose," said pitching coach John Farrell. "We'll just make sure that tomorrow he feels fine and we'll look to slot him into a game at some point this coming week." So long as his body responds well Monday, Colon should be slated to make his exhibition debut on Thursday, though he's expected to be limited to fewer than 30 pitches. |
|
|
|
| An MRI on Brandon McCarthy revealed that he has severe inflammation in his forearm that will cost him at least the next 4-6 weeks, according to MLB.com. That means he won't be ready for the start of the regular season. Rookie Luis Mendoza should have the inside track to replace McCarthy in the rotation, but fellow rookie Eric Hurley and Sunday signee Sidney Ponson will figure into the competition. |
|
|
|
| The Rangers stepped up to the proverbial plate and inked Sidney Ponson to a minor league contract on Sunday, according to SportsTicker. He threw for a number of scouts on Thursday, and the Rangers decided to give him a shot. He was 2-5 with a 6.93 ERA and 1.88 WHIP in seven starts for the Twins last season, so don't expect much, if anything, from Ponson in Texas. |
|
| Coco Crisp, CF, Boston Red Sox | Sunday 3/9, 11:17 AM CT |
|
| According to Sporting News Radio (Overnight for the Score) and the Cubs Reporter, a Coco Crisp for Jason Marquis and Sam Fuld deal is close. The radio reported that the Cubs and Red Sox are close to a deal that would send Fuld and Marquis to the Red Sox for Crisp. This news is purely speculation and rumor, but it is newsworthy. Stay tuned. |
|
|
|
| ESPN.com reports that a day after leaving a spring training start with a strained right groin, Braves pitcher Mike Hampton said he was 'OK". The Braves' left-hander said he doesn't expect to miss his next start and plans to throw again Monday. To those owners that were beginning to get excited about his return to the mound after a two-year absence, consider this a reminder that Hampton is made of glass. |
|
| Shawn Hill, P, Washington Nationals | Sunday 3/9, 9:57 AM CT |
|
| Shawn Hill received a cortisone shot in his arm on Saturday, according to the Washington Post. "They injected it, and he had instant relief," GM Jim Bowden said. "What that means, I don't know. We'll have to wait and see when he goes back on the mound." Hill's recovering from offseason surgery to decompress a nerve in the arm, so this is somewhat concerning. He could still be ready for the start of the season, but that will depend on when he can return to the mound and how his arm holds up. |
|
|
|
| C.J. Wilson plans to toss a bullpen session in the next few days and maybe another one before getting into game action, according to the Dallas Morning News. He's been out with biceps tendinitis but is expected to be ready for opening day, barring a setback. |
|
|
|
| Brandon McCarthy underwent an MRI late Saturday on the stiff forearm that has bothered him for several weeks, according to the Dallas Morning News. Even if the results, which are due to be released on Sunday, are negative, it appears unlikely that he'll be ready for the start of the regular season. |
|
|
|
| Bud Selig may be willing to review, and possibly rescind, Jose Guillen's suspension before an arbitrator rules on an appeal, according to the KC Star. "I haven’t made any decisions on that yet," Selig said. "We are working to finish off all of Sen. (George) Mitchell’s recommendations, which will really tighten the program up." Guillen has been suspended 15 days for violating baseball’s drug policy after the San Francisco Chronicle reported he purchased $19,000 in steroids and human growth hormone from 2003-05. Guillen has appealed the suspension, but obviously, Selig could nix or reduce it on his own. Stay tuned. |
|
|
|
| Fernando Nieve has an encouraging bullpen session on Saturday, according to the Houston Chronicle. He's been out for over a week with a strained hamstring, and it's going to be difficult for him to earn a rotation spot. |
|
|
|
| J.R. Towles was forced to exit Saturday's exhibition game due to a strained hamstring, according to the Houston Chronicle. The Astros don't believe it's a serious issue, so he should be back soon. Towles is hitting .538 with a homer and five RBI so far this spring. |
|
|
|
| Kazuo Matsui will meet with a specialist concerning his ongoing problem with hemorrhoids, according to the Houston Chronicle. "He's going to see if there's another treatment we can do to accelerate the healing process," general manager Ed Wade said. "We're going to make sure we are doing everything to relieve the discomfort he's got." He left a game late last month due to the ailment but should be able to play while receiving treatment, so it shouldn't affect his preparation for the start of the season. |
|
|
|
| Wilkin Ramirez said he hopes to miss just a week or two due to his partially dislocated shoulder, according to the Detroit Free Press. Unfortunately, that should be enough time missed to keep him from making the Tigers roster, despite hitting .438 over 16 spring at-bats. |
|
|
|
| Ryan Church returned to exhibition action on Saturday after missing time with a concussion, according to the New York Daily News. "Willie (Randolph) asked me if I wanted another day (off), but I wanted to get out there," Church said. "I'm a little fatigued, a little tired, but other than that, no headaches or dizzy spells. I feel good. I didn't think about it at all ... and now I can just put it behind me. I know I can play (today) if I feel like I do right now." It looks like Church is good to go and should be fine for opening day. |
|
|
|
| Hideki Matsui is slated to make his spring debut on Sunday, according to the New York Daily News. "I'm ready," Matsui said. "I'm good." He'll DH Sunday in his first game action since undergoing knee surgery in November. He should also take part in Monday's game. |
|
| Randy Winn, RF, San Francisco Giants | Sunday 3/9, 8:47 AM CT |
|
| It turns out that the foul ball that hit Randy Winn's leg Friday missed his knee and hit his shin, according to the Contra Costa Times. "I wish I didn't do it at all," he said, "but if it had to hit somewhere, better the shin than the knee." He should be back in action soon. |
|
| Jack Cust, LF, Oakland Athletics | Sunday 3/9, 8:42 AM CT |
|
| Jack Cust was beaned on his helmet by a pitch Saturday, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. "I'm not as dizzy, but I still feel it," Cust said. "I was a little unstable. I wanted to stay in, but when I got on my feet, I felt a little woozy." He was sent for X-rays, though the results haven't been made available. It sounds like he'll be all right, but we'll have to wait for an update to be certain. |
|
|
|
| Jason Hirsh still was bothered by his sore shoulder during a throwing session on Friday, according to the Denver Post. "It's better than it was. We are just taking it day by day," Hirsh said. "I would like to get out there, but I don't want to rush it and make it worse." If he doesn't return to the mound soon, there's a realistic chance he won't be ready when the regular season begins. |
|
| Aaron Cook, P, Colorado Rockies | Sunday 3/9, 8:30 AM CT |
|
| Aaron Cook was held out of Friday's game as a precaution due to inflammation in his shoulder. "I hope that I just miss that one turn and step right back into the rotation (either Tuesday or Wednesday)," Cook said, according to the Denver Post. "I haven't missed any throwing, so I don't feel like I am behind at all." It appears he has just a minor ailment that shouldn't affect his status for the start of the season, barring any setbacks. |
|
|
|
| The Rockies will play it safely with Luis Vizcaino and hold him out of game action again Sunday, according to the Denver Post. It'll be the third straight game he'll skip due to a sore elbow, but he believes he'd be available if it were a regular-season contest. |
|
|
|
| Manager Dusty Baker said he likes what he's seen from Johnny Cueto, who's battling for a spot in the Reds starting rotation, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer. "Who's looked better than him?" Baker asked. Cueto allowed just a single and struck out four in three innings Friday, while tossing 97-mph fastballs, 78-mph changeups and 87-mph sliders. He's outperformed Homer Bailey, Edinson Volquez, Jeremy Affeldt, Josh Fogg, Matt Belisle and Matt Maloney thus far this spring, and Baker's not bothered by the fact that Cueto has worked just four Triple-A games and none in the majors, so he might just earn a starting job if he keeps it up. |
|
|
|
| After leaving the mound before starting Saturday's game due to back spasms, Josh Beckett received several hours of treatment, but the Red Sox haven't announced the severity of the injury, according to the Boston Herald. Through a Red Sox spokesperson, Beckett said, "We’ll just wait and see how it feels tomorrow." He'll be re-evaluated Sunday morning and may undergo an MRI. We'll bring you the details as they are released. |
|
| Coco Crisp, CF, Boston Red Sox | Sunday 3/9, 8:08 AM CT |
|
| Coco Crisp hasn't played since last Sunday and won't be ready to go today, according to the Boston Globe. "That's just the way it worked out," Crisp said. "I have this injury, and I'm not going to go out there and play, tear a groin muscle or something doing that. Got to wait it out." On top of the groin issue, Crisp had a root canal and will have a follow-up procedure Thursday. Meanwhile, his competition in center field, Jacoby Ellsbury, jacked a two-run homer in Saturday's game. |
|
|
|
| Clay Buchholz will spend his Sunday bullpen session trying to correct a mechanical problem, the arching of his back, which is something that he's worked on since signing with the Red Sox, according to the Boston Globe. "As your foot gets too far away from your body, there's a counterbalancing effect that has to take place," pitching coach John Farrell said. "As the foot gets further away from the body, that leg lift has the tendency to push the shoulders back. So the thought being that you get his foot underneath his lead knee, that will allow him to stay a little more upright and direct as he drives to home plate." Farrell admitted that Buchholz may be dealing with nerves, too. That's understandable, considering the expectations that have followed last year's no-hitter. He may begin the season in the minors, but he'll be pitching for the Sox sooner or later. |
|
|
|
| Alfonso Soriano picked up two hits in his Saturday return from a fractured finger. But while he said the finger was "perfect," he admitted that he only ran at about 85 percent, because he has a mental block about pushing last year's torn quadriceps at top force, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. "I'm still a little scared because today's only my second game," said Soriano. "I think after I start playing every day, I'll feel more comfortable and can run 100 percent." Let's hope he gets over the mental hurdle and that his quadriceps, which he tore seven months ago, holds up when he does test it at full speed. |
|
|
|
| Miguel Montero has been cleared to begin light activity next week, according to the Arizona Republic. He's recovering from a broken right index finger, and it's unlikely he'll be ready for opening day. |
|
|
|
| In the search for a starting left fielder, San Diego is starting to look hard at Chase Headley . In the Padres 9-5 victory over the Texas Rangers in Cactus League action, Headley hit a two-run homer, a triple and a sacrifice fly, totaling three RBI and two runs scored. Matt Antonelli, Headley's top competitor for the job, went 0-for-1 while the veteran component, Scott Hairston, did not play. Headley could prove worthy of consideration at 3B as well, his natural position, but his bat is going to force any and all options to be considered regardless. |
|
Baseball
| Football | Basketball
| Hockey | Golf
| Auto Racing
| Soccer
