The biggest news today as pitchers and catchers made their first official appearances on the playing fields for 12 major league teams came out of Goodyear, Ariz.
That's where Reds LHP Aroldis Chapman, a Cuban defector, said he wasn't throwing at top speed during his 35-pitch workout from a mound. Nevertheless, team officials said they were impressed. What would you expect them to say? They're not going to do anything to suggest that they wasted money on Chapman. Before we get too excited, let's see him against real major league batters.
Speaking of getting overly excited, what's with all the people talking about how wonderful the Mariners are? They'd still have to beat the Angels and the emerging Rangers. And now that Seattle's primary acquisition, LHP Cliff Lee, won't throw until next Wednesday, will there be more overreaction saying the Mariners now don't have a chance?
Meanwhile, don't put too much stock in a pitcher who usually is one of our favorites, Cubs LHP Ted Lilly. He's recovering from arthroscopic surgery on his shoulder, and now may need an MRI exam on his right knee.
Lilly is likely to do better than Nationals LHP Ross Detwiler, who will be out three months following surgery to repair a torn labrum in his right hip.
Pitchers and catchers from the teams that reported today -- with the exception of the Mets, who won't start workouts until Saturday -- will be on the field Friday for the first time.
Another six teams will have their pitchers and catchers reporting Friday.
And on March 2, we'll hear the first exhibition shouts of "Play ball!"
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