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| Lincoln Holdzkom cleared waivers Wednesday and became a free agent, according to the AP. The Rule 5 pick has a good arm, but control problems once again derailed him (four walks in 3 1/3 innings). He'll catch on somewhere. |
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| Tony Pena, Jr.'s defense is his strong suit, but new infield coach Dave Owen think the shortstop can get even better. Owen says Pena takes a a slow first step resulting from being in improper position as the ball reaches the hitting zone. "Obviously, if we can get him on time," Owen said in the Kansas City Star, "he's going to be quicker. His first step is going to be better, and I think that's going to give us an edge. He might be able to pick up a step here or there and, maybe, balls that he might just miss, he now gets to." It's all well and good that the Royals want to improve Pena's defense, but fantasy owners want to see the shortstop step up his offensive game. He's only a late-round AL-only option right now. |
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| Juan Uribe, 2B, Chicago White Sox | Wednesday 3/12, 10:18 PM CT |
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| The battle for the starting job at second base remains a bit of a mystery, though most signs seem to point to veteran Juan Uribe, according to MLB.com. Uribe helped matters today, going 1-for-3 with a stolen base. Manager Ozzie Guillen states he has not made any firm decision. "It's a great competition. Whoever gets the job done will play every day," Guillen said. "I know Uribe doesn't want to be in that position but he has to battle and try to be the everyday second baseman." The primary combatants for the job include Alexei Ramirez and Danny Richar, and while both offer definitive upside, it appears the tone of Guillen's comments is more in the interest of motivating Uribe, and we know he's up to the challenge. |
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| Josh Fields, 3B, Chicago White Sox | Wednesday 3/12, 9:57 PM CT |
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| Josh Fields went 3-for-4 today in the White Sox's 4-1 win over the Rockies in Cactus League action. Fields is battling against Joe Crede for the spot at third base and thus far the spring has not been kind, especially at the plate where Fields has suffered through a rough slump. Coach Ozzie Guillen had stated Fields was his man of choice at the hot corner, but that was a month ago and the competition may have been more closely contested than we might have believed. Today's performance could be sign of better things to come. |
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| Billy Butler, 1B, Kansas City Royals | Wednesday 3/12, 9:47 PM CT |
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| Billy Butler continued his sizzling spring Wednesday, doubling and scoring a run in his only at-bat. He's now hitting .419 with two homers and seven RBI this spring. Butler will only be eligible at DH in most leagues to begin the year, but he's expected to be the team's starting first baseman. He's a definite breakout candidate. |
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| Carlos Gonzalez, who has been tabbed as the team's top new prospect after being gained via trade from Arizona, left today's 2-1 Oakland victory over those Diamondbacks with a strained right hamstring, according to MLB.com. The team reports Gonzalez could miss one to two days of action as a result, though the injury is not believed to be serious. If Gonzalez can return and continue to work as efficiently as he has thus far, there is little reason for concern. |
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| Maicer Izturis went 2-for-3 with a triple and a stolen base in the Angels' 3-6 loss to the Royals in the Cactus League today. Izturis is the midst of a battle for the starting SS job with Erick Aybar working as the competition for the position. Aybar went 0-for-1, but coach Mike Scioscia has indicated their defensive prowess could determine the Opening Day starter. Still, the ability to hit and take advantage of speed will weigh heavy in Izturis' favor. |
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| Alex Gordon, 3B, Kansas City Royals | Wednesday 3/12, 9:00 PM CT |
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| Alex Gordon went 2-for-3 with a run scored in the Royals' 6-3 win over the Angels in Cactus League play today. Gordon, coming off a disappointing rookie campaign, is hitting .346 thus far through spring training and could be on his way towards better days in '08. |
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| Luke Hochevar was as strong as hoped in his first start of spring training, allowing six hits and two runs in four innings of work with one walk and one strike out. Hochevar is hoping to earn a spot in the Royals' starting rotation this season and has been a focal point of much discussion. The 1st-overall pick of the 2006 draft, Hochevar has made three appearances in spring games, working four innings without giving up a single run. In four games with the Royals last season, Hochevar was 0-1 with an ERA of 2.13. There's no reason to think he won't be on the major league roster on Opening Day and the potential ceiling for this young hurler is high, so stay tuned. |
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| Jerry Owens, CF, Chicago White Sox | Wednesday 3/12, 8:14 PM CT |
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| Jerry Owens was out of the lineup Wednesday due to recurring soreness in his right groin, according to the AP. The injury has limited him since Feb. 25. He's officially listed as day-to-day. Owens keeps falling farther and farther behind and it's appearing very unlikely that he'll earn a starting job. Even in a backup role, he's worth a draft pick because of his speed. |
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| Jason Jennings had a solid showing Wednesday, giving up one run on three hits and a walk while striking out four. The right-hander, who is trying to rebound from am injury-plagued, disappointing season in Houston, has allowed just the one run in three outings this spring. Texas doesn't have a favorable home ballpark for pitchers, but Jennings was in the same situation in Colorado and thrived at times there. He could be worth a late-round gamble in your league. |
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| Adam Loewen, P, Baltimore Orioles | Wednesday 3/12, 7:32 PM CT |
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| Adam Loewen will likely miss Friday's start with discomfort in his left shoulder, according to the Baltimore Sun. The O's are hoping it's nothing more than mild tendinitis. "Nobody is too concerned," said Orioles president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail. "It might back him up a start. That's where we are at the present time." Loewen, who is coming back from elbow surgery, is expected to hold down a spot in the Baltimore rotation. He could be a sleeper if he proves to be healthy. |
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| Kevin Mench, LF, Toronto Blue Jays | Wednesday 3/12, 7:18 PM CT |
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| Kevin Mench appears to be the favorite to land the final bench spot for the Rangers, according to MLB.com. He will take ground balls at first base next week in an effort to increase his versatility. If Milton Bradley's knee doesn't allow him to be ready by opening day, it's possible Mench could be in the lineup against Seattle lefty Erik Bedard. |
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| Milton Bradley will finally get some at-bats in minor league games later this week or early next week, according to MLB.com. He will do so as a DH, not a right fielder. Bradley will be the Rangers' starting right fielder this season, but the team isn't sure he'll be ready for the opener. If he isn't ready, Kevin Mench could fill in for him in right. |
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| Dana Eveland, P, Oakland Athletics | Wednesday 3/12, 6:21 PM CT |
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| Dana Eveland had a terrific outing Wednesday, tossing five scoreless innings while punching out seven. He's allowed two runs in 10 spring innings to go along with 10 strikeouts. The left-hander is looking like the front-runner for the fifth spot in the A's rotation. His minor league numbers have been superb, but Eveland has struggled so far in his big league chances. |
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| Gerald Laird had a pair of solo home runs Wednesday. He has three bombs this spring and is batting .286 with five RBI. Meanwhile, Laird's competition for the catching job, Jarrod Saltalamacchia, is batting just .188. It's looking more and more likely that the Rangers will go with the veteran on opening day and send Salty to the minors. |
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| Not only will Rocco Baldelli begin the year on the disabled list, but it's possible his career could be in jeopardy because of some type of metabolic and/or mitochondrial abnormalities that leave him extremely fatigued after a short workout. The outfielder fought back tears several times when discussing details of the condition Wednesday. "As far as my baseball career I'm not here to stand in front of you telling you I'm retiring," Baldelli said in the St. Petersburg Times. "We're still going pursue any avenue that we can to try to figure out what is going on and have a better understanding of what is going on." Baldelli added that he will remain on the disabled list "indefinitely until we find out something else that could possibly improve my situation." Obviously it's tough to know what exact to make of Baldelli's situation until we know more. You should stay away from him in mixed leagues. |
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| Francisco Liriano struggled Wednesday in his second spring outing, giving up three runs on four hits and two walks while striking out one. The left-hander's 7.36 ERA so far in two spring games is unsightly, but the important thing is he appears to be healthy. Barring a setback, he should be good to go at the beginning of the season. |
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| Andy Sonnanstine moved closer to securing a spot in Tampa Bay's rotation with a stellar outing Wednesday. The right-hander gave up one hit in three scoreless innings and has now tossed six scoreless frames this spring with only one hit allowed. He's a nice sleeper to target late in your draft. |
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| Joaquin Benoit threw a bullpen session Wednesday and will pitch in a minor league game Saturday, according to the Dallas Morning News. How Benoit fares this weekend could go a long way in determining whether his sore shoulder will allow him to be ready for opening day. |
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| C.J. Wilson, P, Texas Rangers | Wednesday 3/12, 4:17 PM CT |
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| C.J. Wilson threw a bullpen session Wednesday for the second straight day and is slated to pitch in a minor league game Saturday, according to the Dallas Morning News. Wilson is coming back from a bout with biceps tendinitis. He is the front-runner for the closing job but will need to prove that he's healthy. |
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| The Reds claimed Jose Capellan off waivers from the Giants Wednesday. The Rule 5 pick was slated to head back to the Red Sox, but Cincy apparently wants to take a look at the young left-hander. Chances are Capellan will find his way back to Boston eventually. He's not going to be a fantasy option this year regardless. |
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| Kenny Rogers became the first Detroit pitcher to work at least five innings in a game this spring. The Tigers left-handed veteran struggled in the second inning but retired the final 10 batters he faced for the win. Rogers is being ignored in most traditional mixed leagues. His ADP, according to Mock Draft Central, is the 29th round of 30 round formats. |
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| The Tigers fielded their projected opening day lineup on Wednesday and put an 11-4 beating on the Houston Astros. Detroit smacked four home runs and four doubles over the first four innings. Ivan Rodriguez homered twice, his fifth and sixth of the spring. |
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| Brian Roberts didn't make the trip to Port St. Lucie for a game against the New York Mets on Wednesday, so he participated in some drills and took batting practice with those left behind. What Roberts can't avoid, however, is the continued rumors about his exit out of Baltimore.
According to Slam Sports rarely does an hour go by when the two-time all-star isn't reminded about whispers in the wind.
"I don't have a choice about thinking about it because I get asked every day. My friends call me all the time, fans yell at me about it, guys from other teams ask me about it. It's pretty much nonstop," Roberts said. "You think about it when somebody's asking, but other than that, you go about your day the same way you always do. My job is to get ready for the season, whether it's here or someplace else."
While there is nothing knew concerning the talks between the O's and the Cubs, it's still believed that Roberts will not be in a Baltimore uniform in May. |
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| Pitcher Horacio Ramirez was released on Wednesday, just 15-months after the left-hander was acquired in a trade from Atlanta. A bad trade at that.
CBS Sportsline reports that Seattle got Ramirez from Atlanta for reliever Rafael Soriano before last season. The 28-year-old Ramirez then went 8-7 with a 7.16 ERA in 20 starts and spent nearly two months on the disabled list because of a sore shoulder. The trade was one-sided on the day it was made, and in hindsight, one has to believe the M's wish they could have a mulligan.
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| Coco Crisp, CF, Boston Red Sox | Wednesday 3/12, 2:42 PM CT |
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| According to the Boston Globe, the recent rumor that had Coco Crisp going to the Mets for Angel Pagan, lasted but a few minutes. The deal is a no go.
Theo Epstein, through media relations director John Blake, said that the Red Sox have not been talking to the Mets. The report calls the story a fabrication. The planets are beginning to realign after the initial ridiculous report. Just minutes ago, Pagan hit a two-run home run during a spring game against the Orioles.
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| Coco Crisp, CF, Boston Red Sox | Wednesday 3/12, 2:38 PM CT |
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| According to WFAN's Ed Coleman, the Red Sox and Mets are working on a deal that would send Coco Crisp to New York for Angel Pagan. The report makes little long term sense, and an injured Crisp doesn't solve the current ailments in the Mets outfield. |
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| Carlos Vasquez , who was acquired with reliever David Aardsma from the Cubs this offseason, was waived on Wednesday, notes the Chicago Tribune. The left-handed reliever was involved with the trade that sent left-hander Neal Cotts to the Cubs. |
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| Paul Konerko, 1B, Chicago White Sox | Wednesday 3/12, 2:06 PM CT |
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| Paul Konerko was scratched from Wednesday's starting lineup, according to the Chicago Tribune. The Sox first baseman is suffering from a sore right toe. Konerko started strong this spring with 10 hits in his first 14 at bats. As of Tuesday, Konerko was hitting .406 with 13 hits in 32 at-bats with one home run and seven RBI. |
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| Scott Baker, P, Minnesota Twins | Wednesday 3/12, 2:01 PM CT |
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| Scott Baker isn't making a quick recovery from his back injury, and Manager Ron Gardenhire did not rule out the possibility Wednesday of the righthander opening the season on the disabled list, this according to the Star Tribune.
Baker felt a twinge near his latissimus dorsi muscle Saturday and will miss his next start. |
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| Mike Lamb, 3B, Minnesota Twins | Wednesday 3/12, 1:49 PM CT |
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| Mike Lamb, out since Thursday because of a strained left hip, said he hopes to return to the lineup Friday, this according to the Star Tribune. Lamb's only fantasy value rests in AL-only formats |
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| Nick Punto, SS, Minnesota Twins | Wednesday 3/12, 1:47 PM CT |
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| Nick Punto went 0-for-2 with a walk on Tuesday, leaving him at 1-for-13 (.077) for the spring. Punto has AL-only value, but very little. |
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| Rays skipper Joe Maddon told the MLB.com on Wednesday morning that the team would be without the services of infielder Andy Cannizaro.
The Rays shortstop was admitted as a hospital outpatient Tuesday, and was given anti-inflammatory medication intravenously to treat a back problem.
Maddon said the illness wasn't serious. |
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| Jered Weaver, P, Los Angeles Angels | Wednesday 3/12, 1:23 PM CT |
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| With projected opening day starter John Lackey still ailing and behind the rest of the staff in work, another impressive Tuesday outing makes Jered Weaver the favorite to receive the opening day start. The young Weaver held the Padres to one run over four innings of work, and offered up but one hit on the day. His spring totals of six strikeouts to one walk and 2.0 ERA over nine innings is promising. |
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| Ichiro Suzuki is still 0-for-spring, running his hitless streak to 0-for-21 on Tuesday. The M's leadoff hitter typically has a terrific spring, so the unusually slow start is raising some red flags. Ichiro has hit nearly .400 in his five previous spring sessions. |
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| Livan Hernandez has made seven career opening day starts, according to the Star Tribune, and the Twins are leaning toward giving him the ball for the 2008 opening event.
"We're kind of trying to go with that, but we'll see how everything goes," manager Ron Gardenhire said. "He should be the guy."
Hernandez lowered his spring training ERA to 8.00 in Tuesday's 7-1 loss to Tampa Bay, giving up two runs on three hits in four innings. This move says a lot about the Twins chances of winning the AL Central; slim to none.
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| Rocco Baldelli will begin the season on the disabled list, this according to Yahoo Sports. The Rays' designated hitter and part-time outfielder is suffering from fatigue. The 26-year-old outfielder told the local media that his condition leaves him extremely fatigued after short workouts.
Baldelli, who has missed game time to a large number of ailments (appearing in just 127 of 486 games the past three seasons) has played in two games this spring, going 0-for-4 as a designated hitter.
Baldelli will be sidelined indefinitely and should be nowhere near a mixed league fantasy roster. |
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| Chien-Ming Wang bounced back from a putrid Grapefruit League outing last week with a solid performance versus a team he typically struggles against. According to MLB.com the sinkerballing right-hander broke two bats and limited Toronto to a pair of singles, reaching his pitch count after 3 2/3 innings.
"I'm still not 100 percent," Wang said. "I'm still not in game shape. But I'll get better." Wang is undervalued this March. The average draft position for the Yankees' opening day starter is the middler rounds of traditional formats. This from a guy who has back-to-back 19-win seasons.
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| Andy Pettitte was scratched from his scheduled start on Wednesday, according to the team website. The Yankees southpaw will miss today's start with what the team is calling "inflammation in his pitching elbow". However, the team is optimistic that the ailment will prove to be relatively minor.
Pettitte said that he felt tightness close to the elbow, after playing catch this week and didn't want to press the issue in today's spring game. |
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| Casey Janssen is finished for the season, this according to MLB.com. The Jays' website reports that the MRI exam taken on the pitcher Tuesday showed serious damage to the labrum.
Janssen is scheduled to undergo season-ending surgery on Tuesday or Wednesday of next week in California by the busy Dr. Doom, Lewis Yocum.
The injury woes for the Jays last year have now carried over into spring. Fantasy owners can only hope players like B.J. Ryan aren't rushed back into action -- or a string of injuries don't plaque Toronto like last season. With Janssen out of the mix for a job, Jesse Litsch becomes the favorite in-house candidate to depart spring training as Toronto's fifth starter. |
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| The Tigers decided today that Rick Porcello will begin his minor league career at Single-A Lakeland, this according to The Detroit News.
Porcello was the Tigers' No. 1 draft pick last June and received the highest bonus ($7.28 million) ever paid to a high school pitcher. Despite his solid performances this spring, Porcello isn't expected to see a September call-up until 2009. |
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| Troy Patton, P, Baltimore Orioles | Wednesday 3/12, 9:38 AM CT |
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| According to the Baltimore Sun, Troy Patton has an appointment in Los Angeles with Dr. Doom (Lewis Yocum) on Monday and is expected to have surgery to repair the torn labrum in his left shoulder this upcoming Tuesday. Patton will miss the entire 2008 campaign. |
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| O's skipper Dave Trembley met with Luis Hernandez on Monday and told the Baltimore Sun he is confident that the struggling infielder will rebound from a tough spring start.
Hernandez is battling Brandon Fahey this spring for the starting shortstop job.Hernandez has looked shaky in the field with three errors, and is 3-for-16 at the plate. Hernandez's fantasy value rests in AL-only formats as a middle infielder. |
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| Dustin Pedroia was sent home on Tuesday after a brief BP session in the cage, according to Projo.com. The Red Sox second baseman was suffering from flu like symptoms. He was walking around the clubhouse drinking Pedialyte according to the report.
“We thought he was going to throw up on everybody,” joked Francona. “He’ll come out and work out [today], but he’s not going to play.” Pedoria is being drafted as a starting option in mixed formats, and should perform as such barring a case of the sophomore yips. |
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| Coco Crisp, CF, Boston Red Sox | Wednesday 3/12, 9:23 AM CT |
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| Projo.com reports that center fielder Coco Crisp was at the facility on Tuesday working on rehabilitating his groin injury, but is still not game-ready. At this point it's safe to say that Crisp can't be counted on for the trip to Japan and his injury is making it tough for the team to audition him for what is a "hopeful" spring schedule trade. |
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| Julio Lugo, SS, Boston Red Sox | Wednesday 3/12, 9:12 AM CT |
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| Julio Lugo (back) was able to take some swings in the batting cage on Tuesday, this according to Projo.com. The shortstop also ran and played catch during an afternoon of work. The report notes that Lugo will continue to take it slow, but said he’ll be ready for the trip to Japan. |
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| Red Sox pitcher Josh Beckett (back spasms) told Projo.com on Tuesday that he feels a lot better than he did on Monday. The right-hander was moving effortlessly around the clubhouse and skipper Terry Francona was thrilled. It is still not clear when he will make his next start, and there are questions about his availability for the trip to Japan next week. |
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| Orioles manager Dave Trembley said several decisions will be made after Monday's open spring date, this according to the Baltimore Sun. The decision fantasy owners are interested in --the identity of the Orioles' closer.
George Sherrill, who came into spring training with an eye on the ninth inning role, has done everything the staff has asked of him.
Sherrill, who had a career 10.48 ERA in spring training entering this year, has allowed just one earned run, two hits and no walks in five innings. Barring a meltdown in the next two weeks, Sherrill will receive the save chances beginning on opening day. |
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