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[March 30, 2015]  The Sports Xchange

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.

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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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