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| Royals catcher Miguel Olivo left Friday's game after four innings because of a groin injury, according to MLB.com. Olivo showed signs of discomfort after backing away from an inside fastball thrown by Texas Rangers right-hander Elizardo Ramirez. Olivo struck out and was replaced by Matt Tupman. Olivo is the Royals' backup to catcher John Buck and this was his 10th Cactus League game. He's batting .296 (8-for-27). |
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| Yuniesky Betancourt continues to show strong bat potential since being moved up in the order. In today's 9-4 win over the Rockies, Betancourt hit third in the order, going 2-for-4 with a run scored (and was caught stealing). Suddenly the SS for the Mariners is starting to become rather attractive, hitting well and proving he deserves a shot in an active batting order. |
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| Boof Bonser, P, Minnesota Twins | Friday 3/14, 10:09 PM CT |
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| Boof Bonser bounced back nicely from a disappointment in his last outing to pitch four scoreless innings in the Twins’ 4-1 win over the split-squad Pirates today. Bonser allowed three hits and a walk, striking out three, and now sports a spring ERA of 3.00. Bonser has stated he hopes to pitch at least 200 innings this season, coming off an ’07 season in which he threw just 173 and went 8-12 with an ERA of 5.10. Adding an improving changeup to the menu of pitches seems to be helping, though it is a work in progress. |
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| Hoping to gain attention for a potential spot on the major league roster, phenom OF John Rodriguez enjoyed a strong outing in the Rays' 8-4 win over the Blue Jays in Grapefruit League action today, hitting 2-for-3 with two RBIs and a run scored. Coming via trade from St. Louis, Rodriguez fits the mold of the typical TB star on the rise: Find a roadblock on another team, get sent to Tampa where kids get a chance to shine on the main stage, and make good on the opportunity. The outfield in Tampa, beyond Carl Crawford, is a bit of a mess, thus J-Rod should have a shot to make noise. |
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| B.J. Ryan, P, Toronto Blue Jays | Friday 3/14, 9:54 PM CT |
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| For the first time since undergoing Tommy John surgery 10 months ago, Toronto reliever B.J. Ryan pitched in a game, earning two strikeouts on three batters in the Blue Jays’ 4-8 loss to Tampa Bay today, according to the Associated Press. This was Ryan’s first appearance since last April. “It was good,” Ryan told reporters. “I kind of went out there anxious and nervous, not really knowing what to expect because it’s the first time being back out there, and I didn’t want to feel my way around the way like I did in those simulated games. We didn’t hold anything back. We moved it around both sides of the plate, threw a couple of good breaking balls and a couple of crummy ones. But I figured that’s what was going to happen.” Now the Jays wait to see how Ryan’s arm feels tomorrow. If there is no pain, that is a great sign and the closer could be on track to once again working as a force in those final innings. |
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| Jeremy Sowers found troubles on the mound in Cleveland’s 8-4 win over the Washington Nationals in the Grapefruit League today, filling four innings by giving up five hits, two walks, and two runs. This was a spring of great importance for Sowers, coming off a heartbreaking ’07 campaign with struggles that continue to plague his outings in spring training. With his second rough outing in a row, it is becoming more difficult to view Sowers as a likely component of the Indians’ major league roster on opening day. |
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| Projected middle reliever Dennis Sarfate may have introduced a few questions into Baltimore’s pitching scenario today, giving up two runs in 1/3 of an inning in the Orioles’ 4-7 loss to the Red Sox today. Sarfate surrendered three hits, two walks, and picked up a K in the outing, but the struggles leave questions. Sarfate is being counted on to provide quality middle relief for the O’s in the early weeks of the season while hopes of watching him rise to create competition for the closer job, a spot currently filled by George Sherrill, were evident. Those hopes seem to be, at the very least, questionable after today’s debacle. |
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| As Coco Crisp continues to miss time with a groin injury, Jacoby Ellsbury continues to make his case for starting in centerfield. Ellsbury went 1-for-3 with a double in Boston’s 7-4 win over the Baltimore Orioles in spring training today. Ellsbury has enjoyed a nice spring and, following last season’s outstanding introduction in the World Series, there are high expectations that have many pondering if the Sox will be trading Crisp away. Crisp has been sidelined for 11 straight days now, missing prime opportunities to compete for the job, prove his value, or earn and bolster consideration from potential trade suitors. |
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| Jesse Crain had his knee examined Friday and was told he needed no X-rays, according to MLB.com. "They told me right now they don't think it's any kind of a fracture or anything," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said. "He should be fine in a couple of days." Crain took a line drive off the joint on Thursday, but it sounds like he'll be all right. |
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| Andy Pettitte played some long toss and was able to throw 42 pitches in a bullpen session on Friday, according to the AP. "It felt real good," Pettitte said. "I was able to stretch it out in my long toss. For me to back up the distance in my long toss like I did, I knew I wasn't going to have any problems. ... Stretch out like that in long toss, you know your arm is good." He was scratched from Wednesday's game due to soreness in the outside of his elbow, but he should be ready to face the Red Sox on Monday. |
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| Jonny Gomes has been handed a two-game suspension from Major League Baseball for bum-rushing Shelley Duncan during Thursday's game. Gomes didn't care for Shelley Duncan's spikes-high slide into second base and ran in from right field to tackle Duncan. Gomes may appeal the suspension. |
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| Melky Cabrera has received a three-game suspension for his actions during a bench-clearing incident with the Rays on Thursday, according to SportsTicker. If he doesn't appeal the suspension, it will begin on opening day. |
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| Major League Baseball has suspended Shelley Duncan for the first three games of the season for his role in Thursday's rumble with the Rays, according to SportsTicker. He could appeal the suspension, in which case he would be allowed to keep playing until his case is heard. |
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| Mark Grudzielanek returned to Kansas City on Thursday to undergo what the Royals dubbed as precautionary tests to determine the cause of tightness in his lower back, according to the KC Star. "I’m not really concerned," manager Trey Hillman said. "He’s had this before. If this was the regular season, it wouldn’t be a (disabled-list) situation. But rather than be aggressive with it, because it’s March 13, we decided to send him back to see Dr. Joyce because Dr. Joyce has always evaluated him in the past." He should rejoin the team Saturday, but hopefully results of the testing will be released on Friday. Grud's 37 years old and missed action last year while recovering from two knee surgeries, so this is something to keep an eye on. |
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| Tigers manager Jim Leyland confirmed Thursday that Vance Wilson will not be ready when the season begins, according to the Detroit Free Press. Wilson is working his way back from Tommy John surgery, and it's not clear who will replace him as Pudge Rodriguez's backup. |
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| Ivan Rodriguez said he used "heavier weights" and "didn't do the bicycle as much" while working out during the offseason, so he would be stronger this season, according to the Detroit Free Press. "I worked hard to get ready for the season," Rodriguez said. "I lifted a lot of weights, did a lot of running and mentally got in good shape. I got a focus." Pudge hit 11 home runs all of last season, but he already has six this spring, so it looks like the work is paying off. |
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| Tigers manager Jim Leyland said Thursday that he considers Fernando Rodney "unlikely" to be ready for the start of the regular season, according to the Detroit Free Press. The news is not surprising, since elbow stiffness has kept him from taking part in a spring game thus far. |
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| Hideki Matsui made his first appearance in the outfield Thursday and looked fine, even making a running catch in the second inning, according to the New York Daily News. Matsui underwent offseason knee surgery but should be fine for the opening day. |
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| Andy Pettitte reported not soreness on the outside of his elbow after playing catch on Thursday, according to the New York Daily News. He'll throw a side session Friday and a short bullpen session Saturday. Pettitte was scratched from his scheduled Wednesday start due to inflammation in the joint, but he should be ready to face the Red Sox on Monday. |
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| Brian Anderson has given up his attempt to return to baseball. An MRI revealed that he tore the ulnar collateral ligament in his elbow for the third time, according to the AP. He's already had two Tommy John surgeries to repair the previous injuries, but this one will end his career. |
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| Franklin Gutierrez hasn't played the past couple of days due to tightness in his legs, according to the Cleveland Plain Dealer. Hopefully, he will be able to resume his quest for a starting spot in the Indians outfield on Friday against the Nats. |
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| The Indians optioned Brian Slocum to Triple-A Buffalo on Thursday, according to the Cleveland Plain Dealer. It's not a surprise that he was sent down, but he strained his hamstring before Wednesday's scheduled start, which basically made it final. |
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| Andy Marte, 3B, Cleveland Indians | Friday 3/14, 8:50 AM CT |
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| Andy Marte has lacked consistency this spring. "He's had good days and bad days," manager Eric Wedge said, according to the Cleveland Plain Dealer. "I think he's been a little tentative defensively. He's shown signs offensively. I want to see him be more consistent with his offense and defense." The only consistent thing Marte has done is hit poorly this spring, going 5-for-27 at the plate. The third baseman has been tested out at first and the outfield to increase his versatility. That's because he's out of minor league options, so he has to stay on the roster or be exposed to waivers, and his versatility could give him a little more value to the Indians. As it stands now, he's not in line for much playing time when the season begins. |
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| Chris Bootcheck remains doubtful to be ready for the start of the regular season, according to the LA Times. "I wouldn't rule it out, but the emphasis needs to be on being 100 percent, so when you're asked to go out there and help the team you can do it without holding back or guarding anything," said Bootcheck. He's dealing with a strained left oblique, an injury that needs to be dealt with cautiously to avoid an extensive setback. |
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| Scot Shields was happy with his first appearance of the spring on Thursday, according to the LA Times. "It was a good day for the most part -- the ball was coming out of my hand in mid- season form, and there was no pain," said Shields. The set-up man has been slowed this spring by a sore shoulder, but he should be ready for the opener, barring a setback. |
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| The Cubs have upped the ante in their attempt to acquire Brian Roberts from the Orioles. On Thursday, they added prospect Jose Ceda to the mix, according to the Chicago Tribune. Infielder Ronny Cedeno and pitchers Sean Gallagher and Donnie Veal are the other players offered up by the Cubs. Despite the daily updates, it appears most likely that a deal won't be completed until opening day nears. Stay tuned. |
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| Jim Hoey, P, Baltimore Orioles | Friday 3/14, 7:28 AM CT |
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| Jim Hoey headed back to Baltimore Wednesday to have an MRI taken of his right shoulder, according to the Baltimore Sun. "We got a good report on Jim," Orioles president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail said. "I don't know how long it's going to be, but the MRI didn't reveal anything of any structural concerns. I don't know whether it's a week, three weeks or what. All I know is there is nothing in there that's a concern long term." Hoey may rejoin the team on Friday to begin a treatment program, but it's not clear when he'll pitch again. |
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