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El Duque: Limited action due to nagging injuries
2007-03-20 23:31:00
Orlando Hernandez was removed from Sunday?s start after four innings with cramps in his right hamstring. Hernandez said he was OK afterward, but owners will want to take note of the nagging injuries that have been limited him to only two starts so far this spring. Given his age -- which is said to be anywhere from 37 to 41 -- it?s possible the veteran hurler may not be ready by the start of the regular season. Source: MLB.com
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Peavy delivers strong outing
2007-03-20 23:28:00
Jake Peavy delivered a strong outing against the A?s on Monday, allowing three hits and two walks vs. six strikeouts over 4 2/3 shutout innings. Peavy has allowed only one run over 9 2/3 innings in his last two starts, and now mainly needs to focus on building up his pitch count. This is a far cry from last year, when the Padres ace had limited preparation time before gearing up for the high-intensity climate of the World Baseball Classic, so the chances of a dominant Peavy emerging from the starting gate look promising. Source: MLB.com
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Astros right-field job remains wide open
2007-03-20 23:25:00
Jason Lane slugged two homers and drove home four runs vs. the Marlins on Monday. Lane lost his starting right-field job with a miserable year in 2006, but he?s putting up a strong fight to reclaim it with a .286 average, five jacks and 12 RBIs this spring. Luke Scott hasn?t hit for the same kind of power (.286 AVG, 2 HR, 5 RBIs), but he hasn?t hurt himself with his performance, either, so the battle for the right-field job remains wide open. Source: MLB.com
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Braves: Left field platoon situation is undecided
2007-03-20 23:17:00
With just two weeks remaining before the start of the regular season, Braves manager Bobby Cox still hasn't indicated how he plans to split time in left field between Ryan Langerhans (pictured left), Craig Wilson and Matt Diaz. Wilson has been battling arthritis in his right shoulder, so he?s likely the odd man out of the equation. Cox could very well revisit the platoon situation he utilized with Langerhans and Diaz after the All-Star break last year, though Langerhans -- the superior defensive player -- could claim the job outright if he continues to swing a hot stick (.378 AVG this spring). Source: MLB.com
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Thorman: Continues spring offensive surge
2007-03-20 23:13:00
Scott Thor man continued his recent offensive surge with two hits, including his first home run of Spring Training, and three RBIs on Monday. He now has eight hits over his last 24 at-bats (.333). It?s encouraging to see Thorman?s bat come around, as he?ll give himself the chance to earn 500 at-bats as the Braves' regular first baseman as long as he avoids any big-time slumps. With his power potential, he?s worth a look in deeper NL-only formats. Source: MLB.com
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Church: Nationals starting left-fielder?
2007-03-20 23:09:00
Ryan Church is in danger of losing the Nation al s' starting left-field job to Chris Snelling. New manager Manny Acta told Church the left-field job was his no matter how he performed in Spring Training, but general manager Jim Bowden seems to think otherwise, according to recent published comments. The issue stems from the huge disparity in production; Snelling is batting .310 with a team-leading three homers, 10 runs and 11 RBIs this spring, while Church is batting a paltry .175 with no dingers. There?s still time for Church to regain management?s favor, though he?ll obviously have to start showing some improvement at the plate. Source: MLB.com
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Carmona: Will begin season as Indians fifth starter
2007-03-20 23:00:00
Adam Miller's re-assignment to Minor League camp Tuesday means the battle for the fifth spot in the Cleveland rotation is officially over. "Fausto [Carmona] is our fifth starter," India ns manager Eric Wedge said, confirming what had been expected for several days.Carmona, 2-1 with a 3.60 ERA in four Grapefruit League starts. In 10 innings this spring, the right-hander has given up 10 hits and three walks while striking out five. The 23-year-old Dominican went 1-10 with a 5.42 ERA in 38 games, including seven starts, for the Indian s as a rookie last season. Like a lot of rookies, Carmona was inconsistent. During one stretch between April 30 and July 1, Carmona allowed just three runs and struck out 19 in 18 1/3 innings. On the other hand, opponents batted .374 against the right-hander, including .395 after the break. Wedge said Carmona's struggles at closer should not overshadow the great job Carmona did as a starter and the "unbelievable" job the youngster did in a setup role ...
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Kazmir named Opening Day starter
2007-03-20 22:47:00
Big surprise, Scott Kazmir will be the Devil Rays' Open ing Day starter. Manager Joe Maddon officially announced that the staff ace will open the 2007 campaign, when the Rays play the Yankees in the Bronx on April 2.Kazmir went 10-8 with a 3.24 ERA and 1.27 WHIP in 2006. He started 24 games, pitched 144.2 innings and recorded an impressive 163 K's. He had a stiff shoulder for most of the second half last season, prompting the Rays to eventually employ the cautious approach by shutting him down the rest of the year. Kazmir's last appearance of '06 came on Aug. 22, when he earned a no-decision against the Rangers in a 5-3 Rays' win. Maddon could be counted among the cautious last summer, but not anymore. He's convinced that Kazmir is more than ready for the upcoming season.Any questions that the Rays might have had about Kazmir's shoulder have been answered this spring. The left-hander has pitched pain-free since the beginning of Spring Training, and his performance has impr...
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Braves: Starting pitchers looking strong
2007-03-20 05:21:00
Chuck James and the rest of the Atlanta Braves' starting pitchers are heading into the final stage of spring training looking strong. James overcame control problems to throw five scoreless innings on Monday, lowering his ERA to 2.57 in the Braves' 6-0 win over the Cleveland Indians. James gave up four hits but walked three. He loaded the bases in the second with two walks after Casey Blake's double, then pitched out of the jam. "I definitely was reminded why we have a pitching coach again," said James, who met with Roger McDowell after every inning "so I didn't feel goofy throwing." Atlanta's starters have stellar ERAs. Buddy Carlyle, who has not allowed a run in 10 innings, is followed by Lance Cormier (1.29), Tim Hudson (1.80) and John Smoltz (1.93). Braves starters have a 2.25 ERA, allowing 18 earned runs in 72 innings. "I think a lot of the guys are ready to go," manager Bobby Cox said. Chuck JamesJohn SmoltzTim Hudson
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Snell: Tosses five scoreless innings
2007-03-20 05:08:00
Ian Snell was sharp, tossing five scoreless innings for the Pirates on Monday. Snell allowed four hits, struck out five and walked two. He hasn't allowed a run in his last three appearances, spanning 11 innings. "The biggest difference for me this spring is I'm mixing up my pitches more and trying to mess with guys' heads a little more," Snell said. "Last year, I felt I relied on my fastball a little too much. I've changed things up a little bit and have kind of a new look." Snell is slated to be Pittsburgh's No. 2 starter behind Zach Duke. The 25-year-old right-hander was 14-11 last year with a 4.74 ERA and 1.46 WHIP. In 32 games started, he threw 186 innings and racked up 169 K's.Source: AP
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Eaton: Another Poor Outing
2007-03-20 05:00:00
Adam Eaton finished another outing, answered more questions about moving to the bullpen and went home still in the rotation. Eaton struggled over five innings in the Philadelphia Phillies' 5-1 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates on Monday. Eaton allowed three runs and eight hits against the Pirates, raising his ERA to 4.63 this spring. Eaton, who signed a three-year, $24.5 million free-agent deal in the offseason, is asked almost daily whether he would consider becoming a reliever because the Phillies have six starters. Jon Lieber is considered the odd man out, though manager Charlie Manuel hasn't said which pitcher he would move to the bullpen if general manager Pat Gillick doesn't make a trade before the season opener on April 2. Source: AP
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Griffey to open season in right field
2007-03-20 04:36:00
If Ken Griffey Jr. is ready to play on opening day, he will be in right field. Cincinnati Reds manager Jerry Narron said Monday he expects to start Ryan Freel in center because Griffey is still working his way back from a broken left hand. The longtime center fielder was injured in the offseason while wrestling with his kids. "Right now, that's what our plan is. We would have loved for him to be available opening day to play center field - it just didn't work out," Narron said. Griffey, a 10-time Gold Glove winner in center, has taken fly balls and made throws from right field in practice. Narron said he was very cautious about deciding to move the 37-year-old slugger from his customary spot. "We had to make a decision. This late in the spring we need to get our club out on the field," he said.Griffey's agent, Brian Goldberg, said his client had known the Reds' plans. "Junior understands the team tells us where he should play, and that's the way it should be," Goldberg said. Wh...
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Wells diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes
2007-03-20 03:42:00
Veteran left-hander David Wells has been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. The Padres say this affliction is ?controllable,? and it doesn?t appear that Wells is expected to miss any time. All the same, this latest development doesn?t bode well for an out-of-shape 43-year-old who missed significant time with a knee problems and a bout with gout last year. Don?t bother investing in him outside of deep NL-only formats. Source: MLB.comMore on David Wells:Veteran left-hander optimistic about beating the disease
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Haren Named Opening Day Starter
2007-03-19 21:33:00
Athletics manager Bob Geren announced that righty Dan Haren will start against the host Mariners on Open ing Day, April 2. Geren wouldn't divulge the rest of the rotation, but that, too, appears obvious -- assuming righty Esteban Loaiza's shoulder doesn't give him any more trouble and lefty Joe Kennedy hangs onto the No. 5 spot (battling Brad Halsey). Haren pitched Sunday against the Angels, Loaiza is scheduled to face the Padres on Monday, Rich Harden works Tuesday, righty Joe Blanton on Wednesday and Kennedy on Thursday. That's the order in which they'll likely work to start the regular season. The A's like the idea of splitting up Haren and Harden because they have similar, hard-throwing styles. Haren started 34 games for the Athletics last year going 14-13 with a 4.12 ERA and 1.21 WHIP. He pitched 223 innings and recorded 176 K's. Source: MLB.com
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Colon: First Time Facing Live Hitters
2007-03-19 21:25:00
Bartolo Colon , threw fastballs against hitters on Sunday for the first time in eight months. In his ongoing recovery from a rotator cuff tear that limited him to 10 starts last year, Colon is under orders to take slow, easy steps. This is what you do with 33-year-old pitchers who have logged 1,876 Major League innings. The 2005 American League Cy Young Award winner, Colon has done everything the club has asked and is on schedule to rejoin the starting rotation early in the season (target is late April). Colon said he was "very happy" with how the ball felt coming out of his hand and that his command was "very good." He got the ball inside but didn't break any bats.Source: MLB.com
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Royals Have Not Confirmed Gordon As Starting 3B
2007-03-19 21:11:00
Royals officials continue to resist confirming rookie Alex Gordon will be the club?s starting third baseman when the regular season opens two weeks from today."It?s still early," general manager Dayton Moore insisted, "but he?s doing everything that we expected that he would do. We?ll have some more meetings at the start of (this) week and look at some things." ?He?s been great,? manager Buddy Bell said. ?I?ll say this: I don?t think he has to play any better to make the team.?Gordon is batting .394 this spring after hitting a homer in Sunday?s 6-5 loss to the San Francisco Giants. That includes a seven-for-15 surge over his last six games since returning from a bruised shoulder suffered in a March 9 game against the Angels. Gordon, 23, was the consensus minor-league player of the year in 2006 when he batted .325 at Class AA Wichita with 29 homers and 101 RBIs in 130 games.The Royals are unlikely to make any official move until the end of spring training because Gordon is, technic...
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Cormier In Lead For Final Spot In Braves Rotation
2007-03-19 19:38:00
Halfway through the Grapefruit League schedule, Lance Cormier has built what could be an insurmountable lead over Kyle Davies in the race for the final spot in the Atlanta Braves ' rotation. Cormier pitched five scoreless innings of three-hit ball Thursday night in a 3-2 loss against the New York Yankees at Legends Field, lowering his ERA to 1.29 in four starts.Manager Bobby Cox said of Cormier, who ranks among major league leaders in ERA, wins (3-0), strikeouts (13) and innings (14), and has issued one walk: "He's looked great all spring, and he looked good in all the starts he had [in 2006]."Source: Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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3 Pitchers Remain For Rangers No.5 Spot
2007-03-19 19:34:00
The number of players in the race for the No. 5 starter job got smaller Sunday when the Texas Rangers said it's now a three-man competition among right-handers Jamey Wright and Kameron Loe, and left-hander Bruce Chen. The club optioned right-hander Josh Rupe and lefty John Koronka to Triple-A Oklahoma.Source: Dallas Morning NewsKameron Loe
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Reds Find Their Closer: Dustin Hermanson?
2007-03-19 19:29:00
The Cincinnati Reds aren't going to make any announcement, but the feeling in camp is that they've found their closer. The question about Dustin Herm anson was whether his back was sound. Through three outings, several bullpen sessions and one very tough play at first, his back has been fine.If Hermanson can be what he was in 2005 ? when he saved 34 games and had a 2.04 ERA with the Chicago White Sox ? one of the biggest questions about the Reds will be answered.Source: Cincinnati Enquirer
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D-Train Named Opening Day Starter
2007-03-19 19:05:00
For the second straight season, the D-Train will be the Marlins Open ing Day starter. In a no-surprise move, Dontrelle Willis has officially been tabbed to make the April 2 start when the Marlins face the Nationals at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C. The decision was announced on Monday morning by manager Fredi Gonzalez. Following Willis in the rotation will be Scott Olsen, Anibal Sanchez and Ricky Nolasco, who will start the home opener on April 6 against Phillies at Dolphin Stadium. Because of an off day on April 5, the Marlins will go with a four-man rotation until April 10. The front-runner for the fifth spot is Sergio Mitre, while Yusmeiro Petit is also in consideration. Thus far, Willis is having an up-and-down spring in terms of statistics. His record is 0-3 with a 6.92 ERA in four starts. One of his objectives now is lowering his walk totals, and he is encouraged that he has only issued just two free passes in 13 innings this spring. In 2006, Willis walked a career-high 83 ...
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Young Will Compete With Lee For Nationals 1B Job
2007-03-19 18:59:00
The Nation al s reassigned first Dmitri Young to Major League camp. With Larry Broadway having been demoted and Nick Johnson on the shelf, Young will compete with defensive specialist Travis Lee for the starting first-base job. The "loser" will not make the Opening Day roster, as the Nationals have already tabbed the versatile Robert Fick as their backup at first. Johnson is expected to return from his leg injury some time in June. Source: MLB.com
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Bonderman Named Opening Day Starter
2007-03-19 04:45:00
Tigers manager Jim Leyland named Jeremy Bond erman the Tigers starter on Open ing Day, which is April 2 against Toronto at Comerica Park. Bonderman, the 24-year-old right-hander, will be followed in the starting rotation by Kenny Rogers, Justin Verlander, Nate Robertson and Mike Maroth. In 34 starts last season, Bonderman was 14-8 with a 4.08 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, 202 K's in 214 innings during the regular season. He was 1-0 in the postseason.
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Robertson: Pitching Well In Spring Training
2007-03-19 04:28:00
Nate Robertson pitched five sharp innings Sunday, leading the Detroit Tigers to a 6-0 victory over Tampa Bay in a split-squad game. The left-hander limited the Devil Rays to a pair of singles while reducing his ERA to 0.73 through four spring starts. He struck out four and walked one. "You have to be careful in spring training not to put a lot of stock into when somebody does good," Detroit manager Jim Leyland said, "but he's throwing the ball extremely well." Robertson was most pleased with his efficiency, which enabled him to put in more work in the bullpen before calling it a day. "As long as I'm not going deep in counts and issuing free passes," he said, "and keeping my pitch count down -- those are all good things." Last season, Robertson posted career bests with 13 wins and 208 2-3 innings to help the Tigers win the AL pennant. Pitching coach Chuck Hernandez attributes the improvement to experience. "He came a long way in one year, I think more than anything from the mental ...
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Harang: Gets Roughed Up But Records 9 K's
2007-03-19 04:23:00
Reds SP Aaron Hara ng dropped his spring record to 2-2 Sunday after losing to the Braves. He allowed eight hits, four runs (three earned) and two homers in five innings. He did however have nine strikeouts. His spring ERA stands at 6.14 in 14 2/3 innings after Sunday. Since he joined the Reds, Harang has been the most dependable member of a pitching staff that has been the club's biggest weakness. He had his best season last year, going 16-11 with a 3.76 ERA in 35 starts. Consider Harang quietly one of the top 25 aces in Fantasy, especially because he has the potential for 200-plus strikeouts. Source: CBS SportsLine.com
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Ross: Reds Starting Catcher Potential Sleeper
2007-03-19 04:19:00
Reds C David Ross went 3-for-3 with one run and one RBI in Sunday's spring game against the Braves. He is now 7-for-29 (.241) with one run, two doubles and four RBI in 12 spring games. Ross will get his first chance in 2007 to open the season as a starter. Ross was third among NL catchers in 2006 with 21 homers. Consider Ross a sleeper at the position because of his pop, home hitter's park and potential for full-time at-bats for the first time. Source: CBS SportsLine.com
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Hudson: Looks Impressive In Start Against Tigers
2007-03-19 04:14:00
Braves SP Tim Hudson worked five scoreless innings Sunday against the Tigers . He allowed just three hits and a walk, while striking out three. He has now just allowed three earned runs in 15 innings (1.80 ERA). He also has seven strikeouts. Hudson has looked awfully impressive this spring after a disappointing 2006 campaign. The Braves were 21-14 in his starts, so it's entirely possible they would have missed the playoffs even if he had pitched much better. A miserable bullpen was the main problem. The bullpen appears to have improved in the offseason, with Rafael Soriano and Mike Gonzalez coming aboard, so consider Hudson as a decent No. 4 SP in 12-team mixed leagues. Source: CBS SportsLine.com
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McCann: Top 3 Catcher Hits Second Spring Homer
2007-03-19 04:11:00
Braves C Brian McCann hit his second spring homer Sunday against the Tigers. He is now 9-for-32 (.281) with six runs, two doubles and three RBI in 11 spring games. McCann is an excellent Fantasy option at perhaps the thinnest position in all of Fantasy. He is among the top three Fantasy options at catcher and will be an early round pick on Draft Day. Source: CBS SportsLine.com
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Anibal Sanchez: Enjoying Solid Spring
2007-03-19 04:06:00
Marlins SP Anibal Sanchez took the mound Sunday against the Nationals. He went four innings, allowing four hits, two walks and one earned run. He also had two strikeouts. He is now 2-0 with a 1.46 ERA through four spring starts that have totaled 12 1/3 innings. Sanchez is one of the finest young pitchers in all of baseball and he already has a no-hitter to his name. Consider him a strong pick in the middle rounds -- one with considerable upside -- but be wary of some potential for arm trouble when he goes over 180 innings down the stretch. He hasn't done that before in the big leagues. Source: CBS SportsLine.com
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Henry Owens: Leading Candidate For Marlins Closer Role
2007-03-19 03:55:00
Marlins RP Henry Owens pitched two scoreless innings Sunday against the Nationals. He allowed two hits and a walk, while striking out three. Owens has now made six relief appearances this spring totaling nine innings and has yet to allow a run to cross the plate. Owens -- a Miami native -- appeared in three games with the Mets last season, plus went 2-2 with 20 saves for Double-A Binghamton. It is believed he is the leader to take over the vacant closer's job in Florida and has done nothing yet to show otherwise. Continue to track his progress, but he could be a huge sleeper in Fantasy leagues if he wins the closer's job. The other top candidate for the Marlins closer role is Matt Lindstrom, who has made six relief appearances totaling 7 1/3 innings, and has allowed just one earned run for a 1.23 ERA. He pitched one scoreless inning Sunday against the Nationals to earn his first save of the spring. He allowed two hits while striking out one. Lindstrom complements his fastball...
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Garko: Slated As Indians Back Up 1B
2007-03-19 03:49:00
Indians 1B Ryan Garko went 2-for-4 with two RBI in Sunday's spring game against the Dodgers. He is now 12-for-41 (.293) with three runs, two doubles, one homer and seven RBI in 11 spring games. Garko should back up Casey Blake at first base when the season opens. With Garko's solid skills at the plate, Fantasy owners will want to target him in AL-only drafts and just keep him reserved until Blake gets hurt -- which is a common occurrence. If he ever lands a full-time gig, he would be worth adding in all Fantasy formats. Source: CBS SportsLine.com
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