Here are some press notes from the team beat writers this morning:
Tankersley's Shoulder Ailing - Florida's Closer
situation wide open
March 1st and No Mark Prior Injury to report
Floyd, Cliff - ChN/OF: The Chicago Sun-Times reports that "Outfielder
Cliff Floyd said he's ready to play, but the Cubs want to take an extra
week to 10 days to allow Floyd's surgically repaired left foot to heal
completely before getting their first look at him in a game. ... Floyd,
who put on an impressive display in batting practice Wednesday, won't be
allowed to do so much as pinch-hit or bat as the designated hitter at
American League parks. ... Floyd can load up on at-bats in minor-league
camp, if necessary, to get up to speed by Opening Day, and he and Piniella
were confident he'll be ready by then."
Gagne, Eric - Tex/RP: The Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports that "Eric
Gagne missed practice again Wednesday, and Ron Washington said it was
because of sickness."
Blalock recovering well from off season shoulder
surgery
Blalock, Hank - Tex/3B: The Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports that "Ron
Washington said Hank Blalock seems completely healthy after minor shoulder
surgery in the off-season. When asked about Blalock's shoulder, Washington
said, "I think it looks awesome. Hank is fine. He's been doing a lot of
throwing. He's been taking balls from his position at every angle --
backhands, forehands, sideways, slow rollers, working the bunts. He's been
doing everything. He's good." The Dallas Morning News reports that
"Manager Ron Washington said he won't take any special steps to insure
third baseman Hank Blalock gets extra at-bats against left-handed pitching
this spring. It's all part of Washington's desire to make no special fuss
over Blalock facing lefties. Last year, Blalock hit .216 against lefties
and was, at one point, benched against them. Then-manager Buck Showalter
quickly reversed field on that decision but often dropped Blalock in the
batting order when the Rangers were facing a lefty."
Greene, Khalil - SD/SS: As the San Diego Union-Tribune reports, "Shortstop
Khalil Greene, who struck out twice and dropped a throw, continues to need
extra time to get his left middle finger loose, the same finger Greene
tore up Aug. 3. Greene's backup, utility man Geoff Blum, is still slowed
by back stiffness and probably won't appear in a game before Sunday."
Cardinals - StL/T: The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that "In his first
competition in 17 months, outfielder Rick Ankiel struck two singles and
drove in two runs, prompting another cascade of compliments from manager
Tony La Russa. Ankiel, a former pitcher, has attracted the most attention
of any young hitter in training camp. That doesn't mean he has a shot to
make the team. ... Ankiel, who missed all of 2006 with a knee injury, was
an in-game substitution in Wednesday's 6-3 victory against Florida. He had
a bases-loaded single in the seventh to score two runs, reached base in
his second at-bat and was thrown out at the plate both times."
Jose
Guillen, Jose - Sea/OF: According to the Seattle Post-Intelligencer,
"Hargrove said one of the impressions from the early part of camp is that
new right fielder Jose Guillen takes a back seat to no one with his
batting stroke. "Guillen probably has the most pure swing of anyone in
camp," the manager said. "He seems to be a man on a mission this spring."
Hargrove doesn't seem put out by Guillen's bad-boy reputation." He was
fine (the last) two years in Washington," Hargrove said. "All you ever
heard about was what happened in Anaheim."
Bonds, Barry - SF/OF: As the Contra Costa Times reports, "Barry Bonds told
KGO Radio that he has received death threats, but it was unclear whether
he was referring to ongoing incidents or past ones. "It's certainly
unfortunate that you have to deal with something like that," Bochy said.
"There's always going to be some concern. We have protection." Major
League Baseball has assigned a security detail to Bonds since the 2004
season. At least one official shadows Bonds during spring training."
Durazo, Erubiel - N/A/1B: As the Contra Costa Times reports, "Erubiel
Durazo is trying to crack the A's roster as a first baseman after spending
all of 2006 playing at Triple-A. He was released by the Rangers, Yankees
and Twins. On Wednesday, Durazo crushed a two-run homer off Lenny DiNardo
in the A's second intrasquad game. Durazo's drive crashed off the
scoreboard deep in right-center at Phoenix Municipal Stadium."
Kotsay, Mark - Oak/OF: The Contra Costa Times reports that "Mark Kotsay
had an MRI on his stiff lower back Wednesday and was still walking
gingerly through the clubhouse. The A's weren't planning on their center
fielder being available today."
Kielty, Bobby - Oak/OF: According to the Contra Costa Times, "Bobby Kielty
arrived at spring camp looking in top physical shape, the result of a
dedicated offseason spent training for the 2007 season. The outfielder's
preparation got derailed Wednesday, when he learned he has a slight tear
of the meniscus in his left knee, an injury likely to sideline him three
to six weeks. Kielty said he'll undergo arthroscopic surgery in the next
day or two. ... The injury happened Sunday while Kielty was running the
bases during a rundown drill, but he didn't realize the severity of it at
the time. ... Kielty, a switch hitter, entered camp looking assured of
being the team's fourth or fifth outfielder, and seemed in line to get
substantial at-bats against left-handers, whom he hits particularly well
against. If Nick Swisher ends up playing more first base than left field,
a healthy Kielty could platoon in left with Shannon Stewart, who hits
right-handed pitching better."
Hernandez, Orlando - NYN/P: According to the Newark Star-Ledger, "As for
Orlando Hernandez, yesterday he threw a 40-pitch bullpen session in his
first turn throwing off a mound since he learned he had neck arthritis. El
Duque, who also long-tossed, had a terrific session and said he was
"feeling better." He's slated to have another bullpen session tomorrow."
Perez, Oliver - NYN/P: As the New York Post reports, "Oliver Perez
surrendered four runs in two innings yesterday. Alay Soler, who's also
contending for a starting spot, pitched two scoreless frames, permitting
one hit and one walk. Aaron Heilman, Jon Adkins, Lino Urdaneta and Willie
Collazo each tossed a shutout frame."
Rivera, Mariano - NYA/RP: The New York Post reports that "Mariano Rivera
is working on a change-up but isn't sure if he will use it in the
exhibition games." I will let you know when I throw it, right now I don't
know," said Rivera, who will throw a bullpen session tomorrow and make his
spring debut Monday or Wednesday."
Ford, Lew - Min/OF: The Minneapolis Star-Tribune reports that "The Twins
will wait a couple of days before deciding whether outfielder Lew Ford
will need surgery on his right knee. Ford received a cortisone shot on
Tuesday."
Teahen, Mark - KC/OF: As the Kansas City Star reports, "Today's game marks
the start to Mark Teahen's transition from third base to right field. He
has never played any defensive position other than third base in his five
previous professional seasons."I'm still anxious to see that,"Bell said.
"The only way you're going to get better is to experience it. Mark is
going to have some issues out in the outfield. In Arizona, it's a high
sky. With the glare, it's not easy to pick the ball up."So if he can get
it done down here, he shouldn't really have any problem in any ballpark in
the American League or the National League."
Lopez, Javy - Col/C: The Denver Post reports that "The White Sox
challenged Rockies catcher Javy Lopez, stealing three bases in six
innings."
Floyd is the early favorite for the Sox' #5
Rotation slot
Bartolo Colon could be ready by May
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