Monday, March 17, 2014
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Major League Baseball player notes

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[March 17, 2014]  (The Sports Xchange) — Major League Baseball player notes:

Arizona Diamondbacks: Ross, Cody

OF Cody Ross had a pinch-hit appearance March 16, his first spring training game. While he will miss the Australia trip, he is making a remarkable recovery from his fractured hip. He could return shortly after the team gets back to the United States.

Atlanta Braves: Beachy, Brandon

RHP Brandon Beachy is scheduled to visit Dr. James Andrews on March 17 after leaving his last spring start with biceps tightness. Beachy faces the possibility of having a second Tommy John surgery. "Lot of frustration," Beachy said, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. "Really, really frustrated." Beachy, 27, had Tommy John surgery in June 2012 and another procedure last September to clean out scar tissue. He made nine minor league starts and five starts with the Braves last season. In 2011 and '12, he combined to go 12-8 with a 3.07 ERA before injuring his elbow.

Los Angeles Dodgers: Garcia, Onelki

LHP Onelki Garcia (left elbow surgery in November 2013) went on the 60-day disabled list retroactive to March 14. He appeared in three games for the Dodgers last season, allowing two runs in 1 1/3 innings.

Colorado Rockies: Morneau, Justin

1B Justin Morneau (stiff neck) did not play March 1-9. He returned to action March 10, and he went 2-for-13 in his first four spring games.


Los Angeles Dodgers: Kemp, Matt

OF Matt Kemp (left shoulder and left ankle surgeries in October 2013) progressed without any setbacks in his rehab. While the team is in Australia, Kemp will be increasing his game action in minor league games.

Los Angeles Dodgers: Greinke, Zack

RHP Zack Greinke (strained right calf) was hurt in his first spring start, and that prevented him from traveling to Australia for the season-opening series against the Arizona Diamondbacks. The ailment is not expected to be a factor when the Dodgers resume their regular-season schedule March 30 in San Diego.

Los Angeles Dodgers: League, Brandon

RHP Brandon League (lat strain) was injured early in camp. He did not make the trip to Australia but is expected to be ready for the start of the stateside schedule.

Los Angeles Dodgers: Crawford, Carl

OF Carl Crawford was not expected to make the trip to Australia in order to be with his fiancee for the birth of their child. The Dodgers hoped to put Crawford on Major League Baseball's paternity leave list in order to receive a roster exemption.

Colorado Rockies: Pacheco, Jordan

C Jordan Pacheco (strained left shoulder) did not play March 3-10. He returned to action March 11, and he was 2-for-9 through six spring games.

San Diego Padres: Street, Huston

RHP Huston Street, out since March 2 due to groin tightness, appeared March 14 in a minor league game. Padres manager Bud Black expects Street will be ready by Opening Day.

San Diego Padres: Headley, Chase

3B Chase Headley is scheduled to make his exhibition debut sometime during the week of March 17-23. Headley has been sidelined since suffering a calf strain in rundown drills on the second day of full-squad practice. He has been fielding grounders and running, and he hit live pitching for the first time March 14 against rehabbing RHP Casey Kelly.

San Diego Padres: Cashner, Andrew

RHP Andrew Cashner pitched in a minor league game March 15 rather than face the Dodgers. Why? Cashner is on pace to start Opening Night against the Dodgers at Petco Park, and the Padres didn't want to give Dodgers hitters a sneak preview. Through three major league starts this spring, Cashner allowed no runs on eight hits over nine innings. He had eight strikeouts without walking a hitter.


Los Angeles Dodgers: Olivo, Miguel

C Miguel Olivo asked for his release after being told he would not be on the Dodgers' travel roster for the series in Australia against the Arizona Diamondbacks. The Dodgers hoped Olivo, 36, would accept a minor league assignment, but Olivo declined to report to minor league camp.

Los Angeles Dodgers: Billingsley, Chad

RHP Chad Billingsley is scheduled to take another step forward in his recovery from Tommy John surgery by pitching to minor league hitters during the week of March 17-23. Billingsley has had no setbacks during his rehab from the surgery last April, and the Dodgers are optimistic he could be ready to pitch in the majors by May.

Los Angeles Dodgers: Beckett, Josh

RHP Josh Beckett was bothered by soreness in his right thumb in mid-March. Beckett injured the thumb when someone opened a clubhouse door as he was reaching for the handle. The Dodgers could put off using a fifth starter until April 18-20, making it likely Beckett will open the season on the disabled list due to his surgery last year to address thoracic outlet syndrome.

Los Angeles Dodgers: Arruebarruena, Erisbel

SS Erisbel Arruebarrena reported to Dodgers' camp and worked out with the team the last few days before the Dodgers left for Australia. Signed in late February to a five-year, $25 million contract, Arruebarrena was working out at the Dodgers' complex in the Dominican Republic while waiting to obtain his visa to travel to the United States. The Cuban defector is expected to start the season in Triple-A.

Los Angeles Dodgers: Puig, Yasiel

OF Yasiel Puig has a sub-.200 average this spring after hitting .517 in the preseason last spring. "I think Yasiel is a confident kid," Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said. "This is a totally different spring for him. He's established himself. I'm not really concerned as long as he continues to work."

Arizona Diamondbacks: Corbin, Patrick

LHP Patrick Corbin appears on the road to Tommy John surgery after being diagnosed with a partially torn ulnar collateral ligament in his left elbow March 15, when he pulled himself out in the seventh inning of a start against Cleveland. Corbin said he felt discomfort through the spring, but he felt more pain the final three pitches of his last start. "I thought it was just normal fatigue," Corbin said. "I think it was a freak incident. It kind of sucks that it happened." Corbin said he plans to visit Dr. James Andrews for a second opinion as soon as possible.

Arizona Diamondbacks: Bradley, Archie

RHP Archie Bradley, who pitched 6 1/3 scoreless innings in his first two spring training starts, gave up five hits and four runs in two innings of a 6-3 loss to Seattle on March 13. "I just couldn't get that first pitch over, and it seemed like every batter, I was working from behind," said Bradley, whose chances of making the Opening Day roster increased due to LHP Patrick Corbin's elbow injury. "I know what I need to work on going into my bullpen (session). Now I have to get ready for Australia." Bradley is scheduled to start the D-backs' exhibition game against the Australian national team on March 21, the day before the D-backs open their two-game series against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Sydney.


San Diego Padres: Kelly, Casey

RHP Casey Kelly faced live hitters on March 15 for the first time since undergoing elbow reconstruction surgery last April. Kelly threw 32 fastballs and changeups. Kelly, 24, faced the bats of Yasmani Grandal and Chase Headley. Kelly will now face live hitters every fifth day and will throw four more sessions before appearing in his first simulated game. "It's definitely the best day I've had so far, feeling-wise," Kelly said. "The great part about today is I didn't really think about the elbow. I was thinking about pitching."

San Diego Padres: Gyorko, Jedd

2B Jedd Gyorko spent the winter before his 2013 rookie season fielding thousands of balls at his new position. This winter he returned to his hometown of Morgantown, W. Va., to work on his conditioning. Gyorko lost 15 pounds.

San Diego Padres: Sipp, Tony

LHP Tony Sipp is making a strong bid to join Alex Torres as a second left-hander in the Padres bullpen. Sipp had not allowed an earned run over seven innings through six spring appearances. He gave up six hits and no walks while striking out five.

San Diego Padres: Dickerson, Alex

1B/OF Alex Dickerson (sprained left ankle) was injured March 15 and had to be helped from the field. He was batting .280/.379/.640 with two homers and seven RBIs through 25 at-bats this spring.

Arizona Diamondbacks: Pennington, Cliff

SS/2B Cliff Pennington, SS Chris Owings and SS Didi Gregorius will be on the roster for the Australia trip, manager Kirk Gibson said. "A middle-of-the-diamond guy is a premium guy," Gibson said. The D-backs have extra roster room because they plan to take only two of their five starting pitchers, LHP Wade Miley and RHP Trevor Cahill. Other teams have asked about Owings and Gregorius in trade conversations, but the D-backs have said the one young player who does not win the job will be sent to Triple-A Reno. Pennington will be the backup at shortstop and second base.

Arizona Diamondbacks: Owings, Chris

SS Chris Owings, SS/2B Cliff Pennington and SS Didi Gregorius will be on the roster for the Australia trip, manager Kirk Gibson said. "A middle-of-the-diamond guy is a premium guy," Gibson said. The D-backs have extra roster room because they plan to take only two of their five starting pitchers, LHP Wade Miley and RHP Trevor Cahill. Other teams have asked about Owings and Gregorius in trade conversations, but the D-backs have said the one young player who does not win the job will be sent to Triple-A Reno. Pennington will be the backup at shortstop and second base.

Arizona Diamondbacks: Gregorius, Didi

SS Didi Gregorius, SS Chris Owings and SS/2B Cliff Pennington will be on the roster for the Australia trip, manager Kirk Gibson said. "A middle-of-the-diamond guy is a premium guy," Gibson said. The D-backs have extra roster room because they plan to take only two of their five starting pitchers, LHP Wade Miley and RHP Trevor Cahill. Other teams have asked about Owings and Gregorius in trade conversations, but the D-backs have said the one young player who does not win the job will be sent to Triple-A Reno. Pennington will be the backup at shortstop and second base.

Arizona Diamondbacks: Arroyo, Bronson

RHP Bronson Arroyo (herniated disk) made his lone Cactus League appearance Feb. 27, although he reported no issues after a 50-pitch bullpen session March 16. He has time to make three spring starts, which could enable him to be ready for the start of the season, but the D-backs will be cautious. "I don't want to push him early," D-backs manager Kirk Gibson said. "We are looking for the longevity when he gets going. Our thought process is, let's keep the pressure off him. He'd do almost anything to avoid that (disabled list), but that's not how we want to approach it at this point of the season. If it was September, maybe." Because of the Australia trip, the D-backs will need a No. 5 starter until April 4.

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Arizona Diamondbacks: Cahill, Trevor

RHP Trevor Cahill suffered a jammed right knee March 11 when he hit the bag awkwardly while covering first base, but he had a successful bullpen session March 13 and he remains on schedule to make his regular-season debut against the Los Angeles Dodgers on March 23 in the second game of the Australia trip. "I don't have the best knees, so when it happened ... it was one of those things, my whole season flashed before my eyes," Cahill said. "But after I lay there for a second, I knew it was nothing structural. I'll just be a little sore." Cahill was 1-1 with a 7.88 ERA through four spring starts.

Arizona Diamondbacks: Blanco, Henry

C Henry Blanco impressed in his return to Arizona after spending 2011 and most of 2012 with the D-backs. Blanco, whose forte is defense and clubhouse presence, is one of three catchers still in camp vying to back up starter Miguel Montero. "We have to go out and play our game and then it is going to be their decision," Blanco said. "All we can do is go there and do the best we can and show them that we can still play this game." Manager Kirk Gibson said the D-backs will take three catchers to Australia to be safe — think foul tip off the thumb, first batter of the first game, 17-hour flight to get a replacement.

San Francisco Giants: Pagan, Angel

CF Angel Pagan (back tightness) missed a few days before returning to the lineup March 16. He was batting .217 with no extra-base hits through eight spring games.

San Francisco Giants: Morse, Michael

LF Michael Morse (right calf soreness) did not play March 8-9. He returned to action March 10 but experienced a setback March 12. He was expected to return during the week of March 17-23.

San Francisco Giants: Pence, Hunter

RF Hunter Pence (left shoulder tightness) did not play March 8-9. He returned to action March 10.

San Francisco Giants: Huff, David

LHP David Huff, scratched from a split-squad start Feb. 28 due to a tender left shoulder, finally made his Cactus League debut March 10. Through three spring games, he allowed one run in four innings.


San Francisco Giants: Crawford, Brandon

SS Brandon Crawford hit .248 the past two seasons, finishing exactly one hit shy of .250 in both 2012 and 2013. He wants to hit much higher than that in 2014. He was hitting .288 in June when he sustained a hand injury that didn't go away quickly, and his average nosedived. "I think I'm a better hitter than that," he said of hitting .250. "Hopefully, I can prove it this year."

Baltimore Orioles: Machado, Manny

3B Manny Machado might not be ready for Opening Day because of a setback with his surgically repaired knee. Machado, 21, has not played a game this spring. He was scheduled to have his knee examined March 18, but the appointment was cancelled because he has scar tissue and has not resumed running.

"There's no sense in doing (the appointment) until he can really show them what he can do running," Showalter said March 15, according to MLB.com. "So that's got to get cleared up first, where he's back running again. And then he can completely clear him again."

Showalter said it is unlikely Machado would be available when the Orioles open the season March 31 against the Boston Red Sox.

Detroit Tigers: Iglesias, Jose

SS Jose Iglesias, sidelined since late February due to shin splints, will open the season on the disabled list, GM Dave Dombrowski said March 16. Iglesias was scheduled to a see a specialist on March 18, at which point the Tigers might have a timetable for his return.

Iglesias recently saw a foot and ankle specialist and received an adjustment in the orthotics he wears. Dombrowski did not comment on an ESPN report that Iglesias will be out until midseason with a stress fracture.

Chicago White Sox: Beckham, Gordon

2B Gordon Beckham will be kept out of baseball activities for seven days to allow a strained left oblique muscle to heal. manager Robin Ventura said March 15. Beckham said the injury occurred in the batting cage after the March 14 spring training game in Arizona. "It's frustrating," Beckham said, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. "Right now, I think we're taking seven full days just to let it heal, so it should be fine. If we're giving it that kind of rest, it's going to be fine for Opening Day."

San Francisco Giants: Hudson, Tim

RHP Tim Hudson hopes to add some hitting know-how to the Giants' rotation. He was a star hitter at Auburn, not that it has translated into the majors. He's a .170 career hitter. After a two-hit game in spring training, Hudson said, "I don't even know what kind of hitter I am. I'm at the point I just try not to get hurt when I'm up there. The key is dragging your bat up there and acting like you can't hit and look old so the pitcher feels sorry for you and throws you a lot of fastballs."


San Francisco Giants: Scutaro, Marco

2B Marco Scutaro didn't sound optimistic about being ready for the season opener. As of mid-March, he hadn't played an exhibition game because of a back issue. "It's hard to target it," Scutaro said of Opening Day. "I could probably go out and play tomorrow, but what about the next day? I could go play right now with pain, but the next day's going to be worse." If Scutaro doesn't make the opener, the likely second baseman would be Joaquin Arias with Ehire Adrianza (who is out of options) as a possible utility man.

New York Mets: Niese, Jon

LHP Jonathon Niese, who departed the March 16 spring training game against the St. Louis Cardinals after two innings with left elbow discomfort, will undergo an MRI on March 17. Niese was expected to be the Mets' Opening Day starter. Niese was slowed by a sore shoulder earlier this spring, and the March 15 outing was just his second in an official exhibition game.

Colorado Rockies: De La Rosa, Jorge

LHP Jorge De La Rosa will make his first Opening Day start March 31 at Miami. Manager Walt Weiss made the announcement March 13, though it was a foregone conclusion De La Rosa would get that assignment with RHP Jhoulys Chacin recovering from a strained right shoulder. De La Rosa tore the ulnar collateral ligament in his left elbow in May 2011, underwent Tommy John surgery and didn't return until September 2012. He enjoyed his best season in 2013, going 16-6 with a 3.49 ERA, including 14 starts at Coors Field in which he went 10-1 with a 2.76 ERA.

Colorado Rockies: Logan, Boone

LHP Boone Logan took a big step forward March 14 when he faced hitters in batting practice for the first time this spring and threw 20 pitches — fastballs and sliders. During the offseason, the Rockies signed free agent Logan to a three-year, $16.5 million contract. One week after his final season with the Yankees, Logan underwent surgery to have bone chips removed and a large bone spur shaved from his left elbow. "I was in pain last season, but I knew I could pitch with it," Logan said. "It's 1,000 percent better now."

Logan likely will pitch in a simulated game before getting work in Cactus League games that barring a setback should have him ready when the regular season starts March 31 at Miami. The Rockies begin the season with 40 games scheduled the first 42 days, so they will need to be certain Logan is not dealing with health issues when spring training ends.

Colorado Rockies: Tulowitzki, Troy

SS Troy Tulowitzki suffered a bruised left calf when Diamondbacks LHP Wade Miley hit him with a fastball March 12. An X-ray was negative and showed no damage to the tibia, which was near the point of impact. In the top of the same inning Tulowitzki was hit, Diamondbacks slugger Mark Trumbo was hit in the lower back by Rockies RHP Tommy Kahnle. Asked whether he thought Miley was retaliating for Trumbo being hit, Tulowitzki said, "I'd rather not get into that."

Tulowitzki did some light running and fielding drills March 14 and took batting practice the following day. The Rockies' only off day this spring is March 18, making it likely Tulowitzki would continue to work his way back doing drills, rest on the off day and return to the lineup March 19.


Colorado Rockies: Chacin, Jhoulys

RHP Jhoulys Chacin, who is recovering from a shoulder strain and inflammation, felt fine March 15, one day after he made 75 throws from 120 feet. Chacin came to camp with the injury and did not throw a bullpen session before he was shut down. He will open the season on the 15-day disabled list and is expected to be sidelined until mid- to late April.

Colorado Rockies: Nicasio, Juan

RHP Juan Nicasio had a streak of eight scoreless spring innings end March 15 when he yielded three home runs in an outing against the Angels that lasted 4 1/3 innings. Nonetheless, Nicasio, who is slotted fourth in the Rockies rotation, had two walks and 11 strikeouts through 11 1/3 innings this spring, showing vast improvement from last season. He was able to prepare for spring training in the offseason, as opposed to going through a rehab program as he did after the 2011 and 2012 seasons.

"He's throwing his slider close enough to the zone that he's getting swings and chases," manager Walt Weiss said. "Last year, particularly early on, that pitch was a ball out of his hands. Now he's commanding his secondary stuff. ... His secondary stuff overall is much better than it was."

Colorado Rockies: Gonzalez, Carlos

LF Carlos Gonzalez is experiencing no difficulties with the right middle finger that bothered him last year, limiting him to 55 at-bats after July 7, the last on Aug. 4. "The important thing is I'm not worrying about anything," he said. "That's what I was looking for when I came here, how my hand would be feeling during games. My hand is very stable."

[© 2014 Thomson Reuters. All rights reserved.]

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