I think I forgot to mention in my previous post about Rangers LHP Matt Harrison.
He's a bit of an enigma. Harrison worked very hard to get himself back into shape -- I remember once referring to him as a "pudgeball" -- and having two very good seasons. Armed with a new contract, he followed those with two starts and two back surgeries in 2013.
Now, Harrison is back in Texas for an MRI exam Monday on his lower back. He also complained of neck pain before the Rangers excused him from a bullpen session in Surprise, Ariz.
Can he come back? Could his problem be something congenital that wasn't picked up in any physical?
Unless Harrison and RHP Neftali Feliz can come back from their succession of injuries, Texas' epic Mark Teixeira trade will lose some of its luster.
Also returning to Texas to see a specialist was C Geovany Soto, who has a sore left Achilles tendon. If he's out for any length of time, that could benefit C J.P. Arencibia, acquired from the Blue Jays.
Harrison could join LHP Derek Holland on the disabled list for an extended period. One pitcher the Rangers could have considered as a stopgap might not be available. LHP Chris Capuano reportedly is in Fort Myers, Fla., for a physical exam preliminary to signing a contract with the Red Sox. He's ticketed for Boston's bullpen. The Chris Capuano Brewers bobble-heads (two different models) above my desk were shaking their head, urging him to hold out for a better deal somewhere.
A former Ranger, OF Nelson Cruz, reportedly is close to signing a contract with the Orioles. Baltimore did lose on waivers a player acquired from the Twins. The Blue Jays claimed RHP Liam Hendriks on waivers.
There's not much real news coming out of spring training yet. Expect more next week when exhbition games begin.
For now, you'll have to be content with "the ball looks good coming out of Soandso's hand," or "Somebodyelse looks good at his new position. He fielded a ground ball."
Here are a couple of actual items that illustrate what you can expect to see for the next few days. In the Cubs' camp, a dude named Javier Baez hit a home run that broke a car window. In the parking lot. During batting practice. Wake me up when he breaks a car window on Waveland Avenue. In an actual game. Also, an mlb.com headline indicated that Astros RHP Lucas Harrell hopes for a "bounce-back" season. Shouldn't that be a "bounce" season? Has he ever really been there as an established major leaguer?
* * *
Basketball. Judging by tonight's scores, some NBA teams might still be in All-Star Game mode.
No matter. Four of my players had double doubles, with Carmelo Anthony going off again for 44 points and Victor Oladipo coming oh, so close, to a triple double with 30 points, 14 assists and 9 rebounds. Rookie of the Year, anyone?
Most important, my guys stepped up at the foul line, hitting 29 of 32 (91%). They couldn't do much about my opponent's four-corners stall, which resulted in his two active players going 0 for 0 at the line and still holding a lead of about .034 in free throw percentage. If they keep up that inactivity, Team Fresh Prints might have to go 64 for 64 these last two days of the week to have a chance at an 8-0 week.
Right now, it appears that my lead would be 14 games going into the final three weeks (24 games).
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