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[February 24, 2015]  The Sports Xchange

02/23/2015 MLB Note - San Francisco Giants Cain, Matt

RHP Matt Cain demonstrated in his very first bullpen session that he's fully recovered from surgery to remove bone chips from his elbow. Cain threw two 20-pitch sequences at game speed and reported not only no pain but surprising zip on his fastball for this early in the spring. He is scheduled to start the Giants' second game of the regular season, April 7 at Arizona.

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MLB Note - San Francisco Giants Lincecum, Tim

RHP Tim Lincecum worked out extensively under the tutelage of his father, Chris, during the off-season, the former two-time Cy Young Award winner disclosed on opening day of camp. Both of Lincecum's Cy Young Awards were achieved with his father serving as a long-distance pitching coach. The two had a parting of the ways three years ago, and Lincecum hasn't been nearly the same since, hitting rock bottom last season when he was demoted from the starting staff during the regular season. The 30-year-old hopes a return to his old mechanics can reward the faith in him bestowed by manager Bruce Bochy, who has penciled in Lincecum as his No. 5 starter.

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MLB Note - Detroit Tigers Verlander, Justin

RHP Justin Verlander looked more crisp with a much better curveball in his early bullpen sessions compared with last spring. "He looked outstanding," manager Brad Ausmus said after Verlander's first bullpen outing with the manager and pitching coach Jeff Jones supervising. "Not only myself but other coaches noticed, too -- he had better arm speed. The one the thing that stood out to me was the action on his curveball. It was much tighter, and it wasn't popping out of his hand as much. It was being more direct toward the catcher and then going down, and that's what fools the hitter." Verlander was unable to work on his condition in the winter of 2013-14 after undergoing lower abdominal surgery.

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MLB Note - Detroit Tigers Gose, Anthony

CF Anthony Gose has hitting problems the Tigers thinks they can solve as he transitions from Toronto to Detroit. He is a career .230 hitter in sporadic playing time over the past few seasons, which is why the Blue Jays dealt him to the Tigers despite incredible range in center and a right fielder's arm. "He's a very athletic guy and I think he's going to surprise some people," hitting coach Wally Joyner said as spring training began. "I think he's a very talented outfielder that has a lot of confidence, and I think that's going to go a long way. What you have to do is not get overly analytical, get him in an athletic position and let his talent go. There is a reason why he's up here, it's because he's talented. A lot of times it's a matter of freeing him up, freeing anybody up, and allowing them to be themselves."

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MLB Note - Detroit Tigers Sanchez, Anibal

RHP Anibal Sanchez altered his training routines in an effort to avoid the injuries that limited his number of starts the past two seasons. A strained oblique kept Sanchez out of action more than a month in 2013, and last year it was a right pectoral muscle. "The (biggest) thing I changed is the heavy weight workout," he said. "I give it a little rest on my muscles." He increased his long-distance running (to a max of seven miles) and cut down on his lifting. "I feel good," he said. "I am just trying to do the same workout to be ready every five days, learning how to save my energy for every five days. In 2013, I threw a lot of pitches per outing and I felt really good. I want to be in that situation again, where I can help the team win. I am just trying to save all my bullets for the game."

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MLB Note - Philadelphia Phillies Billingsley, Chad

RHP Chad Billingsley is throwing every third day in the early stages of camp rather than every other day like the other pitchers. Billingsley is recovering from a pair of elbow surgeries that caused him to miss all of last season with the Los Angeles Dodgers and make just two starts for them in 2013. Billingsley will likely begin the season on the disabled list, something the Phillies expected when they signed him to a one-year, $1.5 million contract as a free agent Jan. 29.



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MLB Note - Philadelphia Phillies Asche, Cody

3B Cody Asche will get 95 percent of his spring training work at third base, according to manager Ryne Sandberg. Asche worked out in left field during the offseason but the Phillies envision him as a third baseman, though he will have to hold off a challenge from rookie 3B Maikel Franco this spring.

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MLB Note - Toronto Blue Jays Cecil, Brett

LHP Brett Cecil is the top candidate to take over as closer, with rookie RHP Aaron Sanchez another possibility. The job is open after the loss of RHP Casey Janssen in free agency. "Absolutely, I want it," Cecil said after the Blue Jays' pitchers and catchers reported for their physicals. "I don't think I necessarily have to prove anything. I can't go out there and tank spring training, but I think they know I can do it. ... It's just a matter of who they want to do it, and obviously that's not up to me. I'm not patting myself on the back, but I think I've proven over the last two years that I can handle it. It's just a matter of who they want." Cecil was a closer at Maryland before the Blue Jays drafted him and made him a starter. He returned to the bullpen in 2012. The 28-year-old was an All-Star in 2013 and was 2-3 with a 2.70 ERA and five saves in 2014.

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MLB Note - Toronto Blue Jays Navarro, Dioner

C Dioner Navarro, whose job description changed with the acquisition of free-agent C Russell Martin, wants to be traded. "I don't know when (it went) wrong, if anything did go wrong," Navarro said Monday during the first full day of workouts for pitchers and catchers. He hit .274 with 112 homers and 59 RBIs as the No. 1 catcher last season. "I can't blame him for not being happy," manager John Gibbons said. "He's a competitor, he's a big-league player, a good one." Martin said he had a good relationship with Navarro, dating back to their time with the Los Angeles Dodgers. "We're going to both try and help the team as best we can," Martin said. "I'm sure that if he could be in a gig where he could catch every day, I'm sure he would prefer that, but that's out of his control for now." If he stays with the Blue Jays, Navarro figures to be used at designated hitter and first base as well. He also could be traded to provide help in the bullpen or at second base.

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MLB Note - Toronto Blue Jays Buehrle, Mark

LHP Mark Buehrle likes the changes general manager Alex Anthopoulos made in the offseason, moves that included adding 3B Josh Donaldson in a trade and signing C Russell Martin. "I think Alex was trying to make a point of changing the clubhouse around," Buehrle said. "I think he did that. Obviously you know what Russell Martin brings to the table, his competitiveness. Again, it's all on paper right now. We've got seven, eight months of baseball to play to see if it works out and how good it works out. ... It seems like guys get comfortable in one spot. I won't say they won't try. Just to change up the attitude and bring in some different guys. Again, will it work out? Only time will tell." Buehrle, a fast worker, also commented on the changes to help speed up the game. Buehrle said batters constantly stepping out of the box are not his biggest gripe; it is the delays in getting the inning started. "Whenever the umpire's holding us up and it's time to go and the batter's still on the on-deck circle because he wants to listen to his song coming up, that's what bothers me," Buehrle said. "Just get in the batter's box."

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MLB Note - Los Angeles Angels Iannetta, Chris

C Chris Iannetta is expected to get at least 100 to 115 starts behind the plate, according to manager Mike Scioscia's play. The manager also will use him at times as a designated hitter against left-handed pitchers. Last year, Iannetta played 108 games and hit .252.

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MLB Note - Los Angeles Angels Freese, David

3B David Freese had a follow-up procedure performed on his left ankle in the offseason, but Mike Scioscia says he is ready to go.

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MLB Note - Los Angeles Angels Cron, C.J.

INF C.J. Cron had a cyst removed from his right wrist in the offseason, but Mike Scioscia said it will not interrupt his spring.

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MLB Note - Los Angeles Angels Street, Huston

RHP Huston Street is handling his own negotiations for a contract extension. The 31-year-old closer seeks a four-year agreement worth between $36 million and $46 million that would start this year. The Angels are paying Street $7 million this season after exercising the option on his previous contract. Street amassed 41 saves last year, 24 after the Angels acquired him from the San Diego Padres at the trading deadline.
 


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MLB Note - Los Angeles Angels Weaver, Jered

RHP Jered Weaver reported to camp weighing 221 pounds. Weaver, whose weight decreased to 199 last year, finished the season at 216. "I just want to gain some strength," Weaver said. "Being ultra-competitive, I want to get deeper into games. I just want to be stronger for the whole nine innings."

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MLB Note - Detroit Tigers Hanrahan, Joel

RHP Joel Hanrahan, on a minor league contract, was shut down for the time being as his right elbow continues to bother him. Hanrahan appeared in just nine major league games in 2013 and missed all of 2014 after having Tommy John surgery in May 2013.

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MLB Note - Detroit Tigers Martinez, Victor

DH Victor Martinez was told to stay at home when the Tigers opened camp. Martinez recently had a trim job on his left knee meniscus, and he will be limited strictly to rehab until at least the start of March. "He is going to do 10 sessions (with the physical therapist) there before he comes down here," manager Brad Ausmus said. "He said he was going to ask the therapist at what point he could come here. If Victor goes into the clubhouse and he sees people hitting, he's going to want to hit. We are trying to protect Victor from Victor, a little bit. It's best that he gets to the point in his rehab where he'll be able to do baseball stuff than have him watching. Victor doesn't like to sit on his hands."

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MLB Note - Detroit Tigers Iglesias, Jose

SS Jose Iglesias is excited about being pain-free for the first time in more than a year, but Detroit expects to be cautious with its flashy shortstop with an eye toward keeping him healthy through the whole season. "It's very encouraging, but there's a number of hurdles that need to be crossed before I will feel really good about the Iglesias situation," manager Brad Ausmus said. "The biggest of which is being sure his legs can withstand the pounding of daily baseball activity." Iglesias sported bright orange spikes in his return to the field. "I just wanted to make sure everybody knows I am here," he said. "I've been gone too long. I am really excited to see my teammates. And to be on the field without pain is an amazing feeling. I'm blessed." Iglesias said he is keeping a lid on his running, estimating he is going about 80-85 percent for the time being.

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MLB Note - Philadelphia Phillies Joseph, Tommy

C Tommy Joseph (right wrist) has no restrictions this spring after undergoing surgery last season.

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MLB Note - Philadelphia Phillies Martin, Ethan

RHP Ethan Martin (lower back strain) was able to throw when spring training began after being shut down early in the Venezuelan Winter League.

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MLB Note - Philadelphia Phillies Hollands, Mario

LHP Mario Hollands (left elbow flexor strain) was able to throw at the start of spring training after missing the last 3 1/2 weeks of last season.

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MLB Note - Philadelphia Phillies Lee, Cliff

LHP Cliff Lee (left flexor pronator strain) was on the disabled list for the final two months of last season but did not require surgery. He is on a conservative throwing schedule.
 


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MLB Note - Pittsburgh Pirates Kang, Jung-Ho

INF Jung Ho Kang will play shortstop when the exhibition season begins March 3, and then he gradually will be worked in at third base and second base. Kang was a shortstop in his native South Korea but will start his major league career as a utility infielder. The 27-year-old was the Most Valuable Player of the Korean Baseball Organization last season when he batted .306 with 40 home runs in 117 games for the Nexen Heroes. The Pirates signed Kang to a four-year, $11 million contract as a free agent in addition to paying Nexen a posting fee of $5,002,015. He is trying to become the first native Korean position player to jump from the KBO to the major leagues.

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MLB Note - Pittsburgh Pirates Taillon, Jameson

RHP Jameson Taillon will begin throwing live batting practice during the second week of March and likely will join Triple-A Indianapolis' rotation by no later than May 1. Taillon, the Pirates' first-round draft pick in 2010, had Tommy John elbow ligament reconstruction surgery last April after being injured in spring training. He missed the entire 2014 season.

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MLB Note - Pittsburgh Pirates Morton, Charlie

RHP Charlie Morton is regularly throwing bullpen sessions, and there appears to be at least a decent chance he will begin the season on the active roster. He underwent right hip surgery in September to have the labrum repaired.

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MLB Note - Boston Red Sox Moncada, Yoan

INF Yoan Moncada, a 19-year-old switch hitter from Cuba with power and speed, agreed to sign with the Red Sox, according to multiple reports Feb. 23. The Boston Globe reported the deal is for a record $31.5 million signing bonus. The Red Sox reportedly outbid the New York Yankees by $6.5 million. The Red Sox have already exceeded their international signing limits, so they will pay a 100 percent tax on the signing to Major League Baseball. In all, Moncada will cost the team $63 million.

Moncada left Cuba in June and quickly became the subject of an intense bidding war. He worked out for several major league teams in recent weeks. His reps reportedly were in talks with the Red Sox, Yankees, Padres and Dodgers. Scouts see the 6-foot-2, 205-pound Moncada as a 20-home run threat who could play second base, third base and in the outfield.

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MLB Note - Los Angeles Dodgers McGowan, Dustin

RHP Dustin McGowan signed a one-year contract with the Dodgers on Feb. 23 for the major league minimum of $507,000. He would add another $1 million for making the 25-man, Opening Day roster, and another $1.5 million will be available in incentives. McGowan, 32, made a career-high 53 appearances (eight starts) for the Blue Jays last year, going 5-3 with a 4.17 ERA and his first career save.



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MLB Note - Texas Rangers Johnson, Elliot

INF Elliot Johnson signed a minor league contract with the Rangers on Feb. 23 and received an invitation to the team's major league spring camp. Johnson, 31, has played in 318 major league games with four organizations -- Tampa Bay, Kansas City, Atlanta and Cleveland. For his career, he has a .215 average with 12 home runs and 69 RBIs. Last year, he appeared in seven games with the Indians, hitting .105.

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MLB Note - New York Yankees Rodriguez, Alex

3B Alex Rodriguez came across as remorseful and contrite Feb. 23 as he spoke to the media for the first time since being suspended for the entire 2014 season. "No mistake that I've made has a good answer," he said. "No justification. It's unexplainable. I've paid a price personally and professionally."

Rodriguez would not address performance-enhancing drugs, other than to say he is not currently using them. He received his ban for violating Major League Baseball's drug agreement and labor contract. Rodriguez went through his first unofficial workout of spring training at the Yankees' training camp, hitting six home runs in 71 batting practice swings.

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MLB Note - Texas Rangers Profar, Jurickson

2B Jurickson Profar underwent right shoulder surgery Feb. 23, and he is likely to miss a second consecutive season. Team physician Keith Meister performed the procedure that repaired a torn labrum. Profar, 22, has no timetable for his return. Profar tried to rest and rehab the shoulder after doctors suggested surgery in September, Rangers GM Jon Daniels said. Profar aggravated a previous shoulder injury during spring training last year.

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MLB Note - Philadelphia Phillies Dugan, Kelly

OF Kelly Dugan won't be able to play in the early exhibition games because of a stress fracture in his right foot, likely ending his slim chance of making the opening-day roster. Dugan played at Double-A Reading last season, batting .296 with five home runs in 76 games.

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MLB Note - San Francisco Giants Romo, Sergio

RHP Sergio Romo ranked as the club's biggest concern in the first week of workouts for pitchers and catchers. Romo, the club's primary set-up reliever, complained of shoulder soreness on the opening day of camp and has been limited to light throwing sessions behind the scenes. The injury is not considered serious, but the veteran will be brought along slowly leading into the start of the regular season.

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MLB Note - Detroit Tigers Martinez, J.D.

RF J.D. Martinez knows people will expect him to return to earth after a stratospheric return to the majors with the Tigers last season. "There was no expectations on him last year," manager Brad Ausmus said. "He was released (by Houston). Now he's got a little bit of a standard. I don't know if we can count on him to hit .320, but I think he could be a good hitter with power." Martinez was released by the Astros late in spring training, quickly signed a minor league deal with Detroit and was brought up after a power surge at Triple-A Toledo. Martinez hit himself into the regular lineup and wound up batting .315 with 23 home runs and 76 RBIs for the year.

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MLB Note - Detroit Tigers Cabrera, Miguel

1B Miguel Cabrera was a surprise addition to spring training Feb. 23 when he came in on the first day regulars were due to report. It was believed Cabrera would stay at home in Miami to work out on a special anti-gravity treadmill and report later in the week. However, the Tigers got hold of one of the devices, and it was expected to be operational by Feb. 25. Cabrera reported no pain after his early batting practice sessions and light throwing drills. He was told not to run, except on the special treadmill, for the time being. Detroit won't let him play in a game until cleared to do so by the medical staff.

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MLB Note - Philadelphia Phillies Utley, Chase

2B Chase Utley (sprained right ankle) sustained his injury in late January but should be ready for the start of exhibition games on March 1.
 


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MLB Note - Pittsburgh Pirates Polanco, Gregory

RF Gregory Polanco reported to spring training stronger and well-rested. The 23-year-old gained 15 pounds over the offseason and also did not play winter ball in his native Dominican Republic. Polanco wore down last year during his rookie season and wound up hitting .235 with seven home runs and 14 stolen bases in 89 games.

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