|
|
| Ricky Nolasco will be the fifth starter in the Marlins' rotation, according to the Sun Sentinel. He holds a 5.31 ERA over 20.1 spring innings, with 11 strikeouts and he pitched well enough to nail down the spot. |
|
| Alex Romero, CF, Arizona Diamondbacks | Thursday 3/27, 8:33 PM CT |
|
| Alex Romero has reportedly made the D-Backs' opening day roster, according to AZCentral. He was battling Trot Nixon for the fifth outfielder spot, and has beaten him out with a solid .333 spring average over 57 at-bats, with only two strikeouts. |
|
| Troy Glaus, 3B, St. Louis Cardinals | Thursday 3/27, 8:26 PM CT |
|
| Troy Glaus could be limited this season, according to MLB.com. Manager LaRussa looks like he is going to be cautious with the battle worn vet this season and stated, "We're going to pay a lot of attention to him. If it looks like he could use a rest, we're going to give it to him. If we had to rest him one game a series, I'd be all right with that. That'd give him 120 games." This would cut into his at-bats, but could keep him healthier over the duration of the season.
|
|
|
|
| Chris Capuano will try rehab on his ailing elbow before considering Tommy John surgery, according to ESPN.com. He has been placed on the 15-day DL Thursday, retroactive to March 21, and will try rehabbing his left elbow for the next three to four weeks. The decision came after Capuano visited with Dr. James Andrews on Wednesday and underwent a second MRI. Andrews performed Capuano's first elbow ligament replacement procedure in 2002. Capuano was informed Sunday that he has a torn ligament in his pitching elbow and would probably need Tommy John surgery for the second time in his career. He hopes to play again this season if the rehab works.
|
|
| Chris Young, P, San Diego Padres | Thursday 3/27, 6:44 PM CT |
|
| Chris Young pitched well in a no decision against Seattle on Thursday as he allowed two runs on four hits over three innings of work, with no walks and three strikeouts. Most of the damage came on a solo home run (Kiger), and Young has pitched well overall this spring. |
|
|
|
| Kevin Kouzmanoff went 3-for-3 against Seattle on Thursday, and raised his spring average to .310. The Padres' hot young prospect is ready to roll. |
|
|
|
| Alfonso Soriano blasted his third homer of the spring as he went 2-for-2 with three RBI against Milwaukee on Thursday. He also scored two runs. He will play a large part in the Cubs' chances to reach the playoffs (and beyond) this season. |
|
| J.J. Hardy, SS, Milwaukee Brewers | Thursday 3/27, 6:28 PM CT |
|
| J.J. Hardy went 2-for-2 with two RBI against the Cubs on Thursday. He raised his spring average to .386 and has racked up 14 RBI. He is off to a solid start as he tries to build upon his breakout campaign of 2007. |
|
|
|
| Rick VandenHurk fell to 2-2 as he allowed two runs on five hits over 4.2 innings against St. Louis on Thursday, with five walks and three strikeouts. That was one of his weaker outings of the spring, but he still has a good shot to win a starting spot in the rotation. |
|
|
|
| Alejandro De Aza had a tough day in the batters box against St. Louis on Thursday, as he went 0-for-3 with a strikeout, while stranding three men on base. His spring average remains fine at .317 but today's performance has not helped his chances to win a starting gig this season. |
|
| Rick Ankiel, CF, St. Louis Cardinals | Thursday 3/27, 5:46 PM CT |
|
| Rick Ankiel had a tough day at the plate against Florida on Thursday as he went 0-for-4 with a strikeout, while leaving seven men on base. His spring average remains strong at .351 and the young slugger has a firm grip on a starting job. |
|
| Kyle Lohse, P, St. Louis Cardinals | Thursday 3/27, 5:42 PM CT |
|
| Kyle Lohse was in control against Florida on Thursday as he hurled five scoreless innings, with three hits allowed and four strikeouts. He is ready to roll heading into the new season. |
|
| Tom Gordon, P, Philadelphia Phillies | Thursday 3/27, 5:32 PM CT |
|
| Tom Gordon got rocked for six runs on three hits (one home run) over 1/3 of an inning of work against Detroit on Thursday, with three walks and one strikeout. His spring ERA climbed to 12.38 and hopefully Brad Lidge can return soon and be an effective closer for the club this season. |
|
| Matt Diaz, LF, Atlanta Braves | Thursday 3/27, 5:28 PM CT |
|
| Matt Diaz went 2-for-2 against the Mets on Thursday, and raised his spring average to .396. This was a good day for him in his bid to win the starting gig in left field. |
|
| Ryan Church, RF, New York Mets | Thursday 3/27, 5:25 PM CT |
|
| Ryan Church went 3-for-5 with an RBI against Atlanta on Thursday. He needed a solid outing as he raised his average to .229, and remains the projected favorite to start in right field for the Mets this season. |
|
|
|
| Troy Tulowitzki crushed his sixth homer of the spring at the expense of the Angels on Thursday. He broke out with 24 home runs in 2007 and he seemingly has not reached his ceiling in the power department, evidenced by his hot spring start. |
|
| Jayson Nix, 2B, Colorado Rockies | Thursday 3/27, 5:11 PM CT |
|
| Jayson Nix struck out in both of his at-bats against the Angels on Thursday. His spring average dipped to .243 but he has already locked up the starting gig at second base. |
|
| Dan Haren, P, Arizona Diamondbacks | Thursday 3/27, 4:54 PM CT |
|
| Dan Haren earned his first win of the spring against the White Sox on Thursday, as he only allowed two runs on three hits over seven innings of work, with one walk and six strikeouts. Both of the runs came on solo homers by Konerko and Dye, and this was a strong outing overall for the D-Backs' hurler. |
|
|
|
| Conor Jackson blasted his third home run of the spring against the White Sox on Thursday, while going 2-for-3 with three RBI on the day. He raised his spring average to .364 with three RBI, and is primed for a solid campaign. |
|
|
|
| Tom Gorzelanny earned his first win of the spring against the Yankees on Thursday as he only allowed one run on two hits over six innings of work, with two walks and two strikeouts. He lowered his ERA to 6.23 and this was a good day for the Pirates projected number two starter. |
|
|
|
| Ken Griffey Jr. hit his second homer of the spring against Minnesota on Thursday, while going 1-for-2 on the day. He now has 13 RBI and holds a .341 batting average. Griffey should continue to post solid numbers as long as he can stay healthy. |
|
|
|
| Mark Loretta went 1-for-2 with a two run homer against Washington on Thursday. Loretta continues to compete for a top backup role with Houston. |
|
| Jon Rauch, P, Washington Nationals | Thursday 3/27, 4:10 PM CT |
|
| Jon Rauch was solid in his lone inning of work against Baltimore on Thursday as he held the team hitless, with a pair of strikeouts. Rauch is competing for the top setup man role. |
|
| Kyle Lohse, P, St. Louis Cardinals | Thursday 3/27, 4:04 PM CT |
|
| Kyle Lohse allowed three hits in five scoreless innings on Thursday. The right-hander walked one and struck out four. The newest addition to the Cardinals rotation was able to throw 67 pitches and 43 strikes, and appears ready to take the ball to the mound in Week 1. Lohse will receive a Saturday, April 5th start, against the Nationals ace, Odalis Perez. As undermanned as the Cardinals are this season, the matchup of Lohse versus an opposing teams ace (Perez) never looked so winnable. |
|
| Pedro Feliz, 3B, Philadelphia Phillies | Thursday 3/27, 3:51 PM CT |
|
| Pedro Feliz, who's long ball in the sixth inning wasn't enough to give the Phillies a victory, did hit a career high fifth spring home run on Thursday. The move from spacious San Francisco to Philadelphia seems to have invigorated the veteran. |
|
| Adam Eaton, P, Philadelphia Phillies | Thursday 3/27, 3:47 PM CT |
|
| Adam Eaton, who gave up seven runs on 11 hits over 4 2/3 innings, took the Thursday spring loss to the hard hitting Detroit. Eaton walked two and struck out only one Tiger hitter. |
|
|
|
| Oliver Perez allowed three earned runs and seven hits over 6.1 innings for the Mets on Thursday. The left-hander walked one and struck out four. |
|
|
|
| Brandon Backe worked 5.1 innings on Thursday, surrendering six runs on 11 hits against Toronto. Backe managed to strike out two, walk two and give up two home runs to the hard hitting Blue Jays. |
|
| Felipe Lopez, SS, Washington Nationals | Thursday 3/27, 3:25 PM CT |
|
| Felipe Lopez hit his second home run of the spring on Thursday. He took a 1-1 Steve Trachsel offering over the right field wall. Lopez is auditioning as the team tries to peddle his services. |
|
| John Lannan, P, Washington Nationals | Thursday 3/27, 3:22 PM CT |
|
| John Lannan pitched six innings and gave up one run on three hits Thursday versus Baltimore. The left-hander will begin the season on the farm but will be the first pitcher called up if necessary. |
|
|
|
| Mike Pelfrey heads into Friday's mano y mano duel for the No. 5 job with El Duque, and pitching coach Rick Peterson just said on the ESPN broadcast of today's game at Disney that it will be a "photo finish" between the two, this according to New York Newsday. The two right-handers will split tomorrow's Florida finale against the Orioles in Fort Lauderdale. The report noted that while Orlando Hernandez opened camp with the slot, injuries have forced him to miss most of the spring work. Pelfrey, who made his full allotment of five starts, has been less than impressive registering a 8.31 ERA with 29 hits in 17 1/3 innings of work. |
|
|
|
| Bronson Arroyo pitched seven scoreless innings on Thursday giving up three hits and striking out six. The Reds' right-hander lowered his spring ERA to 1.89. |
|
| John Lannan, P, Washington Nationals | Thursday 3/27, 2:01 PM CT |
|
| John Lannan, who went 2-0 with a 2.45 ERA this spring, was optioned to Triple-A Columbus, notes the Washington Post. Lannan would be the first pitcher called up if the team needs a replacement, which is possible with the injured Shawn Hill (forearm) scheduled to be in the rotation sooner than later. |
|
| Nick Johnson, 1B, Washington Nationals | Thursday 3/27, 1:54 PM CT |
|
| Nick Johnson started at first during the the team's two game road swing and is the front runner to be the opening day starter for the Nats, this according to the Washington Post. Dmitri Young didn't make the road trip and remained at the training facility nursing a nagging back injury. When both are healthy, they figure to share time. |
|
|
|
| Travis Blackley accepted his assignment to Triple-A before Thursday's game against the Tigers, this according to the team website.
As a Rule 5 Draft pick, the left-hander had to be offered back to the San Francisco, but the Giants were not interested in picking up his contract. |
|
| Scott Eyre, P, Chicago Cubs | Thursday 3/27, 1:15 PM CT |
|
| Scott Eyre won't undergo surgery for his sore elbow but the Cubs did place the left-hander on the disabled list Thursday, retroactive to March 23. Eyre's fantasy value rests in deep NL-only formats. |
|
|
|
| Scout.com reports that Japanese import Kosuke Fukudome could see some time as the Cubs leadoff hitter. Chicago skipper Lou Piniella has plenty of options to top the order and it's likely he will us a situational lineup from game-to-game. The Cubs outfielder has upside and is being drafted as such in most March leagues. |
|
|
|
| Freddy Sanchez will take field work on Friday and play second base in a minor-league game, this according to Pittsburgh Post Gazette. The Pirates former batting champion will test his ailing right shoulder.
It will be Sanchez's first action in the field since March 21, after which he complained of significant pain and sought a second medical opinion.
Unless Sanchez has a significant setback, he is expected to be on the opening-day roster Monday in Atlanta, even if only as a pinch-hitter.
|
|
|
|
| The New York Daily News reports that Rule 5 pick, Steven Register , has cleared waivers. The Mets are trying to work out a trade with the Rockies that would allow them to keep the reliever and place him in the minors instead of the required 25-man roster that's required from a Rule 5 draftee. |
|
| John Smoltz, P, Atlanta Braves | Thursday 3/27, 12:06 PM CT |
|
| John Smoltz threw a 20-minute session in the bullpen on Thursday, this according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Braves beat writer David O'Brien noted in his report that when "Smoltz has the me-against-the-world tone (or at least me-against-the-skeptics tone) that he had today, that’s usually a good sign for the Braves". The hard-throwing veteran is scheduled to start for the Braves on April 6th. |
|
|
|
| With the opening day roster finalized in Toronto, it was easy to see which player was the big winner on Wednesday, this according to the Toronto Star. Randy Wells, a 25-year-old right-hander and off-season Rule 5 draftee from the Chicago Cubs, made his first big-league team. Wells will serve as the seventh man in the Jays' bullpen. He beat out left-handed prospect Jesse Carlson for the final spot but part of making the team prevented the Blue Jay from sending him back to the Chicago Cubs for half of the $50,000 they paid for his services. Wells did not allow a run in seven spring appearances. |
|
| Kris Benson, P, Philadelphia Phillies | Thursday 3/27, 10:21 AM CT |
|
| Kris Benson will be in a position to help the Phillies sometime in May, this according to the Philadelphia Daily News.
Benson and the team finalized a new contract increasing the minor league salary he will receive as well as creating a date on which he can opt out of his contract, if the team doesn't bring him into the rotation.
If Benson isn't on the major league roster and pitches in more than 10 minor league innings before May 15, he can opt out of the deal. Until more information is known on what Benson is capable of, he is nothing more than free agent fodder in all formats. |
|
|
|
| The last offical, unofficial game, for the Marlins comes Saturday and Josh Willingham is still looking for his first spring home run. Willingham told the Palm Beach Post he isn't concerned.
"I haven't hit a spring training home run since 2006,'' said Willingham. The Marlins' outfielder hit 21 home runs last season and should repeat his modest numbers (.265 and 89 RBI). |
|
|
|
| Mark Hendrickson has been announced as the Marlins opening day starter, this according to the Palm Beach Post. The left-hander will get Monday's start versus the Mets as opposed to the young Andrew Miller, who will take the mound for the second game of the series. Hendrickson, who worked a minor league game on Wednesday allowed two runs on three hits in five innings. |
|
|
|
| Jeremy Hermida is possibly headed for the disabled list, this according to the Palm Beach Post. Veteran Luis Gonzalez has a chance to extend his streak of 17 opening days in a row if Hermida isn't able to make the opening day line due to his health. Big things are expected of the Marlins outfielder, but so far injuries have gotten in the way of production. Hermida hasn't played since March 15 because of a tight left hamstring. |
|
| Ruben Gotay, 2B, Atlanta Braves | Thursday 3/27, 8:41 AM CT |
|
| The New York Daily News reports that Ruben Gotay was not with the team when they made a trip to Orlando, and notes that his Mets career may be over. Gotay was told he’s been placed on waivers. He’ll learn his fate tomorrow.
“They told me this morning I’ve been placed on waivers, so I have to wait until tomorrow morning to see what happens,” Gotay said. “By tomorrow at 1 o’clock we’ll see what happens. … I thought I did a good job last year and I didn’t deserve this.”
That confirms the final bench spot will go to Fernando Tatis or Brady Clark, with Tatis seemingly ahead.
A Mets official had indicated last night that the team probably was going to place Gotay on the DL, but Gotay insisted his sprained right ankle was fine.
|
|
| Brendan Ryan, 3B, St. Louis Cardinals | Thursday 3/27, 8:36 AM CT |
|
| The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that Brendan Ryan is still working hard to recover from a strained muscle that has hindered his spring work. The Cards coaching staff hopes to determine Friday whether Ryan is fit enough to play after failing to take team drills since March 17 because of a strain suffered diving into third base.
Ryan was able to take swings off a tee on Wednesday, and hopes to appear in Friday night's exhibition at Class AA |
|
|
|
| Johnny Estrada was placed on the 15-day disabled list Wednesday, retroactive to March 21, according to the team website. The catcher had right elbow surgery this winter and is still not ready to serve as the full time backup to Paul Lo Duca. He’s expected to be activated in two weeks. Jesus Flores will stay with the club until Estrada returns, at which point he’ll head to the minors. |
|
|
|
| Franklin Morales has earned the No. 5 spot in the Colorado rotation, this according to the team website. The left-hander struggled this spring (6.65 ERA and a 1.80 WHIP in 21 2/3 innings), but he's one of the best pitching prospects in baseball and is worth a flyer in all leagues despite the fact he just turned 22 in January. |
|
| Mark Redman, P, Colorado Rockies | Thursday 3/27, 7:34 AM CT |
|
| The Rockies team website reports that veteran left-hander Mark Redman will start the Colorado home opener April 4 against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Redman was chosen over Josh Towwers and Jason Hirsh. Left-hander Franklin Morales will fill the fifth spot. Redman, has struggled to keep a rotation slot in pitcher-friendly venues over the last two seasons, Coors Field is not an arena fantasy owners want to depend on Redman. |
|
Baseball
| Football | Basketball
| Hockey | Golf
| Auto Racing
| Soccer
