| Brian Giles, RF, San Diego Padres | Friday 3/14, 11:52 PM CT |
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| Brian Giles returned to action on Friday afternoon on a practice field in a Minor League game, according to MLB.com. Giles, who had surgery on his right knee at the start of the off-season, batted four times in the first three innings and received a paucity of hittable pitches. He faced four different pitchers and hit a run-scoring single up the middle, walked twice and struck out looking. Giles did not play defense or run the bases, and he won't Saturday either, when he plays in another Minor League game. But he could be doing so by Monday in Tucson, AZ, weather permitting, as rain is a possibility on Sunday and Monday. It's all part of the plan Giles and the Padres have in place to get him ready for the regular season. "Opening Day is our date," Giles said. "We've kind of got a schedule from here until we're done with camp with the idea of being ready on the 31st [of March]." |
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| Franklin Morales got the start for the Rockies today and gave little indication that a position on the major league roster on opening day was eminent, giving up nine runs on 10 hits (though only five of those runs were earned) through 2 2/3 innings, walking two and collecting two strikeouts with a wild pitch and a balk. To be fair, Morales has looked much better in his spring starts in recent weeks. The hope was to see Morales battle and earn a spot in the bullpen. At this point, it is difficult to determine what may happen over the next two weeks. |
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| Cincinnati starting hopeful Matt Matt Belisle pitched three innings and allowed seven runs on eight hits in the Reds' 7-7 10-inning tie with the Yankees today, a troubling outing to say the least. Belisle is carrying a ton of weight on his shoulders after struggling to an 8-9 record last season, and to make matters worse, fellow rotation competitor Josh Fogg enjoyed a great day against the Pittsburgh Pirates. |
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| John Maine, P, New York Mets | Friday 3/14, 9:38 PM CT |
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| John Maine worked five innings without surrendering a run in the Mets’ 8-2 victory over the Florida Marlins in the Grapefruit League today. In his most impressive outing yet, Maine gave up just three hits with one walk and six strikeouts on the day. That brings Maine to 10 consecutive innings without giving up a run. You can be the fantasy faithful are taking note as Maine’s stock rises. |
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| Ricky Nolasco , on pace to become a starter of significance for a hurting Florida rotation, suffered through a difficult outing in the Marlins’ 8-2 loss to the Mets in Grapefruit League action today, according to the Associated Press. Nolasco pitched two innings, surrendering seven hits and a whopping six runs with two walks and a strikeout. The Marlins may be struggling for comfort at this point as several of the team’s primary starters are suffering from injury and Nolasco was viewed as one of the few healthy-and-capable arms in the rotation. Today’s outing shows he may not be ready for the show just yet. Meanwhile, RHP prospect Burke Badenhop looked strong, allowing just three hits through four innings without a run scored. It seems like a long shot, but with the woes that have already become an issue, Badenhop may be in the mix for a starting job. |
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| In his first outing of the spring, 2B Freddy Sanchez earned praise as one of very few bright spots in the 0-5 shutout loss to the Cincinnati Reds, hitting 2-for-4 and serving as the only player with multiple hits for the Pirates. Sanchez has been rehabbing from shoulder surgery and worked as the DH to avoid unneeded strain as a fielder. The Pirates will continue to use caution in getting Sanchez back on the field, but today’s game is a good sign of things to come. |
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| Josh Fogg, P, Cincinnati Reds | Friday 3/14, 9:00 PM CT |
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| Josh Fogg pitched five innings and combined with four relief pitchers to hold the Pittsburgh Pirates to just six hitter as the Reds emerged victorious 5-0 in a split-squad game for both teams, according to the Associated Press. Fogg allowed three hits and a walk while striking out three. Fogg, who won 10 games for National League champion Colorado last season, did not sign with Cincinnati as a free agent until after spring training started last month. He has given up only three runs in 13 innings in four games despite the late start, a great voice of support for his effort to earn a spot in the bottom of the Reds' starting rotation. |
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| With rumors abound that the Braves are actively shopping 1B Scott Thorman , the recent performances may suggest a need for re-evaluation. Early spring struggles appear to be subsided as the upswing first bagger is finding his groove at the plate. In today’s 9-1 trouncing of the Philadelphia Phillies, Thorman went 1-for-3 with a home run, earning three RBIs. That’s seven RBIs in Thorman’s last two games. It may be the Braves should consider retaining the man they are shopping rather than hoping unproven options (namely Mark Kotsay, Brayan Pena, and Matt Diaz) rise to the occasion. |
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| RHP Francisco Rosario suffered through a horrific outing today in the Phillies’ 1-9 loss to the Atlanta Braves in the Grapefruit League today, surrendering six runs on three hits, two walks, and two hit batters through just two innings of work. The bulk of the damage (though none of it was positive) came via a grand slam by SS Yunel Escobar in the second inning. Rosario, attempting to secure the fifth spot in the Phillies’ starting rotation, has been strong in spring training until today, sporting an ERA of 1.04 through 8 2/3 innings spent working out of the bullpen. Today’s performance is a concern but should not hamper Rosario’s efforts greatly. He clearly has work to do but has been a positive note thus far. |
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| Elijah Dukes, LF, Washington Nationals | Friday 3/14, 6:55 PM CT |
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| Elijah Dukes strained his right hamstring sliding into second base in the bottom of the third inning of today’s 8-4 loss for the Nationals, falling to the Cleveland Indians in Grapefruit League action, according to the Associated Press. According to Dukes, “It was almost like a little strain or cramp kind of feeling.” The injury is not considered serious by any means and the Nationals are hoping Dukes can get back in the lineup and continue his work towards earning a spot in the outfield rotation in quick order. |
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| Andy LaRoche, 3B, Los Angeles Dodgers | Friday 3/14, 6:47 PM CT |
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| 3B Andy LaRoche , nursing a torn ligament in his right thumb, should get his soft cast off in just over two weeks and begin rehabbing, likely in extended spring training in Vero Beach, according to the Associated Press. The injury, along with the concerns of failing durability that might befall Jeff Kent, is feeding rumors that state the Dodgers are seeking to make a trade to bring a versatile infielder into the fold. Today's timeline shows the team is laying plans, but the future remains uncertain. |
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| Kyle Lohse, P, St. Louis Cardinals | Friday 3/14, 6:40 PM CT |
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| Following an earlier report, the Cardinals have signed RHP Kyle Lohse to a one-year contract, according to the Associated Press. His deal could reach $5 million in incentives. Lohse pitched for Philadelphia and Cincinnati last season, going a combined 9-12 with a 4.62 ERA. He will throw a simulated game on Monday and should get worked into games after that. |
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| Rick Ankiel, CF, St. Louis Cardinals | Friday 3/14, 6:36 PM CT |
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| Rick Ankiel , viewed as the likely opening-day starter in centerfield for the Cardinals, hit two home runs for a total of four RBIs in St. Louis’ 6-4 win over the Dodgers in Grapefruit League action today, according to the Associated Press. This brings Ankiel’s spring-training batting average to .359 and today’s homers are his second and third of camp. Nothing is certain at this point, but it appears Ankiel is all but inked into the position for opening day. |
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| The Braves expect Rafael Soriano to make his exhibition debut on Saturday, according to MLB.com. He's dealt with a stomach virus and a sore elbow but should have enough time to get ready for the season opener. |
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| John Smoltz is slated to make his Grapefruit League debut on Saturday in a split-squad game against the Rays, according to MLB.com. Smoltz is just bringing himself along slowly this spring, working a few simulated games instead of playing in exhibition contests. He's right on schedule for the start of the regular season. |
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| Wily Mo Pena, LF, Washington Nationals | Friday 3/14, 3:20 PM CT |
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| An MRI revealed that Wily Mo Pena has a significant tear of his left oblique, according to the AP. The injury is expected to sideline him for about a month, which means he will miss the start of the regular season. Look for Elijah Dukes to replace Pena in left field, though Alex Escobar and Ryan Langerhans could figure into the mix. |
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| Joel Pineiro, P, St. Louis Cardinals | Friday 3/14, 10:50 AM CT |
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| Joel Pineiro will have his shoulder examined on Friday, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. He hopes to be cleared to play catch, but it's not clear how quickly he might be able to get back on the mound. |
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| Wily Mo Pena, LF, Washington Nationals | Friday 3/14, 10:42 AM CT |
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| Wily Mo Pena strained his left oblique while taking batting practice on Wednesday, according to the Washington Post. At this point, he's listed as day-to-day, but since oblique strains can linger for weeks, this could affect his status for the start of the regular season. |
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| Greg Maddux, P, San Diego Padres | Friday 3/14, 10:36 AM CT |
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| Greg Maddux only got in about half of his scheduled outing Thursday after taking a line drive off his thigh, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune. "It's the perfect place to get hit," said Maddux. "It's a minor contusion. No worries – for me, anyway. I ain't worried about it. Perfect spring training injury. It's got me out of running the next couple of days." Assuming he's back in action for his next scheduled outing, the ailment shouldn't affect him for the beginning of the season. |
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| Kazuo Matsui said he's feeling better and is aiming to return to game action this weekend, according to the Houston Chronicle. Matsui has been sidelined due to an anal fissure. |
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| Jose Valverde will skip his scheduled Friday appearance due to a stiff back, according to the Houston Chronicle. "I'll take two or three days off and after that things will be OK," Valverde said. Assuming that holds true, this should have no effect on his preparation for the beginning of the regular season. |
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| The Astros hope that J.R. Towles will be able to return to action early next week, according to the Houston Chronicle. "He's making progress," manager Cecil Cooper said. "If things go the way we hope, (he'll return) the early part of next week or by the middle." Towles strained his right hamstring five days ago, but it appears to be a relatively minor ailment. |
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| Jason Vargas is expected to require to surgery to repair a tear in his hip, according to the New York Daily News. He likely will need about three months to recover from the procedure. |
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| Orlando Hernandez will not take part in an exhibition game until at least the final week of spring training, according to the New York Daily News. The Mets are bringing him along slowly to keep him healthy for the long haul, but he's on target to start April 12. |
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| Kevin Frandsen has been slowed recently by a sore Achilles tendon and was plunked on the helmet by a pitch Thursday, forcing him to exit the game, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. Manager Bruce Bochy said Frandsen could have stayed in the game. Frandsen already has been replaced at shortstop by Brian Bocock this spring, and any chance he had to bump Ray Durham off second is gone; Durham is hitting .387 in exhibition action, while Frandsen is hitting just .226. |
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| David Ross, C, Cincinnati Reds | Friday 3/14, 8:41 AM CT |
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| David Ross hopes to be able to hit on Friday, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer. He was able to catch Thursday without any problems. Ross is battling back spasms and has yet to take part in an exhibition game this spring. |
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| Scott Olsen tossed a bullpen session Thursday and will work a simulated game Sunday, but his sore shoulder will keep him out for opening day, according to the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. If he has no setbacks with the tendinitis in the joint, Olsen should take part in a spring game next week and make his regular-season debut on April 4. |
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| Miguel Montero had another CT scan on his broken right index finger, according to the Arizona Republic. The results showed improvement in the digit, but he was told to rest it for another week. "Based on not having another week, it's going to be real difficult to get him ready for the start of the season," manager Doug Melvin said. Hopefully Montero will be available soon after the season begins, but clearly he's all but out for opening day. |
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| Micah Owings, P, Arizona Diamondbacks | Friday 3/14, 7:44 AM CT |
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| Micah Owings allowed three runs (two earned), five hits and three walks over 2 2/3 innings during Thursday's Cactus League game. "You like to see results every time," manager Bob Melvin said, according to the Arizona Republic. "Some days it's just not going to happen. Right now, he's going through a little bit of a funk as far as his command." Owings has allowed 12 hits, eight walks and eight earned runs in just 6 1/3 innings this spring, so clearly the Diamondbacks need to see him step things up soon in preparation for the beginning of the regular season. |
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| Max Scherzer, P, Arizona Diamondbacks | Friday 3/14, 7:39 AM CT |
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| The Diamondbacks have optioned Max Scherzer to their minor league camp, according to the Arizona Republic. "It did a lot for my confidence to know that I can have success in the big leagues, it's just a matter of doing it consistently," Scherzer said. "I learned that quick from all my outings. I had the ability to pitch, but there are other things that dictate whether you stay here. So it gives me a good taste to go back down to the minors and work on stuff and I hope to get up here as quick as I can." He may end up being a reliever, but the Diamondbacks will use him as a starter with Triple-A Tucson when the season begins. |
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| Braves manager Bobby Cox said Thursday that Rafael Soriano is "real close" to pitching in a exhibition game, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Their closer has yet to work in a game this spring due to a stomach virus and a sore elbow, but hopefully we'll see him on a mound this weekend. |
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| Jo-Jo Reyes allowed seven hits, two walks and five runs over three innings to the Tigers on Thursday. "Jo-Jo had a rough day with his control and location," manager Bobby Cox said, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Reyes is trying to win a spot in the rotation but hasn't performed well his last two outings. He may end up beginning the season at Triple-A Richmond, if he can't turn it around quickly. |
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| Chuck James gave up one hit and retired six of the seven batters he faced during Thursday's exhibition game, though he had some tightness in his injured shoulder, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. "It felt good, as far as no pain. When I was done pitching it tightened up a little, but I guess that's normal for this stage," James said. James has a slight tear in his rotator cuff and has been brought along slowly this spring. At this point, all signs point to him beginning the season at Triple-A Richmond. |
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