Here is a look at the Spring Training News & Notes from the weekend. The news & notes are focused on changes that affect players value as well as players coming back off of injuries or rookies that might make an impact.
Hitters:
Sean Rodriguez hit his 4th home run of the spring as is solidifying a spot on the Tampa Bay Rays roster. His ability to play all over the diamond could get him 300-400 at bats this year.
Chris Davis of the Texas Rangers seems to have a much better approach at the plate in early spring with only four strikeouts in 26 at bats.
Logan Morrison of the Florida Marlins is hitting his way out of a job in his battle with Gaby Sanchez at first base. Morrison is hitting .087 with two hits in 23 at bats.
Pitchers:
Stephen Strasburg tossed three shutout innings with two strikeouts on Sunday. As mentioned in earlier columns, I still expect him to open the season in the major leagues. He has been going in the 12-15 round range in 15 team league drafts this past week.
With all the hype around Joba Chamberlain and Phil Hughes as the New York Yankees 5th starter, Alfredo Aceves may be quietly sneaking in the back door. Aceves tossed four innings of one-run ball on Saturday and is in the mix to grab the last rotation spot.
Milwaukee got back-to-back good outings from the end of the rotation over the weekend with Manny Parra tossing four innings, allowing one run with three strikeouts and David Bush also going four innings with four strikeouts and giving up a lone run. While maybe not the magic worker like Dave Duncan is, you have to think that new pitching coach Rick Peterson is going to be able to make improvements to some of the Milwaukee starters that struggled last season.
With Madison Bumgarner struggling in camp, it looks like the San Francisco Giants may have two other options in Todd Wellemeyer and rookie Kevin Pucetas. Pucetas tossed three shutout innings on Sunday with a strikeout and Wellemeyer tossed four scoreless innings on Friday.
Closers:
Jon Rauch was touched up for two runs in an inning of work while Matt Guerrier pitched a scoreless inning as the current top two contenders to replace Joe Nathan barring a trade.
Jason Frasor allowed four runs in 1/3 of an inning while Kevin Gregg tossed a scoreless inning as the battle continues for the Toronto Blue Jays closer role.
