Player Projections Blog - March 9th 2007

Angels Rivera on the Mend
The fracture in outfielder Juan Rivera's left tibia has healed enough to enable him to shed his crutches and walk on his own power.

Astros Hunter Pence making his case
Garner chooses to stay completely even-keeled when discussing Hunter Pence, whose long shot to make the team out of Spring Training seemingly shortens each time he walks to the plate. Pence is likely ticketed for Triple-A Round Rock come Opening Day, but the Astros may at least want to consider booking a refundable one-way trip to Round Rock on April 2.  Pence had one at-bat on Thursday in Viera. Of course, that one at-bat resulted in a home run that traveled around 340 feet over the right-field wall, raising his spring batting average to an unthinkable .769 (10-for-13). "He's certainly turning heads," Garner said. "He's already making news. It's good. He's absolutely hammering the ball. He hasn't hit for a couple of days, gets in there today and just absolutely hammers it. You can't hit it any better than that."

Jays Frank Thomas Ready to make his Spring debut
It was Thomas' first at-bat in a Spring Training contest, but the "B" game won't count in the Grapefruit League statistics or standings. Thomas will make his official spring debut on Friday, when the Blue Jays host the Astros. Thomas waited until Thursday to appear in a game because he was using the early portion of Spring Training to build up the strength in his legs. After Toronto signed him to a two-year, $18.12 million deal in November, the club asked Thomas not to worry about running over the winter. Thomas also wanted to make sure he had enough batting practice before taking swings against opponents' pitching.

Jays Rios ready for action

Alex Rios was also back in the outfield for the Blue Jays. Rios, who had been limited to DHing due to a sore right shoulder, started in center field in place of Vernon Wells. Gibbons said the injury was no longer an issue.

Braves Mike Hampton out until Mid May
It has been nearly two full years since the Braves have sent a fully healthy Mike Hampton to the mound. And it appears it will be at least another two months before they're able to do so.  Just three days before he was going to test his surgically-repaired left elbow, Hampton suffered a left oblique strain that certainly erases his availability for the start of the regular season and likely from the Braves' rotation through at least mid-May....With Hampton out for an undetermined amount of time, the Braves join the long list of teams looking to trade for starting pitchers. Lance Cormier and Kyle Davies were battling for the fifth spot in the starting rotation. As of now, it appears that they'll both begin the regular season in the rotation.

Brewers Fielder back in Action
Fielder had not seen live pitching since the team's second intrasquad game, back on Feb. 27. It's not surprising that he felt a bit uncomfortable in the batter's box on Thursday. What was a bit surprising, though, was Fielder's assertion that he never feels comfortable in the box. "I never feel good, really," said Fielder, who homered off Giants right-hander Sun-Woo Kim. "I just have to keep working until one day everything clicks and I don't have to think about much. "I don't really like to feel good, because then you get too big," he said. "I just like to feel all right."

Cards Josh Kinney out for Season
Three days of worry came to a disappointing conclusion for Josh Kinney. The Cardinals reliever will undergo ligament replacement surgery in his right elbow to repair an almost complete tear of the ulnar collateral ligament. Kinney first felt discomfort in his elbow after he pitched in St. Louis' Grapefruit League game against the Astros on Monday. He underwent an MRI exam on Tuesday. After analyzing that exam and other information, Cardinals head team physician Dr. George Paletta recommended ligament replacement....Randy Keisler is making a strong case to replace him.

Cubs Wood better than his boxscore
If you look at the linescore, Kerry Wood's second Cactus League outing Thursday wasn't as impressive as his first. But it was better, the Cubs right-hander said. Wood gave up four runs, all earned and all on Terrmel Sledge's grand slam, in one inning while striking out three in the Cubs' 8-6 win over San Diego. In his first outing on Monday against Seattle, Wood threw 12 pitches and easily retired the three batters he faced. On Thursday, he needed 21 pitches; 14 were strikes. "We were obviously trying to go away and not give him something he could turn on, and I missed by about 12 inches and he was able to turn on it," Wood said. "He had real good stuff," Piniella said after the game. "With him, what we want to do is keep him pitching. We want him to stay nice and healthy. It was an inning -- you've heard of the bloops and the blasts. That was somewhat of that."

Devil Rays' Kasmir shedding the rust, pitches well
Kazmir tossed three innings in his longest stint of the spring, striking out two and walking two against Pittsburgh in the Rays' 5-2 loss...On the mound, Kazmir worked through an easy first inning, getting Luis Matos on a fly out and Jack Wilson on a weak check swing that third baseman Akinori Iwamura played. His blazing fastball overpowered Jose Castillo on the first pitch before the Pirates third baseman fouled off three straight heaters. Kazmir turned to his slider to strike out Castillo on a half-hearted swing to end the inning. "I just have to get back in my rhythm," Kazmir said. "With some pitches, I just go, 'OK, there it is.' But, it's pretty tough to duplicate, not having pitched in a while." "I felt good arm-wise, but the mechanics were a little rusty," said Kazmir, who threw 51 pitches. "My land foot, I was a little stiff with it. It was kind of pushing me back instead of going forward with it."

Devil Rays' Navarro has hamstring strain
For the second spring in a row, Dioner Navarro is battling a hamstring strain. On Thursday, the Rays catcher attempted to score on B.J. Upton's double to center, but he pulled up lame a few feet from home plate. Team trainers diagnosed Navarro with a mild strain of his left hamstring, which he'll likely have to rest for at least the next two days.

Crawford: will play through tendinitis in his wrist
Carl Crawford can be seen before workouts this spring wearing a clear plastic bag wrapped on his left hand that extends midway up his forearm. Underneath the bag, Devil Rays trainers have applied hot wax. "It doesn't hurt or nothing," Crawford said. The Rays' left fielder isn't employing the hot wax treatment to peel away unwanted hair, rather it's a therapeutic treatment for his left wrist. "Once [the wrist is] hot, it just kind of heats it up and it loosens it up," Crawford said. "I've been doing it every day; it's been feeling good." Crawford ended the 2005 season on the bench while nursing a sore left wrist. This spring, he said he knows how to "attack [the injury] better." "Last year, I didn't know what to expect," Crawford said. "I was all nervous and stuff. Nobody knew what it was last year, either." Crawford now knows the root of his ailment. "What it is is tendinitis," Crawford said. "I thought I might have had some joints hurting or something. Tendinitis, you just have to keep it loose -- take Advil, that kind of stuff, you know."

Dodgers' Furcal still nursing shoulder ailment
After taking a few hesitant swings right-handed and realizing that his shoulder was much improved, Rafael Furcal took an aggressive batting practice right-handed Thursday and might try hitting left-handed Friday. Furcal, who also played catch, hasn't played in a game since the exhibition opener because of a sore right shoulder. "We're not pushing the panic-button mode," said Little. "He's got plenty of time. It's nothing serious. We want him in better condition than he was last year at the beginning of the season." Furcal experienced similar pain last year and it lingered well into the season.

A Giant Armando Benitez sighting
The missing Armando Benitez threw two innings and about 35 pitches in a Minor League camp game on Thursday, Bochy said, putting the reliever on no particular schedule yet to take the mound for the big leaguers. Benitez, who was shelved last September with a knee injury, is the closer by omission right now on the Giants roster. With only 26 days to go before the start of the season on April 3 against the Padres at San Francisco, the closer again has to be the biggest question. "We know we have to get Armando ready," Bochy said when asked if he was concerned about the situation. "When we break camp here, we've got to have a closer ready."  Brian Wilson, the young right-hander who's been touted as a possible closer, walked three consecutive batters during the ninth inning, forcing one run in and tossing nine balls in a row during the streak of wildness. Yohannis Perez finally whiffed to end the festivities.

Giants Lowry off to a hot start
Noah Lowry had a spry three-inning start, allowing one earned run on two hits while striking out two. The big blast off him was a second-inning homer by Estrada, his first of the spring. The Brewers had four homers on the day. Lowry's spring ERA dropped to 1.59

Indians Cliff Lee early Rotation status in doubt
Cliff Lee was scratched from his scheduled bullpen session on Thursday. And if this keeps up, you can scratch him from the Indians' season-opening rotation as well. Lee, 28, continues to be pestered by a strained right abdominal muscle that has kept him out of Grapefruit League action. He played catch twice earlier this week and was hoping to begin throwing off the mound Thursday, but his body did not cooperate. Head athletic trainer Lonnie Soloff said that the Indians will evaluate Lee again on Sunday. If the symptoms of the strain are still lingering by that point, Lee would be shut down from throwing for a period of 10-12 days, putting his start to the season in jeopardy. "He has not progressed to the point where he is ready to begin bullpens," Soloff said. "Early in Spring Training, we want to be as cautious and conservative as possible. At the same time, we understand the clock is ticking for Opening Day and his first start." If Lee is unable to begin the year on the active roster, right-hander Fausto Carmona would be the front-runner for the vacant rotation spot.

Mariners Beltre has shoulder Bursitis
Third baseman Adrian Beltre has bursitis in his left (non-throwing) shoulder. "We're going to shut him down for a couple of days," Hargrove said. "He probably could take some ground balls, but he has been diagnosed with bursitis, which is treatable with rest."
Beltre has been one of the hottest hitters early in the Cactus League season, going 4-for-11 with one home run. It seems odd that his non-throwing shoulder is the one bothering him. "He and [hitting coach Jeff Pentland] have been working real hard this spring on letting go of his top hand after contact," Hargrove explained. "I think that probably has something to do with it."

Mariners JJ Putz has elbow tightness
Closer J.J. Putz has tightness in his right elbow and could miss up to two days of action. He had been scheduled to pitch an inning in Friday's game against the Rockies, but that seems unlikely.

Mets El Duque returns
El Duque had made his first start of the spring, pitching two weeks after receiving a diagnosis of arthritis in the neck and getting an injection of cortisone. He had retired the side in order in the first inning. He took a ground ball off the inside of his left foot in the second inning. One run scored on that play, four successive hits followed, one a three-run home run by catcher Adam Donachie. No one was even slightly concerned by Hernandez's performance. The more important numbers were 43 pitches -- he got his work in -- and zero. Hernandez experienced no pain in his neck. The ground ball that struck El Duque did no damage. Indeed, he was unsure which foot had been struck.

Mets Pelfrey makes his claim for the #5 rotation slot
Ground ball after ground ball. Mike Pelfrey kept his pitches down and his chances of winning a place in the Opening Day rotation up Thursday. He made his second appearance in an exhibition game -- his first relief appearance since his freshman season at Wichita State -- and wowed his manager and pitching coach Rick Peterson. Eight of the nine outs Pelfrey achieved -- pitching the third, fourth and fifth innings -- came on ground balls. Two of the three hits he surrendered were ground balls and both runs he allowed were unearned. "I think he's going to make it very hard for me the last week," Randolph said as he foresaw the decisions regarding the last roster spots. "I hope he does. Because I think when he is ready, he's going to take off. He was very impressive today."

Nationals Cut Tony Womack
The Nationals trimmed their roster from 72 to 56 on Thursday, when they gave infielder Tony Womack his unconditional release and reassigned infielders Tony Blanco, Melvin Dorta and Jorge Toca, outfielders Wayne Lydon and George Lombard, and pitchers Felix Diaz, Anastacio Martinez, Eduardo Valdez, Luis Martinez and Bill White to Minor League camp.

As expected, Nationals Nick Johnson expected to start the season on the DL
Johnson is still recovering from a broken leg suffered on Sept. 23 against the Mets. He still has a noticeable limp and there is no timetable as to when he will return. The leg is getting stronger, however. Johnson is often seen walking with head athletic trainer Lee Kuntz. Johnson has even started walking up stadium steps. "I'm trying to get this thing strong first," Johnson said.

Nationals Michael O'Connor likely not ready until May
O'Connor had minor elbow surgery during the offseason and most likely will not see any action until April. He has been playing catch on flat ground.

Phillies' Eaton Sharp against the Jays
Eaton who tossed 53 pitches and allowed one run on five hits in four innings. He walked one and struck out four. After the game, Eaton was content with his performance. "Even the first inning, when I gave up three hits, two were broken-bat hits," Eaton said. "One was on a check swing. [Matt] Stairs said to the catcher that I looked like I was in midseason form. That's good to hear."

Who is the Red Sox closer?
That question might not have an answer until the last week of Spring Training, or later. The candidates have been well publicized by now -- the quartet of Mike Timlin, Joel Pineiro, Brendan Donnelly and Julian Tavarez. If you're looking for a dark horse, think Devern Hansack. If the Red Sox don't find someone dependable for this role, things could get unsettled in a hurry. Look back to the first half of 2003 for a reference point.

Rockies Helton misses 2nd game this week thanks to balky knee
Rockies first baseman Todd Helton was scratched from his scheduled start in Thursday's game with the White Sox, marking the second scheduled appearance Helton has missed in six days. The team reported that Helton is experiencing inflammation in his right knee, and is considered "day-to-day." Helton missed Saturday's game against the Angels with the same ailment.

Royals Joe Nelson likely to start season on the DL
Joe Nelson's lingering shoulder problems could force the Royals to start the season without one of their best relievers. Nelson has thrown side sessions, but because of the soreness in his right shoulder has not been cleared to pitch in any Cactus League games. "I just know that he's still struggling with his arm and they [Royals medical personnel] are trying to come up with some kind of program right now," Royals manager Buddy Bell said Thursday morning. "That's unfortunate too because he was a candidate for the bullpen right now and just because he's had no workload he's probably more than likely not going to start the season with us." Nelson went 1-1 with a 4.43 ERA in 43 games last season. The right-hander converted nine of 10 save opportunities and finished second on the team in saves behind former Royals pitcher and current New York Mets hurler Ambiorix Burgos (18). In 44 2/3 innings, Nelson struck out 44 and walked 24. He held opponents to a .226 batting average. Nelson said he has been able to play catch without pain, but pitching off the mound and the downward plane that activity requires, is subject to soreness. When asked if Nelson would open the season on the disabled list Bell said, "Looks like it. That's where it's all pointing to right now."

Royals LaRue and Buck battle for starting job
Bell said at the Winter Meetings he would prefer to see either John Buck or Jason LaRue take over as starting catcher, but so far both have played so well it would be difficult to choose a winner in the battle.
"Both of them have stepped it up to this point," Bell said. "It will be interesting to see how that turns out. You know, I'm really hoping that we have to move that competition into the season, that might be the best scenario, I don't know. That's not what I initially wished it would be, because I would like a No. 1 guy, but if they both deserve it, we're going to have to figure it out somehow." La Rue contributed a two-run homer on Thursday against Seattle, his team-high third of the spring. He has four RBIs and is hitting .400 (4-for-10). Buck is hitting .600 with a homer. Neither catcher has committed an error.

Royals Elarton eyeing June Return
Scott Elarton is progressing nicely from the shoulder surgery he underwent last August, but Bell doesn't expect the right-hander back anytime soon. "Middle of May, first of June, something like that is certainly a possibility," Bell said. "We're real encouraged. He's got some extension in his arm that I haven't seen in a while. He's throwing without any pain. In terms of his extension and just feeling about where he's at, it's a great sign." Elarton threw a 51-pitch bullpen session on Wednesday and his next test will be March 13, when he is scheduled to pitch a batting practice session.

Twins Garza wakes up Pain Free
After two weeks of dealing with neck pain and headaches that eventually kept him off the mound, Twins pitcher Matt Garza is finally pain free.
Garza went to see a doctor Wednesday and received a shot of lidocaine to a trigger point in his neck that helped to alleviate the problem. The treatment came after Garza had undergone a CT scan and an MRI on his neck and even a visit to a neurologist to try to determine what was causing the pain. Some lingering soreness remains in his neck, but Garza said he woke up Thursday without a headache for the first time since he first began feeling the pain Feb. 24 while throwing live batting practice. "I was so relieved this morning when I woke up and I didn't feel any pain," Garza said. Garza threw a light, six-minute bullpen Thursday morning, and he is scheduled to throw a full bullpen session Friday. Twins pitching coach Rick Anderson wants to make sure Garza is able to throw at his usual velocity without experiencing any kind of pain in his neck. But if everything goes well in this next bullpen, Garza should return to game action Sunday.

White Sox' Jenks proclaims full health
The shoulder stiffness for Bobby Jenks now is considered a past problem after he threw one scoreless inning with solid mechanics on Thursday against the Rockies. In fact, Jenks figures to have a two-inning effort in one of his next two or three trips to the mound. "Obviously, we want the results, but the main thing when I was out there was making sure my mechanics were consistent," Jenks said. "Whether it was a strike or not, as long as the mechanics were consistent was my goal today."

Yankees' Abreu swinging broomstick
Outfielder Bobby Abreu (strained oblique) has attempted swinging a broomstick and felt no pain. He may begin taking dry swings with a bat this weekend.