Today’s TV viewing included Boston’s 5-4 victory over the Orioles. Starting for the Red Sox, RHP Clay Buchholz gave up three runs in two innings. Baltimore’s starter, RHP Jeremy Guthrie had similar problems, primarily because he couldn’t put away batters. Two marginal major leaguers, 2B Tug Hulett and 1B Aaron Bates, worked Guthrie for walks. In what had to be disappointing to the Sox, CF Jacoby Ellsbury wasn’t as patient. The leadoff batter instead popped out to end the threat.
Rain wiped out all of the games in the Phoenix area, meaning that the only games in Arizona were two between split squads of Diamondbacks and Rockies in Tucson. Even those games were shortened because of wet weather. Arizona won one game 9-3 in six innings, with much of the time being eaten up while the D-backs were scoring eight runs against LHP Franklin Morales in 1 2/3 innings. Without such a struggling pitcher, the other game made it through seven innings with the Rockies winning 4-1.
Despite their rainout, the Angels kept LHP Joe Saunders on schedule for his first regular-season start by having him throw batting practice in a bullpen. The White Sox did the same thing with RHP Jake Peavy, who pitched a simulated game
Scoring the most runs in the eight games in Florida were the Pirates, in a 15-5 victory over the Twins. RF Garrett Jones hit a home run against his former team, and 1B/SS Bobby Crosby also went deep for Pittsburgh. RHP Ronald Uviedo added a win to the save he recorded Friday. That spring production doesn’t necessarily make him a worthwhile fantasy pick but it could land him a spot in the Bucs’ bullpen.
The Twins’ good split squad apparently was playing against the Yankees, and recording an 11-0 shutout. It was the second scoreless effort in two days by Minnesota’s staff.
The Mets may have clinched fourth place in the National League East almost a month before the season begins. The defeated the Nationals again, 6-5. In his first game for Washington, RHP Jason Marquis gave up five runs in two innings. C Omir Santos helped New York’s cause with an inside-the-park grand slam courtesy of Nationals LF Willy Taveras’ indecision about grabbing the ball from under the fence down the left field line.
Instead of going home after nine innings, the Rays and Phillies stayed for Tampa Bay’s 5-3 victory in 10 innings. That gives the Rays the early lead in games between the last two losing World Series teams.
RHP Kyle McClellan, fighting LHPs Rich Hill and possibly Jaime Garcia for the job as the Cardinals’ fifth starter, needed just 39 pitches to get through three innings of a 7-4 victory over the Marlins. OF Brett Carroll hit a home run for Florida.
Even before the Blue Jays have made it through the first week of exhibition games, injury problems are limiting their pitching rotation. That could keep LHP Brian Tallet in a starting role. However, he gave up four runs in two innings, including homers by RF Magglio Ordonez and 1B Ryan Strieby. Toronto’s rotation is unsettled, with RHPs Shaun Marcum, Dustin McGowan and Brandon Morrow and LHPs Ricky Romero, Marc Rzepczynski and Brett Cecil also fighting for spots. Marcum, McGowan and Cecil are coming back from injuries.
Injuries – current, not Prior:
Dodgers C Russell Martin will be out 4-6 weeks because of a pulled groin muscle. While he’s out, LA said it would go with rookie A.J. Ellis and old-timer Brad Ausmus. Ellis batted .314 last season at Triple-A Albuquerque, but is just 1-for-13 in the majors. Despite the Dodgers’ cheery words about Ellis, expect them to shop for a catcher if Martin would miss more than a couple of weeks to begin the season.
Royals 3B Alex Gordon suffered a broken right thumb when he slid headfirst trying to steal second base in Saturday’s game. He could be back by Opening Day, but at least until then 2B Alberto Callaspo and 3B Josh Fields are expected to share time at third base. Callaspo has lost his second base job to 2B Chris Getz, who went to Kansas City from the White Sox in a trade for OF/3B Mark Teahen.
Diamondbacks RHP Brandon Webb threw soft toss, and is considered day to day. He might not be able to pitch in a game by mid-March.
Giants 3B/OF Mark DeRosa, expected to be their left fielder this season, took his first batting practice following off-season surgery. OF/2B Emmanuel Burriss has been wearing a walking boot to protect his fractured left foot. He could be out two months. Even then there would be a question about how well Burriss, whose game is predicated almost entirely on his speed, could run.
Red Sox RHP Daisuke Matsuzaka threw 65 pitches on the side.
What they’re working on:
Phillies RHP prospect Phillippe Aumont turned around his poor exhibition debut by pitching 2 2/3 scoreless innings against the Rays. As part of Philadelphia’s switching him from a reliever to a starter, he has lowered his arm angle from over the top to three-quarters. That has improved his slider, making it a second out pitch to go with his fastball. His work on that most likely will continue in the high minors this season.
Sample Scouting Report:
Kyle McClellan, RHP, Cardinals
Ht.: 6-4 Wt.: 205 T: R Age: 25 Inj. Risk: 10
{2010} McClellan could be a hometown favorite; his family has had Cardinals season tickets for years. He has been mostly a setup man since jumping from Double-A to the majors to open the 2008 season with St. Louis. The Cardinals are giving him a shot as a starter this spring, which seems surprising because he has seemed to lack stamina in slumping during the second half of each of his two seasons as a big leaguer. It’s also possible that he could grow into a closer’s job. The key for McClellan will be improving the control that slipped last year. 2009: 67 IP, 4-4 W-L, 3.37 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, 3 S, 51 SO. Born: June 12, 1984, Florissant, Mo.
Projection
IP: 66 W: 3 ERA: 3.56 WHIP: 1.35 S: 3 SO: 48
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