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Furcal begins season on DL
2007-04-02 08:01:00
Rafael Furcal was placed on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to March 23. Furcal, who has been sidelined with a sprained left ankle, will be eligible to come off the DL on April 7, but Dodgers manager Grady Little won?t set that date in stone. "We have hopes that he'll be ready to play [April 7], but we're not going to play him until he's ready," Little said. Source: MLB.com
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Gagne: Not injured, but will start season on DL
2007-03-30 06:20:00
Rangers closer Eric Gagne will start the season on the disabled list. Gagne isn’t injured, but he needs more time to build up arm strength after throwing just three innings in Cactus League action. "He's feeling great," pitching coach Mark Connor said. "He just needs to pitch more innings." The Rangers are hoping Gagne can be activated on April 13. In the meantime, Akinori Otsuka, who saved 32 games for the Rangers last year, will serve as the team’s closer. Source: MLB.com
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Russ Ortiz named Giants' fifth starter
2007-03-29 19:52:00
Russ Ortiz will be San Francisco's fifth starter just as the Giants have intended since signing the right-hander in January for a second stint with the club. Not that there ever was much doubt he would win the job this spring and put his nightmare 2006 season in the past. "He's doing great," pitching coach Dave Righetti said before the club's final Cactus League game against the Milwaukee Brewers on Wednesday. "I never looked at him any other way than that. I thought of him as one of the guys." The rotation will go left-hander Barry Zito -- the scheduled starter opening day April 3 against the San Diego Padres -- followed by right-hander Matt Cain, righty Matt Morris, lefty Noah Lowry and Ortiz. For Ortiz, there have been many ups and downs since he left the Giants after the 2002 season, when he walked off the mound eight outs away from a World Series title only to see the bullpen blow a five-run lead in Game 6 and the wild-card Angels go on to win the seventh game, too. Orti...
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Ohka chosen as Blue Jays' fourth starter
2007-03-29 19:47:00
Tomo Okha has been chosen as the Toronto Blue Jays ' fourth starter, and the competition for the fifth spot could go down to the last day. "I think that Ohka has earned the spot in the rotation and I'm not worried about that at this point," said GM J.P. Ricciardi, "Just keep him healthy now." The final spot will go to either Victor Zambrano, who had his second Tommy John surgery last May while with the Mets, or Josh Towers. Ricciardi said he didn't expect Zambrano would return so quickly. "It's almost like you're waiting for the other shoe to drop. This guy is defying a lot of odds. Medically I keep checking with the trainers and they say no complaints, he's bouncing back real well." Ohka, who hasn't pitched in the American League since 2001 with Boston, will pitch in a Triple-A game on Friday and is slated to go six or seven innings. Last season with Milwaukee, Ohka was 4-5 with a 4.82 ERA in 18 starts. Zambrano is scheduled to go at least five innings on Friday against Cl...
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Twins send Garza to Triple-A, Silva wins spot
2007-03-29 19:43:00
The Minnesota Twins gave Carlos Silva a spot in their rotation Wednesday and sent Matt Garza to Trip le-A Rochester, leaving the promising right-hander unhappy and out of the big leagues for at least the start of the season. Garza, the team's first-round draft pick in 2005, appeared upset upon arriving in a golf cart at the minor league complex with his equipment. He declined to comment. Bothered by a sore neck early in camp, Garza gave up two earned runs in 12 innings this spring with nine hits, five walks and seven strikeouts. The 23-year-old became the first Twins player in nine years to advance from Class A to the majors in the same season, going 3-6 with a 5.76 ERA in nine starts for Minnesota down the stretch. Silva, a right-hander who struggled mightily last year and brought an 11.02 ERA into Wednesday night's exhibition game against the Boston Red Sox, will start the season in the rotation with Johan Santana, Ramon Ortiz, Boof Bonser and Sidney Ponson. Source: AP
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Tigers place SP Rogers on 15-day DL
2007-03-29 19:39:00
Detroit Tiger s pitcher Kenny Rogers will miss at least one regular-season start after being placed on the 15-day disabled list Thursday with a tired arm. General manager Dave Dombrowski said Rogers was seeing a specialist and would not speculate on how long he will be out, but did say the left-hander will miss at least one start. The designation is retroactive to March 25. Right-hander Chad Durbin will take Rogers' spot in the rotation, and lefty Bobby Seay will take his roster spot. Rogers, 42, finished 17-8 with a 3.84 ERA in 34 outings during his first season with the Tigers in 2006. He won all three of his starts during the playoffs and did not allow a run in 23 innings.Source: AP
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Mauer: Catches three pain-free innings
2007-03-29 19:35:00
Nearly a week after being diagnosed with a stress reaction in his left fibula last week, Joe Mauer caught for three pain-free innings on Wednesday and went 2-for-3 with a double and a home run. It's unclear whether Mauer's injury will shift him to designated hitter a few times a month or not, though it's an encouraging sign that he can get behind the plate. The plan is for Mauer to take part in another Minor League game Thursday. Source: MLB.com
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Kazmir happy with arm strength
2007-03-29 19:31:00
Scott Kazmir made his final start of the spring Wednesday against the Phillies, allowing one run on five hits and two walks in three innings, with four strikeouts and a wild pitch. After being hindered by a sore shoulder for much of the second half of 2006, Kazmir was happy with how strong his arm felt this spring. Hopefully, that will translate into better results once the regular season begins, as the Devil Rays ace allowed eight walks and 20 hits over 16 2/3 innings, wrapping up Spring Training with a 6.48 ERA. Source: MLB.com
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Baldelli ready for season opener
2007-03-29 19:27:00
Slotted in the lineup as the designated hitter, Rocco Baldelli went 2-for-4 with a double and a run scored in a Minor League game on Wednesday. The Devil Rays have been playing it safe with Baldelli since he strained his hamstring on March 20, but the center fielder is now expected to be ready for the season opener on April 2. Source: MLB.com
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MLB notes: Sabathia bruises forearm
2007-03-29 19:17:00
Notes from yesterday's spring gamesC. C. Sabathia's forearm was bruised when he was struck by a line drive in his final spring start Wednesday in Winter Haven, Fla., putting in doubt his scheduled start in Cleveland's season opener next week at Chicago. Sabathia instinctively threw up his arms but the 6-foot-7 left-hander was unable to elude the hard shot off the bat of Toronto leadoff hitter Reed Johnson, who hit Sabathia's second pitch of the game. The ball smashed into the outside of Sabathia's arm, above his wrist. X-rays were negative, and he'll be re-evaluated on Thursday. Fort Myers, Fla., Boston's Curt Schilling out pitched Minnesota ace Johan Santana in a matchup of two of the best pitchers in the major leagues. Schilling allowed two hits in 4 2-3 shutout innings to help the Red Sox beat the Twins 5-4. Santana didn't fare as well, yielding four runs and eight hits in five innings. Brett Myers worked six scoreless innings in Philadelphia's 9-2 victory over the Ta...
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Sheets named Brewers Opening Day starter
2007-03-28 19:31:00
Brewers manager Ned Yost named Ben Sheet s his Open ing Day starter on Tuesday. Little surprise here, as Sheets is unquestionably the most talented pitcher in the rotation with his combination of power and control. His Spring Training stats (6.08 ERA, 6/5 K/BB ratio in 13 1/3 IP) aren?t all that good, but the only thing that should matter to owners right now is that the 28-year-old is healthySource: MLB.com
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Miller edges out Prior for Cubs fifth spot
2007-03-28 19:28:00
Wade Miller won the fifth spot in the Cubs rotation, beating out Mark Prior. Miller went 2-0 with a 3.63 ERA over five spring starts. The 30-year-old right-hander allowed seven earned runs on 22 hits and four walks with 16 strikeouts over 17 1/3 innings. Though he's long since lost his plus fastball, Miller still has a knack for the K. And with the potent Cubs offense behind him, he could provide a decent return in NL-only play. Just keep in mind that his spot in the rotation is anything but secure with the talented Angel Guzman waiting in the wings and Mark Prior -- as always -- on the comeback trail. Mark Prior will make one more Cactus League start Wednesday against the Rockies. What the Cubs do with Prior after that remains unclear. The fragile righty could open on the disabled list for the fourth straight year and stay in Arizona for extended Spring Training, or he might be assigned to Triple-A Iowa.Source: MLB.com
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Angels pitching report: Colon and Weaver on track
2007-03-28 19:24:00
Facing Cubs Double-A hitters after throwing bullpen and batting-practice sessions, Bartolo Colon yielded one earned run on three hits and fanned two over two innings Tuesday. Colon is scheduled to throw again on March 31 and could be back by May. "He touched 94, and when he gets in that range, you know he's feeling good," manager Mike Scioscia said. "I'm pleasantly surprised with where Bart is." Jered Weaver worked three scoreless innings against Cubs Triple-A players Tuesday, allowing two hits, walking one and striking out three. He threw 47 pain-free pitches with consistent command. His bout with biceps tendinitis in the rear view mirror, Weaver is zeroing in on an April 16 start in Boston. "Everything felt good," Weaver said. "I snapped off a few good breaking balls. I'm right on schedule." Source: MLB.com
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Gagne: Roughed up against Padres, still Rangers closer
2007-03-28 19:20:00
Eric Gagne was roughed up in Tuesday's game against the Padres, surrendering four earned runs in one inning of work. Rangers manager Ron Washington said he's confident Gagne will be ready to be his closer on Opening Day. "Yes, without a doubt," Washington said. "He's healthy. I've seen better stuff than he's shown today, but he's healthy. He's the closer. I'm not going to take the ball away from him." The one thing the Rangers do know is Gagne is unlikely to be ready to pitch back-to-back games once the regular season starts. Source: MLB.com
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Carpenter solid in final spring tune up
2007-03-28 19:16:00
In his final start before Opening Night, Chris Carpenter pitched seven shutout innings, allowing four hits and two walks to go with five strikeouts. Looks like the Cardinals ace is in fine form with the season set to begin. Once Johan Santana is off the board, Carpenter is arguably the top starting option in fantasy baseball. Source: MLB.com
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Ensberg may bat second for Astros
2007-03-28 19:13:00
Astros manager Phil Garner is flirting with the idea of having Morgan Ensberg bat second in the lineup. Garner feels that Ensberg?s patience -- he posted a .411 on-base percentage after the All-Star break last year -- is ideal for the No. 2 hole. Batting in that spot could help Ensberg boost his feeble .235 batting average from 2006, as he?d see better pitches with the dangerous Lance Berkman waiting on deck. Regardless, it?s tough to figure out what to expect from the third baseman, as his numbers have fluctuated over the past four seasons. Source: MLB.com
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Aramis Ramirez: Poised for big year in 07
2007-03-28 19:09:00
Aramis Ramirez homered, doubled and drove in three runs in Tuesday?s win over the Royals. He finished the day batting .375 with six jacks and 17 RBIs for the spring. Ramirez has been a streaky hitter throughout his career, as exemplified by last year?s numbers before (.801 OPS) and after the All-Star break (1.041 OPS), but there?s no questioning his talent. With the Cubs? lineup bolstered by the addition of Alfonso Soriano and the return of a healthy Derrek Lee, this could be the year the 28-year-old third baseman emerges as a bona fide fantasy monster. Source: MLB.com
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Erstad will start season as White Sox starting CF
2007-03-28 19:04:00
Darin Erstad will begin the regular season as the White Sox everyday center fielder and hit second in the lineup, thus relegating Brian Anderson to bench duty. Coming off an injury-plagued year in which he played just 40 games because of ankle woes, Erstad is said to be in good physical shape. Batting in front of Jermaine Dye, Jim Thome and Paul Konerko gives the 32-year-old a chance to score a good deal of runs, though it isn't out of the question that the younger Anderson could steal playing time down the line. Source: MLB.com
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2007 NL Rookie of the Year candidates
2007-03-28 18:58:00
2007 Top 5 Rook ie of the Year candidates1. Kevin Kouzmanoff, 3B, Padres -- The Padres wanted Kouzmanoff so badly that they were willing to part with second baseman Josh Barfield to get him during the offseason. Kouzmanoff hit .332 over his last four Minor League seasons and didn't strike out a lot. In a 16-game callup last season, Kouzmanoff batted .279 with three homers, 11 RBIs and 23 total bases. Through his first nine games of the Cactus League season, the 26-year-old is hitting .349 with three homers, 17 RBIs and a .739 slugging percentage. The Nevada-Reno product appears to be ready to take over at the hot corner.2. Troy Tulowitzki, SS, Rockies -- As Colorado's first-round pick, seventh overall, in the 2005 First-Year Player Draft, the Long Beach State product, who hit .240 with a homer and six RBIs in a 96 at-bat rehearsal at the end of last season, has moved quickly through the system. Tulowitzki, a very good athlete with excellent range, a plus arm and power to all fields...
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2007 AL Rookie of the Year candidates
2007-03-28 18:51:00
2007 Top 5 Rook ie of the Year candidates1. Delmon Young, Devil Rays: For the young man who had been outspoken about not being brought to The Show earlier, it's time to put up and clam up. In his brief exposure -- 30 games last September (.317 with 13 extra-base hits) and this spring (.323) -- he hasn't shown anything that shorts his potential. Young could break in as a 30-30 rookie, but his biggest challenge will be proving to be as good a teammate as he is a player.2. Daisuke Matsuzaka, Red Sox: The man who will turn Red Sox Nation into the Land of the Rising Daisuke-san. If he can log two wins for each pitch he allegedly throws, Boston will love him in October even more than it does now. His first three starts will come against Cactus League-based teams that haven't yet seen him, which should get him off to a fast start that will only intensify the mania. 3. Alex Gordon, Royals: When camp opened, Kansas City manager Buddy Bell said Gordon, the second player taken in the 2005 Fi...
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Bill Hall: Potential for double-digit steals?
2007-03-27 19:22:00
New Milwaukee base running coach Ed Sedar predicted that Rickie Weeks and Corey Hart will not be the only Brewers with double-digit stolen base totals this season; Prince Fielder and Bill Hall , the likely Nos. 3 and 4 hitters, could get there, too. It?s hard to imagine the 260-pound Fielder going crazy on the base paths, though he could conceivably steal a few more bases than the average lead-footed first baseman if given the green light. Hall, on the other hand, swiped 18 bags in 2005 before dipping to eight last year, so he could be primed to once again contribute more in that category. Source: MLB.com
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Cain working on improving control
2007-03-27 19:16:00
Matt Cain allowed one run on four hits, walked two and struck out four over six innings in Monday?s start vs. the White Sox. Cain hasn?t exactly been stellar this spring (6.29 ERA), but he?s showed improved control with just six walks allowed over 24 1/3 innings. "I'd rather them get a hit than put them on first," the right-hander said. "It's more of a mental thing -- just challenge guys and be confident that my stuff will get them out." Cain certainly has the stuff to get batters out, as he held them to a miniscule .222 batting average in 2006, so it?s good to see that he?s working toward lowering last year?s lofty 4.1 BB/9 IP ratio. Source: MLB.com
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Borowski: Role as Indians closer secure
2007-03-27 19:11:00
Indians closer Joe Borowski was inserted into his first ninth-inning save situation of the spring Monday, allowing a leadoff single before recording two strikeouts to finish off the Devil Rays. Borowski is anything but the typical closer who intimidates with high-90s heat, but he?ll be the one anchoring the Cleveland bullpen when the regular season kicks off. Furthermore, with the ancient Roberto Hernandez and the erratic Rafael Betancourt serving as the primary setup options, Borowski?s job may be safer than many think...for the time being, anyway. If you?re looking for cheap saves in mixed formats, then Borowski certainly has to be considered. Source: MLB.com
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Greinke begins season as Royals No.3 starter
2007-03-27 02:26:00
Thirteen months after he left the Royals ' camp to deal with social anxiety, Zack Greinke is back in the Kansas City Royals' starting rotation. Greinke will be the Royals' No. 3 starter and will pitch in their opening series against theRed Sox, manager Buddy Bell said after Greinke's five-inning stint Sunday. "He doesn't need to do any more than he is doing now," Bell said. "I just hope he stays this way and he's encouraged by all this." Greinke allowed four hits and three runs, two of those unearned, against the Brewers. He struck out seven and has a 3.32 ERA in five spring appearances. "I'm pitching good right now, but the key is who is going to be the best during the season," he said.Greinke abruptly left the Royals' 2006 camp in February and returned to his home in Orlando, Fla. When he did return, he spent much of the season with Double-A Wichita. Consider the immensely talented right-hander a third-year starting pitcher sleeper candidate in deeper leagues on Draft Day. ...
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Marlins trade for Julio to fill closer role
2007-03-27 02:22:00
The Marlins announced a trade of Yusmeiro Petit for Jorge Julio, who will become the team's closer. Julio is a sleeper at the closer position in deeper leagues. Petit will have to work his way back through the minors as a starter or in the D-Backs' bullpen.Source: CBS SportsLine.com
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Chipper wants to shed injury-prone label
2007-03-26 16:47:00
The Braves third baseman Chip per Jones, who'll be 35 in April, was on the disabled list three separate times in 2006, twice late in the year for a left oblique strains and once the first week of the year for a sprained knee and ankle. A player that was once the model of health and consistency - Jones played in 150-plus games for nine straight seasons, 1996-2003 - is now dangerously teetering on the brink of having his entire career tainted by the injury-prone label that's fully dogging him. Jones played in only 109 games in 2005, largely due to issues with those genetically bad feet. Often painful bunions led to problems with the plantar plate and a ligament in his left foot, forcing him into a protective boot for more than a month.Regardless of what preventative measures he takes, as long as he continues to play the game, Jones said his feet are going to remind him that they're not perfectly normal. "Yeah, they give me problems and it's going to keep me out a day here and a ...
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Reed Johnson will leadoff for Blue Jays
2007-03-26 16:35:00
Reed John son, for the first time, is being counted on as the everyday left fielder and leadoff man. At age 30, with eight pro seasons under his belt, Johnson feels like a rookie. It's been a long time coming and he appreciates the opportunity that he has fully earned. "I accepted my roles in the last couple of years, but I always thought I could play every day," Johnson said. "I tried in the off-season, with my work ethic on and off the field to prove it. I just felt like I had a lot more to offer. If I sat back and pouted and was angry and didn't get my work in, I would never have been ready when the opportunities arose."Every season since arriving in the majors, Johnson has either come off the bench as spot starter and injury fill, or platooned. The Cal-State Fullerton Titan is now being asked to leadoff every day with Lyle Overbay batting second vs. right-handers. Johnson hit .319 last year with 12 HR, 49 RBI, 86 runs, and 8 SB in 134 games. Source: Toronto Star
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Devil Rays closer job still open
2007-03-26 16:29:00
Devil Rays Manager Joe Maddon indicated the team may determine by Tuesday whether right-hander Edwin Jackson or lefty J.P. Howell will fill the final rotation spot, the Rays won't name a specific closer before Open ing Day. "The answer is no," Maddon said Sunday when asked if the ninth-inning job would be clarified this week. "As we get to that moment, I'm going to do what we did last year, pretty much - kind of mix and match in the beginning." That means any number of relievers could be in line for whatever save opportunities arise early in the season. Dan Miceli, Brian Stokes, Shawn Camp, Al Reyes, Seth McClung - you name a pitcher and he might have a shot if he's on the roster. Source: The Tampa Tribune
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Hamels has best spring outing
2007-03-26 16:24:00
Phillies starter Cole Hamels pitched 6 2/3 strong innings as the Phillies beat the Minnesota Twins 10-2 on Sunday. Hamels allowed two runs on a pair of solo homers by Luis Castillo and Rondell White. Hamels gave up five hits, struck out six and had no walks in his best outing of the spring. He has a history of health issues, but he showed last year just how dominant he can be. There is considerable risk spending the premium it takes to get him, but he certainly has the potential to make it a risk worth taking -- especially for the contending Phillies. Source: CBS SportsLine.com
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Willingham will hit cleanup
2007-03-26 16:20:00
According to MLB.com, Marlins OF Josh Will ingham is preparing for his role as a cleanup hitter this season. He will follow slugger Miguel Cabrera in Florida's lineup this season. "We have Miguel," Willingham said of Cabrera being the driving force in the lineup. "We don't have a (David) Ortiz or somebody to come behind him. We have to have that consistency throughout. I'll never be one of those (Ortiz) guys. That's where I think my preparation comes into play. I have to know what to expect from the opposition. I have to know when I'm feeling good, because I have to make the best of my opportunity." Willingham hit 26 home runs and drove in 74 runs while batting .277 as a rookie in 2006. His numbers this spring are not that impressive (.160 BA and four RBI), but you shouldn't put too much into spring numbers. He will see plenty of pitches hitting behind Cabrera this season and could be poised for another big year. Unfortunately for Fantasy owners, Willingham no longer has catch...
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