Spring Training Daily: ST Daily: Eureka, Mujica
Monday, March 30, 2015
Red Sox closer Koji Uehara felt discomfort in his right hamstring – the one he strained on March 17 – in a throwing session on Saturday. As a result, the Red Sox will give him an extra day or two of rest before having him throw another bullpen, Brian MacPherson of the Providence Journal reports. As a result, the Red Sox do not expect to have him going into the regular season and will instead rely mostly on Edward Mujica to close out ballgames.
Mujica, 30, posted an unimpressive 3.90 ERA with a 43/14 K/BB ratio in 60 innings for the Red Sox last season. However, he really came on in the final two months of the season, allowing just four earned runs with a 15/6 K/BB ratio in 21 innings in August and September. He was coming off of a fantastic season as the Cardinals’ closer in 2013, when he saved 37 games with a 2.78 ERA.
While manager John Farrell said, “I’m not saying this is strictly a closer by committee,” he didn’t rule out using Junichi Tazawa, Tommy Layne, and Alexi Ogando depending on the match-ups.
If Uehara needs to miss more time than the Red Sox are expecting, which is the early part of April, then there’s a possibility they find an external closing option.
Editor’s Note: Rotoworld is hosting a one-day fantasy baseball league on FanDuel for Opening Day. There’s $20,000 in cash prizes and it’s just $10 to enter. First prize wins $3,000 plus four tickets to the baseball game of their choice. Enter now!
Ben Revere Moves from Center to Left
Phillies outfielder Ben Revere has moved from center field to left field permanently, manager Ryne Sandberg announced, via Meghan Montemurro of The News Journal. Odubel Herrera, the Phillies’ Rule 5 pick from the Rangers, will assume the everyday job in center field. Presumably, the move was made partially in response to Domonic Brown’s Achilles injury, which leaves him unlikely to be ready for the start of the season. Grady Sizemore or Darin Ruf are likely to start in right field on Opening Day.
Revere’s defense has been more hurtful than helpful since he joined the Phillies two seasons ago. He features what is arguably the weakest arm in baseball and has taken some sub-optimal routes to fly balls, though he has shown up in highlight reels from time to time. Revere slugged a meager .361 with two home runs last season and the move to a corner outfield position won’t help him any. National League left fielders as a group hit 49 more home runs than center fielders last season in 190 fewer plate appearances.
Herrera is a second baseman by trade, but that position is currently occupied by veteran Chase Utley, who has 10-and-5 rights and has expressed the desire to continue playing in Philadelphia despite their rebuilding efforts. As a result, the Phillies had Herrera log playing time in the outfield this spring. He’s impressed with his bat, as he is carrying a .321 average (18-for-56), and he’s impressed with his speed as well, with six stolen bases in as many attempts.
Neither Herrera nor Revere are likely to hit for power. The two of them are likely to combine for fewer than five home runs. Revere can usually be counted on for a high batting average and lots of stolen bases. Herrera, if he can handle major league pitching on a regular basis, could be expected to do the same.
Editor’s Note: Spring training isn’t just for the pros. If you’re playing FanDuel MLB this season, it’s not too early to brush up on some of the basic strategies you’ll need to crush your competition. Start sharpening your game by checking out this RotoGrinders podcast “Daily Fantasy Baseball: A Crash Course“.
Nick Martinez wins Rangers’ No. 5 Rotation Slot
Right-hander Nick Martinez has beaten the field in the competition for the fifth spot in the Rangers’ starting rotation, Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reports. Martinez had been competing against Nick Tepesch, Lisalverto Bonilla, Anthony Ranaudo, and Alex “Chi Chi” Gonzalez.
Martinez had good results for the Rangers this spring, allowing only one earned run on 10 hits and a walk with nine strikeouts in 10 2/3 innings. The opening at the back of the rotation was created earlier this month when the Rangers learned they’d be without ace Yu Darvish for the season due to Tommy John surgery.
Martinez made his major league debut last season and finished with a 4.55 ERA and a 77/55 K/BB ratio in 140 1/3 innings. He showed slightly better control and bat-missing capability in the minor leagues, but he isn’t likely to carry any significant fantasy value except in deep AL-only leagues.
Jaime Garcia Suffers Shoulder Setback
Cardinals lefty Jaime Garcia was scratched from his scheduled start on Sunday after suffering a setback with his surgically-repaired left shoulder, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported on Saturday. Garcia had surgery in May 2013 to repair a partially torn labrum and rotator cuff. He returned last season but was shut down after a June start against the Phillies with thoracic outlet syndrome. Again, Garcia went under the knife.
GM John Mozeliak had said in January that reports on Garcia’s rehab were “extraordinarily positive”. That, plus the Cardinals’ inclusion of him in their starting rotation to open the season, doesn’t bode well for Garcia, but the club will wait for his medical evaluations before deciding whether or not to place him on the disabled list.
In the event Garcia isn’t ready for the start of the regular season, Carlos Martinez and Marco Gonzales are candidates to replace him in the rotation. Martinez has a 3.94 ERA with a 16/5 K/BB ratio in 16 Grapefruit League innings while Gonzales has a 1.04 ERA with a 9/7 K/BB ratio in 17 1/3 innings. Martinez, of course, has the potential to bring a surfeit of fantasy value with his ability to rack up strikeouts. Gonzales, as his walk rate indicates, has a much lower ceiling.
Editor’s Note: Sign up to play Yahoo Fantasy Baseball today! Baseball season is right around the corner. Get in the game today. Play Yahoo Sports Fantasy Baseball
Daniel Murphy Could Start on the D.L.
Mets second baseman Daniel Murphy may begin the regular season on the disabled list due to a pulled right hamstring suffered on March 19, ESPN New York’s Adam Rubin reports. Murphy took five at-bats in a minor league game on Saturday, which is a good sign, but Mets manager Terry Collins said, “He’s running out of time.”
Murphy made his first All-Star team last season, batting .289/.332/.403 with nine home runs, 57 RBI, and 13 stolen bases in 642 plate appearances. With his blend of speed and power, Murphy is a good fantasy asset to have.
If Murphy does hit the disabled list, it won’t be a long stint. Matt Reynolds and Danny Muno are considerations to fill in at second base if necessary. Both have had excellent springs, batting .381 each in 42 at-bats. Ruben Tejada, who lost out on the starting shortstop job to Wilmer Flores, was mentioned as a potential replacement by Collins but not by GM Sandy Alderson. Dilson Herrera, who posted a .710 OPS in 66 plate appearances last season, was optioned to Triple-A Las Vegas last week. Prior to his promotion to the majors last year, he had never played above Double-A.
Alex Rios Battling Jammed Thumb
Royals outfielder Alex Rios jammed his thumb during Wednesday’s Cactus League match-up with the White Sox. He took a few days off before returning on Sunday, going 0-for-1 with a walk against the Cubs. Per Andy McCullough of the Kansas City Star, Rios said on Friday that his thumb will be an issue he’ll have to manage all season.
Rios battled thumb issues in August last year, resulting in his season ending earlier than expected on September 4. He finished with only four home runs, his lowest total since his rookie season in 2004. Rios has always been a dynamic fantasy asset, even in 2013 when he hit 18 home runs and stole 42 bases. But if his thumb saps his power the way it did last season – the way it does for any hitter with a thumb issue – then the Royals may get less out of him when they signed him to a one-year, $11 million deal in December.
Rays Call on Brad Boxberger
Rays right-hander Brad Boxberger “will be in a lot of meaningful situations,” manager Kevin Cash said on Sunday, via Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. Cash continued, “With some other guys, but for what Box did last year and the confidence we have in him, I would definitely anticipate him pitching in those leverage situations.”
Jake McGee, expected to be the Rays’ closer to open the season, will miss the first month of the regular season as he recovers from arthroscopic surgery on his left elbow, which was performed in December. He was coming off of an excellent 2014 campaign, saving 19 games in 23 chances with a 1.89 ERA and a 90/16 K/BB ratio in 71 1/3 innings.
Boxberger similarly impressed last season, finishing with a 2.37 ERA and a 104/20 K/BB ratio in 64 2/3 innings.
Red Sox closer Koji Uehara felt discomfort in his right hamstring – the one he strained on March 17 – in a throwing session on Saturday. As a result, the Red Sox will give him an extra day or two of rest before having him throw another bullpen, Brian MacPherson of the Providence Journal reports. As a result, the Red Sox do not expect to have him going into the regular season and will instead rely mostly on Edward Mujica to close out ballgames.
Mujica, 30, posted an unimpressive 3.90 ERA with a 43/14 K/BB ratio in 60 innings for the Red Sox last season. However, he really came on in the final two months of the season, allowing just four earned runs with a 15/6 K/BB ratio in 21 innings in August and September. He was coming off of a fantastic season as the Cardinals’ closer in 2013, when he saved 37 games with a 2.78 ERA.
While manager John Farrell said, “I’m not saying this is strictly a closer by committee,” he didn’t rule out using Junichi Tazawa, Tommy Layne, and Alexi Ogando depending on the match-ups.
If Uehara needs to miss more time than the Red Sox are expecting, which is the early part of April, then there’s a possibility they find an external closing option.
Editor’s Note: Rotoworld is hosting a one-day fantasy baseball league on FanDuel for Opening Day. There’s $20,000 in cash prizes and it’s just $10 to enter. First prize wins $3,000 plus four tickets to the baseball game of their choice. Enter now!
Ben Revere Moves from Center to Left
Phillies outfielder Ben Revere has moved from center field to left field permanently, manager Ryne Sandberg announced, via Meghan Montemurro of The News Journal. Odubel Herrera, the Phillies’ Rule 5 pick from the Rangers, will assume the everyday job in center field. Presumably, the move was made partially in response to Domonic Brown’s Achilles injury, which leaves him unlikely to be ready for the start of the season. Grady Sizemore or Darin Ruf are likely to start in right field on Opening Day.
Revere’s defense has been more hurtful than helpful since he joined the Phillies two seasons ago. He features what is arguably the weakest arm in baseball and has taken some sub-optimal routes to fly balls, though he has shown up in highlight reels from time to time. Revere slugged a meager .361 with two home runs last season and the move to a corner outfield position won’t help him any. National League left fielders as a group hit 49 more home runs than center fielders last season in 190 fewer plate appearances.
Herrera is a second baseman by trade, but that position is currently occupied by veteran Chase Utley, who has 10-and-5 rights and has expressed the desire to continue playing in Philadelphia despite their rebuilding efforts. As a result, the Phillies had Herrera log playing time in the outfield this spring. He’s impressed with his bat, as he is carrying a .321 average (18-for-56), and he’s impressed with his speed as well, with six stolen bases in as many attempts.
Neither Herrera nor Revere are likely to hit for power. The two of them are likely to combine for fewer than five home runs. Revere can usually be counted on for a high batting average and lots of stolen bases. Herrera, if he can handle major league pitching on a regular basis, could be expected to do the same.
Editor’s Note: Spring training isn’t just for the pros. If you’re playing FanDuel MLB this season, it’s not too early to brush up on some of the basic strategies you’ll need to crush your competition. Start sharpening your game by checking out this RotoGrinders podcast “Daily Fantasy Baseball: A Crash Course“.
Nick Martinez wins Rangers’ No. 5 Rotation Slot
Right-hander Nick Martinez has beaten the field in the competition for the fifth spot in the Rangers’ starting rotation, Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reports. Martinez had been competing against Nick Tepesch, Lisalverto Bonilla, Anthony Ranaudo, and Alex “Chi Chi” Gonzalez.
Martinez had good results for the Rangers this spring, allowing only one earned run on 10 hits and a walk with nine strikeouts in 10 2/3 innings. The opening at the back of the rotation was created earlier this month when the Rangers learned they’d be without ace Yu Darvish for the season due to Tommy John surgery.
Martinez made his major league debut last season and finished with a 4.55 ERA and a 77/55 K/BB ratio in 140 1/3 innings. He showed slightly better control and bat-missing capability in the minor leagues, but he isn’t likely to carry any significant fantasy value except in deep AL-only leagues.
Jaime Garcia Suffers Shoulder Setback
Cardinals lefty Jaime Garcia was scratched from his scheduled start on Sunday after suffering a setback with his surgically-repaired left shoulder, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported on Saturday. Garcia had surgery in May 2013 to repair a partially torn labrum and rotator cuff. He returned last season but was shut down after a June start against the Phillies with thoracic outlet syndrome. Again, Garcia went under the knife.
GM John Mozeliak had said in January that reports on Garcia’s rehab were “extraordinarily positive”. That, plus the Cardinals’ inclusion of him in their starting rotation to open the season, doesn’t bode well for Garcia, but the club will wait for his medical evaluations before deciding whether or not to place him on the disabled list.
In the event Garcia isn’t ready for the start of the regular season, Carlos Martinez and Marco Gonzales are candidates to replace him in the rotation. Martinez has a 3.94 ERA with a 16/5 K/BB ratio in 16 Grapefruit League innings while Gonzales has a 1.04 ERA with a 9/7 K/BB ratio in 17 1/3 innings. Martinez, of course, has the potential to bring a surfeit of fantasy value with his ability to rack up strikeouts. Gonzales, as his walk rate indicates, has a much lower ceiling.
Editor’s Note: Sign up to play Yahoo Fantasy Baseball today! Baseball season is right around the corner. Get in the game today. Play Yahoo Sports Fantasy Baseball
Daniel Murphy Could Start on the D.L.
Mets second baseman Daniel Murphy may begin the regular season on the disabled list due to a pulled right hamstring suffered on March 19, ESPN New York’s Adam Rubin reports. Murphy took five at-bats in a minor league game on Saturday, which is a good sign, but Mets manager Terry Collins said, “He’s running out of time.”
Murphy made his first All-Star team last season, batting .289/.332/.403 with nine home runs, 57 RBI, and 13 stolen bases in 642 plate appearances. With his blend of speed and power, Murphy is a good fantasy asset to have.
If Murphy does hit the disabled list, it won’t be a long stint. Matt Reynolds and Danny Muno are considerations to fill in at second base if necessary. Both have had excellent springs, batting .381 each in 42 at-bats. Ruben Tejada, who lost out on the starting shortstop job to Wilmer Flores, was mentioned as a potential replacement by Collins but not by GM Sandy Alderson. Dilson Herrera, who posted a .710 OPS in 66 plate appearances last season, was optioned to Triple-A Las Vegas last week. Prior to his promotion to the majors last year, he had never played above Double-A.
Alex Rios Battling Jammed Thumb
Royals outfielder Alex Rios jammed his thumb during Wednesday’s Cactus League match-up with the White Sox. He took a few days off before returning on Sunday, going 0-for-1 with a walk against the Cubs. Per Andy McCullough of the Kansas City Star, Rios said on Friday that his thumb will be an issue he’ll have to manage all season.
Rios battled thumb issues in August last year, resulting in his season ending earlier than expected on September 4. He finished with only four home runs, his lowest total since his rookie season in 2004. Rios has always been a dynamic fantasy asset, even in 2013 when he hit 18 home runs and stole 42 bases. But if his thumb saps his power the way it did last season – the way it does for any hitter with a thumb issue – then the Royals may get less out of him when they signed him to a one-year, $11 million deal in December.
Rays Call on Brad Boxberger
Rays right-hander Brad Boxberger “will be in a lot of meaningful situations,” manager Kevin Cash said on Sunday, via Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. Cash continued, “With some other guys, but for what Box did last year and the confidence we have in him, I would definitely anticipate him pitching in those leverage situations.”
Jake McGee, expected to be the Rays’ closer to open the season, will miss the first month of the regular season as he recovers from arthroscopic surgery on his left elbow, which was performed in December. He was coming off of an excellent 2014 campaign, saving 19 games in 23 chances with a 1.89 ERA and a 90/16 K/BB ratio in 71 1/3 innings.
Boxberger similarly impressed last season, finishing with a 2.37 ERA and a 104/20 K/BB ratio in 64 2/3 innings.
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