Cubs overrated
Wait till next year imo
Wait till next year imo
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Matt Harvey already impressing in Mets camp
By Matt Snyder | Baseball Writer
February 25, 2015 11:19 am ET
Back in 2013, 24-year-old Matt Harvey started the All-Star Game in front of his home fans in Mets' home Citi Field and ended up finishing fourth in the NL in Cy Young voting. That season was cut short with an elbow injury and he eventually had Tommy John surgery.
It's now been roughly 16 months since Harvey had the procedure and he's impressing thus far in spring training.
"It doesn't look like he's missed much of a beat," manager Terry Collins said (newsday.com). "You watch the command of his fastball and working both sides of the plate like he hardly has missed anything."
Collins also reportedly said Harvey's curveball looks like "stinkin' dynamite."
Yes, the hook puts more strain on the elbow than a heater, but there have been plenty of pitchers return from Tommy John surgery with a great breaker -- think of Adam Wainwright and Stephen Strasburg, just to name two.
Harvey threw his curve 13.4 percent of the time in 2013, but it's necessary to work off the fastball. Plus, Harvey had one of the most effective curves in the majors that season. He also mixed in sliders on Sunday, per reports, and he threw the slider 18.5 percent of the time in 2013 as it served as his out-pitch much of the time.
Harvey, who turns 26 next month, was 9-5 with a 2.27 ERA (157 ERA+), 0.93 WHIP and 191 strikeouts against just 31 walks in 178 1/3 innings in 2013.
The Mets pitching staff already looks strong. A return to form for Harvey gives them a top-shelf ace, too.Comment -
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I was rooting for prior, he had an unreal K rateComment -
Josh Hamilton suffered drug relapse
Los Angeles Angels outfielder Josh Hamilton suffered a drug relapse involving the use of cocaine and alcohol in the offseason, according to a New York Daily News report.
Hamilton has a well-documented history of substance abuse problems dating to his days in the minor leagues, when he was suspended from baseball from February 2004 to June 2006, for issues related to cocaine and alcohol addiction.
The Angels confirmed that he met with MLB officials in New York on Wednesday about a disciplinary issue but offered no specifics as to the nature of any offense.
"We're all waiting for some information to come out of New York," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said Thursday. "He obviously went up there for a meeting, and we'll see how everything unfolds. But right now, we're just in a holding pattern like everyone else."Comment -
This guy won't be on any of my fantasy teams at any point.Braves OF Melvin Upton Jr. out at least two months with foot injury by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (3:52 pm ET) The Braves announced Friday outfielder Melvin Upton Jr. could miss at least two months after tests revealed inflammation in his left foot. Upton will be in a short leg cast fot two weeks, then a walking boot for 4-6 weeks. Upton missed Friday's workout after he was seen limping following batting practice Thursday, per MLB.com. He went through a round of treatment Friday before being sent for an MRI.
The Braves initially declined to speculate on the severity of the injury until Upton went for further testing.
"[The discomfort] is more in the toe area, but we're calling it a foot [injury]," Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said Friday morning.
Upton was listed as the starting center fielder on the depth chart on the team's official website. The backups were listed as Todd Cunningham and Eury Perez.
Upton is entering the third year of a five-year, $72.25 million contract. However, his first two years with the Braves have been largely disappointing. He has a .198/.279/.314/.593 slash line in two seasons in Atlanta.Comment -
Say it ain't so MelvinComment -
Chris Sale out at least 3 weeks
GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Chicago White Sox ace Chris Sale suffered a foot injury in an accident at his home and will miss at least three weeks of preparation time for the regular season.
Sale suffered an avulsion fracture to the lateral side of his right foot Friday at his spring training residence in Arizona, but the pitcher declined to reveal how the injury happened.
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AP Photo/John LocherChris Sale's status for Opening Day is uncertain after the ace left-hander injured his foot in an accident at his residence.
White Sox general manager Rick Hahn said Sale landed "awkwardly when he got off the back of his truck," while unloading items.
"It was really just a freak incident," Sale said. "I've just done it a million times and this time it didn't work out so well."
The White Sox say the left-hander's status for Opening Day will be determined at a later date. Sale already was scheduled to pitch in the first game of the season, but a return on March 21 would leave him just 16 days to prepare for the season opener at Kansas City.Comment -
Just heard about this. Now he may miss his Opening Day start.Chris Sale out at least 3 weeks
GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Chicago White Sox ace Chris Sale suffered a foot injury in an accident at his home and will miss at least three weeks of preparation time for the regular season.
Sale suffered an avulsion fracture to the lateral side of his right foot Friday at his spring training residence in Arizona, but the pitcher declined to reveal how the injury happened.
[+] EnlargeAP Photo/John LocherChris Sale's status for Opening Day is uncertain after the ace left-hander injured his foot in an accident at his residence.
White Sox general manager Rick Hahn said Sale landed "awkwardly when he got off the back of his truck," while unloading items.
"It was really just a freak incident," Sale said. "I've just done it a million times and this time it didn't work out so well."
The White Sox say the left-hander's status for Opening Day will be determined at a later date. Sale already was scheduled to pitch in the first game of the season, but a return on March 21 would leave him just 16 days to prepare for the season opener at Kansas City.
Gotta be more careful getting off those trucks!
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Hopefully it helps. I'd like to see this offered to everyone from Little League to MLB.LOOK: Here's the custom helmet that Giancarlo Stanton will wear
By Dayn Perry | Baseball Writer
February 26, 2015 10:50 am ET
Marlins slugger Giancarlo Stanton's 2014 season ended after he sustained this harrowing injury in September ...
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Stanton suffered facial fractures and lacerations and narrowly missed sustaining damage to his eye. It follows, then, that Stanton (with his $325 million contract) will be taking precautionary measures in 2015. Here, courtesy of the Miami Herald, is what those measures look like ...
I spy a capital "G"! As the Herald notes, Stanton has already tried the helmet out, and he'll have all of spring training to get used to it.
Getting nailed in the face/head takes a hugh psychological hit also. Not always easy to bounce back...
Word!Comment -
White Sox pitcher Chris Sale is expected to miss at least three weeks with an avulsion fracture in his right foot, the team announced Saturday. Sale, who suffered the injury in an accident at his home, underwent X-rays and will undergo further testing once the swelling goes down.
He reportedly suffered the injury while unloading a item from his truck, according to general manager Rick Hahn. Sale is confident he can be ready by opening day, even though his status has yet to be determined.
He went 12-4 with a 2.17 ERA in 174 innings pitched with 208 strikeouts in 2014.Comment -
Ronald Belisario hurt in pool mishap
PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. -- It isn't unusual for players to work on their stroke in spring training. But that phrase has a whole different meaning for Tampa Bay Rays reliever Ronald Belisario, who will miss the start of the season with a fractured left shoulder which he suffered getting out of a swimming pool.
The Rays' president of baseball operations, Matt Silverman, announced Saturday that Belisario would not be able to throw "for several weeks" because of the injury to his non-pitching shoulder, which occurred at his home in Venezuela before he reported to spring training.
"He said he had an accident a month ago getting out of a swimming pool," Silverman said. "And it hadn't been checked out until he got here. It's going to push him back several weeks. We don't expect him to be ready for the beginning of the season."
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Players beware of trucks and pools in the off season...
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Pirates lineups for the black and gold game today
Black
1. Steve Lombardozzi, 2B
2. Mel Rojas, CF
3. Jung-ho Kang, SS
4. Corey Hart, 1B
5. Andrew Lambo, DH
6. Jose Tabata, LF
7. Deibinson Romero, 3B
8. Willy Garcia, RF
9. Sebastian Valle, C
Pitchers: Nick Kingham, Josh Wall, Collin Balester, Charlie Leesman, Adrian Sampson, Wilfredo Boscan
Bench: Elias Diaz is the backup catcher, and will enter in the fourth inning. Gift Ngoepe is listed as the backup shortstop.
Gold
1. Jaff Decker, LF
2. Justin Sellers, 2B
3. Gregory Polanco, RF
4. Pedro Alvarez, 1B
5. Starling Marte, DH
6. Tony Sanchez, C
7. Brent Morel, 3B
8. Keon Broxton, CF
9. Pedro Florimon, SS
Pitchers: Arquimedes Caminero, Deolis Guerra, Jeremy Bleich, Angel Sanchez, Blake Wood
Bench: Wilkin Castillo is the backup catcher and will enter in the fourth inning. Alen Hanson is listed as the backup second baseman.Comment -
Toronto Blue Jays reporters seeking comment Sunday from manager John Gibbons on new slugger Dayan Viciedo did not find much in the way of colorful descriptors. Gibbons was downright neutral on Viciedo, whose career results with the Chicago White Sox frequently lacked a certain oomph.
Viciedo batted .231/.281/.405 with 21 home runs in 563 plate appearances in 2014, and owns a .424 career slugging percentage in nearly 1,800 trips to the plate. That translates to a slightly below major-league average 96 OPS+, and while Viciedo mashed lefties for a time, he has developed reverse splits to an extent. He doesn't mash righties now, though; more like he gums them. Chicago released him Feb. 4, and the Jays bringing him to camp makes Gibbons absolutely ... civil.
Via Robert Lott of Canada's National Post:“He was available,” Gibbons said. “He's got some big-league time in. Been successful, to a certain extent. Bring him to camp, see what he is.”"He was available." Here lies Dayan Viciedo -- earthling. That's not merely diplomatic of Gibbons, it's downright Swiss. Speaking of, it's also reminiscent of the Neutral Planet from Futurama. One of the best fictional alien races ever, and a spoof on the even-handed Vulcans of Star Trek, there was no emergency too dire that would separate the Neutrals from their dispassion for life.
Of course, Gibbons isn't really being neutral about Viciedo. He seems to be saying, rather, "We signed this guy?" But you can't say that, so instead you get perfunctory. No matter how the stats look, or how Gibbons describes him, Viciedo is still just 25 years old, and was considered something of an untapped resource out of Cuba for a while. He might hit a home run or two while Michael Saunders heals up from knee surgery. And if he does, hopefully the nickname "Jackin' Dayan" will stick in Toronto.Comment -
I will be drafting Viciedo on at least some of my fantasy teams this year. This guy has potential IMO, and the change of scenery might be just what he needs. He has a lot of power, and has had some nice streaks for the CWS. He should be around late in the draft, and I will be drafting him then.Comment -
That just means that someone liked him more than you. Never be afraid to go after the guys you really want.Comment -
INJURY UPDATES
Phillies: Chase Utley is dealing with an ankle injury and didn't work out Monday (Todd Zolecki).
Pirates: Corey Hart needed three stitches after an incident with a hot tub.
Royals: Luke Hochevar may have to start the season on the disabled list.
Tigers: Victor Martinez is already running on an anti-gravity treadmill and he took 30 swings, mixing in cuts from each side of the plate (Anthony Fenech). Miguel Cabrera took on-field batting practice for the first time this spring, too (Anthony Fenech). Jose Iglesias took part in game action for the first time in a year, too (freep.com). On the flip-side, Joel Hanrahan is headed to Texas to see a Doctor about his continued elbow issues (mlive.com). He's been trying to come back from Tommy John surgery since 2013.
Twins: Glen Perkins feels "strong and healthy" so far in camp (Mike Berardino).
REPORTS, RUMORS and SPECULATION
Angels: Huston Street is ready to resume extension talks with GM Jerry Dipoto, with the hopes of getting something done during spring training (ocregister.com).
Cubs: Not surprisingly, Jon Lester will be the opening day starter.
Diamondbacks: Jon Heyman reports that the club would be willing to trade Trevor Cahill, Cody Ross and/or Aaron Hill. GM Dave Stewart gave Heyman a denial.
Pirates: Jung-Ho Kang is more a threat to Jordy Mercer's playing time this season than Neil Walker (triblive.com).
ROSTER MOVES
Rockies: With Tyler Chatwood moving to the 60-day disabled list, the Rockies moved reliever John Axford onto the 40-man roster, meaning his salary for the season is now guaranteed (denverpost.com).Comment -
Still some good action today, but the full slate of Spring Training games begins tomorrow...
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Blue Jays starting pitcher Johan Santana is slated to start a throwing program Tuesday, as he is scheduled to play catch, according to the National Post.
Santana, who suffered a torn Achilles in June, was shut down in January after having some shoulder discomfort while pitching in the Venezuelan winter league.
Blue Jays are crazy for wasting time and money on this guy.Comment
