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			 03/30/2015 MLB Note - Colorado Rockies Culberson, Charlie 
			 
			INF Charlie Culberson, who has been sidelined with a bulging disk in 
			his lower back, played four innings in a minor league game March 26 
			and batted each inning, going 1-for-4. Two days later, Culberson 
			played in his first Cactus League game since March 8 and went 
			0-for-2. It's unlikely he'll win a spot on the Opening Day roster 
			and particularly if the Rockies decide to carry just one utility 
			infielder on their bench. That was Culberson's role last season when 
			he spent the entire season with the Rockies, except for one week in 
			April. In 95 games, Culberson filled in decently on defense but 
			batted .195 with 210 at-bats as he struggled to find any offensive 
			rhythm while playing sparingly. 
			 
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			MLB Note - No MLB Team Free Agents Lindstrom, Matt 
			 
			RHP Matt Lindstrom was released by the Angels on March 28. He was in 
			camp this spring on a minor league contract. Lindstrom, 35, posted a 
			2-2 record and 5.03 ERA in 34 innings last season for the White Sox. 
			This spring, he allowed seven earned runs in 5 2/3 innings. 
			  
			
			  
			 
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			MLB Note - Boston Red Sox Vazquez, Christian 
			 
			C Christian Vazquez will meet with Dr. James Andrews on April 1 
			regarding his sore right elbow, multiple media outlets reported. 
			 
			The results of the MRI exam on Vazquez's elbow on March 27 raised 
			sufficient concerns, manager John Farrell said the next day, 
			although he was vague about the findings. "I was not told 
			specifically what's going on there," Farrell said. 
			 
			Vazquez, a 24-year-old who appeared to be making progress in his 
			throwing program, has not played in a game since March 13, when he 
			said he felt discomfort in his elbow. He caught in a minor league 
			game March 27, but he was instructed to throw only back to the 
			pitcher. 
			 
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			MLB Note - Detroit Tigers Verlander, Justin 
			 
			RHP Justin Verlander is feeling better from the cramping in his 
			right triceps, Detroit Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said March 29. 
			Verlander played catch briefly March 29 for the first time since 
			leaving a spring training game two days earlier. Ausmus said 
			Verlander did some light tossing at the team's camp at Lakeland, 
			Fla., but he still felt "a little bit tight." 
			 
			"He felt better today," Ausmus said. "Not completely better, but he 
			feels better than he did yesterday." 
			 
			Verlander was tentatively scheduled to make his final spring start 
			April 2 against the Yankees. According to ESPN.com, the Tigers 
			remain unsure whether he will make it and have begun to consider 
			options to push back his first start of the season. He is currently 
			scheduled to start the Tigers' second game of the season, April 8. 
			 
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			MLB Note - San Diego Padres Johnson, Josh 
			 
			RHP Josh Johnson (Tommy John surgery in April 2014) underwent the 
			second elbow reconstruction of his career. He was throwing from the 
			mound in spring training, and he expects to be major-league-ready by 
			late May. 
			 
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			MLB Note - Los Angeles Dodgers Pederson, Joc 
			 
			CF Joc Pederson, thanks to the December trade of Matt Kemp, is set 
			to become the Dodgers' everyday center fielder. Coming off the first 
			30-30 season in the Pacific Coast League since 1934, Pederson is 
			expected to stabilize the Dodgers' defense and help lengthen the 
			lineup offensively. He did nothing in spring training to cast doubts 
			on that. With a handful of exhibition games left, Pederson was 
			batting .373 (19-for-51) in Cactus League play with five home runs, 
			tied with Yasiel Puig for the team lead. 
			
			  
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			MLB Note - Los Angeles Dodgers Grandal, Yasmani 
			 
			C Yasmani Grandal was the key player the Dodgers received back from 
			the San Diego Padres in the trade that sent former MVP runner-up 
			Matt Kemp south. The Dodgers think they got a young catcher with 
			tremendous upside offensively who might have been undervalued after 
			two difficult seasons with the Padres. Grandal served a 50-game 
			suspension for violating baseball's performance-enhancing drug 
			policy, then sustained a severe knee injury within a month of his 
			return. Grandal under reconstructive surgery and raced through his 
			rehab in time to open the 2014 season in the Padres' lineup. He hit 
			just .225, and his defensive skills eroded as a result, but the 
			Dodgers expect much more from a fully recovered Grandal. 
			 
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			MLB Note - Los Angeles Dodgers Uribe, Juan 
			 
			3B Juan Uribe had a career renaissance the past two seasons, batting 
			a career high .311 in 2014. At age 36, however, Uribe is not likely 
			to give the Dodgers a repeat performance in 2015. Even last year, 
			Uribe's hamstrings limited him to 103 games. One of three Dodgers 
			starting infielders in the final year of his contract, Uribe had a 
			rough spring, and he could lose playing time this year to Justin 
			Turner and Alex Guerrero, both of whom got off to hot spring starts. 
			 
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			MLB Note - Los Angeles Dodgers League, Brandon 
			 
			RHP Brandon League experienced renewed discomfort in his right 
			shoulder when he tried throwing a bullpen in late March. Earlier in 
			the spring, League got a cortisone injection. This time, he had a 
			contrast MRI exam that was examined by both Dr. Neal ElAttrache and 
			Dr. James Andrews. The consensus was to take a conservative route of 
			rest and rehabilitation, but League is expected to miss eight weeks 
			or more. He won't pick up a ball again before late April. 
			 
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			MLB Note - Los Angeles Dodgers Olivera, Hector 
			 
			INF Hector Olivera agreed to a six-year, $62.5 million deal with the 
			Dodgers. The 29-year-old Cuban was sought by the San Diego Padres, 
			Atlanta Braves and New York Yankees as well. The deal was not 
			official, however, and it could be complicated. Olivera had not 
			passed a physical, and there were reports that he might have a torn 
			ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow that would require 
			Tommy John surgery. However, the Dodgers don't really need Olivera 
			this year. He could slide in at second or third base in 2016 with 
			the current starters at those positions (Howie Kendrick and Juan 
			Uribe) in the final year of their contracts. 
			 
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			MLB Note - Los Angeles Dodgers Gonzalez, Adrian 
			 
			1B Adrian Gonzalez led the majors in RBIs last season. Gonzalez was 
			particularly prone to the increased use of defensive shifts and hit 
			a career-low .276 in 2014, but he remains one of the best 
			run-producers in baseball. Only he and Miguel Cabrera have reached 
			100 RBIs in seven of the past eight seasons. 
			 
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			MLB Note - Los Angeles Dodgers Puig, Yasiel 
			 
			RF Yasiel Puig needs to smooth out the rough edges in his offensive 
			game. Puig was the starting right fielder in last year's All-Star 
			Game but went for long stretches last season playing well below that 
			level. The Dodgers will need the All-Star Puig to show up on a more 
			consistent basis in 2015. 
			 
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			MLB Note - Los Angeles Dodgers Guerrero, Alex 
			 
			INF/OF Alex Guerrero spent most of last season in the minors after 
			signing with the Dodgers out of Cuba. His four-year, $28 million 
			contract included a provision allowing him to refuse any minor 
			league assignment this season, tying the Dodgers' hands somewhat. 
			However, Guerrero had a good spring and could be a useful bat off 
			the bench -- though his defense at any of four positions is average 
			or below. 
			 
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			MLB Note - Arizona Diamondbacks Ahmed, Nick 
			 
			INF Nick Ahmed has made a strong push for the starting shortstop job 
			in spring training, and the D-backs had not made a decision entering 
			the final week of camp. "(Ahmed) has impressed us," D-backs manager 
			Chip Hale said. "We are very excited about his play at shortstop, 
			and with the bat." The D-backs have changed the position of Ahmed's 
			hands at the plate, shortening his swing, and he has six doubles and 
			three RBIs this spring. If he starts, Chris Owings would move to 
			second base. If not, Owings would play shortstop, veteran Aaron Hill 
			would start at second and Ahmed would be sent out because they have 
			said they want him to play every day. 
			 
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			MLB Note - Arizona Diamondbacks Pollock, A.J. 
			 
			CF A.J. Pollock appears to be on the verge of a breakout season, and 
			all that seems to stand in the way is health. He has made a steady 
			progression. Pollock made the team in 2013 because of spring 
			injuries and played so well -- 28 doubles, eight homers, 38 RBIs -- 
			that he stayed the whole season. He was hitting .316 with 16 
			doubles, six homers and eight stolen bases the first two months of 
			last season before suffering a broken hand when he was hit by a 
			Johnny Cueto pitch on May 31. He is the D-backs' best defensive 
			outfielder and will play almost every day. 
			 
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			MLB Note - Arizona Diamondbacks Hill, Aaron 
			 
			2B Aaron Hill appeared to lose a little range last season, prompting 
			the veteran to return to the offseason training regimen that served 
			him well for many years in Toronto and Arizona. He lost about 10 
			pounds. Hill had a productive season at the plate in 2014, with 26 
			doubles, 10 homers and 60 RBIs, but he could lose time to younger 
			middle infielders Chris Owings and Nick Ahmed. The D-backs have said 
			Owings will start at one middle infield spot, and he spent the final 
			month of 2014 at second base. 
			  
			
			  
			 
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			MLB Note - Arizona Diamondbacks Reed, Addison 
			 
			RHP Addison Reed, delayed in spring training, because of right 
			shoulder soreness during pre-camp throwing, made three appearances 
			in the final week and appears on track for the season opener April 
			6. Reed, who had 32 saves last season, has returned to a delivery he 
			used in previous seasons, when he landed with his left leg about six 
			inches closer to the first base side of the mound as he released the 
			ball. He landed more toward the third base side last season. "It 
			felt a lot smoother. To me, it was an easy fix. I feel like I caught 
			onto it quick, and everything felt great," Reed said. 
			 
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			MLB Note - Arizona Diamondbacks Anderson, Chase 
			 
			RHP Chase Anderson won nine games last season, tied for the NL high 
			among rookies with the Mets' Jacob de Grom, and has a 1.84 ERA in 
			four spring training appearances, but he is fighting with RHP Daniel 
			Hudson and RHP Trevor Cahill for the final two rotation spots. "I 
			feel like I'm right on track," Anderson said. "Whatever happens, 
			happens. I feel good and I'm ready to go. I feel like I've pitched 
			well, but they are out there making the decisions. I'm out there 
			doing my job trying to help the team win. That's all I'm focused 
			on." 
			 
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			MLB Note - Arizona Diamondbacks Corbin, Patrick 
			 
			LHP Patrick Corbin, a 2013 All-Star, threw a 20-pitch bullpen 
			session March 24, the first time he had thrown off a mound since 
			undergoing Tommy John surgery almost exactly a year before. "It felt 
			really good," Corbin said. "I felt my mechanics were on today, my 
			balance felt great." Corbin said he threw at about 80 percent, and 
			will probably wait until his fourth or fifth bullpen to try to throw 
			at full velocity. The D-backs are planning on a June return if all 
			goes well. 
			 
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			MLB Note - Arizona Diamondbacks Hernandez, David 
			 
			RHP David Hernandez threw a 20-pitch bullpen session on March 24, 
			the first time he had thrown off a mound after undergoing Tommy John 
			surgery April 1, 2014. "It's just a big relief," Hernandez said, "to 
			put in all that time and work. So many people to thank, especially 
			the training staff. There are certain days you feel like you are 
			bugging them, the process is so long. I can't those guys enough." 
			Hernandez is hoping to return in May. 
			
			  
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			MLB Note - San Diego Padres Gustave, Jandel 
			 
			RHP Jandel Gustave is a long shot to made San Diego's Opening Day 
			roster. A Rule 5 pick who has electric stuff but has not pitched 
			above Class A, Gustave was claimed off waivers by the Padres in the 
			penultimate week of spring traing. He went 1-0 with a 3.68 ERA in 
			five spring appearances for Kansas City, striking out six and 
			walking three in 7 1/3 innings before he was acquired by San Diego. 
			 
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			MLB Note - Colorado Rockies Gray, Jonathan 
			 
			RHP Jon Gray suffered shoulder fatigue last year at Double-A Tulsa 
			in his first full professional season and was shut down Aug. 20. His 
			velocity dipped last year, but he has repeatedly reached 97 mph this 
			spring and has plus command for someone who throws that hard. Gray 
			now knows what to expect as far as the rigors of a full season. His 
			alignment suffered last year, which affected his slider more than 
			his changeup. But with an on-line delivery this spring, Gray's 
			slider is again a weapon and both offspeed offerings have a chance 
			to be above average pitches. Gray, who has yet to pitch above 
			Double-A, is vying for a spot in the Opening Day rotation. 
			 
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			MLB Note - Colorado Rockies Gonzalez, Carlos 
			 
			RF Carlos Gonzalez is coming off a miserable season that saw him set 
			career-lows in games played (70) and batting average .237 and finish 
			with a paltry .723 OPS. The only time he has played more than 140 
			games was back in 2010 when he played a career-high 145 games. But 
			he has played a mere 180 games in the past two seasons. Gonzalez 
			underwent exploratory surgery on June 10 on his left index finger in 
			which a benign tumor was removed. He was activated July 11 but never 
			was able to get in much of a groove, because his chronically sore 
			left knee began to bother him. Gonzalez played just 17 games after 
			June 3 and played his final game of the 2014 season on Aug. 8 before 
			surgery to repair the tendinitis in his left patella tendon on Aug. 
			18. He is playing at about 210 pounds this season, down from 235 
			after being more diligent than ever about his body and his 
			conditioning. A healthy left knee enables the left-handed hitting 
			Gonzalez to put weight on his back leg, which he was unable to do 
			most of last year, and drive the ball. There's no doubt about his 
			talent. Gonzalez won a batting title, three Gold Gloves and has 
			twice been an All-Star. He was an elite player when healthy and 
			should be so again. 
			 
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			MLB Note - San Diego Padres Middlebrooks, Will 
			 
			3B Will Middlebrooks is coming off two injury-plagued seasons that 
			saw the one-time Red Sox top prospect morph into a suspect. However, 
			Middlebrooks had an outstanding spring with the bat and in the field 
			-- looking more like the player who hit .288 with 15 homers and 54 
			RBIs in 75 games as a rookie in 2012 rather than the .213 hitter of 
			the past two seasons. 
			 
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			MLB Note - Colorado Rockies Blackmon, Charlie 
			 
			CF Charlie Blackmon, the primary leadoff hitter last year, hit 
			.288/.335/.440 with 19 homers and 72 RBIs thanks to six torrid weeks 
			to begin the season. In his first 37 games, Blackmon hit 
			.355/.388/.603 with eight homers and 28 RBIs and averaged one 
			strikeout every 10.8 at-bats. After that 37-game spree, Blackmon hit 
			.268/.318/.389 with 11 homers and 44 RBIs in his final 117 games 
			with one strikeout every 5.4 at-bats. The 154 games Blackmon, 28, 
			played last year are three more than he played in his three previous 
			seasons combined. Blackmon gained valuable experience and is in his 
			prime, so there's no reason he can't have a solid season. But it's 
			unlikely to be buoyed by a beginning like last year and, hence, 
			somewhat more pedestrian. 
			 
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			MLB Note - Colorado Rockies Kahnle, Tommy 
			 
			RHP Tommy Kahnle, 25, was optioned to minor league camp March 25, 
			putting him in line to open the season at Triple-A Albuquerque. 
			After never pitching above the Double-A level, Kahnle was selected 
			from the Yankees in the 2013 Rule 5 draft. He lived up to the 
			scouting report that said he had a good fastball and command that 
			could be iffy and threw a better-than-advertised changeup. Kahnle 
			pitched in 54 games for the Rockies last year and went 2-1 with a 
			4.19 ERA, allowing 51 hits in 68 2/3 innings with 31 walks and 63 
			strikeouts. 
			  
			
			
			  
			
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			MLB Note - Colorado Rockies Hale, David 
			 
			RHP David Hale, who was scheduled to start March 26 and continue his 
			bid for a spot in the Opening Day rotation, was scratched from that 
			start and placed on total rest for a few days with a left oblique 
			strain. Hale said he suffered the injury during his March 21 start 
			against the Indians when he extended too far on one pitch. He 
			allowed five hits and four runs, one earned, in 2 1/3 innings and 
			threw all 17 pitches for strikes. 
			 
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			MLB Note - San Diego Padres Venable, Will 
			 
			OF Will Venable was the Padres' MVP in 2013 when he hit .268 with 22 
			homers, 53 RBIs and 22 steals. However, he tumbled to .224 last 
			season with eight homers and 33 RBIs. As one of the few left-handed 
			hitters on the roster -- and maybe the only one at times on the 
			bench -- Venable looks to make the Opening Day roster as the fourth 
			outfielder. Even so, he was hitting only .214 this spring through 
			March 29. 
			 
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			MLB Note - Colorado Rockies Brothers, Rex 
			 
			LHP Rex Brothers seemed to have put his dismal 2014 behind him and 
			regained his 2013 form but that changed in his past two spring 
			games. In 2013, Brothers had a 1.74 ERA in 72 games and seemed to 
			position himself as the Rockies closer of the future when he 
			converted 19 of 21 save opportunities when Rafael Betancourt was 
			injured. There were concerns about Brothers' command and knowing 
			Betancourt would miss the entire 2014 season, the Rockies signed 
			veteran LaTroy Hawkins to close. Indeed, Hawkins said he was just a 
			place-holder until Brothers was ready to assume the closer's role. 
			But Brothers regressed last year with a 5.59 ERA in 74 games. This 
			spring, Brothers had a 1.80 ERA after five games, giving up one run 
			and two hits in five innings with one walk and five strikeouts. But 
			in two bad outings March 26 and March 28, Brothers worked a total of 
			1 2/3 innings and allowed five hits and six runs with two walks, two 
			strikeouts and one hit batter to raise his spring ERA to 9.45. 
			 
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			MLB Note - San Diego Padres Norris, Derek 
			 
			C Derek Norris had a 7-for-10 run to snap out of a 2-for-31 start to 
			spring training. Norris also made three straight starts behind the 
			plate and four in five days in late March. "He's had a lot on his 
			plate," Padres manager bud Black said of Norris, who was an American 
			League All-Star for Oakland last year. 
			 
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			MLB Note - Colorado Rockies De La Rosa, Jorge 
			 
			LHP Jorge De La Rosa will begin the season on the disabled list with 
			left groin tightness, a recurring issue that limited him to just 2 
			1/3 innings this spring. That move hasn't officially been made, but 
			it's a foregone conclusion. De La Rosa was scheduled to pitch 
			Colorado's home opener on April 10 against the Cubs. His Cactus 
			League debut was delayed twice due to his strained groin. He pitched 
			without incident in a 'B' game before making his Cactus League debut 
			March 20 and leaving after aggravating the groin. De La Rosa, who 
			turns 34 on April 5 and signed a two-year, $25 million contract 
			extension in September, has dealt with groin issues throughout his 
			career and particularly during spring training. 
			 
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			MLB Note - San Diego Padres Morrow, Brandon 
			 
			RHPs Brandon Morrow and Odrisamer Despaigne likely won't know who 
			won the battle for the No. 5 spot in the Padres' rotation until 
			after the club leaves Arizona. Both will start March 31, with one 
			working in the major league game and the other in a minor league 
			game. Morrow missed his last start with a blister on the ring finger 
			of his throwing hand that manager Bud Black said affected his 
			previous start. 
			 
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			MLB Note - Colorado Rockies Rosario, Wilin 
			 
			C/1B Wilin Rosario, barring a trade, seems destined to make the 
			Opening Day roster as a right-handed power bat whose roles will 
			include being the third catcher, back-up first baseman or a pinch 
			hitter. Regardless of where or whether he's in the lineup, manager 
			Walt Weiss knows that in Rosario, he has a player who can change a 
			game with one swing and will never be overlooked. "As a manager, I 
			know the opposing manager is looking at our lineup card, and he's 
			worried about that bat, regardless where it's at," manager Walt 
			Weiss said of Rosario. "Whether it's catching that day or he's at 
			first base that day or he's on the bench that day, (the opposing 
			manager) has got to envision an at-bat late in the game and how he's 
			going to neutralize that guy." 
			
			  
			
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			MLB Note - San Diego Padres Despaigne, Odrisamer 
			 
			RHPs Odrisamer Despaigne and Brandon Morrow likely won't know who 
			won the battle for the No. 5 spot in the Padres' rotation until 
			after the club leaves Arizona. Both will start March 31, with one 
			working in the major league game and the other in a minor league 
			game. Morrow missed his last start with a blister on the ring finger 
			of his throwing hand that manager Bud Black said affected his 
			previous start. 
			 
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			MLB Note - Colorado Rockies Descalso, Daniel 
			 
			INF Daniel Descalso, who has been dealing with a right oblique 
			strain, took a step forward March 26 when he played four innings in 
			a minor league game and batted in every inning, going 2-for-4. Two 
			days later, Descalso played in his first Cactus League game since 
			March 14 and 1-for-3. He is expected to be ready to start the season 
			and is scheduled to be the Rockies primary utility infielder. They 
			signed him to a two-year, $3.6 million contract after he became a 
			free agent when the Cardinals did not tender him a contract. 
			 
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			MLB Note - San Diego Padres Myers, Wil 
			 
			OF Wil Myers moved from center field to first base midway through 
			the March 29 exhibition game, and manager Bud Black said Myers might 
			see more time at first base. The backup to Yonder Alonso at first 
			base could impact the battle between Tommy Medica, Carlos Quentin 
			and Cameron Maybin for the final spot on the bench. Maybin doesn't 
			play first, and Quentin never played first until two games this 
			spring. "Wil has been taking ground balls at first each morning," 
			Black said. 
			  
			
			
			  
			
			 
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			MLB Note - San Diego Padres Luebke, Cory 
			 
			LHP Cory Luebke (Tommy John surgery in February 2014) threw a 
			bullpen session for the first time this spring March 29 as he 
			continues his comeback from a second elbow reconstruction operation. 
			He hasn't pitched in a major league game since the first month of 
			the 2012 season. If all goes well, he could be back by early June. 
			 
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			MLB Note - San Francisco Giants Heston, Chris 
			 
			RHP Chris Heston will not be in the Giants' starting rotation to 
			begin the season. He's not even likely to be first or second in line 
			if there are early issues with the aging quintet. But the 
			26-year-old, who did beat the Los Angeles Dodgers in a late-spring 
			game, almost surely will be the club's most dependable pitcher at 
			Triple-A (he went 12-9 there with a 3.38 ERA last season), which 
			means it's close to a lock he will get a shot with the big club at 
			some point. That's more than you can say about pretty much any other 
			rookie in the organization. 
			 
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			MLB Note - San Francisco Giants Petit, Yusmeiro 
			 
			RHP Yusmeiro Petit pitched well enough as a starter in 2014 to be a 
			serious candidate for a spot in this year's starting rotation. The 
			problem was: He pitched even better out of the bullpen, and that's 
			where Giants manager Bruce Bochy considers him most valuable. While 
			most observers fear ace LHP Madison Bumgarner might get overworked 
			this season, Petit actually is a greater possibility for overuse. 
			After all, while Bumgarner likely will pitch just once every five 
			games, Petit is a candidate to get used in any of the other four. 
			  
			
			
			  
			
			 
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			MLB Note - San Francisco Giants Cain, Matt 
			 
			RHP Matt Cain had an excuse for his disastrous half-season in 2014. 
			Elbow and ankle pain eventually resulted in a pair of surgeries 
			after the plug was pulled on a 2-7 season with a 4.18 ERA. Those 
			expecting the 30-year-old to bounce back this season conveniently 
			are forgetting Cain had no such excuses in 2013, when he was nearly 
			as bad (8-10, 4.00 ERA) as he was last season. It's been a long time 
			since Cain was that 16-game winner with a 2.79 ERA. More likely, the 
			last two seasons are a better reflection of who he is today. 
			 
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			MLB Note - San Francisco Giants Sanchez, Hector 
			 
			C Hector Sanchez returned to the Giants this spring as a catcher 
			after some had suggested he retire his gear because of concussion 
			issues. Seems he made the right call. Sanchez kept a clear head and 
			beat out C Andrew Susac for the backup position behind C Buster 
			Posey. A healthy Sanchez was seen to have two advantages over Susac: 
			he has much more experience, and he's a switch-hitter, giving Giants 
			manager Bruce Bochy a left-handed option when he moves Posey out 
			from behind the plate. Susac's .227 spring average helped make the 
			decision easier as well. 
			 
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			MLB Note - San Francisco Giants Strickland, Hunter 
			 
			RHP Hunter Strickland made quite an impression on the Giants last 
			season in a very short period of time. But it seems his propensity 
			to give up home runs in the postseason outweighed the impressiveness 
			of his close-to-100-mph fastball, and he was sent to Triple-A to 
			start the season. Despite a 6.10 ERA in the spring, he advised to 
			keep his cell phone close by, as Bochy loves to shuttle relievers 
			from minors to majors, and vice versa. 
			 
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			MLB Note - San Francisco Giants Maxwell, Justin 
			 
			OF Justin Maxwell got the nod over the more experienced OF Juan 
			Perez when the Giants made their initial cut to five outfielders on 
			March 29. The reason: Perez is much like the club's third and fourth 
			outfielders, OF Nori Aoki and OF Gregor Blanco. The powerful 
			Maxwell, whose 10 RBIs led the team through March 28, is more 
			similar to the departed Michael Morse. Bochy might not like his 
			defense, but that's why Blanco is around. 
			 
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			MLB Note - Texas Rangers Freeman, Sam 
			 
			LHP Sam Freeman was acquired by the Rangers from the Cardinals on 
			March 28 in exchange for a player to be named or cash. Freeman was 
			2-0 with a 2.61 ERA in 38 innings spanning 44 appearances for the 
			Cardinals last season. In 81 career games, the 27-year-old is 3-2 
			with a 3.33 ERA. 
			
			
			  
			
			 
			 
			"He has a very good arm," Texas GM Jon Daniels said. "He has a 
			fastball, split, slider mix and has had some success with the 
			Cardinals. He actually does better against righties than lefties, so 
			he isn't a matchup guy." 
			 
			Freeman has two seasons remaining before he is arbitration eligible. 
			He was competing with Kevin Siegrist and Randy Choate with the 
			Cardinals this spring, and he had issued five walks in five innings. 
			 
			----------------------------------------------- 
			 
			MLB Note - New York Yankees Gregorius, Didi 
			 
			SS Didi Gregorius will sit out a couple of day after spraining his 
			left wrist while diving for a ground ball March 28 against the 
			Orioles. Gregorius was hurt in the fifth inning, and he left to get 
			X-rays, which were negative. Manager Joe Girardi told YES Network 
			that Gregorius would not play March 29-30, with the hope that he can 
			return March 31. Gregorius, acquired from the Diamondbacks in 
			December, was hitting .300 (12-for-40) with four doubles, two 
			triples and six RBIs this spring. 
			
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