AL Blog

I am not sure where the March 16th entry went.  It is a mystery.  In the ALT timeline, it is there…and being read by Walt.

• The Blue Jays have a lack of starting outfielders.  With Encarnacion out, this will move Bautista to 3B.  This frees up both corner outfield spots.  Travis Snider has had a rough spring, but hit two HRs today.  The team wants him to be one of those outfielders (though he’ll hit way down in the lineup.)  Jeremy Reed is having a nice spring as well (0.367).  It seems like there might be room for both Reed and Gathright at this point.
• Dontrelle Willis:  3 IP today with 1 BB and no hits.
• Tyson Ross had 7 Ks for the A’s in 3 IP. 
• With both Bailey and Wuertz hurting, Brad Ziegler would be in line for a late-game bullpen role.
• A tough start today for Rowland-Smith.  he gave up 5 hits in 2 2/3 IP.

• Scott Sizemore with a hit and two walks for the Tigers today
• It is the spring of Sean Rodriguez or “Srod”.  Two more hits today while playing centerfield.
• Hank Blalock has his third double already this Spring.  I suspect he makes the team and is platooned with Pat Burrell.
• Much better today for Joba:  3 IP, 2 hits, 1 ER and 3 Ks.
• Nolan Reimold is not having a good spring.  Hitless in 15 at bats.
• Scott Downs is having a nice spring.  He has not allowed a run in 4 IP.  He’s in competition for the closer’s job in Toronto.
• Maicer Izturis is the best leadoff hitter for the Angels.  However, he has no real position right now.  He’ll need an injury to Aybar, Wood or Kendrick…which isn’t really asking for a lot, actually.
• On a day where KC got 16 hits and 14 runs, Chris Getz went 0 -2.  He could lose his job to Mike Aviles which would put Yuni Betancourt at SS.
• The Mariners had their (seemingly) opening day lineup today.  Gutierrez was hitting 7th which will limit some of his counting stats.

• Another nice day for Josh Reddick as he added a HR today.
• Luke Scott is quietly having a nice spring (.429 with 6 RBI).  He’s streaky but you can probably get him cheaper than you should.
• Randy Ruiz:  2-4 with a walk today and is still batting 0.500
• Austin Kearns…struck out all three times today and is batting 0.133.
• Howie Kendrick with his third SB of the spring.  Hmm.
• Ben Sheets gave up 8 hits and a walk without retiring a batter.  His spring ERA is 31.15.
• Yuni Betancourt had three hits (2 doubles) today.  He needed a nice game.
• Josh Fields was 0 - 4 and is down to 0.105.

• Jose Batista added two more hits today and is up to 0.647 on the spring.  He’s a career 0.238 hitter.  When he is hitting 0.238 on April 30th, we’ll just look back on his spring as a nice dream.
• Randy Ruiz had a HR today and is batting 0.500 this spring with 7 RBI.
• Kevin Slowey has bounced back well from his injury which cut short his season.  3 IP with 0 H, 0 BB, 4 Ks today.
• Josh Reddick is having a great spring.  He was a call-up last year and is threatening to fill an OF reserve spot.  However, I believe he’ll need an injury to someone else in order to break camp with the team.
• David Ortiz is down to 0.053 after an 0 - 3 today.
• Nick Johnson with his third HR of the spring today batting second.
• I believe it is possible for Uehara to become the closer in Baltimore at some point.  He added an IP today (gave up 1 hit) to get the save.
• Sean Rodriguez was 2 - 4 today playing RF for the Rays and is up to 0.400 this spring with 4 HR.
• Justin Ruggiano played some in TB in ‘07 and ‘08, but didn’t get a look in ‘09.  While the Rays do have an open OF slot, he is behind several players.  However, he hit his third HR of the spring, stole his third base and is up to 9 RBI.  While I suspect he won’t make the team, he is leaving a good impression for when they need a call up.
• Scott Sizemore was 0 - 2 today and is now at 0.150 for the spring.
• Jake Fox played some catcher today for the Athletics and he hit a HR.