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 03/01/2015 MLB Note - Colorado Rockies Matzek, Tyler
LHP Tyler Matzek came to camp with a spot in the rotation that was
his to lose. He won his major league debut on June 11, holding the
Braves to two runs and five hits in seven innings at Coors Field.
Ultimately, Matzek went 6-10 with a 4.05 ERA in 20 games, 19 starts,
as a rookie last year but finished exceptionally strong. In his
final six starts, Matzek went 4-2 with a 1.55 ERA, holding opponents
to a .223 batting average as he struck out 38 and walked 14 in 40
2/3 innings. During that stretch, Matzek, 24, threw the Rockies'
only complete game of the season, shutting out the Padres on three
hits Sept. 5. "It was quite an evolution last year," manager Walt
Weiss said. "We sent him out of camp as a reliever, because he was a
bit in limbo. He'd gone to the (Arizona) Fall League as a
reliever...I'm glad we kept him as a starter." Weiss was impressed
with Matzek's feel and his awareness as a young pitcher. Starting
with his major league debut, Matzek and not catcher Mike McKenry,
initiated some of the in-game conversations. Weiss said one of the
keys to Matzek getting to the next level and becoming a consistent,
dependable major league pitcher is having confidence to throw his
changeup at any time. "I'm excited about Tyler," Weiss said. "I
think there's good reason to be. Came up and handled himself like a
veteran from his first start on. He's very self-motivated."
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MLB Note - Colorado Rockies Betancourt, Rafael
RHP Rafael Betancourt won't be using spring training to simply
prepare for the start of the regular season. Indeed, Betancourt will
have more riding on his performances in Cactus League games this
spring. That's because Betancourt, formerly the Rockies' closer, is
continuing his comeback from Tommy John surgery on September 17,
2013, and will be doing so with his 40th birthday approaching on
April 29. Betancourt, who is signed to a minor league contract, made
steady progress last season and returned to the mound in a minor
league game just under 10 months after his surgery. On July 6, he
made the first of 14 appearances for Rookie level Grand Junction,
where he pitched through Aug. 14 and went 1-0 with a 2.02 ERA in 13
1/3 innings. Betancourt then moved up to Triple-A Colorado Springs
where he went 1-0 with a 10.50 ERA in seven games, totaling six
innings. "Let's call it what it is," manager Walt Weiss said. "He's
been out of the game for a little while and he's getting up there in
age. But we all know what he brings to the bullpen and the team.
He's one of the greatest pros I've had the pleasure of managing. All
the intangible things with Rafi are off the chart. We're just hoping
to see him healthy and hoping he can rebound after an outing. Those
type of things we'll be tuned into." Betancourt, who was acquired
from the Indians in July 2009, took over as the Rockies closer from
Huston Street in August 2011. Betancourt has earned 57 saves for the
Rockies and ranks fifth all-time in franchise history in that
category. He threw his first bullpen session of the spring on Feb.
26 and fully realizes that unlike past years, his Cactus League
performance will be scrutinized this spring. "Right now, I can throw
the ball without pain and with no fear," he said. "But it's
different now. I always cared about (exhibition) games before, but I
was always working on things. Now, I have to first show them that
I'm healthy."
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MLB Note - Colorado Rockies Lyles, Jordan
RHP Jordan Lyles missed two months of the 2014 season and ultimately
might be better for it. He suffered a broken bone in his left hand
on a tag play at the plate June 4 and didn't pitch again for the
Rockies until Aug. 6. But since his pitching hand wasn't injured,
Lyles was able to continue throwing while sidelined, and during that
period, he altered the grip on his changeup. Instead of the circle
changeup that he threw once or twice a game, Lyles went to a
split-finger change that was much more effective and which he hopes
to throw 10-15 times a game this season.
"It was a very productive year for him last year," manager Walt
Weiss said. "You don't always say that when a guy misses a couple of
months, but he used that time off to get better."
Lyles, 24, was in the big leagues at the age of 20 with the Astros.
He already has made 87 starts in the majors, including 22 last year
when he went 7-4 with a 4.33 ERA in 126 2/3 innings. Lyles begins
spring training with a spot in the rotation that is his to lose. "We
feel like he took a huge step in his development," Weiss said. "We
feel like he's a staple for us."
--RHP Rafael Betancourt won't be using spring training to simply
prepare for the start of the regular season. Indeed, Betancourt will
have more riding on his performances in Cactus League games this
spring. That's because Betancourt, formerly the Rockies' closer, is
continuing his comeback from Tommy John surgery on September 17,
2013, and will be doing so with his 40th birthday approaching on
April 29. Betancourt, who is signed to a minor league contract, made
steady progress last season and returned to the mound in a minor
league game just under 10 months after his surgery. On July 6, he
made the first of 14 appearances for Rookie level Grand Junction,
where he pitched through Aug. 14 and went 1-0 with a 2.02 ERA in 13
1/3 innings. Betancourt then moved up to Triple-A Colorado Springs
where he went 1-0 with a 10.50 ERA in seven games, totaling six
innin
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MLB Note - Los Angeles Angels Richards, Garrett
RHP Garrett Richards could begin fielding drills this week after
throwing five bullpen sessions without complications since spring
training began. Richards had a 13-4 record and a 2.61 earned-run
average, the fifth-best in the American League, when he tore the
patellar tendon in his left knee Aug. 20 as he was covering first
base in a game against the Boston Red Sox. Before that injury,
Richards also had amassed 164 strikeouts while conceding just 51
walks in 168 2/3 innings, and allowed opposing batters to hit just
.201 against him. Only Seattle Mariners' RHP Felix Hernandez held
opponents to a lower average in the American League. Manager Mike
Scioscia said Richards could be ready two or three weeks after the
season opener.
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MLB Note - Arizona Diamondbacks Reed, Addison
RHP Addison Reed has yet to throw off a mound in spring training
after feeling tenderness in his right shoulder during pre-camp
throwing. He is targeting March 20 as a possible first day off the
mound and believes he can be ready by opening day April 6. "If I can
get a few games in spring and a couple of back-to-back games, I'll
be good to go," Reed sad. "Right now, the main thing is seeing that
my shoulder feels 100 percent. If I get in three games, great. Six,
even better. The more games, obviously the better. The pace I'm
going right now, I don't see why I wouldn't get in five or six
games."
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MLB Note - Arizona Diamondbacks Hellickson, Jeremy
RHP Jeremy Hellickson was forced to cut short his live batting
practice session Saturday because of a cramp near his right rib
cage, but the injury is not believed to be serious. "I wanted to
shut it down when I felt it, didn't want to make it worse,"
Hellickson said. "We did a bunch of tests and all that and nothing
bothered it. Just going to treat it." Hellickson missed half of last
season after having bone chips in his right elbow removed the
previous offseason.
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MLB Note - San Diego Padres Maurer, Brandon
RHP Brandon Maurer has quickly impressed the Padres in spring
training. Maurer was acquired by the Padres in a trade for OF Seth
Smith. He put on a show Saturday in his first outing against live
hitters. "He has the skills to be a starter or a reliever," said
manager Bud Black. "He has tremendous upside. His fastball and
slider are devastating weapons. There is a process all players go
through until they find their niche. Maurer has the ability to be a
starter or a reliever. He has a four-pitch mix (fastball, slider,
curve, change). He's got weapons and delivery. There's a reliever
mentality and a starter mentality."
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MLB Note - Los Angeles Angels Newcomb, Sean
LHP Sean Newcomb, the Angels' top selection in last June's amateur
draft, is one of 23 non-roster players invited to spring training.
After signing in July, Newcomb pitched just 14 2/3 innings for Class
A Burlington (Midwest League) and the Arizona Angels (Rookie
League). Newcomb, the 15th pick overall, went 8-2 with a 1.25
earned-run average as a junior at Hartford. The left-hander's ERA
ranked seventh in the NCAA.
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MLB Note - Los Angeles Angels Baldoquin, Roberto
INF Roberto Baldoquin has not arrived in camp from the Dominican
Republic because he is waiting for a visa. Baldoquin, 20, played in
Cuba's top league before defecting in February 2014. The Angels, who
signed him for $8 million in January, plan to begin Baldoquin's
professional career either at Class A Inland Empire (California
League) or at Double-A Arkansas (Texas League).
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MLB Note - Kansas City Royals Severino, Atahualpa
LHP Atahualpa Severino also has yet to arrive from the Dominican
Republic because of a visa delay. Severino, 30, received an
invitation to spring training as a non-roster player after going 5-3
with a 3.22 earned-run average and two saves last year for Triple-A
Gwinnett (International League), the Atlanta Braves' top farm team.
Severino made six appearances for the Washington Nationals in 2011,
his only year in the major leagues.
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MLB Note - No MLB Team Free Agents Mattheus, Ryan
RHP Ryan Mattheus, another non-roster player, missed a few days of
workouts because of a sore left quadriceps muscle that has now
healed. Mattheus, 31, spent most of last season with Triple-A
Syracuse (International League) in the Washington Nationals' system.
Mattheus had his best major-league season in 2012, when he went 5-3
with a 2.85 earned-run average in 66 relief appearances for
Washington. He spent parts of the past four seasons with the
Nationals
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MLB Note - San Diego Padres Lane, Jason
LHP Jason Lane, 38, who returned to the major leagues briefly last
season as a pitcher following his transformation from an outfielder,
will get the honor of starting the Padres' first spring training
game Saturday. Lane was 0-1 with a 0.87 earned-run average with the
Padres in three games (one start) covering 10 1/3 innings. He had
last appeared in the major leagues as an outfielder in 2007.
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MLB Note - San Diego Padres Kelly, Casey
RHP Casey Kelly is the only Padre slowed by an injury (a slight
groin strain) during the first week of spring training and Black is
not entirely upset by his slow start. Kelley missed most of the last
two seasons after undergoing Tommy John elbow surgery in the spring
of 2013. "We knew there would be some limitation on Casey before
camp," said manager Bud Black. "There is a silver lining to the
groin injury. It's slowed him down, which could be a good thing. He
is picking up momentum."
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MLB Note - San Francisco Giants Casilla, Santiago
RHP Santiago Casilla (bruised left shin) was taken for X-rays the
week of March 1 after getting hit by a line drive during a live
batting practice session. X-rays were negative and the injury is not
considered serious.
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MLB Note - San Francisco Giants Susac, Andrew
C Andrew Susac (tooth infection) missed two workouts because of a
high fever that resulted from a tooth infection. Susac had a root
canal to fix the problem and returned to camp without further
complications the week of March 1.
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MLB Note - Los Angeles Angels Yarbrough, Alex
2B Alex Yarbrough, considered one of the Angels' leading prospects,
will see action at third base, first base and left field this
spring. "It's just to see if the versatility is there," manager Mike
Scioscia said. Yarbrough, 23, hit .285 with 38 doubles in 136 games
for Double-A Arkansas (Texas League) last year.
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MLB Note - Tampa Bay Rays Belisario, Ronald
RHP Ronald Belisario was aiming to nab a spot in the bullpen before
he sustained a fractured left shoulder getting out of a swimming
pool at home in Venezuela before the start of camp. He won't be
ready for the start of the season. Rays president of baseball
operations Matt Silverman said Feb. 28 that the injury to
Belisario's non-throwing shoulder, which went undetected until he
arrived for spring training, would prevent him from throwing for
several weeks.
The 32-year-old is coming off a terrible year with the White Sox:
4-8 with a 5.56 ERA in 66 1/3 innings. However, he was 13-8 with a
3.24 ERA and 118 strikeouts in 139 innings for the Dodgers in
2012-13. That was enough for Tampa Bay to invite him to big league
camp on a minor league contract.
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MLB Note - Chicago White Sox Sale, Chris
LHP Chris Sale will be out at least three weeks after injuring a
foot during an accident at his home. Sale suffered an avulsion
fracture to the lateral side of his right foot on Feb. 27 in Arizona
at his spring residence that will limit his preparation before
Opening Day. White Sox GM Rick Hahn said Sale was unloading items
from his truck and landed awkwardly. "It was really just a freak
incident," Sale said. Sale, slated to start the White Sox's opener
at Kansas City, would only have about two weeks to prepare in spring
training once he returns to the mound. Sale finished third in the
American League Cy Young Award voting last season after posting a
12-4 record with a 2.17 ERA in 174 innings.
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MLB Note - San Francisco Giants Cedeno, Ronny
INF Ronny Cedeno was signed to a minor-league contract and has
joined the competition for a utility infield spot. Cedeno, a career
.245 hitter at the major-league level, will compete with INF Joaquin
Arias, INF Ehire Adrianza and INF Matt Duffy for two backup spots at
second base, shortstop and third base. The 32-year-old batted .313
at Triple-A last season while in the Philadelphia Phillies
organization.
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MLB Note - San Francisco Giants Cain, Matt
RHP Matt Cain is another Giants veteran who is being treated very
conservatively this spring despite experiencing no setbacks after
off-season surgery. Giants manager Bruce Bochy announced Cain would
be skipped in the first trip through the starting rotation when the
club begins its exhibition schedule. Bochy assured he's counting
upon Cain to be ready to be near the top of the rotation once the
regular season begins in April.
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MLB Note - San Francisco Giants Posey, Buster
C Buster Posey made news off the field as well when he was voted the
"Face of Major League Baseball" in an online competition. The former
National League Most Valuable Player won the single-elimination,
head-to-head tournament over New York Mets third baseman David
Wright in the finals.
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MLB Note - San Francisco Giants Bumgarner, Madison
LHP Madison Bumgarner helped produce the biggest highlight of the
first week of camp, even if he had to suffer some ridicule
afterward. Batterymate C Buster Posey bombed him for a double,
single and home run on the first three pitches of their highly
anticipated, live batting practice session on Feb. 28. Posey had
been assigned to catch Bumgarner's session, but rearranged the
hitting schedule in order to bat against the reigning World Series
Most Valuable Player. The left-hander shrugged off some Posey barbs
afterward, countering, "I want him to feel good, so I'm going to try
to give him something to hit before I start getting him out."
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MLB Note - Miami Marlins Stanton, Giancarlo
RF Giancarlo Stanton was back in the batter's box Feb. 28 for the
first time since he sustained facial fractures and dental damage
after being struck in the face by a fastball from Milwaukee's Mike
Fiers in September. On Feb. 28, Stanton, wearing a specially
designed batting helmet, was plunked on the hip by his teammate, RHP
Henderson Alvarez, during an intrasquad scrimmage. "Feels good," he
told reporters after the game. "No thoughts, 100 percent fine.
Didn't have one thought about it." Stanton signed a 13-year, $325
million contract in the offseason.
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MLB Note - Arizona Diamondbacks Ziegler, Brad
RHP Brad Ziegler threw off a bullpen mound Sunday, and the D-backs
believe he will be ready for the start of the regular season. "I'm
ahead of schedule," said Ziegler, who had microfracture surgery left
knee last September. Ziegler had 13 saves in 2013 and 33 in seven
major league seasons, and manager Chip Hale said he would be a
likely candidate to close games in the off chance RHP closer Addison
Reed is not ready for the start of the regular season. "Ziegler is
obviously a proven guy, and if he is healthy and ready to go, then
he would probably get it," Hale said of closing games in Reed's
absence.
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MLB Note - Toronto Blue Jays Viciedo, Dayan
OF Dayan Viciedo and the Blue Jays agreed on a minor league deal
Feb. 28. Terms were not released. The White Sox released the
25-year-old on Feb. 4. Viciedo, 25, hit .231/.281/.405 with 21 home
runs and 58 RBIs in 145 games last season.
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MLB Note - Toronto Blue Jays Saunders, Michael
LF Michael Saunders (torn meniscus in left knee) could return in
mid-April after undergoing surgery Feb. 27 for the injury suffered
Feb. 25 when he stepped on a sprinkler head while shagging fly
balls. Originally, it was thought he would be out until July. But
doctors concluded that their only option was to remove 60 percent of
the meniscus, instead of trying to repair it, and that makes the
recovery process quicker.
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MLB Note - Los Angeles Dodgers Turner, Justin
INF Justin Turner reported to camp 18 pounds lighter than a year ago
after working out with strength and conditioning coach Brandon
McDaniel at Dodger Stadium during the winter. Dodgers manager Don
Mattingly said he felt he had to be cautious with Turner last year
because he would have leg problems if he played too much. Turner
said he was motivated to "get off that leash" in 2015.
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MLB Note - Los Angeles Dodgers Jansen, Kenley
RHP Kenley Jansen had the cast removed from his left foot and
replaced with a weight-bearing boot. That will allow Jansen to
increase his workout activities. Jansen had surgery to remove a
growth from the fifth metatarsal in his foot and is expected to miss
at least the first month of the season.
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MLB Note - Los Angeles Dodgers Adams, Mike
RHP Mike Adams signed a minor league contract with a non-roster
invite to big-league camp. Adams, 36, is the latest pitcher with a
history of injury signed by the Dodgers. He recovered from his
latest shoulder surgery in July 2013 to pitch 18 2/3 innings for the
Phillies last season.
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MLB Note - Arizona Diamondbacks Tomas, Yasmany
OF/3B Yasmany Tomas' crash course at third base began when he
arrived at Arizona;s training complex in mid-January and officially
began when position players reported last week. He fits the D-backs'
roster best at third base, and he will be given every chance to play
there. While it is a work in progress, the D-backs have liked the
early signs. "It's going OK," D-backs manager Chip Hale said. "He's
working extremely hard."
Tomas signed a six-year, $68.5 million free agent contract after
defecting from Cuba in 2013, a team-friendly deal that includes $36
million over the first four seasons with player options in 2017 and
2018.
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MLB Note - San Diego Padres Quentin, Carlos
OF Carlos Quentin might be taking ground balls at first for the
Padres, but don't jump to the conclusion that the Padres see him as
a first baseman/outfielder on the Opening Day roster. "Carlos is
still an outfielder," manager Bud Black said March 1 when asked
about Quentin. "Carlos is exploring options. It's not uncommon for
players to move around and play more positions and explore other
things. I think Carlos is enjoying it. He's a sharp guy. He's
working hard at it."
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MLB Note - Oakland Athletics Griffin, A.J.
RHP A.J. Griffin (Tommy John surgery in April 2014) went on the
60-day disabled list Feb. 28. He resumed throwing before the end of
last season. Barring a setback, he could return as soon as June.
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MLB Note - Tampa Bay Rays Balfour, Grant
RHP Grant Balfour was given an indefinite leave of absence Feb. 25
so he could return to his native Australia to be with his father,
who is battling cancer. Balfour plans to stay on a regular throwing
program while he is away from camp.
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MLB Note - Tampa Bay Rays McGee, Jake
LHP Jake McGee has started playing catch at a distance of 105 feet
as he continues to rehab from arthroscopic elbow surgery performed
last December. The Rays expect McGee to begin the season on the
disabled list but are hopeful he will be ready to be activated by no
later than May 1. He was 5-2 with 19 saves and a 1.89 ERA in 72
games last season.
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MLB Note - Tampa Bay Rays Jennings, Desmond
CF Desmond Jennings will no longer bat leadoff now that Kevin Cash
has replaced Joe Maddon as manager. Jennings hit .244 with 10 home
runs and 15 stolen bases in 123 games. His on-base percentage was
just .319 and Cash wants someone who gets on base more often.
Jennings is likely to begin the season batting sixth.
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MLB Note - Oakland Athletics Hassan, Alex
OF Alex Hassan, designated for assignment by the Orioles on Feb. 25,
was claimed off waivers by the A's two days later. Hassan, 26, was
claimed off waivers by the Baltimore from the A's in November after
Oakland acquired him off waivers from Boston. In three games for the
Red Sox last year, Hassan went 1-for-8. He spent the bulk of the
2014 season with Triple-A Pawtucket, hitting .287/.378/.426 with
eight homers and 55 RBIs in 114 games.
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MLB Note - Colorado Rockies Axford, John
RHP John Axford, who first signed a minor league contract with the
Rockies, was added to the 40-man roster on March 1. He is due to
earn a $2.6 million base salary in the big leagues with an
additional $1.5 million in performance bonuses. Axford, who turns 32
on April 1 and has pitched in 343 games, has swing-and-miss stuff
and plenty of experience closing with 116 career saves. Axford's
fastball still sits in the 94-95 mph range, and last year his
ground-ball percentage was 54 percent. However, command can be an
issue for Axford, who averaged 10.4 strikeouts and 5.9 walks per
nine innings last year.
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MLB Note - Colorado Rockies Chatwood, Tyler
RHP Tyler Chatwood (Tommy John surgery in July 2014) went on the
60-day disabled list March 1. He hopes to be back at midseason.
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