Owner: Fantasy Baseball Info URL:http://fantasy-baseball-info.blogspot.com Join Date: Mon, 19 Mar 2007 01:26:21 -0500 Rating:0 Site Description: Fantasy baseball source for the latest player news from around the majors--player rankings, injury updates, position battles, draft cheat sheets, and projected lineups. Site statistics:Click here
Bonderman Named Opening Day Starter 2007-03-19 04:45:00 Tigers manager Jim Leyland named Jeremy Bonderman the Tigers starter on Opening Day
, which is April 2 against Toronto at Comerica Park. Bonderman, the 24-year-old right-hander, will be followed in the starting rotation by Kenny Rogers, Justin Verlander, Nate Robertson and Mike Maroth. In 34 starts last season, Bonderman was 14-8 with a 4.08 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, 202 K's in 214 innings during the regular season. He was 1-0 in the postseason. Read more:Starter
Robertson: Pitching Well In Spring Training 2007-03-19 04:28:00 Nate Robertson
pitched five sharp innings Sunday, leading the Detroit Tigers to a 6-0 victory over Tampa Bay in a split-squad game. The left-hander limited the Devil Rays to a pair of singles while reducing his ERA to 0.73 through four spring starts. He struck out four and walked one. "You have to be careful in spring training not to put a lot of stock into when somebody does good," Detroit manager Jim Leyland said, "but he's throwing the ball extremely well." Robertson was most pleased with his efficiency, which enabled him to put in more work in the bullpen before calling it a day. "As long as I'm not going deep in counts and issuing free passes," he said, "and keeping my pitch count down -- those are all good things." Last season, Robertson posted career bests with 13 wins and 208 2-3 innings to help the Tigers win the AL pennant. Pitching coach Chuck Hernandez attributes the improvement to experience. "He came a long way in one year, I think more than anything from the mental asp Read more:Spring
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, Spring Training
Harang: Gets Roughed Up But Records 9 K's 2007-03-19 04:23:00 Reds SP Aaron Harang dropped his spring record to 2-2 Sunday after losing to the Braves. He allowed eight hits, four runs (three earned) and two homers in five innings. He did however have nine strikeouts. His spring ERA stands at 6.14 in 14 2/3 innings after Sunday. Since he joined the Reds, Harang has been the most dependable member of a pitching staff that has been the club's biggest weakness. He had his best season last year, going 16-11 with a 3.76 ERA in 35 starts. Consider Harang quietly one of the top 25 aces in Fantasy, especially because he has the potential for 200-plus strikeouts. Source: CBS SportsLine.com Read more:Roughed
, Records
Ross: Reds Starting Catcher Potential Sleeper 2007-03-19 04:19:00 Reds C David Ross went 3-for-3 with one run and one RBI in Sunday's spring game against the Braves. He is now 7-for-29 (.241) with one run, two doubles and four RBI in 12 spring games. Ross will get his first chance in 2007 to open the season as a starter. Ross was third among NL catchers in 2006 with 21 homers. Consider Ross a sleeper at the position because of his pop, home hitter's park and potential for full-time at-bats for the first time. Source: CBS SportsLine.com Read more:Catcher
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Hudson: Looks Impressive In Start Against Tigers 2007-03-19 04:14:00 Braves SP Tim Hudson
worked five scoreless innings Sunday against the Tigers
. He allowed just three hits and a walk, while striking out three. He has now just allowed three earned runs in 15 innings (1.80 ERA). He also has seven strikeouts. Hudson has looked awfully impressive this spring after a disappointing 2006 campaign. The Braves were 21-14 in his starts, so it's entirely possible they would have missed the playoffs even if he had pitched much better. A miserable bullpen was the main problem. The bullpen appears to have improved in the offseason, with Rafael Soriano and Mike Gonzalez coming aboard, so consider Hudson as a decent No. 4 SP in 12-team mixed leagues. Source: CBS SportsLine.com Read more:Looks
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McCann: Top 3 Catcher Hits Second Spring Homer 2007-03-19 04:11:00 Braves C Brian McCann
hit his second spring homer Sunday against the Tigers. He is now 9-for-32 (.281) with six runs, two doubles and three RBI in 11 spring games. McCann is an excellent Fantasy option at perhaps the thinnest position in all of Fantasy. He is among the top three Fantasy options at catcher and will be an early round pick on Draft Day. Source: CBS SportsLine.com Read more:Spring
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Anibal Sanchez: Enjoying Solid Spring 2007-03-19 04:06:00 Marlins SP Anibal Sanchez
took the mound Sunday against the Nationals. He went four innings, allowing four hits, two walks and one earned run. He also had two strikeouts. He is now 2-0 with a 1.46 ERA through four spring starts that have totaled 12 1/3 innings. Sanchez is one of the finest young pitchers in all of baseball and he already has a no-hitter to his name. Consider him a strong pick in the middle rounds -- one with considerable upside -- but be wary of some potential for arm trouble when he goes over 180 innings down the stretch. He hasn't done that before in the big leagues. Source: CBS SportsLine.com Read more:Spring
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Henry Owens: Leading Candidate For Marlins Closer Role 2007-03-19 03:55:00 Marlins
RP HenryOwens
pitched two scoreless innings Sunday against the Nationals. He allowed two hits and a walk, while striking out three. Owens has now made six relief appearances this spring totaling nine innings and has yet to allow a run to cross the plate. Owens -- a Miami native -- appeared in three games with the Mets last season, plus went 2-2 with 20 saves for Double-A Binghamton. It is believed he is the leader to take over the vacant closer's job in Florida and has done nothing yet to show otherwise. Continue to track his progress, but he could be a huge sleeper in Fantasy leagues if he wins the closer's job. The other top candidate for the Marlins closer role is Matt Lindstrom, who has made six relief appearances totaling 7 1/3 innings, and has allowed just one earned run for a 1.23 ERA. He pitched one scoreless inning Sunday against the Nationals to earn his first save of the spring. He allowed two hits while striking out one. Lindstrom complements his fastball w Read more:Leading
, Candidate
Garko: Slated As Indians Back Up 1B 2007-03-19 03:49:00 Indians 1B Ryan Garko went 2-for-4 with two RBI in Sunday's spring game against the Dodgers. He is now 12-for-41 (.293) with three runs, two doubles, one homer and seven RBI in 11 spring games. Garko should back up Casey Blake at first base when the season opens. With Garko's solid skills at the plate, Fantasy owners will want to target him in AL-only drafts and just keep him reserved until Blake gets hurt -- which is a common occurrence. If he ever lands a full-time gig, he would be worth adding in all Fantasy formats. Source: CBS SportsLine.com Read more:Slated
, Indians
Schilling Pitches In Minor League Game 2007-03-19 03:44:00 Red Sox RHP Curt Schilling
threw 98 pitches over six solid innings in a game featuring mostly Triple-A players at Boston's minor league complex on Sunday. Schilling mixed all his pitches and hopes his next start will prove to manager Terry Francona that he's prepared to go deep into the game during Boston's season opener at Kansas City on April 2. "I don't want to be on a pitch count," he said. "I know I'm 40, but I don't think the ace of the staff should be on a pitch count." Schilling gave up one run - a homer by highly touted Reds prospect Jay Bruce - and four hits. The right-hander struck out six and didn't walk a batter in front of general manager Theo Epstein and about 100 others, many of them young Red Sox prospects. Schilling, who pitched to regular catcher Jason Varitek, said he expects to reach 100 pitches in his next start. "I felt strong," Schilling said. "The only thing that was wrong was my fastball command. I thought I had a lot of life at the end." Schilling is Read more:Pitches
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, League
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Patterson Drops To 0-2 In Spring 2007-03-19 03:40:00 Nationals SP John Patterson
dropped his spring record to 0-2 with a loss to the Marlins Sunday. He worked three innings, allowing three hits, three earned runs and a walk. He did have four strikeouts. Patterson has now lost both of his spring starts and has a 7.20 ERA through five innings. Patterson is coming off forearm surgery, so his numbers might be a little misleading at this point. He has just pitched in two games and probably hasn't gone full-tilt. Still, he is the ace on a last place team, so his numbers might not be that impressive in 2007. He might not win a lot of games, but his ERA, WHIP and K rate should be very useful as an unheralded injury-risk sleeper on Draft Day. Source: CBS SportsLine.com Read more:Spring
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C.C.: Candidate For 15-Plus Victories 2007-03-19 02:14:00 Indians SP C.C. Sabathia earned his first spring win Sunday against the Dodgers. He worked five innings, allowing four hits, one walk and no earned runs. He also had two strikeouts. Sabathia now has a 3.21 ERA through four spring starts totaling 14 innings. He also has 10 strikeouts. Sabathia will be 28 in 2008 and the hefty lefty ace has the potential to be overlooked on Draft Day. His great WHIP makes him a Rotisserie beast, while the Indians' offense should help make them a contender and Sabathia a candidate for 15-plus victories. Source: CBS SportsLine.com Read more:Candidate
, Victories
Jose Reyes: Having Unreal Spring 2007-03-19 02:09:00 Mets SS Jose Reyes
hit his fourth spring homer during Sunday's game against the Cardinals. He is now 16-for-47 (.340) with 10 runs, one double, one triple, eight RBI and seven stolen bases in 14 spring games. Reyes is having an unreal spring campaign. He is certainly justifying his ranking among the top five Fantasy options in mixed leagues. If this is just a sample of things to come, how can you not get excited about his 2007 prospectus. Source: CBS SportsLine.com Read more:Spring
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Wright: Power Numbers Should Rise In 2007 2007-03-19 02:06:00 Mets 3B David Wright
went 1-for-2 with two runs and two walks during Sunday's spring game against the Cardinals. He is now 13-for-40 (.325) with six runs, one double, one homer and four RBI in 14 spring games. Wright showed everyone during last year's home run derby the type of power potential he brings to the dish. He hit .311 with 26 homers, 116 RBI and 20 stolen bases in 2006 and his numbers are only expected to get better. He will be off draft boards early. Source: CBS SportsLine.com Read more:Numbers
Kip Wells: Having Impressive Spring Campaign 2007-03-19 02:02:00 Cardinals SP Kip Wells
pitched four innings in relief Sunday against the Mets. He allowed two hits, three walks and one unearned run. He also had two strikeouts. Wells is having an outstanding spring campaign, allowing only one unearned run in 12 innings of work. He also has nine strikeouts. Wells split the 2006 season between Pittsburgh and Texas, making just nine starts. He broke his left foot after being traded to the Rangers and missed the last seven weeks of the season. Consider him an injury-risk sleeper on Draft Day, but remember Dave Duncan has turned pitchers with less talent into 12-plus game winners. It looks as though he is already working his magic. Source: CBS SportsLine.com Read more:Spring
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Oswalt: Astros Ace Ready For Season 2007-03-19 01:57:00 Roy Oswalt
has a couple of weeks left to get into game shape. It looks like he's already rounding into form. Oswalt allowed three runs and one hit in 5 2/3 innings to help the Houston Astros
beat the Toronto Blue Jays 4-3 Sunday. He didn't allow a hit until Reed Johnson's double in the sixth inning. "He was outstanding," Astros manager Phil Garner said. "That looked like season-ready right there." Oswalt had planned to pitch just five innings, but returned for the sixth because he had thrown only about 50 pitches after five. He finished with 71 pitches, 48 for strikes. "Pitch count is the biggest thing," he said. "I needed to get the pitch count up so I'll be ready to throw 100 pitches when the season starts." Oswalt, who went 15-8 with a 2.98 ERA last season, will start his fifth straight opener when Houston hosts Pittsburgh on April 2. Oswalt is one of the top 10 starters in all Fantasy leagues, perhaps worthy of going in the top 5 -- especially in Head-to-Head leagues. Oswalt is Read more:Season
Carlos Lee: Top 10 Outfielder Having Solid Spring 2007-03-19 01:52:00 Astros LF Carlos
Lee went 1-for-2 with two RBI in Sunday's spring game against the Blue Jays. He is now 13-for-30 (.433) with four runs, four doubles, one homer and 10 RBI in 11 spring games. The Astros and Fantasy owners should be getting excited after the spring performance Lee has put on so far. That short porch in left field at Houston stadium should also get Fantasy owners excited about the potential season he might be able to put together. Lee remains one a top-10 outfielder in all Fantasy formats -- Draft him as such. Source: CBS SportsLine.com Read more:Spring
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Burnett: High Risk, High Reward 2007-03-19 01:47:00 Blue Jays SP A.J. Burnett
allowed four runs and four hits with three walks in 4 1/3 innings Sunday against the Astros. "The pitches started getting up around an 80-pitch count so I am sure I got a little fatigued," he said. "I made some good pitches, worked a lot of changeups and curveballs in there, so I came out with a healthy start." Burnett allowed just one hit over the first four innings before yielding all four runs in the fifth. Toronto manager John Gibbons was pleased with Burnett's work. "He got a little tired in the end, but he is supposed to," Gibbons said. "He was getting up there in his pitches, but that's what spring training is for." Burnett is now 0-1 with a 4.35 ERA through 10 1/3 innings. He also has nine strikeouts. Consider Burnett an injury-risk ace who has the potential to have a breakthrough season. We've been saying that for years, but he is another year removed from Tommy John surgery and this is the best team on paper he has ever pitched for. Source: CBS S
Rios: Jays Outfielder Has Good Potential 2007-03-19 01:43:00 Blue Jays OF Alex Rios went 1-for-3 with one RBI during Sunday's spring game against the Astros. He is now 8-for-29 (.276) with six runs, three doubles, one homer and four RBI in 12 spring games. Rios is a potential .300-25-100-100 outfielder, perhaps as early as 2007. Consider him one of the top 30 outfielders on Draft Day. A full offseason to recover likely helped Rios rebound from a poor second half. Source: CBS SportsLine.com Read more:Potential
Myers: Tosses Six-Plus Strong Innings 2007-03-19 01:37:00 Brett Myers
tossed six-plus strong innings, but the Tampa Bay Devil Rays rallied against Philadelphia's bullpen for a 5-4 victory in a split-squad game Sunday. Myers gave up an unearned run, two hits and fanned seven. Myers still hasn't been given the nod by Phillies manager Charlie Manuel to start Opening Day. If Myers doesn't get the assignment, it most likely would go to Freddy Garcia, acquired in a trade with the Chicago White Sox in the offseason. Myers, who signed a $25.75 million, three-year contract last month, went 12-7 with a 3.91 ERA in 31 starts last season. He led the Phillies in wins, ERA, starts, innings (198), strikeouts (189), winning percentage (.632) and opponents' batting average (.257). Myers is 1-0 with a 3.09 ERA and 13 strikeouts through 11 2/3 spring innings. He will be one of the top 25 starters off the board on Draft Day. We expect him to have his best season yet.Source: CBS SportsLine.com Read more:Strong
Wade Miller: Front-Runner For No.5 In Cubs Rotation 2007-03-19 01:29:00 Manager Lou Piniella said Wade Miller
is the front-runner to win the No. 5 spot in the Cubs rotation. Miller has the edge over the talented but struggling Angel Guzman and Mark Prior, who's been battling mechanical issues and could begin the season on the disabled list or at Triple-A. Source: MLB.com Read more:Front
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Kei Igawa: Racking Up K's, Struggling With Control 2007-03-18 16:32:00 Kei Igawa
, the 27-year-old Yankee pitcher from Japan, worked in and out of trouble on Thursday night in a 3-2 victory over the Braves at Legends Field. He pitched three scoreless innings but had trouble staying in the strike zone. The wild is that Igawa is not always able to stay in the strike zone. He walked four in three innings and threw 62 pitches (29 strikes). The effective is that when he does stay in the strike zone, he makes batters miss. Igawa, who fanned five on Thursday night, has struck out 12 and walked seven in seven innings in three starts. He has allowed eight hits.Igawa and Carl Pavano still are expected to fill the final two spots in the Yankees' rotation behind Mike Mussina, Andy Pettitte and Chien-Ming Wang. Jeff Karstens (nine scoreless innings) is competing well for a spot, though, and Igawa and Pavano must give the Yankees reason to put them on the team beyond their contracts. Karstens could make the club as a long reliever.Source: Newsday.com Read more:Racking
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Millwood Having Solid Spring 2007-03-18 16:20:00 There's no comparison between last year's spring training and this year's for Rangers right-hander Kevin Millwood. Millwood allowed one unearned run and two hits in four innings to help Texas beat the Seattle Mariners 4-1 Saturday. It was the first "A" game appearance of the spring for Millwood, after three "B" games in which he compiled a 2.84 ERA in eight innings against minor leaguers."I feel like I'm way ahead of where I was last year at this time," Millwood said. "I feel like my legs are a lot stronger, my arm's stronger, my pitches are further along than what they were last year at this time. I'm just closer to being ready to pitch in a big league game than I would have been this time last year."Millwood threw around 50 pitches in the game, focusing much of the time on his changeup. He struck out both Adrian Beltre and Adam Jones in the first inning with that pitch. Millwood was replaced by Kameron Loe, who continued to make a strong push for the No. 5 spot in the Texas Read more:Spring
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Putz: MRI Results Show Mild Strain 2007-03-18 16:12:00 The Mariners received "great news" on Saturday after their medical director reviewed the results of an MRI taken on right-hander J.J. Putz's right elbow. The diagnosis, made in Seattle by Dr. E. Edward Khalfayan, was a "mild flexor pronator strain." There was a huge sigh of relief on the Mariners' side of the Peoria Sports Complex, although Putz had expressed confidence on Friday that there was nothing seriously wrong and that he would have plenty of time to prepare himself for the regular season, which begins on April 2 at Safeco Field against the Athletics. With two weeks remaining in Spring Training, it would seem that Putz has enough time to get ready for the regular season. Putz, 30, replaced Eddie Guardado as the Mariners' closer last May 6, and finished with 36 saves in 43 chances. He led American League relievers with 104 strikeouts in 78 1/3 innings, posting a 3-1 record and 34 saves in 57 appearances following his promotion to the closer role. Source: MLB.com Read more:Strain
Jerome Williams: Makes Case For Rotation Spot 2007-03-18 16:03:00 In his previous two outings, JeromeWilliams
had a tough time throwing strikes. But Saturday was a different story against the Mets. Williams pitched four shutout innings as the Nationals routed the Mets, 13-1, at Tradition Field. He gave up two hits, struck out two batters and walked two others.The outing assures that Williams is still in the mix for a spot in the rotation. Right-handers John Patterson and Shawn Hill are already set, and right-hander Jason Simontacchi and left-hander Matt Chico continue to show that they belong in the rotation. Source: MLB.com Read more:Rotation
Braves: Starting pitchers looking strong 2007-03-20 05:21:00 Chuck James and the rest of the Atlanta Braves
' starting pitchers are heading into the final stage of spring training looking strong. James overcame control problems to throw five scoreless innings on Monday, lowering his ERA to 2.57 in the Braves' 6-0 win over the Cleveland Indians. James gave up four hits but walked three. He loaded the bases in the second with two walks after Casey Blake's double, then pitched out of the jam. "I definitely was reminded why we have a pitching coach again," said James, who met with Roger McDowell after every inning "so I didn't feel goofy throwing." Atlanta's starters have stellar ERAs. Buddy Carlyle, who has not allowed a run in 10 innings, is followed by Lance Cormier (1.29), Tim Hudson (1.80) and John Smoltz (1.93). Braves starters have a 2.25 ERA, allowing 18 earned runs in 72 innings. "I think a lot of the guys are ready to go," manager Bobby Cox said. Chuck JamesJohn SmoltzTim Hudson
Snell: Tosses five scoreless innings 2007-03-20 05:08:00 Ian Snell was sharp, tossing five scoreless innings
for the Pirates on Monday. Snell allowed four hits, struck out five and walked two. He hasn't allowed a run in his last three appearances, spanning 11 innings. "The biggest difference for me this spring is I'm mixing up my pitches more and trying to mess with guys' heads a little more," Snell said. "Last year, I felt I relied on my fastball a little too much. I've changed things up a little bit and have kind of a new look." Snell is slated to be Pittsburgh's No. 2 starter behind Zach Duke. The 25-year-old right-hander was 14-11 last year with a 4.74 ERA and 1.46 WHIP. In 32 games started, he threw 186 innings and racked up 169 K's.Source: AP
Eaton: Another Poor Outing 2007-03-20 05:00:00 Adam Eaton
finished another outing, answered more questions about moving to the bullpen and went home still in the rotation. Eaton struggled over five innings in the Philadelphia Phillies' 5-1 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates on Monday. Eaton allowed three runs and eight hits against the Pirates, raising his ERA to 4.63 this spring. Eaton, who signed a three-year, $24.5 million free-agent deal in the offseason, is asked almost daily whether he would consider becoming a reliever because the Phillies have six starters. Jon Lieber is considered the odd man out, though manager Charlie Manuel hasn't said which pitcher he would move to the bullpen if general manager Pat Gillick doesn't make a trade before the season opener on April 2. Source: AP
Griffey to open season in right field 2007-03-20 04:36:00 If Ken Griffey Jr. is ready to play on opening day, he will be in right field. Cincinnati Reds manager Jerry Narron said Monday he expects to start Ryan Freel in center because Griffey is still working his way back from a broken left hand. The longtime center fielder was injured in the offseason while wrestling with his kids. "Right now, that's what our plan is. We would have loved for him to be available opening day to play center field - it just didn't work out," Narron said. Griffey, a 10-time Gold Glove winner in center, has taken fly balls and made throws from right field in practice. Narron said he was very cautious about deciding to move the 37-year-old slugger from his customary spot. "We had to make a decision. This late in the spring we need to get our club out on the field," he said.Griffey's agent, Brian Goldberg, said his client had known the Reds' plans. "Junior understands the team tells us where he should play, and that's the way it should be," Goldberg said. While
Wells diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes 2007-03-20 03:42:00 Veteran left-hander David Wells
has been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. The Padres say this affliction is "controllable," and it doesn't appear that Wells is expected to miss any time. All the same, this latest development doesn't bode well for an out-of-shape 43-year-old who missed significant time with a knee problems and a bout with gout last year. Don't bother investing in him outside of deep NL-only formats. Source: MLB.comMore on David Wells:Veteran left-hander optimistic about beating the disease
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