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[March 25, 2015]  The Sports Xchange

03/24/2015 MLB Note - Washington Nationals Werth, Jayson

OF Jayson Werth (arthroscopic right shoulder surgery in January 2015) played the outfield in a minor league game for five innings March 23. "We are optimistic he will be ready for the beginning of the season. If not Opening Day then soon thereafter," GM Mike Rizzo said March 23.

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MLB Note - Washington Nationals Storen, Drew

RHP Drew Storen (left hamate bone surgery in March 2015) underwent the procedure on his non-throwing hand March 13. He threw batting practice March 21. He was expected to return to Grapefruit League action during the week of March 23-29.

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MLB Note - Washington Nationals Rendon, Anthony

INF Anthony Rendon (sprained left medial collateral ligament) was injured when he dived for a ball March 9. He was still experiencing soreness as of March 23 and had yet to return to Grapefruit League action. "He is making progress," GM Mike Rizzo said March 23, though he did not add whether Rendon would be ready for Opening Day.
 


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MLB Note - Philadelphia Phillies Brown, Domonic

RF Domonic Brown is questionable for the April 6 opener against the Red Sox because of tendinitis in his left Achilles. Brown has been sidelined since being injured March 19 in the third inning of an exhibition game against the Yankees. An MRI taken the next morning was negative and the Phillies are hopeful he will be able to start running by the weekend, though they aren't certain. Brown, for his part, is staying optimistic. "I'm feeling better, much better," he said March 24.

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MLB Note - New York Mets Colon, Bartolo

RHP Bartolo Colon will draw the Opening Day start for the Mets on April 6, manager Terry Collins announced on March 23. The 41-year-old Colon, the second-oldest player in the majors, will be the oldest Opening Day starter in Mets history and the oldest Opening Day starter, period, since 2006, when 43-year-old Jamie Moyer and 42-year-old Randy Johnson started for the Seattle Mariners and New York Yankees, respectively. Colon will be followed in the rotation by RHP Jacob deGrom, the 2014 National League Rookie of the Year, and Matt Harvey, who started for the National League in the 2013 All-Star Game.

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MLB Note - New York Mets Wheeler, Zack

RHP Zack Wheeler's season will officially end before it starts on March 25, when he undergoes Tommy John surgery in New York City. Wheeler underwent an MRI on March 14 that revealed a tear of his ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow. He hopes to be back by midseason 2016.

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MLB Note - New York Mets Cuddyer, Michael

OF Michael Cuddyer continued his hot Grapefruit League hitting on March 23, when he laced a solo homer in the Mets' 12-3 win over the Marlins. The round-tripper was the third homer in four games for Cuddyer, who leads the Mets with five homers in just 12 games overall. Cuddyer signed a two-year, $21 million deal with the Mets on Nov. 10.

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MLB Note - Washington Nationals Gwynn Jr., Tony

OF Tony Gwynn, Jr. has played well since signing with the Nationals as a free agent March 2. He hit .152 in 105 at-bats last year with the Philadelphia Phillies. He hit .364 in his first 33 at-bats this spring with the Nationals. "I'm happy with where I'm at," he said.

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MLB Note - Philadelphia Phillies Billingsley, Chad

RHP Chad Billingsley is scheduled to pitch two innings March 26 in a minor league exhibition game after working one inning March 21. He has not pitched in a major league game since 2013 with the Los Angeles Dodgers and has undergone two elbow surgeries in the interim. The Phillies signed Billingsley as a free agent in the offseason and are hopeful he will be ready to join their rotation by May 1.

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MLB Note - Philadelphia Phillies Nola, Aaron

RHP Aaron Nola will make a spot start March 27 against the Yankees in an exhibition game. Nola, who was the Phillies' first-round draft pick last year, is slated to open the season at Double-A Reading, but GM Ruben Amaro Jr. wants to expose him to major league hitters in order to gauge when he might be ready to help in Philadelphia. Nola was a combined 4-3 with a 2.93 ERA last season in 12 games with high Class A Clearwater and Reading.

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MLB Note - Philadelphia Phillies Ruf, Darin

1B/OF Darin Ruf helped his chances of winning a job as the right-handed half of a platoon in right field (with OF Grady Sizemore) by going 3-for-5 with a double and a home run March 24 in an exhibition game against the Braves. Ruf, 28, entered the day hitting just .189. Also working against him is that he still has a minor league option left.

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MLB Note - Philadelphia Phillies Hollands, Mario

LHP Mario Hollands (strained common flexor tendon in left elbow) did not pitch March 21-24. He is likely to begin the season the disabled list. He has an 11.81 ERA in five relief appearances this spring.

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MLB Note - Washington Nationals Fister, Doug

RHP Doug Fister allowed seven hits and four runs in 4 1/3 innings on March 23 against the New York Yankees. He gave up a three-run homer to Brian McCann in the third inning.

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MLB Note - Washington Nationals Scherzer, Max

RHP Max Scherzer won the Cy Young Award in 2013 with the Detroit Tigers but was not the Opening Day starter in 2014. But he will get the ball on Opening Day for the Nationals on April 6 against the New York Mets. "He understands that we have great confidence in him," manager Matt Williams said.

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MLB Note - Washington Nationals Taylor, Michael A.

OF Michael A. Taylor, who made his major league debut in August, hit two homers on March 22 against Justin Verlander and the Detroit Tigers. "He has performed remarkably. He runs the ball down, he has power at the plate. He is going to be a good player for us for a long time," said general manager Mike Rizzo.

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MLB Note - No MLB Team Free Agents Bell, Heath

RHP Heath Bell was released by the Nationals on March 23. Bell, 37, was 1-1 with a 7.27 ERA last season. On March 24, he announced he is retiring.

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MLB Note - Minnesota Twins Dozier, Brian

2B Brian Dozier signed a four-year, $20 million contract extension with the Twins on March 24. Dozier, 27, is now signed through 2018. He batted .242 last season with 23 home runs, 33 doubles, 71 RBIs and 21 stolen bases. He was named to the All-Star team and participated in the Home Run Derby at Target Field.

The contract calls for a $2 million salary in 2015 and $3 million in 2016 before spiking to $8 million and $9 million in the final two seasons.

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MLB Note - Los Angeles Dodgers Ryu, Hyun-Jin

LHP Hyun-Jin Ryu will rest his injured shoulder for two to three weeks and start the season on the disabled list.

Ryu returned to Los Angeles from spring training for an examination on March 23 that determined there was no structural damage to the shoulder. He experienced renewed shoulder inflammation March 22 while trying to throw, and the Dodgers decided to take precautionary measures.

Ryu woke up with a sore shoulder March 14 after a Cactus League start. Diagnosed with inflammation in his pitching shoulder, Ryu received an injection but was still experiencing discomfort four days later when he tried throwing.

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MLB Note - Los Angeles Dodgers Bedard, Erik

LHP Erik Bedard underwent an MRI exam March 23, and he was diagnosed with a strained teres major muscle. He is out four to six weeks, ending his bid to make the Dodgers' Opening Day pitching staff after entering camp as a non-roster player. He went 1-1 with a 5.40 ERA in three Cactus League outings.

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MLB Note - Washington Nationals Butler, Dan

C Dan Butler was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse and INF Wilmer Difo was optioned to Single-A Potomac on March 19.

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MLB Note - Washington Nationals Grace, Matt

P Matt Grace were optioned to Triple-A Syracuse on March 19.

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MLB Note - Washington Nationals Difo, Wilmer

INF Wilmer Difo was optioned to Class A Potomac on March 19.

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MLB Note - Washington Nationals Jordan, Taylor

RHP Taylor Jordan was sent to Triple-A Syracuse on March 23.

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MLB Note - New York Mets Meek, Evan

RHP Evan Meek was sent to minor league camp on March 23.

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MLB Note - Los Angeles Dodgers Olivera, Hector

2B Hector Olivera signed a six-year, $62.5 million deal with the Dodgers, his agent confirmed March 24. The agreement, which the team had yet to confirm, includes a $28 million signing bonus, said agent Greg Genske. Among the teams pursuing Olivera were the New York Yankees, Atlanta Braves, Miami Marlins, San Francisco Giants and San Diego Padres. Olivera, who turns 30 in April, also has the ability to play third base. He impressed scouts last month during workouts in the Dominican Republic with his power and raw ability. There are concerns that Olivera might have a serious elbow injury, but his representatives denied there are any issues with his health. It's not yet known when the Dodgers will deem the 6-foot-2, 220-pound Olivera ready for the major leagues.

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MLB Note - Retired Player Bell, Heath

RHP Heath Bell, released by the Nationals on March 23, told MLB.com the next day that he is retiring. "My kids wanted me home," said Bell, who has four children ranging in age from 16 to 5. "What's more important: my kids or the big leagues? I've already accomplished more than I ever dreamed of. Now it's time to help them accomplish their dreams." The 37-year-old veteran was released by the Tampa Bay Rays last May after posting a 7.28 ERA in 13 games. Bell spent the remainder of the season pitching for the Triple-A affiliates of the Baltimore Orioles and the New York Yankees. A three-time All-Star, Bell signed a minor league deal with Washington in December that would have paid him $1 million if he had made the Opening Day roster. However, he struggled in camp with the Nationals, compiling a 5.68 ERA in seven appearances.

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MLB Note - Oakland Athletics Cook, Ryan

RHP Ryan Cook was optioned to Triple-A Nashville on March 24. Cook, who was expected to be a key late-inning reliever for the A's, gave up five hits and three earned runs over two innings March 23, hiking his spring ERA to 16.88. "Cookie has been an instrumental piece in our success the past few years, an All-Star in 2012, anything from a seventh-inning guy to a ninth-inning guy for us," manager Bob Melvin said. "We just feel like he needed a break from this. Sometimes something like that can rejuvenate you."

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MLB Note - Washington Nationals Skole, Matt

INF Matt Skole was sent to minor league camp on March 23.

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MLB Note - Washington Nationals Cole, A.J.
 
 RHP A.J. Cole was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse on March 18. He was summoned to the big league club on March 22 to start for the Nationals in place of Stephen Strasburg, who sprained his left ankle in conditioning drills March 20.
 
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 MLB Note - Washington Nationals Kobernus, Jeff
 
 OF/INF Jeff Kobernus was released March 17.
 
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 MLB Note - Miami Marlins Ozuna, Marcell
 
 CF Marcell Ozuna, 24, hit 23 homers and drove in 85 runs last season, and he also ranked 15th in the majors with 11 defensive runs saved. Ozuna combined with LF Christian Yelich, who had 10 runs saved and won a Gold Glove, and RF Giancarlo Stanton (seven runs saved) to lead the National League defensively. The Marlins' outfielders, including backups, saved 31 runs, which ranked third in the majors. Ozuna is the leader of the group by virtue of his status as the center fielder. Yet, Ozuna is grossly underpaid at $540,000, relatively speaking. He will be eligible for arbitration next spring, so the emerging star is one good year away from becoming a multi-millionaire. 

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 MLB Note - Miami Marlins Suzuki, Ichiro
 
 OF Ichiro Suzuki, 41, figures to be the Marlins' fourth outfielder this year, and manager Mike Redmond has said he is not afraid to use him at any spot. Suzuki played most of his career as a right fielder -- 1,824 games. Last year with the New York Yankees, he made 86 starts in right, six in left and two in center. In all, he has made just 15 starts in center over the past three years.
 
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 MLB Note - Miami Marlins McKirahan, Andrew
 
 LHP Andrew McKirahan is bidding to make the Marlins as a lefty reliever. McKirahan, a Rule 5 pick-up from the Cubs, has never pitched above Double-A. If he doesn't make the team and spend the entire year with the Marlins, he must be returned to the Cubs. So far, he has shown a 90-94 mph fastball and good control. In four minor league seasons, he averaged 3.65 strikeouts for every walk. With the Marlins, he is trying to join Mike Dunn as the team's lefty relievers. But Brad Hand, who can also start and pitch in long relief, is also left-handed, and he is out of options. So the Marlins would risk losing Hand to another team if they try to send him to the minors.
 
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 MLB Note - No MLB Team Free Agents Veras, Jose
 
 RHP Jose Veras was released March 19 as the Braves began whittling down their bullpen candidates. A non-roster invitee, the veteran had an 11.81 ERA with seven walks to four strikeouts in 5 1/3 innings. Veras, with Houston and Detroit last season, twice had to be pulled during an inning.
 
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 MLB Note - Atlanta Braves Bethancourt, Christian
 
 C Christian Bethancourt was sent home from the ballpark with flu-like symptoms on March 19 and was being held out of the lineup until March 26 as he built back his strength. Before the illness, Bethancourt had shown he was ready to take over as the regular behind the plate by hitting .360 in nine spring games with six doubles among his nine hits. The 23-year-old from Panama was 3-for-4 with a pair of doubles and two RBIs against Boston in his last game on March 17.
 

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 MLB Note - Atlanta Braves Simmons, Andrelton
 
 SS Andrelton Simmons was hit on the left elbow by a pitch March 23, but returned the next day to slug a two-run homer against Philadelphia. Simmons didn't play in a game until March 12 because of a strained left oblique, but was hitting .467 (14-for-30) with two homers and 12 RBIs in 10 games. The Gold Glove winner adjusted his stroke at the plate while working with new hitting coach Kevin Seitzer.
 
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 MLB Note - Atlanta Braves Fultynewicz, Mike
 
 RHP Mike Fultynewicz, bidding for a spot in the rotation, had his third shaky outing in four spring starts as he allowed homers on back-to-back pitches to the Phillies' Ryan Howard and Darin Ruf on March 24. The rookie, acquired from Houston in the Evan Gattis trade, also walked two in his 2 2/3 innings, including the pitcher. Fultynewics was charged with three runs on five hits and has a 7.04 ERA. He has 16 appearances with the Astros last year, all in relief.
 
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 MLB Note - Oakland Athletics Crisp, Coco
 
 LF Coco Crisp (sore right elbow) was scratched from the lineup March 24. He was expected to be sidelined for at least a few days, but the team remained optimistic he would be set for Opening Day.
 
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 MLB Note - Atlanta Braves Johnson, Chris
 
 3B Chris Johnson went back to holding his hands high at the plate after struggling with the new lower setup he had worked on early in camp with hitting coach Kevin Seitzer. Johnson missed a few games with a sore left wrist and was 4-for-30 before going 2-for-2 with a pair of walks against Houston on March 23, then singling as a pinch hitter the next day against the Philadelphia. After finishing second in the National League batting race in 2013, he struggled last season and could find himself in a platoon with Alberto Callaspo.
 


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 MLB Note - Atlanta Braves Markakis, Nick
 
 RF Nick Markakis, who had neck surgery in December, finally made his Braves debut and should get enough at-bats over the final two weeks of spring training to be ready for Opening Day in Miami on April 6. "He's right on schedule," president of baseball operations John Hart said. Markakis was 2-for-3 with a double as the designated hitter against Houston on March 23, then was 0-for-3 with a strikeout the next day while playing six innings in the outfield against Philadelphia. "I feel better than I thought I would right now, but I've still got some work left," Markakis said. The long-time member of the Baltimore Orioles signed a four-year deal worth $44 million as a free agent to replace the traded Jason Heyward.
 
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 MLB Note - Atlanta Braves Rodriguez, Wandy
 
 LHP Wandy Rodriguez will be the Braves No. 4 starter at least until Mike Minor returns from shoulder inflammation in May and then could slide into the fifth spot, which is still up for grabs. The veteran left-hander, who was able to make just 18 starts the past two seasons with Pittsburgh because of injuries, has locked up a rotation spot with an impressive spring and now the issue is keeping him healthy. Rodriguez threw five hitless innings against Miami on March 20 to run his scoreless streak to 12 frames. He struck out seven, including Marlins slugger Giancarlo Stanton twice, and walked three in an 80-pitch outing. "The way he's pitched, he's earned a shot in this rotation," manager Fredi Gonzalez. "I mean, who else?"
 
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 MLB Note - New York Mets Parnell, Bobby
 
 RHP Bobby Parnell (Tommy John surgery in April 2014) pitched in a minor league intrasquad game March 21, when he threw 20 pitches. It was the first game action for Parnell since March 31, 2014, when he was injured in his lone major league appearance of the season. He will open the season on the disabled list but expects to return to the Mets in April.
 
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 MLB Note - New York Mets Black, Vic
 
 RHP Vic Black (right shoulder tendinitis) resumed throwing March 24, two days after he finished taking anti-inflammatory medicine. Black hadn't pitched in a Grapefruit League game since March 9, and he felt soreness after throwing from flat ground March 17. GM Sandy Alderson said March 24 that he wasn't sure if Black would be available on Opening Day. Black pitched just twice after Aug. 23 last season due to neck and shoulder woes.

 


 
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 MLB Note - New York Mets Flores, Wilmer
 
 SS Wilmer Flores (bruised left foot) survived a major injury scare March 22, when he fouled a ball off his foot during a Grapefruit League game. Flores was placed in a walking boot afterward, but X-rays revealed nothing more than a deep bruise, and he shed the boot a day later. He was expected to miss a few days of exhibition action but should be fine for Opening Day.
 
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 MLB Note - New York Mets Murphy, Daniel
 
 2B Daniel Murphy (strained right hamstring) was injured during a March 19 Grapefruit League game. The Mets estimated he would miss a week or two. The back end of that timetable would likely force him to begin the season on the 15-day disabled list, but GM Sandy Alderson said March 24 he was confident Murphy would be healthy for Opening Day.
 
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 MLB Note - Washington Nationals Escobar, Yunel
 
 2B Yunel Escobar (oblique sprain) played in his first spring training game on March 23 and had one hit in two at-bats. He made a throwing error on his first fielding attempt of the game, in which he played three innings.
 
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