MLB Spring Training Notes

Shapecity · Feb 28, 2009

Brandon Webb was scratched from his start and says this is no big deal. A lot of guys get soreness in their throwing arms early in camp, as they begin to ramp up their preparation for the regular season, and there's really no reason for Webb or any other player to push it, at this time of year. That said, I think if Webb's right arm was dangling by a ligament, he'd say it's no big deal. He's the furthest thing from an alarmist, and will never make excuses.

The Mets say it's no big deal that Johan Santana missed a start.

The results are not there for Andruw Jones so far: seven at-bats, six strikeouts and an infield single. It makes all the sense in the world for the Rangers to continue to get Jones as many at-bats as possible early in camp, and if he doesn't make progress, they can dump him and move on to Plan B in mid-March, with plenty of time to prepare another center fielder.

The problems for Dontrelle Willis continue: one inning, three hits, four runs, a walk and a hit batsman. Tom Gage has more here.

A top White Sox pitching prospect shook off a shaky start, Joe Cowley writes.

The Yankees' Brett Gardner is off to a good start.

The Braves' Kenshin Kawakami was The Man.

Greg Smith got pounded in his Colorado debut, Woody Paige writes, a sign of the Rockies' pitching problems.

Dana Eveland, projected to be the No. 2 starter for Oakland, had an efficient day for the Athletics, Susan Slusser writes, needing only 13 pitches to get through two innings.

Scott Baker has the look of an ace, La Velle E. Neal writes. Joe Crede got into a game.

Padres prospect Mat Latos got knocked around.

An Orioles pitcher passed his first test.

• A Marlins pitcher is excited to meet Bert Blyleven, Clark Spencer writes.

• The lack of contract extensions for the Rockies' GM and manager is indicative of nothing, says Rockies owner Dick Monfort, within this Troy Renck piece. The Rockies' ticket sales and sponsorships are down; the season-ticket sales are down more than 20 percent.

• The Mariners' third base coach is second-guessing himself after a string of guys were thrown out this week, writes Geoff Baker. Josh Fields sure doesn't look like a prima donna, writes David Andriesen.

• A Royals pitcher is set to undergo surgery.

• Big Z could reach a new level for the Cubs in 2009, writes Rick Morrissey. Ted Lilly absolves Lou Piniella of blame for a decision made during the playoffs last fall.

• Jason Varitek is trying to improve his left-handed swing, writes Sean McAdam. Varitek has dismissed the suggestion that he only bat right-handed, but here's the thing -- if he continues to struggle as a left-handed hitter as he did last year, when he hit .201 from that side of the plate, what is there to lose by trying that change?

• The Mets should not be tinkering with Jose Reyes' mind-set, writes John Harper, by experimenting with the lineup. Totally agree with John on this point. Reyes' spot in the batting order has come up in conversation with a number of players and executives, and it's clear he is regarded as one of the best leadoff hitters in baseball by others. "Why would you mess with that?" one AL player asked, shaking his head.

Another player compared it to dropping an ace pitcher like Jake Peavy out of the top spot in the rotation to the No. 2 spot: The practical impact is probably minimal, at most, and at the same time, you run the risk of creating a problem.

• Chris Perez is working on his slider, writes Joe Strauss.

• Brandon McCarthy is trying to win a spot in the Rangers' rotation, and ease the pain of the John Danks trade, Jeff Wilson writes.

• Jonathan Sanchez impressed in his first time out, writes Andrew Baggarly.

• The Phillies cut their losses, and cut Adam Eaton, Jim Salisbury writes. It's a decision made a whole lot easier by the fact the Phillies won the World Series last fall.

• Ryan Garko is getting a shot in left field for the Indians.

• Ian Snell is warming to his new pitching coach, writes Chuck Finder.

• Bronson Arroyo is working on his control, writes Hal McCoy.

• The Red Sox are not interested in a Pedro Martinez encore.

• Gary Matthews has been healing himself, writes Bill Plunkett.

• Miguel Tejada has decided to play in the WBC, after all.

• There is word within this Nick Piecoro notebook that Eric Byrnes could return to action next week.

• J.J. Hardy made a strong first impression on his manager, as mentioned within this Tom Haudricourt piece.

• Mariano Rivera is making progress in his rehab.

• Some Yankees season-ticket holders are really upset, Richard Sandomir writes.

• Nick Lachey will be throwing out the first pitch in Cincinnati.

PED ZONE
• A-Rod's going to talk with Major League Baseball investigators on Sunday. Baseball employees are required to answer questions, says Rob Manfred, within this Mark Feinsand piece.

• Peter O'Malley thinks the steroid scandal might be more severe, in its impact, than the Black Sox scandal.

• Baseball is not mentioned within this Juliet Macur piece, but if you want to know where baseball's drug-testing program is headed, check this out.

• The Barry Bonds trial faces a delay.
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Source: Buster Olney ESPN

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MLB Spring Training Notes

Shapecity S2/JBB Teamster Staff Member Administrator

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MLB Spring Training Notes

Shapecity S2/JBB Teamster Staff Member Administrator

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