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 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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