| Joe Crede, 3B, Chicago White Sox | Thursday 3/27, 10:46 PM CT |
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| Joe Crede was given a precautionary X-Ray, according to MLB.com. Crede left Thursday's Cactus League closer against the D-backs in the fifth inning after fouling a pitch off his left ankle. After icing down the ankle in the clubhouse, the training staff decided to take a precautionary X-ray. The X-ray was still pending after the game, but the training staff didn't anticipate any serious problems. Manager Guillen commented, "I was really concerned about Joe. I don't have the final report yet, but he got hit pretty good. Joe is a tough guy. I wouldn't have finished that at-bat. I would have left right away." Joe has won the starting third base job while Josh Fields was sent down, and hopefully he will be fine for opening day.
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| Josh Beckett threw 47 pitches in a minor league game on Thursday, according to MLB.com. He hurled four scoreless innings for the Double-A Portland Sea Dogs versus Minnesota's New Britain Rock Cats. Beckett threw 47 pitches, while allowing one hit and no walks, with six strikeouts. Boston Minor League pitching coordinator Ralph Treuel stated that Josh did well throwing the ball today. This is good news for Boston's ace, but it remains to be seen if he will be placed on the DL to open the season.
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| The Orioles have purchased Steve Trachsel's contract, according to MLB.com. He will provide depth and experience to a young Baltimore pitching staff, but his fantasy value is limited. |
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| Chris Stewart has been released, according to Dallas News. This was to be expected. |
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| Miguel Olivo, C, Kansas City Royals | Thursday 3/27, 7:20 PM CT |
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| Miguel Olivo's suspension has been reduced from five to four games, according to SI.com. Olivo has notably been suspended for the start of the new season because of a fight with the Mets during the final weekend of last season while he was a member of the Marlins. He will battle John Buck for playing time when he returns.
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| Luis Hernandez has a firm grip on the starting job at shortstop, according to the Baltimore Sun. Manager Trembley is reportedly close to naming Hernandez as his starting shortstop, who has big shoes to fill following the departure of Miguel Tejada. Hernandez hit .290 over 69 at-bats in 2007, with one home run. |
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| Cliff Lee, P, Cleveland Indians | Thursday 3/27, 6:59 PM CT |
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| Cliff Lee surrendered four runs on six hits (two home runs) over 5.1 innings in a no decision against Tampa Bay on Thursday, with no walks and six strikeouts. Lee lacks consistency, but will be the Indians' fifth starter in the rotation. |
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| Jason Jennings earned his first win of the spring against Kansas City on Thursday as he only allowed two runs on six hits over 5.1 innings, with two walks and four strikeouts. Most of the damage came on a John Buck solo homer, and he favorably lowered his spring ERA to 2.12. Jennings will be looking for a fresh start after suffering through a 2-9 campaign in 2007. |
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| Felix Hernandez surrendered three runs on nine hits over five innings in a no decision against San Diego on Thursday, with five strikeouts and no walks. Hernandez will anchor a strong Seattle rotation this season, which recently acquired Erik Bedard and Carlos Silva. |
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| Hank Blalock went 1-for-2 with two RBI against Kansas City on Thursday, and most notably crushed his fourth homer of the spring. He now has 15 RBI with a .377 average and is capable of strong numbers if he can just stay healthy. |
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| Alex Gordon, 3B, Kansas City Royals | Thursday 3/27, 6:19 PM CT |
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| Alex Gordon went 2-for-2 with one RBI against Texas on Thursday, and raised his spring average to .308. The Royals' prized prospect is off to a solid start as he continues to make strides in the majors. |
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| Travis Hafner continues to struggle this spring as he went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts against Tampa Bay on Thursday, lowering his average to .227. He now co-leads the team with 14 strikeouts and he really needs to end his slump soon as the season draws closer. |
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| Jonny Gomes, RF, Tampa Bay Rays | Thursday 3/27, 6:08 PM CT |
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| Jonny Gomes had a tough day at the plate against Cleveland on Thursday, as he went 0-for-3 with three strikeouts. His average dropped to .241 and hopefully he can end spring training on a high note. |
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| Akinori Iwamura went 2-for-3 with an RBI against Cleveland, while collecting his second homer of the spring. He holds a .356 average and is off to a solid start. |
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| Kenny Rogers improved his spring record to 2-0 as he only allowed two runs on three hits over four innings against Philadelphia on Thursday, with no walks and one strikeout. His ERA now stands at 3.44 and he should make a fine late round draft pick, as long as he stays healthy. |
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| Jeff Mathis, C, Los Angeles Angels | Thursday 3/27, 5:20 PM CT |
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| Jeff Mathis went 2-for-2 against Colorado on Thursday, and raised his spring average to .343. This was a good day for him in his bid to beat out Mike Napoli for the starting job at catcher. |
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| Nick Masset, P, Chicago White Sox | Thursday 3/27, 5:02 PM CT |
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| Nick Masset got rocked for six runs on seven hits over 4.1 innings against Arizona on Thursday, with four walks and two strikeouts. Masset is battling for a bullpen role or an opportunity to be a spot starter, but today's performance will not help his chances. |
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| Brian Anderson had a tough day at the plate on Thursday as he went 0-for-2 with two strikeouts against Arizona. He still holds a solid .344 spring average, and has locked up a bench job with Jerry Owens' injury. |
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| Kei Igawa, P, New York Yankees | Thursday 3/27, 4:42 PM CT |
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| Kei Igawa was dealt his first spring loss against Pittsburgh on Thursday as he allowed four runs on five hits over 3.1 innings of work, with three walks and two strikeouts. At the start of spring training he was competing for a rotation spot, but now it appears he is more likely to serve a role as a long reliever. |
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| Scott Rolen, 3B, Toronto Blue Jays | Thursday 3/27, 4:25 PM CT |
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| Scott Rolen could be sidelined until May due to his broken right middle finger injury, according to MLB.com. Dr. Thomas Graham inserted a pin in the tip of Rolen's finger and he is scheduled to have it taken out on April 7. At that time, it is unclear how much time it will take Rolen to return to the lineup, but Rolen said Graham believed the third baseman could be out until late April or early May. Rolen added, "He gave a four-to-six week window from the time of surgery. We'll all hopefully be optimistic and cut that down as much as we can in the right way, the smart way."
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| Steve Trachsel was solid over six innings of work against Washington on Thursday as he only allowed one run on four hits, with one walk and two strikeouts. He lowered his spring ERA to 5.21 as he continues to compete for a spot on the final roster. |
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| Scott Moore, 3B, Baltimore Orioles | Thursday 3/27, 4:03 PM CT |
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| Scott Moore had a tough day at the plate against Washington on Thursday as he went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts. His spring average remains solid at .351 as he fights for a top bench job. |
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| Ivan Rodriguez, who has had one of his best springs as a big league, hit a pair of doubles and scored twice in Thursday's spring contest. Pudge has five home runs this spring and is hitting .375. |
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| Dustin McGowan , the Jays No. 3 starter worked seven innings on Thursday, allowed three runs on four hits with four strikeouts and four walks. McGowan is ready for the regular season after throwing 104 pitches. |
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| Buck Coats, LF, Toronto Blue Jays | Thursday 3/27, 3:32 PM CT |
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| Buck Coats, who found out he had made the team as the primary utility outfielder and pinch runner, hit a sixth-inning solo home run, his second long ball of the spring. If Coats garners a starting role in Toronto this year due to any number of circumstances, he will be a base stealing threat. |
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| Steve Trachsel pitched well on Thursday, his final tune up before beginning the season as the O's No. 4 starter. The veteran right-hander pitched six innings, allowing four hits, one run, one walk and striking out two. This is about as good as it will get with Trachsel. He won't strike out too many batters and giving up one run in six innings equates to a huge success. |
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| Nick Blackburn worked five innings on Thursday giving up three hits, one run, two walks and striking out four. He is a wait and see candidate in AL-only formats after earning the No. 4 slot in the five-man Minnesota rotation. |
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| Carlos Gomez was scratched from Thursday's card for overall soreness in his left leg, this according to the team website.
Gomez suffered a left hamstring cramp in the fifth inning of Wednesday's game, and the cramp caused some soreness. The injury isn't considered serious and he's expected to take part in the team's exhibition schedule this weekend.
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| Andy Pettitte is scheduled to pitch in a minor league game on Sunday and then expected to take the mound for regular season action either Friday or Saturday, this according to Fox Sports. "We're going to see how it feels and try and stretch it out," Pettitte said. "Then figure out what I'm going to do after that game." Pettitte threw off a bullpen mound Wednesday and will do it again Friday. He hasn't pitched in a game since March 17. |
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| Nick Swisher, CF, Chicago White Sox | Thursday 3/27, 12:34 PM CT |
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| Sox skipper Ozzie Guillen announced on Wednesday afternoon that Nick Swisher will bat leadoff and play center field most of the time while Jerry Owens recovers from a small tear of the right adductor muscle, notes the Chicago Tribune. This is somewhat of a surprise, and owners that expected to have Swisher in the meat of the order could see him return to that role when Owens is scheduled to return from the disabled list, April 9th. |
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| Johnny Damon, LF, New York Yankees | Thursday 3/27, 12:25 PM CT |
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| Johnny Damon , still suffering from flu-like symptoms, was in the spring facility this morning and is expected to take part in the Thursday game.
"You don't want to get too close to me," MLB.com overheard Damon telling a fan.
Despite his body aches, Damon is serving as the designated hitter today but Yankees manager Joe Girardi told the media that he expects Damon to be the Yankees' leadoff hitter and left fielder on opening day. |
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| Rays' skipper Joe Maddon told Marc Lancaster of the Tampa Tribune that the final roster spot for opening day has come down to a competition between relievers Grant Balfour and Scott Dohmann. Both relievers will race to the finish line with expected spring game appearances today. |
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| Elliott Johnson, who made two errors on Wednesday, is starting at third base today for the Rays after playing shortstop on Wednesday, notes the Tampa Tribune. According to the report the utilityman is locked into a roster spot with Ben Zobrist still rehabbing a broken finger on his glove hand. |
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| Willy Aybar, 3B, Tampa Bay Rays | Thursday 3/27, 11:48 AM CT |
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| Willy Aybar was "still not ready" to take part in Thursday's spring game because of a sore left hamstring, notes the St. Petersburg Times. Rays skipper Joe Maddon told the media on Thursday morning that he expects Aybar to be ready opening day. "I still believe he's going to be fine to play in that game. I'm not hearing anything that leads me to believe that he won't be."
The staff wants Aybar, who is 8-for-28 this spring, to sneak in some at-bats before the opener. He will start at third base if he's healthy. |
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| As expected, Edwin Jackson was named the No. 4 starter for the Rays on Thursday, notes the St. Petersburg Times. Jackson, who had a solid outing on Monday throwing seven innings of two run ball, receives the pleasure of facing the Yankees, in New York, on April 4th. |
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| The Tigers placed outfielder Freddy Guzman on outright waivers Thursday, this according to the Detroit Free Press. If in fact he clears the wire, he will be sent to Triple-A Toledo. This roster move indicates that Clete Thomas is likely the 25th man for the opening day roster.
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| Buck Coats, LF, Toronto Blue Jays | Thursday 3/27, 11:32 AM CT |
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| Buck Coats, a December acquisition by the Blue Jays via Cinncinati, has been outstanding this spring. The outfielder batted .357 in 16 games. According to the Toronto Star, the 25-year-old utilityman will initially serve the roster as a late-inning defensive replacement in left field for Shannon Stewart or Matt Stairs. Coats' speed will be utilized as a pinch runner more than anything.
The speedster was sent to minor-league camp just a week ago, but was recalled after third baseman Scott Rolen injured a finger in a fielding mishap and was placed on the disabled list. |
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| Jose Guillen, RF, Kansas City Royals | Thursday 3/27, 11:25 AM CT |
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| After all of the hullabaloo about the Mitchell report, it appears the league will soften its stance "guilt by association," to a degree at least, this according to the Rocky Mountain News.
An convoluted agreement between both sides, however, likely would eliminate the 15-day suspensions imposed in December on Kansas City's Jose Guillen and Baltimore's Jay Gibbons after they were both connected to performance-enhancing drugs.
AL-only managers are likely standing in applause. Guillen and his owners are the obvious winners, if in fact the Royals outfielder has his current suspension lifted. |
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| B.J. Ryan, P, Toronto Blue Jays | Thursday 3/27, 11:11 AM CT |
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| The Toronto Blue Jays finalized their roster on Wednesday, and B.J. Ryan will not be part of the opening day festivities, this according to the Toronto Star. However, Jays' general manager J.P. Ricciardi told the paper that Ryan is scheduled to begin throwing off the mound next week, and should return in mid-April barring a setback. At this point hurrying the left-hander along won't help the longterm process. In the meantime, Jeremy Accardo will get the save opps in place of Ryan.
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| The Mariners coaching staff has decided they will not keep any pitchers that can not pitch in back-to-back games, thus Arthur Rhodes was sent to the minor league, according to Seattle PI.
Rhodes (elbow ligament replacement surgery) is nearly fully recovered from his surgery, but needs more conditioning.
Rhodes agreed to be sent down and will attempt to work his way back up. |
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| Chris Reitsma was optioned to the minor leagues on Wednesday, this according to Seattle PI.
Reitsma (offseason elbow surgery) is close to full strength, but the organization didn't want to keep any players on the roster that couldn't perform on back-to-back days. Reitsma told the paper," I want to take a few days and think about my options." Reitsma's options are retirement, accepting the demotion, or asking the Mariners to release him. |
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| Brett Tomko, P, Kansas City Royals | Thursday 3/27, 9:52 AM CT |
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| Brett Tomko will begin the season as the Royals No. 5 starter, this according to the Kansas City Star.
“Tomko, I think there’s a lot more yet to be seen from him. He’s a better pitcher right now … than he was at the start of spring training. We believe he can continue to get better.” Tomko has been increasing his arm strength and registering in the mid-90s with his fastball. For this reason alone we believed he was a better fit as the hard-throwing right-hander out of the KC pen. |
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| John Bale, P, Kansas City Royals | Thursday 3/27, 9:48 AM CT |
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| The Kansas City Star reports that John Bale has earned the No. 4 slot in the Royals rotation.
"Bale earned it," manager Trey Hillman said. "Johnny has been outstanding all through spring training. The left-hander threw 40 innings in 2007, and recorded 42 strikeouts in that span. |
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| As expected, the Mariners optioned LHP Ryan Feierabend to Triple-A Tacoma. The left-hander has missed most of the spring work to a bruised knee. Feierabend has some work to do at Triple-A before he receives a full time big league role.
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| Alejandro Machado, the former Rule 5 pickup who missed all of last season because of shoulder surgery, will undergo another surgery on the shoulder and will miss 6-8 weeks, this according to Star Tribune. The infielder, who is suffering from a torn labrum, has no fantasy value. |
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