The Angels' Torii Hunter left yesterday's game in the first inning after getting hit in the face by the baseball when Jeff Bakers blast rebounded off the center field wall. Baker circled the bases with Hunter on the ground in pain. Hunter left the game under his own power and was taken for precautionary X-rays. Those were negative and Hunter is considered day-to-day with a rather sizable lump on his nose.
Oliver Perez's (NYM) outing against the Tigers on Tuesday was brutal, as he allowed 6 runs in 3.2 IP on 5 hits, 6 walks while striking out 4. That bloats his spring ERA to 6.23 as it took him 91 pitches to get 11 outs. Despite neutral BHIP%s over the last two seasons, Oliver has managed only mediocre WHIPs of 1.31 and 1.40 due to his 4+/9 BB rates, and his 0.64 GB ratio . Since the move to the Mets Oliver has allowed an average 1.1 HR/9 with HR/FB ratios of 8.8 and 9.8. Those rates are well below his career 1.3 HR/9 and 11.4% HR/FB. But despite the logic of these changes coming when Perez joined the Mets, Shea has little to do with it. Over the last two seasons Perez has been a better pitcher on the road and he's given up more HRs at home. Maybe these gains reflect coaching or simply skill development. There's little reason to believe this year will be much different unless his WBC experience throws him off. We should get more of the same in 2009 including his consistent inconsistency.
Clay Buchholz went 6 strong innings for the Red Sox against the Reds on Wednesday allowing one unearned run on just 3 hits without a walk while striking out three. He has been terrific this spring allowing just an 0.46 ERA over 19.2 IP. His control has been exceptional and he is pitching like he believes in himself. That wasn't the case last season and the difference is marked. His prospects for some early season MLB starts lie on Brad Penny's shoulder. The Sox are very comfortable starting Clay in AAA this season. That has been a issue in the past as Clay hasn't always reacted positively when he's been returned to the minors. It looks like it will be a while longer before Clay pays dividends in the majors, but it's beginning to look like we are no longer waiting on him.
The Mets' Carlos Beltran saw his first spring action since the WBC on Wednesday going 2- for -3 with a double. He had been sitting out with a stiff neck.
And Boston's J.D. Drew had a relatively quick recovery from Friday's bruised hand returning to action yesterday for the Sox. He went 0- for -3.
Aaron Laffey's spring 6.92 ERA (13 IP) was the cause of death in his bid to win the Indians' 5th starter spot. Laffey was optioned to the minors and the job will now fall to Scott Lewis who has posted a 3.52 ERA over 15.1 IP. Laffey remains the first call up and with Carl Pavano (9.82 ERA this spring with a .326 OBA) and Anthony Reyes on the staff, his chance probably not terribly far down the road.
The Angels will hold out John Lackey from his next scheduled start due to forearm tightness. Manager Mike Sciocia said specifically that this is no a serious problem and Lackey will be ready for opening day. Lacket gave up four HRs Sunday in a strong wind and failed to get any of the 6 batters he faced in the 5th inning of that game. John said he started feeling discomfort during that start. He will have a lot of company with him in the trainers room, with Ervin Santana (elbow), Jered Weaver (shoulder), Joe Saunders (shoulder), and Kelvim Escobar (calf) all nursing health issues. Santana said yesterday however after a long toss session, that he has been pain free for the last 10 days and he expects to avoid surgery on his injured ligament. There is no time table for his next mound session though, let alone his return to game action.
Brewers GM Doug Melvin yesterday denied having any talks with the Padres about Jake Peavy. In the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Melvin there is "nothing to" the ongoing rumors that he is pursuing a deal for the Padres ace.
The Rays optioned David Price on Wednesday in a very interesting and debatable move. The Rays are looking to govern David's service time in an effort to save some money down the line. Of course the Rays really can't afford to give up any games this season in what should be a tight AL East race. But there is a baseball component to this. Price threw just 123+ IP in his first pro season last year and it's safe to assume that he will not be able to remain effective if they ask him for 100 more IP this year, and then ask him for a post season. If a start in AAA saves the Rays money they are probably ok with the fact that it will help keep Price fresh later in the season for the stretch run and post season. It's been reasonable to assume from the start (or since my Top-10 Prospects for 2009 article) that David would only throw 150-175 IP for the Rays in this, his first relatively full season. This does nothing to undermine that estimate.
The Padres completed a trade with the Marlins to acquire Frankie De La Cruz for a PTNL or cash. Frankie has had two brief crash-and-burn stints in the majors with the Tigers and Marlins, but he has enticing raw velocity in his 96-98 mph fastball. He follows that with a change, and occasionally mixes a show-me slider and curve. Hopefully the Padres will figure out that he's a one trick pony and get him into a 7th inning role where he can get one or two hitters out with his heater. Frankie is out of options so he'll have to get a shot to stay in the majors. If your league scored holds he may chip in a few until he pitches himself into the minors again. If he's ready to stick this time, he could very well end up in a hold-friendly late-inning role.
The Rangers have opened negotiations with Josh Hamilton on a long term deal according to the Dallas Morning News, but Josh and his agent were less than thrilled. The dance begins. This will likely get done, but probably not before the start of the season.
After leaving his last start with forearm tightness Brett Anderson pitched 4.1 scoreless IP on Wednesday. Anderson has pitched well this spring but Trevor Cahill is making a good push for a rotation slot as well with opponents hitting just .200 off of him in 16 IP. Only the A's know if Anderson's forearm issue is significant enough to effect their decision. They will watch closely to how he responds today and so will we. If the A's are confident about his health however, Anderson will probably get the starts. Manager Bob Geren made a point out of the fact that he liked Anderson's ability to limit damage when he gets into trouble.
Nick Johnson continues to show signs of life in Nationals camp. He was 2- for -4 on Wednesday making him 6- for his last -13 trips. This is one of those situations you look for late in your draft. Nick could go 20/80 with enough ABs but that's a high-risk proposition of course. It's so high risk that Nick is likely to be available in your league for a price that makes him a reasonable late flier. Still his legitimate potential for decent returns makes him worthy of your watch list.
Eric Chavez has been cleared to test out his surgically repaired shoulder in game action on Friday. He could also play in the field as the A's may see their entire starting infield together for the first time this season.
A's manager Bob Geren says he wants to take two long relievers North with him and that means that Gio Gonzalez may be one of them. Gonzalez threw a side-session yesterday but it is unclear when he'll be ready to return to action
Shawn Hill is expected to make his debut for the Padres Friday against the A's The Padres are expected to start him out of the bullpen this season and stretch him out slowly in deference to his health history. Injury issues aside, I can't help feeling that Shawn Hill will benefit from his relationship with Bud Black, his new pitching coach. And although health is always an issue with Shawn it may be worthwhile to monitor his performance early in the season. Hill will eventually work his way into the rotation and he will benefit from the move to Coronado Bay. Health permitting, he could be a pretty useful claim at some point this season
Ryan Braun of the Brewers left yesterday's game due to lingering stiffness in the area of the intercostal strain that was such a haunt last season. Braun considers himself day-to-day saying a decision about today's game wil be made when he gets to the park. However he says he was pulled from yesterday's and didn't ask out. Ryan says the decision will rest with the Brewers staff and not him. Braun says he's ready but this has to be a concern for the Brewers. Expect a day off today and perhaps and MRI.
