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| Crow hurls two scoreless innings | Saturday 3/6, 11:36 PM CT |
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Aaron Crow hurled two scoreless innings in tonight's 2-1 preseason win over Texas. He had no walks with three strikeouts.
Rototimes View: The first-round pick flashed his potential tonight, and skipper Trey Hillman noted that Crow has been having a good spring training so far. He could be in the majors sooner rather than later, and will remain on our fantasy radar. |
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| Rays in serious talks with Blalock | Saturday 3/6, 9:40 PM CT |
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The Rays are reportedly in serious talks with Hank Blalock's rep, according to Jon Heyman's (Sports Illustrated) twitter page.
Rototimes View: The Marlins have Blalock on their radar as well. He could etch out a role as Tampa Bay's DH if signed, and could also see time at first base. He launched 25 homers last season, and could remain a viable source for power in 2010. |
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| Sowers is out of rotation race? | Saturday 3/6, 8:31 PM CT |
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Jeremy Sowers is no longer in the race to win a rotation spot in Cleveland, according to MLB.com.
Rototimes View: Sowers was taken out of the running due to left shoulder inflammation. That improves David Huff and Aaron Laffey's odds of claiming the No. 5 starting spot. |
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| Jennings throws sim game | Saturday 3/6, 8:16 PM CT |
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Jason Jennings threw a simulated game Saturday, according to MLBblogs.com.
Rototimes View: That marked his first simulated game since signing a minor league deal with Oakland last week. He is competing for a bullpen spot as a middle reliever. |
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| Church has good day for Pirates | Saturday 3/6, 7:41 PM CT |
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Ryan Church went 2-for-3 with a two-run homer off Joe Blanton in Saturday's preseason game against the Phillies. His other knock was a single.
Rototimes View: Church currently projects to be Pittsburgh's fourth outfielder, but is talented enough to consider as a flier for deeper leagues. |
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| Gomez stands out for Rockies | Saturday 3/6, 7:32 PM CT |
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Hector Gomez recorded a double and a triple with two RBI in Saturday's 8-6 win over the Brewers in exhibition action.
Rototimes View: Gomez is a promising prospect at shortstop for Colorado, but will not push Troy Tulowitzki for the starting gig. He should not currently be considered in fantasy drafts. |
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| Silva lit up by White Sox | Saturday 3/6, 7:26 PM CT |
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Carlos Silva was lit up for six earned runs on seven hits over a mere two innings of work in Saturday's preseason loss to the White Sox. He had no walks and two strikeouts.
Rototimes View: Silva held a dismal 8.60 ERA over 30.1 innings with the Mariners in 2009, and that was while pitching his home games at pitcher-friendly Safeco Field. He is not a good fantasy pick with his new club, especially since he will now he pitching at launching pad Wrigley Field. |
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| Patterson receives stitches | Saturday 3/6, 6:58 PM CT |
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Updating an earlier report, Eric Patterson needed stitches for a cut above his left eye suffered in today's game against the Angels, according to beat writer Jane Lee's twitter page.
Rototimes View: Patterson should be considered day-to-day, and luckily avoided a serious injury. He is competing for a roster spot as a utility man. |
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| Stults fares well Saturday | Saturday 3/6, 6:54 PM CT |
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Eric Stults fired two hitless innings in today's preseason game against the White Sox. He had one walk and one strikeout.
Rototimes View: Stults' solid showing should help in his bid to win a rotation spot with the Dodgers out of spring training. He has some upside, but is a wait-and-see fantasy prospect for now. |
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| Rios gets MRI results | Saturday 3/6, 6:51 PM CT |
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Alex Rios' MRI did not reveal anything structurally wrong with his ailing shoulder, according to Chicago beat writer Scott Merkin's twitter page.
Rototimes View: Rios is just dealing with normal soreness of spring training. He sat out today's action to rest. |
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| Quentin swats two homers for Sox | Saturday 3/6, 6:39 PM CT |
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Carlos Quentin went 2-for-3 with five RBI in today's 15-3 preseason win over the cross-town rival Cubs. Both of his knocks were homers.
Rototimes View: Quentin could post very good numbers for fantasy owners in 2010, but will remain a risky pick due to his poor track record with durability. |
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| Mitchell stands out for Sox | Saturday 3/6, 6:33 PM CT |
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Jared Mitchell hit two doubles and scored three runs in today's preseason game against the Giants.
Rototimes View: Mitchell is a prized prospect for Chicago, but needs seasoning in the minors before he is ready to compete for a roster spot in the bigs. |
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| Escobar launches homer | Saturday 3/6, 6:16 PM CT |
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Alcides Escobar launched a three-run homer off Eric Hacker during today's preseason game against San Francisco.
Rototimes View: Escobar only hit one homer over 125 at-bats with the Brewers in 2009, and his best asset will remain in the speed department for fantasy owners. |
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| Gagne struggles against Chicago | Saturday 3/6, 6:12 PM CT |
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Eric Gagne was tagged for two runs and three hits in one winning of work against the White Sox Saturday.
Rototimes View: The former ace closer does not currently merit fantasy consideration, especially following today's poor performance. |
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| Crisp looks good for Oakland | Saturday 3/6, 5:55 PM CT |
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Coco Crisp went 2-for-3 with a single and a double in today's preseason game against the Angels.
Rototimes View: Crisp worked in the DH spot, as he is coming off shoulder surgery. He should be ready to start in center field for opening day, barring a setback with his shoulder. |
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| Sweeney goes 4-for-4 | Saturday 3/6, 5:51 PM CT |
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Mike Sweeney went 4-for-4 with three RBI in today's preseason win at San Diego. He hit two singles, one double and a solo homer.
Rototimes View: Sweeney has low odds of making Seattle's opening day roster, but a solid spring training will help his chances of landing a spot with another team. |
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| Harrison sharp for Texas | Saturday 3/6, 5:44 PM CT |
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Matt Harrison hurled two scoreless innings against Kansas City Saturday. He did not have any walks or strikeouts.
Rototimes View: This was a good outing for Harrison, who is trying to win a rotation spot while coming off Thoracic Outlet Syndrome surgery. His odds will improve with each solid performance. |
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| C. Young has big day with Arizona | Saturday 3/6, 5:40 PM CT |
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Chris Young went 3-for-4 with three RBI and two runs scored in today's 12-6 loss to San Francisco. He hit a single, double and a solo homer.
Rototimes View: Young is coming off a disappointing 2009 campaign, but his starting gig in center field looks to be safe. Going by today's performance, he could be primed for a comeback, making him worth a look as a fantasy flier. |
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| Huff sharp for Indians | Saturday 3/6, 5:31 PM CT |
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David Huff hurled two scoreless innings in Saturday's exhibition game against Cincinnati. He fired three strikeouts.
Rototimes View: This was a good outing for Huff, who is trying to lock up the No. 4 spot in Cleveland's rotation. Huff has upside, but is really a wait-and-see prospect for 2010. |
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| Matsui could DH Sunday | Saturday 3/6, 5:27 PM CT |
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Hideki Matsui may be cleared to work in the DH role Sunday against Oakland, according to Lyle Spencer's (MLB Blogs) twitter page.
Rototimes View: That will depend on how Matsui feels after today's workout. Skipper Mike Scioscia won't make him do too much in spring training, as he has two balky knees. |
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| Burriss has fractured toe | Saturday 3/6, 5:16 PM CT |
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Emmanuel Burriss has a fractured toe, according to Hank Schulman's (San Francisco Chronicle) twitter page.
Rototimes View: Burriss will have to wear a boot for four weeks, and will then be re-evaluated. He was competing for a roster spot in San Francisco's middle infield. |
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| Cervelli suffers concussion | Saturday 3/6, 5:08 PM CT |
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Francisco Cervelli suffered a concussion while struck on the helmet by hurler Zech Zinicola, according to Jack Curry's twitter page.
Rototimes View: Skipper Joe Girardi called the injury "scary," namely as it is Cervelli's second concussion in four months. He will be reexamined tomorrow and visit a neurologist Monday. |
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| Garland hit by line drive | Saturday 3/6, 5:04 PM CT |
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Jon Garland was hit by a line drive on the inside of his left knee during today's game against Seattle, according to the Padres' official twitter page.
Rototimes View: Garland's status is yet to be updated. The club cannot afford to lose him, as Garland is slated to hold a spot in the middle of their rotation. |
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| S. Hairston leaves game | Saturday 3/6, 4:55 PM CT |
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Scott Hairston left today's game against Seattle after being struck on the hand/wrist by a pitch, according to the Padres' official twitter page.
Rototimes View: Hairston was acquired in the deal that shipped Kevin Kouzmanoff to Oakland. He is the leading candidate to start in center field, and hopefully the injury is not serious. |
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| Butler shut down | Saturday 3/6, 4:33 PM CT |
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Josh Butler is dealing with inflammation in his elbow, according to Tom Haudricourt's twitter page.
Rototimes View: Butler was given a cortisone shot, and will be shut down for five days. He is competing for a spot in Milwaukee's bullpen. |
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| E. Patterson leaves game | Saturday 3/6, 4:30 PM CT |
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Eric Patterson left today's game against the Angels after suffering a cut above his left eye, according to John Shea's (San Francisco Chronicle) twitter page.
Rototimes View: Consider him day-to-day for now. Patterson cannot afford to miss much time while fighting for a roster spot as a utility man. |
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| Hamilton could play Sunday | Saturday 3/6, 4:14 PM CT |
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Josh Hamilton may be cleared to play in a B game on Sunday if he feels good, according to Anthony Andro's (Star-Telegram) twitter page.
Rototimes View: Hamilton is dealing with a shoulder ailment, and the Rangers should remain cautious with the star outfielder throughout spring training, as he had trouble staying healthy in 2009. |
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| Martinez belts two home runs for Mets | Saturday 3/6, 3:55 PM CT |
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Fernando Martinez continued his fine play in the early stages of spring training, going 4-for-4 with two home runs, two RBI and three runs against Washington.
Rototimes View: Martinez's roster spot is still up in the air, though days like this will help ensure he stays out of the minors. The skills are there for Martinez, and he'd certainly become quite an intriguing fantasy commodity if he can somehow pry the starting center field spot from Angel Pagan while Carlos Beltran misses the first few months of the season. |
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| Burnett shaky against Blue Jays | Saturday 3/6, 3:46 PM CT |
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A.J. Burnett was shaky in his first spring training start on Saturday, giving up two runs to Toronto off five hits and one walk over 1.2 innings.
Rototimes View: Burnett struggled with consistency last year, his first with the Yankees. Fantasy owners would certainly love to see him get into a groove in spring training. |
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| Marcum looks great in first action since 2008 | Saturday 3/6, 3:44 PM CT |
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Shaun Marcum (elbow) looked great against the Yankees on Saturday, striking out two with one walk while failing to give up a hit or a run over two innings.
Rototimes View: Marcum missed all of last season following Tommy John surgery, and some fantasy owners may have forgotten just how effective he can be when healthy. Continue to monitor how he looks throughout spring training, as he has the potential to be a real sleeper this year. |
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| Zobrist leaves the yard | Saturday 3/6, 3:40 PM CT |
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Ben Zobrist hit a home run off Boston's Adam Mills on Saturday.
Rototimes View: Zobrist has one hit in six at-bats thus far, though it's not bad when that one hit leaves the ball park. Zobrist leaped onto the fantasy radar with a breakout season last year and could prove himself as a legitimate five-tool player if he's able to duplicate his success in 2010. |
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| Liriano fans three in two innings | Saturday 3/6, 3:35 PM CT |
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Francisco Liriano continued to impress in an Grapefruit League game against the Red Sox on Saturday, allowing one hit, one walk and zero runs with three strikeouts in two innings.
Rototimes View: Liriano pitched very well in winter ball and has continued to draw praise from the Minnesota coaching staff all offseason long. At this point, he's clearly one of the biggest high-risk, high-reward players in all of baseball. |
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| Lackey throws two perfect innings for Boston | Saturday 3/6, 3:32 PM CT |
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John Lackey was impressive in his Red Sox debut in his first spring training appearance this offseason, throwing two perfect innings against the Twins. Lackey struck out one.
Rototimes View: Saturday marked a fine start for Beantown's new prized arm. It will be interesting to see how well Lackey embraces not having to be the clear ace on his team, as Josh Beckett and Jon Lester give the Red Sox two other top-of-the-line starters. |
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| Millwood gets hit hard by Tigers | Saturday 3/6, 3:16 PM CT |
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Kevin Millwood got rocked in his first start of spring training on Saturday, allowing six runs off seven hits and a walk in just 0.2 innings against Detroit.
Rototimes View: We wouldn't read too much into this, although it's certainly not a positive sign given that pitchers are usually ahead of hitters this early on in spring. Hopefully Millwood will be able to bounce back in his next turn. |
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| Verlander great despite allowing a home run | Saturday 3/6, 3:13 PM CT |
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Justin Verlander was solid against the Orioles on Saturday, notching the win after giving up one run off one hit and two walks over three innings.
Rototimes View: Verlander surrendered a home run to Ty Wigginton, the only hit he allowed in his three innings of work. Verlander is known to give up a homer every now and then but proved his overall dominance that we became used to last year. |
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| Heyward hits a double, draws walk | Saturday 3/6, 2:51 PM CT |
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Jason Heyward went 1-for-2 with a double and a walk against Houston on Saturday.
Rototimes View: Heyward has reached safely in all five of Atlanta's exhibition games thus far and has gone 4-for-10 with four walks in 14 plate appearances. If he continues to play like this, there's little chance that the phenom prospect won't start the season in the majors. Let the hype continue to build. |
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| Grilli likely to need surgery, season could be over | Saturday 3/6, 1:42 PM CT |
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Jason Grilli will likely need surgery to repair a quadriceps injury, according to ESPN.com.
Rototimes View: Grilli could miss most, if not all, of the 2010 season as a result. He wasn't fantasy relevant anyway, though this news clearly takes away any chance of him garnering value at any point this season. |
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| Guzman's ligament tear could threaten career | Saturday 3/6, 1:33 PM CT |
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Angel Guzman has been diagnosed with a significant ligament tear in his right shoulder that could threaten his career, according to the Chicago Tribune.
Rototimes View: Guzman may end up opting for surgery, which would put a premature end to his 2010 season and make for a difficult rehab period to even come back by 2011. He could also decide against surgery, in which case it would take from four to six weeks before knowing whether he could even try and pitch. With Guzman likely out of their 2010 plans, the Cubs could turn to John Grabow as their eight-inning man to set up Carlos Marmol. |
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| Nathan pulled for precautionary reaons | Saturday 3/6, 1:27 PM CT |
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Joe Nathan was pulled early from his appearance in an exhibition game on Saturday, according to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune's Joe Christensen.
Rototimes View: The move was simply precautionary, as Nathan was feeling slight discomfort in his right elbow. Check back in on his status in the coming days, but he should be just fine. |
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| Duchscherer unlikely to be ready to start season | Saturday 3/6, 1:24 PM CT |
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A's manager Bob Geren has said that he does not expect Justin Duchscherer (back) to be ready to pitch by Opening Day, according to MLB.com's Jane Lee.
Rototimes View: At this point, nothing should come as a surprise when you hear Duchscherer's name and "setback" in the same sentence. He should be ready to pitch a few weeks into the season, but there are still plenty of question marks surrounding him. Don't use anything more than a late-round pick on him. |
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| Martin out Saturday with sore groin | Saturday 3/6, 12:48 PM CT |
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Russell Martin will not play today in order to have his sore groin checked out, according to Fox Sports' Jon Morosi.
Rototimes View: This doesn't appear to be anything serious, and the Dodgers will obviously play it safe in spring training. Check back in on Martin's status in a few days, but don't take this as any news to dock his fantasy ranking. |
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| Brown out at least a month with torn meniscus | Saturday 3/6, 11:57 AM CT |
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Jordan Brown will be out the next four to six weeks with a torn meniscus in his right knee, according to the Cleveland Plain Dealer.
Rototimes View: Brown seemingly had a chance to make Cleveland's roster as a backup outfielder, though those plans are clearly now foiled. He'll have to prove himself healthy and effective in the minors before such a possibility can open back up. |
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| Borbon dealing with sore forearm | Saturday 3/6, 10:46 AM CT |
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Julio Borbon is day-to-day with a sore right forearm, according to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram's Anthony Andro.
Rototimes View: Borbon injured himself after diving for a ball in the outfield yesterday. He wasn't scheduled to play today even before getting nicked up and should be back before long. |
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