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| Rauch a closer candidate | Thursday 3/11, 11:24 PM CT |
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Jon Rauch pitched a perfect inning with a strikeout in Thursday's 8-3 win over the Orioles.
Rototimes View: Rauch is in the running for the closer's role that has been abruptly vacated by the injured Joe Nathan. The tallest man in baseball has a decent shot to take over the position, as he's closed in the past, but will have to battle setup man Matt Guerrier and also hope that the Twins don't explore an option through trade or free agency. We'll monitor the situation as it plays out through the spring season. |
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| Span goes 2-for-3 | Thursday 3/11, 11:18 PM CT |
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Denard Span went 2-for-3 with an RBI, a run scored and a stolen base in Thursday's 8-3 win over the Orioles.
Rototimes View: Span, who ended last season in majestic fashion, is off to a great start this spring and will be asked to handle the Twins leadoff duties once again this season. He's a great source of average, runs and steals and can chip in with HRs and RBI as well, but would enter elite status this season if he could reach 30+ SBs. |
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| Millwood rocked again | Thursday 3/11, 11:11 PM CT |
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Kevin Millwood was picked apart by the Twins on Thursday as he allowed five runs on nine hits and a walk over just 2.2 innings.
Rototimes View: The new "ace" of the Orioles staff has a tough road ahead of him. He has now been rocked in both spring starts and sports a horrendous 29.70 ERA to this point. He's been asked to be the veteran anchor of a young and inexperienced staff in the tumultuous AL East, so he's likely not much of a fantasy option anymore. |
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| Jurrjens to debut Friday | Thursday 3/11, 7:55 PM CT |
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According to Knox Bardeen on Twitter, Jair Jurrjens will make his spring debut on Friday.
Rototimes View: Jurrjens has yet to pitch due to shoulder inflammation, but his recovery process went smoothly and was setback free. He was slated to start Thursday, but the game was rained out, so Friday is the new day. He is expected to throw two innings before being piggybacked by Tommy Hanson, who will get four frames. |
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| Castro maving waves | Thursday 3/11, 7:52 PM CT |
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Starlin Castro went 2-for-3 with a homer and scored three runs in Thursday's 8-7 win over the Padres.
Rototimes View: Castro has already been ticketed for Triple-A, but if Mike Fontenot continues to struggle the Cubs could move Ryan Theriot to second base and give Castro a mid-season callup. The talented prospect could take the reigns at shortstop and run with it. So far in spring he has eight hits in 14 at-bats. |
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| Braden fans three in so-so outing | Thursday 3/11, 7:02 PM CT |
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Dallas Braden allowed a pair of runs on three hits over three innings of work on Thursday.
Rototimes View: Braden did manage to fan three in the game, but allowed a two-run homer to Ryan Braun. He's slated to be the A's fifth starter this season, but in an always shuffling organization loaded with potential young talent, he'll likely have to be sharp this spring to keep his job. |
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| Taylor hits three-run shot | Thursday 3/11, 6:58 PM CT |
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Michael Taylor cracked a three-run homer in Thursday's 7-3 win over the Brewers.
Rototimes View: Taylor's shot off of LaTroy Hawkins in the eighth inning made a close game look like a blowout. He was sent to the A's in a swap for Brett Wallace during the Roy Hallady mayhem this offeseason and is a talented hitting prospect, but will likely need to catch lightning in a bottle to make the club this year. So far he's just 3-for-15 and will likely require more minor league seasoning unless the A's are ravaged by injury. |
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| Wolf fans four in three scoreless | Thursday 3/11, 6:52 PM CT |
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Randy Wolf was on his game Thursday, tossing three scoreless innings against the A's.
Rototimes View: Wolf scattered two hits and two walks over the three frames, and managed to strike out four. He will represent the veteran presence behind budding ace Yovani Gallardo in the Brewers' rotation this season and will look to build on last year's impressive 11-7, 3.23 campaign. |
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| Cruz plates two in big win | Thursday 3/11, 6:48 PM CT |
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Nelson Cruz alleviated concerns about his tight hamstrings on Thursday with a 2-for-4, four-run, two-RBI effort against the Rockies.
Rototimes View: Cruz was scratched from the Rangers lineup on Wednesday, but appears to be healthy and producing. It was likely a precautionary move this early in spring and Cruz should be fine to draft in fantasy leagues. His stock is pointing North, and his mix of power (33 homers) and speed (20 steals) make him a top-15 outfielder. |
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| Cook rocked by Texas | Thursday 3/11, 6:42 PM CT |
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Aaron Cook was leveled by the Rangers on Thursday, allowing nine runs (five earned) on nine hits and a walk over 2.2 innings of a 16-5 loss.
Rototimes View: Cook was sharp in his first spring outing, tossing three scoreless, but the wheels came off in this one. He's expected to be the number-two starter for the Rox this season, but don't be surprised if he's passed by Jorge De La Rosa on the depth chart. |
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