Fantasy Sports News
Update: Cliff Lee of the Seattle Mariners has been suspended for the first 5 games of the year by MLB.Lee threw a pitch over the head of Arizona Diamondback Chris Snyder last week and admitted at the time it was intentional.The mariners report that they will appeal the suspension and that it will be herd in plenty of time before the season begins. If the appeal is upheld Lee will probably pitch in the Mariners 7th or 10th game,depending on how manager Don Wakamatsu wants to set his rotation.
Fantasy Impact: This will not affect Lee's fantasy value at all. He is still a top 25 pitcher and should be drafted accordingly.
Update: The New York Mets keep saying that OF Fernando Martinez is going to start the season in Triple A and not in center field in Citi Field,but it's going to be harder and harder to hold them to their word if Martinez keeps hitting the ball as he has so far this spring.After hitting a 3 run homer today, Martinez is now 14 for 26 for the spring with 7 extra base hits. He has an astounding 1.615 OPS to go along with those numbers. Manager Jerry Manuel is impressed."I've seen a more consistent hitter," Manuel said."I've seen him make that adjustment this spring in situations where you normally don't look for a breaking ball and a guy throws him one and he has a good swing on it. That's a very good sign going forward."
Fantasy Impact:Martinez has had injury problems so far in his career,so to think he will jump right in and replace injured Carlos Beltran until he returns is a lot to ask of the 21 year-old. But he does look like a more relaxed,confident player and if he keeps this up he may convince the Mets to let him man the position until Beltran returns,hopefully in May.Consider him a possible early season rental in mixed leagues.
Update: Brandon Webb readily admits that his expectations far exceeded what he could actually accomplish this spring regarding his comeback from shoulder surgery that cost him all but four innings of last season. Webb now hopes to be ready to take the mound for the Arizona Diamondbacks sometime in late-April."I felt like I should be with everybody else," Webb said of the start of Spring Training. "Coming in, my thought process was I was going to be maybe a little behind, maybe a couple of days...It was frustrating because I wanted to be normal." Webb told MLB.com that he now enjoys going out to throw,rather than dreading it any longer."It's finally good to go back out there and throw instead of just kind of dreading it.It's been good, real good."
Fantasy Impact: With Webb certainly starting the year on the DL his draft stock will fall even farther, so if you can stash him on your DL he is worthy of a late round selection in mixed leagues until he is good to go.
Update: Earlier today Yankees manager Joe Girardi did not rule out the possibility of sending Joba Chamberlain down to Triple A Scranton to start the season if the Yanks decide to keep Chamberlain as a starter. Chamberlain then went out and shut down the Philadelphia Phillies on 2 hits and allowed one run in the final 3 innings of their game today.The Yankees have not made any decision as to who will be there fifth starter, and it seems fairly unlikely that the Yankees would send the loser down, but Girardi did not dismiss the idea."We’ll discuss that,” Girardi said. “He’s(Chamberlain) had a lot of success out of the bullpen in the past. And we put him back there for the playoffs last year and I thought he did a decent job.”
Fantasy Impact: Chamberlain is a work in progress.No matter what his role is with the Yankees,relief or starting,he will be a late-round addition in mixed leagues on draft day.
Update:John Lackey of the Boston Red Sox continued his perfect spring today as he mowed down the N.Y. Mets on 2 hits and 2 strikeouts and allowed no runs for the 9th straight inning.Lackey has yet to allow a base on balls this spring.Lackey has shown that he is a professional this spring by coming into a new situation and simply going about his business.Lackey looks to be ready for the upcoming season.
Fantasy Impact: Don't expect much difference from Anaheim to Boston when it comes to results for Lackey.The Red Sox offer as much offensive firepower as the Angels did for Lackey so 15+ wins are not out of the question. Lackey is a rock-solid number 2 starter in all mixed leagues.
Update: One day after throwing his best of the 2010 spring season, C.J. Wilson may be another day closer to being a part of the Texas Rangers starting rotation."Well, he's looking great," manager Ron Washington said. "You can't take anything away from what he's done. We just haven't gotten to the point yet where we're ready to make an announcement." Wilson allowed one run in 4 innings while striking out 5 and giving up 3 hits.
Fantasy Impact: This could be the surprise of the spring. At the beginning of March when Wilson made his case, it seemed a long shot at best, but it appears the Rangers like what they have seen. Even if Wilson doesn't stay a part of the rotation he will hold value as a relief pitcher, so the added eligibility at SP will only enhance his draft day status.
Update: Gordon Edes of ESPNBoston.com writes that IF Jed Lowrie's fatigue is due to mononucleosis. "He can play as tolerated,'' manager Terry Francona said. "He was on the bike yesterday. I don't think he'll feel like he has a ton of energy for the next week or two, but he can do physical things as tolerated." Lowrie first complained of fatigue a week ago and underwent a battery of tests that revealed his condition. The 25-year-old infielder, who turns 26 in a month, was already trying to determine how well his surgically repaired left wrist would tolerate a regular workload.
Fantasy Impact: Lowrie never had much fantasy value as he was going to be the backup utility infielder, but if an injury happens in the infield, it will be interesting how Francona would address the problem.
Update: ESPN reports Colorado Rockies CL Huston Street's right shoulder is causing discomfort and he will take an MRI to find the problem. Street has been hampered by inflammation in his pitching shoulder and has yet to throw in an exhibition. He threw about 25 pitches Monday and said afterward that his arm "felt great," but felt discomfort during his throwing session the next day. Street signed a $22.5 million, three-year deal in January after saving 35 of 37 games for the Rockies last season.
Fantasy Impact: Fantasy owners should use the wait-and-see approach with Street as it looks like this could be a major injury for the Rockies' closer. Manny Corpas should be the favorite to take Street's closing role if he has to miss time this season.
Update: For the first time this spring Daisuke Matsuzaka faced live batters in a throwing session that saw him throw 40 pitches to 3 different hitters.Matsuzaka felt no ill effects from either of the injuries that have plagued him this spring in his back and neck.Pitching coach Jon Farrel was pleased with what he saw."Most important [was] the overall physical aspect: no restrictions, no hesitation. He feels good about himself,” said Farrell. “Every progressive step is a positive one...". Matsuzaka himself was also pleased."I think I had good life on my fastball. I also felt I had good break and good command on my breaking balls, although there is some work to be done there.”
Fantasy Impact: Call me skeptical, but I'm going to need more than one throwing session before I plunk down a valuable draft pick on Dice-K.Plans are for him to hopefully throw in a minor league game, possibly Sunday, and then the Red Sox will evaluate where his progress is concerning the opening of the 2010 season.At best he is still a late round selection in mixed league drafts at this point.
Update: The Washington Nationals announced that they have cut OF Elijah Dukes on Wednesday. Dukes was projected to start for the Nationals this season, but they have decided to go in a different direction. Dukes' has a long list of off the field troubles: suspensions in the majors and the minors for various confrontations with umpires, coaches and teammates while in Tampa Bay's organization; arrests for assault and for marijuana possession; and paternity suits. "There was no singular incident that caused us to release Elijah Dukes," general manager Mike Rizzo said. "It was a performance-based decision. With the ballclub we have now, I think the clubhouse will be more cohesive group. I think that the chemistry will continue to be great. We think were going to be a better ballclub moving forward."
Fantasy Impact: This cuts all of Dukes' fantasy value as he isn't expected to be picked up by any other teams soon because of his off the field troubles. Willie Harris, Justin Maxwell, and Mike Morse are expected to compete for Dukes' former starting spot.
Update: Mat Gamel sees the writing on the locker room wall and knows that he is destined to begin the 2010 season in Triple A ball. After sustaining a shoulder injury for the second consecutive spring, Gamel has only one at-bat so far this spring and there is no timetable on his return from his current shoulder woes."It's frustrating," Gamel said."I can't do nothing until I'm better." Casey McGehee will man third base to start the season for the Brewers.
Fantasy Impact: Gamel is thought to be the next in line of great Brewers prospects,following Prince Fielder,Ryan Braun, and Yovani Gallardo,but so far he has been derailed by his shoulder.The 24 year-old needs to find his health and he should be a nice fantasy option eventually,probably not before 2011. Until then it's best to ignore him, except in deeper keeper leagues. McGehee will have eligibility at both second and third and is a decent flier pick late in mixed league drafts.
Update:Aaron Cook had his second straight rocky start for Colorado on Tuesday.Cook allowed 6 runs and 6 hits and gave up 3 walks while striking out 3 in 3 innings.Cook could not control his fastball all day but say's that he is not concerned."Once the season starts, that's when it really counts," Cook said. "But you don't want to be too rusty when the season starts, so hopefully we'll get these out of the way and get it under control."
Fantasy Impact: Cook relies on his slider more than anything so it's probable that he was working on other pitches yesterday. The slider is such a "touch" pitch and it can take some time before a pitcher finds the point where he needs it to be before it works to perfection. Don't worry too much about Cook at this point and still think of him as a nice late round pick. He could be a 15+ game winner with the Rockies but he won't grab you too many K's along the way.
Update: One day after being pulled out of the Chicago White Sox lineup with a shoulder ailment,Carlos Quentin is expected to play today as the White Sox get ready to play the Los Angeles Dodgers.Quentin was hit by two pitches on Tuesday but the move was considered simply precautionary. Quentin is having a quiet spring so far. He is hitting .269 with 2 HR's as he continues to try to erase all traces of the 2009 season that saw him miss time with various injuries.
Fantasy Impact:Quentin was the darling of the 2009 drafts for fantasy players after his huge 2008 breakout season.He is still a good bet for nice numbers, as long as he can avoid the injuries that have plagued his career.His value-to-draft-selection will be much more reasonable this year and he looks to be a nice mid round selection in mixed leagues.
Update: Ryan Westmoreland, the Boston Red Sox top prospect,underwent successful brain surgery on Tuesday for what is called a cavernous malformation of the brain. The team released a statement saying that Westmoreland came through the surgery well and is in intensive care. Westmoreland will face a difficult period initially as he begins his recovery. There is no timetable on when or if Westmoreland will be able to continue his career.
Fantasy Impact: This should make everyone take a step back and put things in perspective. Westmoreland is a 19 year-old who has all of the ability in the world, but suddenly found himself in a fight for his life. All good thoughts go out to the young man and all hope that he may return to his life as he knows it.
Update:What started off as a torrid spring has continued to heat up for Tampa Bay Rays utility player Sean Rodriguez. After another good day at the plate that saw his average end up at .407 with his 5th homer of the spring and his 10th and 11th RBI's of March,Rodriguez may have finally elevated his role on the Rays to full-time player. If manager Joe Maddon likes what he see's, the Rays could move starting 2B Ben Zobrist to right filed and put Rodriguez at second.Rodriguez was known for his power numbers while he was in the minors and so far this spring those numbers are translating to the majors.
Fantasy Impact:Rodriguez may be finally living up to all of the hype he received as he came up through the Angels system.With these kind of offensive numbers he could challenge the top second baseman in the game.Now it's simply a matter of whether or not his defense can stand the scrutiny of everyday play.As of now Rodriguez is worth a flier in mixed leagues as the late rounds come around.
Update: Tampa Bay manager Joe Maddon is going to have a tough call on his hands if pitchers Wade Davis and Andy Sonnanstine continue to throw as they did on Tuesday.Davis had his first good outing of the spring by throwing 4 scoreless innings and giving up 3 hits,while walking one and striking out 5. Sonnanstine followed him to the mound and threw 4 more scoreless innings,while giving up one hit and striking out 3 more.So far this spring Sonnanstine has 8 straight shutout innings to his credit.Maddon is impressed with Sonnanstine so far."Sonny looked like he's supposed to," Maddon said. "That's really encouraging to see. We really challenged him to do a little better work against right-handed hitters and he really did that.
Fantasy Impact:Davis came up late last season and was impressive for the Rays. He struck out 36 in 36 innings while holding opposing teams to a 3.72 ERA. He has been thought to have the inside track for the fifth spot and should be thought of as a late round selection. Sonnanstine fell apart in 2009 after an impressive run in 2008 that helped the Rays reach the World Series. Sonnanstine may win the battle, but Davis probably has the better long range potential.Sonnanstine could also be used as trade bait. Right now think of Sonnanstine as a very late round pick or an A.L. only selection.
Update: Phil Hughes threw 4 shutout innings of 3 hit ball on Tuesday and appears to have taken the upper hand for the Yankees fifth spot in the rotation from Joba Chamberlain.Hughes walked one,struck out 2,and threw 37 of his 59 pitches for strikes. Chamberlain will throw today and manager Joe Girardi has laid down the gauntlet for Joba."You've got to pitch," Girardi said. "Pick it up. You want to see him execute pitches. Do the things you have to do to be successful." The Yankees hope to name their 5th starter by the end of next week.
Fantasy Impact:While nothing is close to be settled yet,Hughes seems to have the inside track and would thus have more fantasy value. However, if Hughes does win the job it means the two pitchers would be switching roles from last season.It's unclear if this is something the Yankees really want to do since it would just hinder both of the pitchers further development.Both are really nothing more than sleeper picks at the moment.
Update:Manager Jim Tracy of the Colorado Rockies doesn't want to use the word platoon,so he say's that catchers Chris Ianetta and Miguel Olivio will both play as the Rockies start the 2010 season."I can tell you this: They are both going to play," Tracy said. "I am not using the word 'platoon.' But they are both going to play." It was thought that Ianetta had the inside track to the starting position,but both players are having great springs. Until either one of them can separate himself from the other the Rockies will plat.....I mean, play both catchers.
Fantasy Impact: This downgrades both players fantasy value.Unless you can figure out how Tracy is going to use his catchers it's best to look elsewhere for help at an already weak position.Ianetta has the better upside and could still be a good sleeper pick if he can win the majority of playing time. Until one of the two wins the job outright,both players are late-round selections in mixed leagues.
Update: The Colorado Rockies have shut down Huston Street indefinitely. Street reported tightness in the same shoulder that has been bothering him all spring and will undergo an MRI today to see if they can find out the reason for his continuing problem.It is almost a certainty that Street will begin the season on the DL since he has had so little time to prepare his arm for the upcoming season."It's really frustrating - opening day is definitely in jeopardy," Street said this morning. "It would be the first time in six years I would not be ready to go." The Rockies will now look to Rafael Betancourt, if healthy,Franklin Morales, Matt Belisle and Manny Corpas as their closer to start the 2010 season.
Fantasy Impact: This is certainly not good news for anyone who has already drafted Street for the 2010 season. There is no need to drop him as of now,but you need to find fallback options soon.If you are still awaiting your draft,there are many options available to you so don't take the chance on Street until there is more definitive word on his condition.
Update:In what can only be called an unexpected and unforeseen move, the Washington Nationals today gave OF Elijah Dukes his unconditional release.Manager Jim Riggleman said it was based solely on baseball reasons and gave no indication that it had anything to do with any of Dukes off-the-field problems.Dukes was thought to be the odds-on favorite to win the starting right field job this spring. Now the Nationals will have to choose from Justin Maxwell, Mike Morse and Willie Harris,among others, to see who will be their everyday rightfielder.
Fantasy Impact: Dukes was the embodiment of the "all the talent in the world" but "needs to transform his behavior" type of player. By many accounts he had been a good citizen with the Nationals,so it's hard to tell if this was strictly a baseball decision or if the Nationals had underlying reasons. Dukes is just too talented for someone in baseball not to try and give him another chance, but as far as fantasy is concerned there is absolutely no value here at this time.
Update: After another 2 run double and a stolen base today in the san Diego Padres rout of the San Francisco Giants, Kyle Blanks has the left field position locked down and all to himself. Not that there was really any doubt who was going to open the season in left, but Blanks .429 spring average and his raw power have made the decision easy for manager Bud Black. Blanks will hit fifth in the Padres lineup behind All Star Adrian Gonzalez,making it harder for pitchers to pitch around A-Gon this year.
Fantasy Impact: There is no questioning Blanks power. He has 30 HR potential, even playing in Petco.When/If Gonzalez is traded Blanks will likely move to first, his natural position.What most people don't know about the 6'6' Blanks is that he has surprising speed for a man his size. He's not going to steal 20 bases but he could surprise with 10+.
Update: What a difference a week can make. Just last week the Chicago Cubs did not expect Lilly to pitch until May at the earliest, now manager Lou Pinella say's that the lefthanded Lilly may face live batters on Thursday and then make one start before spring camp breaks. He is then expected to make two rehab starts and possibly be ready to join the parent club in mid-April.
Fantasy Impact: This is big news for fantasy players who thought they might have to stash Lilly on their DL's for some time to start the year. If Lilly is able to return that soon he will exceed all expectations for his return from knee and shoulder injuries.He is very undervalued in drafts right now so you should monitor this very closely and think of possibly grabbing him earlier than expected if he is on target.
Update: Matt Holliday is being held out of the St. Louis Cardinals lineup again today with lingering soreness from a strained ribcage. Holliday has been out of the lineup for almost a week and manager Tony LaRussa hopes to have him back by Thursday. Asked to talk about Holliday's absence, LaRussa was cryptic when he answered,"I’m staying away from that one."
Fantasy Impact: What started out as a couple of days has now turned into a week of sitting for Holliday. If this lingers much longer it may be time to be a bit concerned.There has been no word as of yet, but this has the sound of the dreaded oblique-type of injury that can linger for weeks if not completely rested.That is speculation on my part and has not been mentioned by anyone connected by the Cards. Monitor this situation and hope that Holliday is back no later than this weekend.
Update: Manager Joe Maddon has put C Dioner Navarro in tonight's lineup for the Tampa Bay Rays, the first time Navarro has played since being hit by a ball on his thumb last Thursday on a pickoff attempt.Navarro and Kelly Shoppach,acquired from the Cleveland Indians, are locked in a battle for the starting catchers job in Tampa.
Fantasy Impact: Navarro suffered through a horrible year in 2009 after a nice 2008 campaign. Chances are that he and Shoppach will split the time fairly evenly in tampa making both of them fantasy irrelevant for mixed league play. In A.L only play both are worth a draft pick.
Update: After two starts in the spring, Houston Astros pitcher Rot Oswalt is looking like the ace that he has always been for the 'Stro's.Against the Boston Red Sox today he threw 4 shutout innings while allowing only 2 hits.Of the 12 outs recorded today, 9 came on ground balls,always a good sign for Oswalt. For the spring Oswalt has allowed no runs and has given up just 3 hits. His strikeouts aren't coming yet as he only has three also, but those should come soon.
Fantasy Impact: Here is a player who is going to go much lower than he should and there is no reason you shouldn't be the one to benefit from that error.In mixed league drafts he may last to the middle rounds and he would be a huge dark horse pick at that level.If Oswalt can avoid the injuries that plagued him he could be a low-end 2 ,high-end 3 starter.
Update: The Minnesota Twins look at P Scott Baker as their number one starter and so far this spring he has looked the part. On Tuesday against the Baltimore Orioles Baker threw 4 innings of shutout ball as he lowered his spring ERA to 1.00. Over 9 innings this spring Baker has allowed one run, a solo HR.After a shaky start to the 2009 season baker steady the ship and finished 15-9 for the season.
Fantasy Impact: Baker is a solid number 3 starter in mixed leagues who delivers nice K's and should be able to approach 15 wins once again. Target him in mixed league drafts around round 15, and in A.L. only play he looks to be a nice round 8 value.
Update: Jason Heyward reached base in his 10th straight spring game today as he went 1 for 2 with 2 walks and scored 2 runs against the Florida Marlins.For the spring Heyward now has an OBP of .625.Overall he is 10 for 22 with 9 BB's and a HBP.Nothing is official but it looks as if Heyward will be the Opening Day rightfielder for the Braves when they head north.
Fantasy Impact: Ssshhhh.We need to keep this kid quiet until after my league draft. Unfortunately anyone who pays any kind of attention to baseball should know about this kid by now.Heyward's draft position keeps slowly creeping higher and if you are still awaiting your draft you may grab him a little higher than expected simply to keep him from others(especially if you play in a keeper league),not that I would ever do anything like that.
Update:Manager Ron Gardenhire of the Minnesota Twins is standing by his word to rest 1B Justin Morneau more this spring by holding him out of the next few spring games as Morneau battles some back soreness."We’re going to give him a couple more days, make sure he’s got all the soreness out of his ribcage and back, all the general soreness from riding stinking busses and all that stuff. I told him, if there’s any issue, where you get sore at all through your torso or legs -- we’re just going to [pull back]," said Gardenhire."He’s got plenty of time to get plenty of at-bats."
Fantasy Impact:This should actually be good news for fantasy players. Morneau has a history of petering out as the season winds down and it's usually due to his inability to take himself out of any lineup, be it in spring or regular season.If Morneau can enter September fresher than normal he could actually jack up his numbers, as well as his fantasy value. In regular mixed leagues Morneau is a top 40 player and in A.L. only play he fits into the top 20.
Update: For whatever reason you may want to pick;acclimation,delaying free agency,or not ready-for-prime-time,(OK that one seems out of place) the Washington Nationals are going to assign P Stephen Strasburg to their minor league complex soon and he will begin the season in the minors according to G.M. Mike Rizzo.Jim Duquette of Sirius XM's MLB Home Plate is the one reporting this news.Despite Strasburg's lights out performances so far this spring, this is exactly what the Nationals have said they would do from day one, so you have to give them credit for that.
Fantasy Impact:Don't fret fantasy players,Strasburg probably won't be in one town long enough to take up residence.As I've said all along, if you can keep your expectations in check, Strasburg is worthy of a draft pick for what he could do for your team later in the year. Expect a number 4 or 5 starter who can deliver some K's and a decent ERA for this year.
Update: Ken Belson of the New York Times writes, New York Mets CL Francisco Rodriguez is going to try pitching this season with prescription glasses. "Rodriguez made it to the mound Monday, pitching in a game for the first time this spring, and he did so in style, resurrecting the wraparound prescription glasses that look a little like goggles and, for several years, gave him something of a signature look," writes Belson. Rodriguez said he was considering wearing them this season, but his doctor had advised him to avoid using his contact lenses so that his pinkeye, which he said is no longer contagious, would not spread to his corneas. To get used to his old glasses faster, Rodriguez said he would wear them around the house, too.
Fantasy Impact: Rodriguez is hoping to duplicate his successes as a Met that he showed as a Los Angeles Angel. Rodriguez is a dominant closer in the Major Leagues, yet closers shouldn't have high values in fantasy drafts because of the amount of closers in the league that will throw for 25 saves.
Update: According to Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic, the Arizona Diamondbacks and their 3B Mark Reynolds have come to an agreement on a new deal. Reynolds agreed to a three-years, $14.5 million contract. Once finalized, Reynolds will receive a $1 million signing bonus and make salaries of $500,000 this year, $5 million in 2011 and $7.5 million in 2012. The Diamondbacks will have an $11 million option in 2013.
Fantasy Impact: Reynolds was wishing that they would get this contract situation resolved as soon as possible and it has been done. He should continue to be the power hitting, high strikeout player that he was before the deal, however, this was a smart move by the Diamondbacks because Reynolds' high power numbers would have been a big factor in arbitration.
Update: According to MLB.com, Washington Nationals 1B Adam Dunn left Tuesday's game against the Florida Marlins because of lower back spasms. He is listed as day-to-day. Dunn hurt his back in the top of the second inning after attempting to grab a ball hit by Logan Morrison. "The ball was to my right, and I took a couple of steps," Dunn said. "[The back] just kind of locked up. I never had a back spasm before. That was kind of interesting. It seems to be a lot better now." The veteran slugger is off to a slow start this spring, hitting .167 with one RBI in 18 at-bats.
Fantasy Impact: This is not what the Nationals wanted to see out of the struggling Dunn, but at least it's only a day-to-day injury. Dunn is a major power threat but his average will always suffer because of his high strikeout numbers.
Update: Atlanta Braves SP Jair Jurrjens made his spring training debut on Tuesday afternoon after suffering from shoulder inflammation earlier this month. Jurrjens threw three innings, giving up five hits, three earned runs, zero walks, but also throwing two strikeouts.
Fantasy Impact: Fantasy owners and Atlanta Braves have to be happy that Jurrjens has returned during spring training get ready before Opening Day. Jurrjens could have a breakout season this year after going 14-10 last season with a 2.60 ERA. Jurrjens will be one of the keys for the Braves to thrive in the NL East this season.
Update: San Francisco Giants SP Tim Lincecum made another spring training start on Tuesday afternoon. Lincecum threw four innnings giving up four hits, four earned runs, and four walks. As well, Lincecum threw four strikeouts. Lincecum has a 9.39 ERA on the season.
Fantasy Impact: Lincecum has been struggling all spring, and the caution flags are finally rising. I would lower Lincecum's ranking of SP's to about top-5 to top-10 instead of being number one. Also, it is the first time that Lincecum will be making over $300,000, possibly limiting his motivation.
Update: Minnesota Twins C Joe Mauer returned from a four-day absence to have two hits in his Tuesday afternoon return to spring training. Mauer had been out while resting a sore right shoulder. The three-time AL batting champion and reigning MVP is hitting .600 this spring.
Fantasy Impact: This is encouraging news for the Minnesota Twins, especially after losing Joe Nathan. Fantasy owners can continue to take Mauer as the first overall catcher in their drafts with confidence.
Update: According to Richard Durrett of ESPNDallas.com, Texas Rangers OF Josh Hamilton appears to have a root canal infection. Hamilton's bruised left had is healing well but his mouth was swollen Tuesday morning. Hamilton said he would play Wednesday, pending his treatment with the dentist.
Fantasy Impact: Hamilton is already struggling to stay on the field and that's not what you want to see out of an injury-prone player. Hamilton's play is one of the hardest to project in the Majors, but if he can stay healthy he can be a great player in 2010.
Update: Manager Lou Pinella of the Chicago Cubs is 80% sure that SS Ryan Theriot will be his lead off hitter for the 2010 season.There was some thought that the Cubs might use a lefty-righty combination of Theriot and Kosuke Fukudome at the top of the order,but Pinella seems inclined to go with his scrappy shortstop.``I think we'll stay the way I said. If Theriot doesn't play, then we can always move Fukudome to the one hole,''Pinella said.
Fantasy Impact: This should help Theriot's fantasy value a bit. He is still a lower tier shortstop but hitting lead off he could run more and his run scoring ability will definitely get a boost. Think of him in terms as a late round pick in mixed leagues, as well as N.L. only play.
Update:Brian Roberts received an epidural shot in his back today in Baltimore and immediately headed back to Florida to continue his spring training. There is no timetable as of yet as to when Roberts will be able to resume his baseball activities with the Orioles.It will be at least 2 to 3 days before it will be known if the epidural had the desired affect.
Fantasy Impact: This is becoming troubling news for fantasy players. Roberts is a top 5 second baseman, but with his age (32) and his history with back problems his draft value could take a hit. At this time it would probably be best to let him slide down a few rounds before drafting him and hope for the best.
Update: In his third start of the spring,Minnesota Twins pitcher Francisco Liriano finally gave up his first run of the spring. In fact, he gave up 3 for the day on 3 hits. Mike Stanton hit a 2 run homer off the Twins lefty. Liriano struck out 6 and walked none in his 3 innings of work.At this time Liriano seems to be destined for a starting role, but he could be moved to the closers role if Joe Nathan is out for the season. Nathan will try to throw on Saturday for the first time since being diagnosed with a tear in his elbow.
Fantasy Impact:Liriano has been impressive in his comeback this winter and spring.He has big time up side for fantasy players and should be viewed as a great sleeper pick towards the end of most drafts.
Update: Los Angeles Angels lefthander Scott Kazmir took the mound for the first time this spring and came away feeling OK about his performance. Kazmir threw 2 1/3 innings against the L.A. Dodgers and allowed 2 runs on 5 hits and 2 base on balls. Garret Anderson hit an RBI single off of Kazmir.Kazmir has been reunited with his old Tampa Bay pitching coach Mike Butcher and the two have been working all spring to try and reunite Kazmir with his once formidable slider.
Fantasy Impact:When Kazmir was traded to the Angels last season he was 2-2, but more impressively, his ERA was a glowing 1.73. Kazmir will be 26 years old this year and should be hitting his prime years. If he can avoid injury and regain his slider he could be a great bargain pick. Don't reach too high for him on draft day, but if he is available around rounds 17 through 20 he would be a nice pick for a fantasy rebound.
Update: Indians pitcher Jeremy Sowers is expected to make his first start of the spring tomorrow against the Cincinnati Reds. Despite this good news, it sounds as if Sowers will start the year on the DL. The Tribe don't want to rush the left hander and need him to stretch out before they can think of him as a starter. Since he is out of options he can't be sent down without making him available to all teams, and the Indians don't want to put him in the bullpen. So the DL makes the most sense so that he may continue to rehab from his shoulder injury.
Fantasy Impact: Sowers had a very promising rookie year in 2007 when he went 7-4 with a sub 4 ERA. But since then it has been all downhill, and at breakneck speed.At this point Sowers holds no fantasy value at all and is too much of an injury risk to stash in the deepest of leagues.
Update: If Ian Kinsler, the second baseman of the Texas Rangers isn't careful he may begin to get a reputation as a player who can't avoid injuries. Going into his 5th big league season Kinsler has yet to avoid the DL in any year. After spraining his right ankle fairly severely during pre-game warm ups before Fridays game, Kinsler decided to take the optimistic viewpoint."Get it out of the way early," Kinsler said. "I figure this is the best time to get injured. Hopefully, this is the only time." Kinsler is expected to be out at least one more full week at the least.
Fantasy Impact:Despite Kinsler's fragility at times he remains the number 2 second baseman in fantasy baseball. With his combination of power,speed, and run production he can make the case as the best 2B not named Chase.He should be a top 20 pick in all leagues.
Update: Sure It's just spring training. If you are an Oakland A's fan or executive you need to keep repeating that over and over until you believe it now. Free agent acquisition Ben Sheets officially went 0 innings today against the Cincinnati Reds. He faced 10 batters and all 10 scored (9 earned). Sheets gave up 8 hits, one HR,and walked one in his time on the mound. This is the third (and unquestionably the worst) bad outing of the spring for Sheets. After the game Sheets said,"...people have bad springs, but this is taking it to a whole new level."
Fantasy Impact: You have to hope Sheets had a smile on his face when he said that,otherwise he could be in deep trouble. Without some sense of humor an outing like today's could linger. At this point it isn't time to jump far away from Sheets.He has always been a bad spring pitcher,but today's game has to make you wonder. He still says he has no ill affects from his elbow surgery, but it's time he begins to show some improvement before fantasy players place any confidence in him.
Update:Sean West won 8 games as a rookie pitcher with the Florida Marlins last season and was in the mix for one of the last two spots for the Marlins rotation this spring. But that all ended today as the Marlins sent their 23 year-old lefty down to Triple A.On Sunday while pitching against the Baltimore Orioles, West walked 4 of the first 5 batters he faced. He managed to throw just 24 strikes out of the 60 balls that he sent towards the plate. In 3 2/3 innings total this spring he has walked 10 batters. "[We want West to] just pitch and get his command down," said manager Fredi Gonzalez.
Fantasy Impact: Obviously West has no draft value as of now. Down the rode he could be of some interest. Last season he had stretches where he looked as if he belonged, but at other times he was obviously over matched.
Update: Another Day, another missed throwing session for Daisuke Matsuzaka. The Red Sox righthander has yet to throw to a batter this spring. He was scheduled to do so this morning in a live batting practice with hitters, but instead he threw 19 pitches in the bullpen by himself. At this point of spring training it is beginning to look more likely that Dice-K will open the season on the DL,opening a spot in the Boston rotation for Clay Buchholz.
Fantasy Impact: Matsuzaka is turning into quite an injury-risk player in his 4th year in the majors.At this point it would probably be best to leave him undrafted, unless you play in a very deep league and feel comfortable stashing him.Buchholz now seems to be fighting Tim Wakefield for the final spot in the Sox rotation. If he wins it he should be considered a nice late-round pick in all leagues.
Update: Oft-injured relief pitcher Mike Gonzalez of the Baltimore Orioles had to leave today's game against the Florida marlins after getting two outs because of what he called "back stiffness." Gonzalez doesn't feel as if it is anything to worry about and plans on taking it easy on Monday and hopes to be able to pitch again by Wednesday.This spring Gonzalez has been working on developing his change-up.
Fantasy Impact: Gonzalez had a good contract year in 2009 and signed with the Orioles as their new closer. He is a fairly reliable pitcher and closer and should be solid, if not spectacular. Target Gonzalez around round 20 in mixed league drafts.
Update: Cuban shortstop Adeinis Hechavarria is said to be close to signing a $10M dollar deal with the Toronto Blue Jays according to George King of the New York Post.This would be quite an upset since the New York Yankees have been thought to the leader for Hechavarria's services all along. But King reports that the presence of Derek Jeter in N.Y. may be the reason that Hechavarria may not want to play in the Bronx. He believes that Jeter would hinder his progress to the majors.
Fantasy Impact: Say what you will about Hechavarria, he's got some confidence. There isn't much known about the shortstop, except that he describes his body-type as "Alfonso Soriano"-like. There isn't much in front of him in Toronto, so if he is the real deal he could be seen in Canda as soon as next year. Keep tabs on him after he signs.
Update: After getting 3 more hits on Saturday, including his second home run of the spring,Washington Nationals 3B Ryan Zimmerman is batting .412 so far in Grapefruit League games.Even with his torrid start Zimmerman only has 2 RBI to show for his hitting. That's more an indictment on his teammates and their inability to reach base then it is on Zimmerman.
Fantasy Impact: Zimmerman is a top 5 3B for fantasy baseball. After clubbing 33 HR's and driving in 106 runs and scoring 110 runs, while hitting .292 in 2009, Zimmerman can now be talked about with the elite in the game.In regular mixed leagues Zimmerman should be off the boards no later than the third round.
Update: Manager Don Wakamatsu of the Seattle Mariners is not the least bit concerned about the fielding struggles that have beset new Mariners 2B Chone Figgins this spring. After making 2 errors today, and now totaling 4 in 3 games,Wakamatsu blames most of Figgins problem on a hard-baked field."It creates speed so these guys kind of get in-between on balls,'' Wakamatsu said. "It just wants to kick up on them." In addition to his struggles in the field Figgins is hitting .063 for the spring.
Fantasy Impact: No worries. Figgins is a veteran and this is spring. By the time the season gets underway Figgins will once again take his place among the best at his position. Given that he will have dual eligibility at 2B and 3B his draft stock should be very high this spring.Look to grab him around rounds 6 through 8 in regular mixed leagues.
Update:One day after undergoing knee surgery,the Houston Astros believe that their All-Star 1b Lance Berkman may miss 2 to 4 weeks.Manager Brad Mills sounded optimistic after the surgery on Berkman's left knee."From my understanding, they were able to clean everything up without any cartilage damage," Mills said. "The level of concern has gone way down because of that. The doctor says he's fine. I have all the confidence in the world that he's going to be fine."
Fantasy Impact: Berkman has been down this road before. In 1999 he had surgery on the same knee. Berkman's fantasy value may take a bit of a hit with this surgery and that could be good news for managers. If Berkman falls you could get a great value pick considering Berkman will be playing for a new contract in 2011.
