MLB Player News

Tuesday, March 9

• 03/09/10 - 1:24PM ETAroldis Chapman : Hits 100 MPH in First Outing

  Chapman's first spring training outing for the Reds was a resounding success. He struck out three in two scoreless innings, and was clocked at 100 mph on a few scouts' radars, the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

  Let the hype machine fire up in earnest. Chapman is competing for the fifth starter's job, and a few more outings like this will make it hard for the Reds to resist that urge.

• 03/09/10 - 12:45PM ETMatt Lindstrom : Takes Aim at Closing Role

  Lindstrom recorded two perfect innings of relief in Tuesday's game with the New York Mets.

  With Brandon Lyon still struggling to return from off-season shoulder surgery, Lindstrom is solidifying his hold on the Astros' closer role - at least to start the season.

• 03/09/10 - 10:28AM ETStephen Strasburg : Gets Some Work in Tuesday

  Strasburg struck out two and give up two hits over two scoreless innings against the Tigers on Tuesday afternoon.

  Despite throwing mostly fastballs, Strasburg cruised through the first three hitters with a trio of softly-hit grounders. He struck out Miguel Cabrera with a high fastball in the second after throwing a pair of breaking balls and other than a hiccup while pitching out of the stretch, had a very nice spring debut. The hype train will undoubtedly pick up some steam after Grapefruit League appearance No. 1.

• 03/09/10 - 9:57AM ETAlbert Pujols : Sore Back

  Pujols (back) won't be back into the lineup until Wednesday at the earliest, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

  Pujols has stiffness in his lower back and visited a chiropractor to make an adjustment. This sounds like a minor issue right now, and El Hombre is itching to get back into action. On the plus side, Pujols has stated that his surgically-repaired elbow isn't bothering him at all, and as a result, he's been able to work in the batting cages more this spring than in springs past.

• 03/09/10 - 9:36AM ETBrandon Webb : Day-to-Day

  Webb (shoulder) played catch on Monday from 90 feet, but remains day-to-day, the Arizona Republic reports.

  Although he hasn't been ruled out of appearing in a Cactus League game later this week, the D-Backs aren't setting any timetables for that to take place and his progress thus far is discouraging.

• 03/09/10 - 6:37AM ETJoe Nathan : Torn Elbow Ligament

  Nathan has been diagnosed with a torn ligament in his right elbow, ESPN.com reports.

  Nathan reportedly has a torn ulnar collateral ligament and will decide whether or not to have surgery within two weeks. Going under the knife would presumably end his season. The Twins are now suddenly looking for a closer, with Jon Rauch and Matt Guerrier the first names to come to mind as possibilities.

Monday, March 8

• 03/08/10 - 5:09PM ETCasey Blake : Strains Rib Cage

  Blake left Monday's spring training game against the Giants with a strained rib-cage muscle, MLB.com reports.

  Blake felt something before the game, but decided to play, only to feel pain again when fielding a bunt in the second inning. The Dodgers' trainer doesn't think it's anything serious, but don't be surprised to see the 36-year-old Blake take a few days off.

• 03/08/10 - 11:20AM ETRafael Soriano : Will Debut Next Week

  Soriano will make his Grapefruit League debut some time next week after he pitches in live batting practice sessions on Thursday and Sunday this week, cites St. Petersburg Times writer Joe Smith.

  Manager Joe Maddon doesn't think it will take Soriano long to get ready for the season, so Soriano's delayed workout routine isn't surprising. All signs point to him being ready to go when the season begins.

• 03/08/10 - 11:14AM ETAaron Miles : (Finger) Close to Returning

  Miles (finger) is getting close to returning to action, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

  He's close," Reds manager Dusty Baker said. "He's getting better. I think the finger looks worse than it is right now." We expect Miles to be back in the lineup within the week.

• 03/08/10 - 10:48AM ETBrad Hawpe : (Toe) Likely to Debut Wednesday

  Hawpe (toe) is likely to debut Wednesday, the Rockies' next home game, insidetherockies.com reports.

  Now that his toe has healed, the issue becomes returning to game-shape, which he should be able to do in time for the start of the regular season. With power outfielder Seth Smith pounding on the door for some playing time, Hawpe will need a solid first half of the year to maintain a firm grasp on the right field duties.

• 03/08/10 - 10:21AM ETMark DeRosa : (Wrist) Feeling Good

  DeRosa swung at live pitching for the first time since October during a simulated game Sunday and said his wrist felt so good he believes he can make his Cactus League debut as early as Tuesday, the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

  DeRosa felt no pain is his surgically repaired wrist when he swung through pitches or checked his swing, which is great news. He should make his spring debut this week.

• 03/08/10 - 9:21AM ETHuston Street : (Shoulder) Feels Good after Bullpen Session

  Street (shoulder) felt 'surprisingly good' after a bullpen session on Sunday, the team's official site reports.

  "I was probably letting it go 80 percent, which was a little better than expected," Street said. "My control was right there. I think I missed two spots out of 15." He should still be considered day-to-day, until he's at 100 percent. It looks as though he will start the season as the Rockies closer. He will get another bullpen session on Tuesday to further evaluate his readiness.

• 03/08/10 - 9:01AM ETAlbert Pujols : Will Not Play in Monday's Game

  Pujols will be held out of Monday's spring training game due to back discomfort, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

  Pujols had his back examined by a chiropractor, who found no serious issues. He could play on Tuesday against the Twins, but he does not "want to push it if itÂ’s going to set me back." Pujols is known for his ability to play through injuries, but keep in mind that it's still fairly early in spring training. Don't expect him back on the field until his back pain is gone.

• 03/08/10 - 8:31AM ETShane Victorino : Will Make Spring Debut on Tuesday

  Victorino (shoulder) will make his Grapefruit League debut on Tuesday night against Atlanta, the Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

  Victorino, who hasn't played in an exhibition game yet due to right shoulder soreness, will start in centerfield and bat second.

• 03/08/10 - 8:06AM ETScott Kazmir : Will Pitch From a Mound on Wednesday

  Kazmir (hamstring) will take the mound on Wednesday, the Angels' official website reports.

  Kazmir will either throw in Wednesday's spring training matchup with the Reds or in a simulated game on the side.

• 03/08/10 - 8:00AM ETTorii Hunter : Injury Not Considered Serious

  Hunter (groin) could play in Monday's game spring training game against the Rangers, the Angels' official website reports.

  Hunter felt something in his groin while sliding into second base on Friday, but he said it was "just some scar tissue breaking" after being examined by a doctor. Fortunately, it sounds as if this is just a minor issue and not something that will linger into the regular season.

• 03/08/10 - 6:30AM ETJoel Hanrahan : Likely to Open Season on DL

  Hanrahan (elbow) is likely to open the season on the disabled list, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

  The back end of the Bucs' bullpen is already in trouble with Hanrahan and closer Octavio Dotel (oblique) nursing injuries. Dotel is still looking to start the season on the active roster, but guys like Evan Meek and Brendan Donnelly could have expanded roles with Hanrahan and Dotel (potentially) out.

• 03/08/10 - 5:53AM ETJosh Hamilton : Will Make Spring Debut on Monday

  Hamilton (shoulder) will make his spring debut on Monday after Sunday's expected debut was rained out, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.

  Texas has yet to decide if he'll appear in a "B" game as the DH or in an official "A" game in left field.

• 03/08/10 - 5:24AM ETDaisuke Matsuzaka : Bullpen Session Goes Well

  Matsuzaka (back) was able to throw all of his pitches during a 65-pitch bullpen session on Sunday, the Boston Globe reports.

  Right now, it's all about refining the timing of his delivery and establishing the proper release points for each pitch. Matsuzaka continues to make progress in his return from an upper back strain, and is expected to throw in his first spring game next week (Mar. 18 or 19). He is expected to throw another bullpen session, and then a live batting practice. "If the next couple of mound sessions go favorably, which there's no reason to think they won't, we may look at a game on the minor league complex rather than a second BP," pitching coach John Farrell said. "But without getting too far ahead of ourselves, [Sunday's session] will be a further indicator of our next couple of sessions on the mound."

• 03/08/10 - 5:17AM ETJosh Beckett : Working on New Contract

  The Red Sox and Beckett have begun negotiations on a contract extension, the Boston Globe reports.

  A source familiar with the talks characterized the communication as "hopeful," and confirms the meetings have been productive. What's not clear is if the Red Sox will insist on medical language for the later years of a deal -- something that John Lackey and J.D. Drew agreed to in their five-year deals -- that would mitigate the costs to the club should specific injuries prevent Beckett from meeting certain thresholds.

Sunday, March 7

• 03/07/10 - 6:53PM ETCameron Maybin : Strained Groin

  Maybin left Sunday's spring training game with a strained groin, the Associated Press reports.

  Maybin stepped on third base awkwardly while trying to score from first base on a double. He's expected to be out for several days.

• 03/07/10 - 10:26AM ETRussell Martin : Out 4-to-6 Weeks With Groin Pull

  Martin has officially been diagnosed with groin pull and will be out four-to-six weeks, the Dodgers' official site reports.

  Martin isn't yet sure when he'll begin baseball-related activities. "They said I have a little strain somewhere, either the lower abdomen or the groin area in the muscles that connect the hip, abdomen and groin," said Martin.

• 03/07/10 - 9:56AM ETTorii Hunter : Aggravates Groin Injury

  Hunter aggravated his groin injury while sliding into second base on Friday, the Los Angeles Times reports.

  "It's nothing serious, but when he slid into second base, he felt a little tightness in his groin," Angels' manager Mike Scioscia said. "It's in the same area of the surgery, but I don't know if it's related. It could just be some scar tissue." Hunter was examined Saturday and will likely be out for a few days, but he was able to take batting practice and run lightly on Sunday.

• 03/07/10 - 9:51AM ETAlberto Callaspo : Third Base Duties

  With Alex Gordon set to miss three-to-four weeks due to a broken thumb, Callaspo will likely inherit third base duties, the Kansas City Star reports.

  Gordon is unlikely to be ready for big league action before the April 5 opener, so Callaspo and Josh Fields will battle during spring training for the opening day job at third base.

• 03/07/10 - 9:25AM ETNick Blackburn : Contract Extension

  Blackburn signed a four-year, $14 million contract extension with Minnesota. It includes a $8 million club option for the 2014 season.

  The Twins buy out all of Blackburn's arbitration years as a result. He enters 2010 as the No. 4 starter for the Twins.

• 03/07/10 - 8:30AM ETAlex Gordon : Broken Thumb

  Gordon will miss three-to-four weeks due to a broken thumb, according to Bob Dutton of the Royals Report.

  It looks like Gordon's chances to have his first real breakout season will be diminished, as he'll start the season far behind the curve. He could have a chance to return before the start of the regular season, but more likely Gordon will be on a minor league rehab assignment while Josh Fields or Alberto Callaspo open the season as the Royals' starting third baseman.

• 03/07/10 - 8:21AM ETRussell Martin : (Abdomen/Groin) Minor Strain

  An MRI on Martin's abdomen/groin revealed a minor strain, Dylan Hernandez of the LA Times reports.

  Martin told Henandez that "It's not anything major." He may be sidelined for a few games, as there's no need to push him during spring training.

• 03/07/10 - 8:12AM ETChipper Jones : Jammed Right Thumb

  Jones has a jammed right thumb and won't play Sunday, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

  This sounds like an injury that he'd be able to play through if it was the regular season, but Jones and the Braves will take a cautious approach during spring training. According to Bowman, Jones will likely return to the field on Tuesday or Wednesday.

• 03/07/10 - 7:18AM ETJulio Borbon : Sore Forearm

  Borbon is day-to-day with a sore forearm that he suffered diving for a ball in the outfield on Friday, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.

  "It's not 100 percent, but I think I can play. We're just being cautious. It's nothing serious," Borbon added. He's hit well and swiped a few bases in the early going, and there's no reason to think he's not going to start the year as Texas' leadoff hitter.

• 03/07/10 - 7:17AM ETJoe Nathan : MRI Set For Elbow

  Nathan will fly to Minnesota for an MRI on his injured right elbow, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

  Nathan says he's stiff and sore but optimistic, but it's not a good sign he's flying back to Minnesota. Nathan had surgery over the winter to remove bone chips from his elbow and left his first spring outing on Saturday when he experienced discomfort.

• 03/07/10 - 6:57AM ETCody Ross : Jammed Thumb

  Ross is on the sidelines after jamming his thumb in batting practice Tuesday, the Palm Beach Post reports.

  The injury doesn't seem serious, but there's no word yet on when he'll be back in action.