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| Carlos Villanueva a will continue his bid for a spot in the Brewers' starting rotation on Monday, the final split-squad date this spring for Milwaukee, according to MLB.com. The team has both Villanueva and fellow starting candidate Chris Capuano scheduled to pitch five innings with approximately 80 pitches in one of the final opportunities they will have to voice their worth for the job. Villanueva will face the White Sox with Capuano facing Mariners. This could be a big moment for both pitchers, so check back in to see how it goes. |
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| Tony Abreu, 3B, Los Angeles Dodgers | Sunday 3/16, 10:53 PM CT |
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| Tony Abreu, a promising young talent without a defined role (thus far), saw his first game action since March 7th today, playing five innings of the Dodgers' 7-6 loss to the Marlins, according to MLB.com. In addition to ripping a second-inning single off center fielder Cameron Maybin's glove and working his way around to third to score on Derek Lowe's sacrifice fly, Abreu ran hard on a third-inning grounder, with shortstop Henley Ramirez's throw barely beating him. Abreu, 23, worked in several positions around the infield as a rookie last season, seeing considerable action as third, short and second. The hope is to earn similar responsibilities (if not more) in 2008. |
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| Hopes of working towards a spot in the starting rotation remain alive but are in trouble for Todd Wellemeyer, according to MLB.com. Wellemeyer allowed four hits and three runs through five innings today in a 3-2 loss to the Atlanta Braves. The arm that worked in a relief mode last season walked just one and garnered three strike outs in the outing, but two home runs surrendered indicate there is still work to be done. Some offensive support would have been nice (just nine total hits for the Cards), but mistakes made ruled the story of the day. |
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| Runelvys Hernandez has been informed by manager Cecil Cooper that he is no longer in the running for a spot in the Astros' starting rotation, according to MLB.com. Hernandez, a non-roster invitee, will instead compete for a bullpen job. "He's out of the picture as a starter," Cooper said. "I just told him, 'Look, the performance we saw [on Saturday] and what I've seen in the past, it just wasn't what we thought it would be.' We just don't have the innings to keep things going, so we want to give him an opportunity in the bullpen. He might fit in there." Hernandez has allowed 11 earned runs over 10 1/3 innings this spring over four outings. He has given up three homer and walked seven while striking out five. This only adds to frustrations already felt throughout the pitching staff in Houston. Beyond Roy Oswalt, the rest of the starting rotation is aging and/or questionable. Adding to the bullpen is a nice option to bring Hernandez along as he has the arm to make it work in the show, but the lack of progress is concerning, both for the team and the individual. |
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| The Reds continue to express pleasure with RHP Edinson Volquez who has been a shining light in spring training and once again looked solid in Cincy’s loss to Philadelphia (6-2) in the Grapefruit League today. Volquez allowed just three hits and one walk in five scoreless innings. In one of the more open and competitive rotation battles in the majors this season, Volquez has made his mark and seems well on his way to making noise in the show. “Volquez was awesome,” said manager Dusty Baker, speaking about the hurler after today’s loss. “It was an awesome display. Their hitters were talking. They couldn’t pick up his pitches. He is just what the scouts said he was when they traded (Josh) Hamilton for him.” Those are strong votes of confidence from a man that has seen far too many pitchers go south to throw around such words with ease, and it appears this kid needs to be tracked moving forward. |
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| Ian Stewart, 3B, Colorado Rockies | Sunday 3/16, 7:43 PM CT |
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| As he battles to compete with veteran Marcus Giles and Jayson Nix for the job at 2B, Ian Stewart is starting to fall behind the pack and may end up in with the minor league squad in Colorado Springs, according to MLB.com. Hitting just .241 this spring, the Rockies were hoping to see the power Stewart displayed early in his career return. Stewart's efforts to shorten his stroke are paying off in better plate discipline and more contact. "Over the last couple of weeks, I've really felt good, and I'm taking good at-bats," Stewart said. "I'm happy where I'm at." However, making the team out of Spring Training could be difficult. Garrett Atkins is a mainstay at third and a host of middle-infield types playing second, Jeff Baker, Clint Barmes and Omar Quintanilla, play more positions and would be more likely to play in a utility role. |
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| Ian Snell, P, Pittsburgh Pirates | Sunday 3/16, 7:14 PM CT |
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| Following a story from earlier in the week, Ian Snell has accepted a new three-year agreement with the Pittsburgh Pirates, according to the Associated Press. Snell and the Pittsburgh Pirates agreed Sunday to three-year contract worth at least $8 million, a deal reached five days after the Pirates had unilaterally renewed the pitcher for 2008. Snell would have been eligible for salary arbitration after next season. The agreement includes team options for 2011 and 2012. Pittsburgh selected Snell in the 26th round of the 2000 amateur draft after he graduated from high school in Camden, Del. The 26-year-old right-hander went 9-12 last season with a 3.76 ERA in 32 starts and has a 24-26 record in a major league career that began in 2004. Snell led the Pirates with 208 innings last season, and general manager Neal Huntington decided Snell was worth the risk of a multiyear contract. |
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| Ryan Braun, LF, Milwaukee Brewers | Sunday 3/16, 3:36 PM CT |
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| Ryan Braun missed another game Sunday due to lingering tightness in his right Achilles tendon, according to MLB.com. "We don't know what's bringing it on," manager Ned Yost said. "It might be a new pair of shoes that he put on. It might be an exercise program that he was doing. He's got stiffness in his Achilles and there's no sense taking chances. ... I don't see it to be anything major." It may not be major right now, but it's becoming a little concerning. Braun missed games Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and today due to the ailment. He got into Friday's game, but clearly this is something that will need to be monitored closely in the coming days. |
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| Carlos Delgado was struck by a piece of a broken bat during Sunday's game, according to MLB.com. He was pulled from the game and needed four stitches to close a gash, but it shouldn't affect his preparation for the start of the season. |
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| Ramon Castro failed to complete Sunday's spring game after feeling a twinge in his right hamstring, according to MLB.com. He was taken out of the contest as a precaution, so it appears to be a minor ailment. |
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| Pedro Martinez made his spring debut Sunday against the Tigers. He struggled a bit, but ended up working four scoreless innings, allowing four hits and striking out four. "It was the first time I had to execute," Martinez said, according to MLB.com. "They were patient, and I got myself in trouble. But I got to work out of the stretch then." Pedro's been brought along slowly this spring but remains on target for the start of the season. |
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| As expected, Scott Olsen was able to toss a simulated game on Sunday, according to MLB.com. Since everything went well in the two-inning, 35-pitch session, Olsen should take part in Thursday's exhibition game against the Cardinals. Olsen is recovering from shoulder tendinitis but should be make his regular-season debut on April 4, barring a setback. |
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| Jeff Francoeur was hit on the left side of his face by a pitch during Sunday's game, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He had some cuts inside his mouth that might need stitches and was headed for X-rays, but it appears that he avoided serious injuries. We'll have more updates for you as they become available. |
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| Nomar Garciaparra won't return to spring action until Thursday, according to the AP. He's still dealing with soreness in his wrist after being hit by a ball March 7. |
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| Joel Pineiro, P, St. Louis Cardinals | Sunday 3/16, 10:21 AM CT |
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| The Cardinals expect Joel Pineiro to begin the season on the DL, because they don't want to push him to return too quickly and risk more damage, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. "You'd be jeopardizing him to be putting him in that situation," pitching coach Dave Duncan said. "If it takes time, it takes time." Pineiro is dealing with shoulder inflammation and a strained lat, but he could return by the second week or so of the season, if all goes well. |
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| Justin Hampson underwent an MRI Friday that revealed inflammation in his shoulder, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune. Although Hampson said there was "nothing big on the labrum," it's not clear when he'll be ready to resume pitching. He's been out since March 11, but the malady has bothered him since spring training opened. |
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| Yovani Gallardo pitched some batting practice Saturday for the second time and reported no problems with his knee, according to the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. Recovering from surgery on the joint, Gallardo might take part in a game by the end of next week. |
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| Wandy Rodriguez said Saturday that he expects to make his next start, according to the Houston Chronicle. "I think in five days, I'll be ready," he said. "Today I feel much better. I'm going to get treatment and then throw and nice and easy. Maybe then I can do a bullpen." Rodriguez was limited to just two pitches during Friday's outing due to a strained left oblique. |
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| The Astros announced Friday that Kazuo Matsui would undergo anal fissure surgery on Monday, but he sought a second opinion Saturday and is undecided about the procedure at this point, according to the Houston Chronicle. "I'm still thinking about whether to the operation or not," Matsui said through an interpreter. "I haven't decided yet." Part of the holdup might be that he'd miss a couple of weeks while recovering, which means he'd probably miss the season opener. |
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| Luis Castillo took part in his first spring game on Saturday, walking twice and going 0-for-1, according to the New York Daily News. "I ran well and I didn't feel anything in my knees," Castillo said. "I felt good. I hope I feel like that the whole spring. ... I think I made the right decision having surgery. I feel so different." It looks like he has a good chance to be ready for opening day. |
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| Omar Vizquel, SS, San Francisco Giants | Sunday 3/16, 8:50 AM CT |
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| Omar Vizquel threw Saturday for the first time since undergoing knee surgery on Feb. 27, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. "Everything is on schedule. Everything's good. No pain," Vizquel said. "I think it's realistic to get back for the home opener. That's what I'm shooting for." At this point, Vizquel is aiming to be ready to join the Giants for game action during the second week of the season. |
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| Brad Hawpe, RF, Colorado Rockies | Sunday 3/16, 8:32 AM CT |
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| Brad Hawpe might be cleared to take some limited batting practice on Sunday and resume throwing in a few days, according to the Denver Post. Hawpe has been out since Monday with a strained elbow. |
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| The Indians have been contacted by some teams that are interested in acquiring Jason Michaels in a trade, according to the Cleveland Plain Dealer. The clubs think the Indians might be willing to deal Michaels, so they can move Ben Francisco into the left-field platoon with David Dellucci. It appears unlikely that the Indians will deal Michaels or Francisco, but you never know. |
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| Javier Valentin skipped Saturday's game after taking a foul ball off his shoulder the day before, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer. "It's sore, real sore," Valentin said. "But I'm OK." If he really is OK, we should see him back in action within the next couple of days. |
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| Takashi Saito made his spring exhibition debut on Saturday, according to the LA Times. "I'm happy," pitching coach Rick Honeycutt said. "The main thing for me is he didn't feel any [pain]." Saito had been out all spring with a strained calf, but barring a setback, he should be ready for opening day. |
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| Kerry Wood, P, Chicago Cubs | Sunday 3/16, 7:33 AM CT |
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| Cubs manager Lou Piniella appears to be leaning towards using Kerry Wood as his closer, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. "To me, the two setup roles are just as important as the closer role," Piniella said. "In fact, they are probably a little more demanding in getting up and getting warmed up and being used as opposed to pitching basically the ninth inning. The closer has a tough job in that the game is in his hands when he gets out there. But, boy, I'll tell you, the seventh- and eighth-inning pitchers work a heck of a lot more." You can infer from that statement that the oft-injured Wood would be better suited in the physically less-demanding role of closer. Piniella plans to begin using his closer candidates -- Wood, Carlos Marmol and Bob Howry -- on consecutive days this week, and their performances likely will dictate which way Piniella goes in the end. |
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| Doug Slaten, P, Arizona Diamondbacks | Sunday 3/16, 7:26 AM CT |
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| Doug Slaten will take part in his first game action of the spring, working a minor league game, on Saturday, according to the Arizona Republic. Slaten underwent knee surgery during the offseason, but he should be ready when the regular season gets underway. |
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| As expected, Rafael Soriano made his spring debut on Saturday. "All right for the first time out," manager Bobby Cox said of Soriano's performance, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. 16 of his 23 pitches were for strikes, and he reached 94 mph on two pitches. Soriano has been slowed this spring by a stomach virus and sore elbow, but barring a setback, he should be ready for the opener. |
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