Konerko and unlikely Johnson are HR leaders

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In the normal schedule for our five weekly Emails, the Thursday Emails update News and Notes from around baseball.

LeBlanc blanks Brewers
It wasn’t long after Rangers TV play-by-play man Josh Lewin remarked that it didn’t appear that anyone would hit 10 homers in the majors this April that White Sox 1B Paul Konerko pounded numbers 9 and 10 in the eighth and ninth innings to help beat Texas. He had begun the day tied with Diamondbacks 2B Kelly Johnson for the major league lead. The surprising Johnson hit his ninth as Arizona routed the Cubs. D-backs 1B Adam LaRoche drove in five runs in that game.
One of today’s superlative performances was by Padres LHP Wade LeBlanc. In a 9-0 shutout of the Brewers, ho allowed no runs and no walks in 6 1/3 innings to improve his record to 2-0 since being recalled from Triple-A Portland.
We’re getting to the point where statistics begin meaning something. What the numbers could mean includes that Cardinals OF Colby Rasmus (batting .344) and Tigers CF Austin Jackson (.330) could be breaking out as stars. As much as I hate to say such things so early in a season, Jackson is making a move toward becoming the American League Rookie of the Year.
On the other hand are some players in deep slumps. Athletics 2B Rickie Weeks struck out in all three at-bats to extend his slump to 1-for-25. Royals OF Jose Guillen was even worse, going 0-for-4 with four strikeouts and playing his usual brutal defense in right field as the Rays (17-5 this season) routed KC.
LHP Alan Embree is back with the Red Sox, who purchased his contract from Triple-A Pawtucket. To make room on the roster, Boston designated serviceable 2B/SS Kevin Frandsen for assignment.

Minor matters
The minors had their second no-hitter in two days, with Double-A Arkansas (Angels) RHP Ryan Brasier shutting down Tulsa (Rockies). Brasier is not a top-level prospect.
His no-no was just one of the day’s excellent pitching performances. Kyle Gibson pitched a one-hit shutout for high Class A Fort Myers (Twins). For Triple-A Buffalo (Mets) journeyman RHP R.A. Dickey gave up a single to the first batter for Durham (Rays), then retired 27 consecutive batters.

Injuries
Athletics RHP Justin Duchscherer could be returning to his accustomed place on the disabled list after leaving today’s start because of a hip injury.
Braves RHP Jair Jurrjens left his start at St. Louis after the first inning because of a strained left hamstring. The Cardinals won 10-4 behind 3B David Freese’s home run and six RBI.
Reds CF Chris Dickerson left their game because of s sprained right wrist, and returned to Cincinnati for an MRI exam. OF Drew Stubbs replaced Dickerson.
Yankees C Jorge Posada sat out today after being hit on the right knee Wednesday by a pitch from Orioles RHP Jeremy Guthrie. C Francisco Cervelli started in Posada’s place.
The Astros said LHP Wandy Rodriguez will not make his scheduled start Friday because of back spasms. RHP Brett Myers will move up a day to start at Atlanta. It’s possible that Rodriguez would be able to start Saturday.
Phillies RHP Brad Lidge will return from the disabled list Friday, in time for their series against the Mets. New York no doubt is glad that Mets-killing OF Pat Burrell won’t also be coming back.

In closing
The Dodgers began the season as one of the majors’ hottest-hitting teams. So what would you have expected them to do against the Pirates’ pitching trio of LHPs Brian Burres and Jack Taschner and RHP Evan Meek? Probably not being shut out – which they were, 2-0, with both of Pittsburgh’s runs scoring on C Ryan Doumit’s first-inning triple. Meek pitched one inning for his first major league save. Manager John Russell said RHP Octavio Dotel would remain its closer, pointing out that he had pitched in two of three games during the previous series in Milwaukee. However, over time Meek’s 0.60 ERA might win the job over Dotel’s 10.61 and two blow saves in five chances.
Speaking of the Dodgers, they’ll have to get better hitting because their pitching rotation is a mess. This week they’ve already brought up heretofore unknown John Ely to start one game, and will have RHP Carlos Monasterios start Friday. He at least has a 1.69 ERA in relief for LA.
RHP Kevin Gregg picked up his sixth save in the Blue Jays’ 6-3 victory over the Athletics, during which Toronto C John Buck hit three home runs.
Other saves went to Reds RHP Francisco Cordero, eighth, 4-2 at Houston, and Tigers RHP Jose Valverde, 3-0 against the Twins after LHP Dontrelle Willis started with six scoreless innings.

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Giants sign 2 veteran pitchers

There's still time for major league teams to sign potentially helpful free agents. The Giants have done just that, signing RHPs Todd Wellemeyer and Guillermo Mota. Wellemeyer had a good season as a starter for the Cardinals in 2008, but pretty much hurt them last season. Mota's career as a reliever has gone south during his time with the Dodgers.

So Wellemeyer seems like the better bet to help San Francisco in a starting or bullpen role. Mota has more talent, but is older and more damaged goods.

Injuries: The Athletics can't be very happy about the first day of workouts for their pitchers. First, they found out that oft-injured RHP Justin Duchscherer couldn't take part because of an irritated sacroiliac joint in his back. Then, 10 minutes into the workout they had to move inside because of rain.

In Arizona? Yes, it has rained the last two days in the desert. The Mariners also had to call off a planned series of pitchers' fielding practice drills. So if Seattle loses a game or two this year because a pitcher doesn't get over to cover first base in time, remember that the game was lost on February 21.

But hey! There was some good news for Oakland. RHP Ben Sheets actually threw today, and as far as we know without being injured again.

OOO The Blue Jays placed RHP Dirk Hayhurst on the 60-day disabled list. He underwent surgery two weeks ago to repair a frayed labrum in his shoulder, and is expected to miss 4-6 months.

OOO Cardinals 1B Albert Pujols said he won't need Tommy John surgery on his right elbow. He underwent an operation in October to remove bone chips from the joint. Expect opposing runners to take chances for an extra base against Pujols unless he shows he can throw somebody out.

OOO Another first baseman, free agent Carlos Delgado underwent surgery by Dr. Marc Phillippon, who worked on Yankees 3B Alex Rodriguez a year ago. Dr. Phillippon performed microfracture surgery on Delgado's right hip and reconstructive surgery on the labrum. It saddens me to write that one of baseball's good guys may be finished.

An Opening Day starter already:

Diamondbacks manager A.J. Hinch said RHP Dan Haren will be Arizona's Opening Day starting pitcher. The current plan is to have RHP Edwin Jackson start the second game and RHP Brandon Webb making his first appearance since the 2009 opener in game three. We expect that will change if Webb is physically able to pitch, with him moving ahead of Jackson -- way ahead of a pitcher we expect to be a major disappointment.

Lining up:

With CF Carlos Beltran expected to miss most or all of April following knee surgery, Mets manager Jerry Manuel is giving serious thought to opening the season with SS Jose Reyes batting third and OF Angel Pagan leading off. Pagan will battle Gary Matthews for the starting job in center field, and would be likely to play left field if Matthews wins that competition.

Rays manager Joe Maddon said his starting lineup will begin with SS Jason Bartlett, LF Carl Crawford, Ben Zobrist at second base or in right field, 3B Evan Longoria and 1B Carlos Pena.