Baseball Capsules: Rodriguez, Astros go to arbitration hearing
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Pitcher Wandy Rodriguez has gone to a salary arbitration hearing against the Houston Astros, asking to be paid $7 million this year instead of the team's $5 million offer.
The 31-year-old left-hander was 14-12 last season with a 3.02 ERA, ninth in the NL among qualifiers. He struck out a career high 193, also ninth, and made $2.65 million. His 192 hits allowed also were a career high and 21 homers allowed were one shy of his worst.
Arbitrators Richard Bloch, Elizabeth Neumeier and Fredric Horowitz were expected to issue a decision Thursday, a day after hearing the case.
Players and owners have split four cases decided thus far, with Milwaukee outfielder Corey Hart ($4.8 million) and Florida outfielder Cody Ross ($4.45 million) winning, and Tampa Bay outfielder B.J. Upton ($3 million) and Washington reliever Brian Bruney ($1.5 million) losing.
Four more players are scheduled for hearings this week: Los Angeles Angels shortstop Erick Aybar and catcher Jeff Mathis; Washington left-hander Sean Burnett; and Chicago Cubs shortstop Ryan Theriot.
Steroids
Mark McGwire arrives at spring training
JUPITER, Fla. — Mark McGwire's first day on the job began with a wrong turn into the media room instead of the spring training clubhouse. It ended with another apology for steroid use.
The St. Louis Cardinals' new batting coach spent time in the batting cage with hitters, sat in on a lengthy staff meeting and then answered questions from reporters for more than 15 minutes. He left more than six hours later Wednesday, but not before signing several autographs.
The 46-year-old McGwire seemed at ease in his first extended media availability since admitting a month ago that he used steroids and human growth hormone during his remarkable home run power surge in the 1990s. Echoing remarks he made in January, several times he asked for forgiveness as he seeks to rehabilitate a tarnished image.
"It's something I regret," McGwire said. "I can't say I'm sorry enough to everybody in baseball and across America, and whoever watches this great game.
"I think people understand how truly sorry I was for what I did."
McGwire refused to back off his assertion, much criticized, that steroids allowed him to recover from injuries and stay on the field, but didn't help him break Roger Maris' single season home run record in 1998. McGwire said it was the evolution of his swing and not a body enhanced by drugs that enabled him to hit 70 homers that year, smashing Maris' 37-year-old record of 61, and 65 more in 1999.
"Like I've said, people are going to have their opinions," McGwire said. "Listen, it got me the opportunity to get out there and get more at-bats, and I got the chance to play."
Still, he said, he felt he owed it to the Maris family to call them before his steroids admission became public, saying it was the "right thing to do." He said Pat Maris, Roger Maris' widow was "upset and disappointed."
McGwire said his team was a source of instant understanding after his confession. Especially manager Tony La Russa, a staunch supporter over the years who persuaded Cardinals' management to back McGwire's controversial hire last November as Hal McRae's replacement.
"He's the best, he's like a second father to me," McGwire said. "He's seen me grow as a person, he's seen me grow as a hitter."
Answering critics who accused him of stopping short of full disclosure last month, McGwire countered that he "spoke from my heart." He expressed no regrets from his many interviews and said more than once that he hopes the issue will die down soon.
"It took a lot to do what I did," McGwire said. "I spoke the truth. Let's move on and turn this into a really positive thing."
His new pupils were more than ready for that, especially after McGwire's first stint in the batting cage became something of a spectacle. Three television cameras, a half-dozen photographers and more than a dozen reporters watched the mundane proceedings from inside interlocking barricades that served as a holding pen of sorts.
"There are never cameras when I hit," said leadoff hitter Skip Schumaker, who has worked with McGwire during the offseason since 2005. "Maybe when Albert Pujols or Matt Holliday hits, but not me."
David Freese, the leading candidate for the Cardinals' vacant third base job, didn't mind the hubbub. He's happy to be working with McGwire, whose 583 homers are tied for eighth on the career list with Alex Rodriguez.
"It was awesome," Freese said. "Everybody's kind of giddy to get him down here and start working with us."
The real work starts early next week when the full squad reports, though several position players are already in camp. McGwire, never before a coach, pledged to put in long hours and described himself as a quick study of hitters.
"I've told some of the guys, 'If you want me here at 5 a.m., I'll be here at 5 a.m., if you want me here at 7 o'clock at night hitting, I'll be here at 7 o'clock,'" said McGwire, clad in Cardinals' red and cleared to wear his old No. 25 again. "I'm here for them, I'm not here for me."
Since retiring after the 2001 season, McGwire has made few public appearances. Still, he refused to second-guess his decision to return to the game.
"It's a new chapter in my life," he said. "I'm excited about it. I can't wait to get going."
-- R.B. Fallstrom
National League
Cubs hope to rebound from failed 2009
MESA, Ariz. — Lou Piniella was eager Wednesday to kick off his fourth season as manager of the Chicago Cubs, insisting he had no concerns about being in the final year of his contract.
"I’ve got enough confidence in my ability to do a job," the 66-year-old Piniella said on the day pitchers and catchers were due in camp. "I’m going to go out and try to win as many games as we possibily can. We’ve got a new ownership group here ... They want to win and they’re competitive and that’s what we want to do for them. My situation, we can worry about that at the end of the year."
The Ricketts family took over last October, ending a protracted negotiation after Tribune Co. announced Opening Day 2007 that the team would be up for sale.
"I’m going to do the best job I can humanly do — myself and my coaching staff — to ensure that this team wins again this year and gives itself a chance in the postseason," Piniella said. "Outside of that, whatever happens to my situation will be rectified when the season is over."
Even though the first official workout isn’t until Thursday, numerous players were limbering up, taking batting practice and getting ready early on a beautiful day in Arizona. Among those were two slimmed down players — catcher Geovany Soto and right-hander Carlos Zambrano, both coming off sub-par seasons.
After winning back-to-division titles in Piniella’s first two seasons, the Cubs slumped to 83-78 a year ago.
"I would hope that failure is a major motivator," said lefty Ted Lilly, who is coming off November shoulder surgery and is still not sure when he will be able to pitch, perhaps by May 1. "In my opinion, us not getting to the playoff is considered failing."
Filling Lilly’s spot until he is healthy is one issue this spring. So it strengthening a bullpen, finding a fifth starter and determining who will hold down backup positions.
Piniella said Ryan Theriot will most likely lead off now that Alfonso Soriano has been dropped to the middle of the order and Kosuke Fukudome — the lone left-handed hitter who is a regular — will probably bat second. The Cubs need a healthy and productive year from Soriano, who ended last season with arthroscopic knee surgery and played in 117 games while batting .241 with 20 homers and 55 RBIs.
"We expect him to be the guy he was the first couple of years here. ... A guy who can hit and carry us for a while," general manager Jim Hendry said.
The Cubs said pitchers Jeff Gray (groin) and Angel Guzman (surgery for cartilage tear in knee) will be limited during the early stages of spring training.
Hendry, who will go to Florida on Thursday for what could be an arbitration hearing for Theriot, added outfielders Marlon Byrd and Xavier Nady this offseason. They have also invited veteran Kevin Millar to camp. And in a trade with Seattle, Chicago got pitcher Carlos Silva for mercurial outfielder Milton Bradley.
One player they’ll pay close attention to is 20-year-old shortstop Starlin Castro.
"From everything I’ve heard, he’s a "can’t-miss" kid," Piniella said.
The Ricketts family, which founded the Omaha, Neb.-based online brokerage TD Ameritrade, spent $845 million to buy a 95 percent controlling interest in the Cubs, Wrigley Field and 25 percent of Comcast Sportsnet, which broadcasts a number of Cubs game. Tribune retains a 5 percent stake.
The new owners have already made some upgrades at Wrigley and are awaiting a legislative process that could allow them to build a new spring training facility in Arizona.
But what they really want is a World Series winner, something the Cubs haven’t had since 1908.
"We don’t make excuses. We didn’t play as well as we wanted to last year and we had a lot of problems," Hendry said. "But it wasn’t easy for the third year in a row for the club to be up for sale. I think we were all thrilled when it finally concluded. I’m sure the Ricketts (family) wish it had concluded a year earlier, too. ... Obviously this will be a new experience for all of us in the first year, but I think it will all be positive over the long run."
-- Rick Gano
MLB commissioner opposes deal to keep Cubs in Ariz.
PHOENIX — An Arizona House committee on Wednesday advanced legislation to provide money for a new spring training facility for the Chicago Cubs despite opposition from Major League Baseball commissioner Bud Selig.
The committee approved a $1 surcharge on each auto rental in the Phoenix area and an 8 percent surcharge on tickets to all spring training games played in Maricopa County.
Spring training is a tourism engine for Arizona, and the Cubs are the state's highest-drawing team. The Phoenix suburb of Mesa is fighting to keep the team because it consistently draws loyal fans from Chicago and around the country to spend money locally, even if the team is struggling on the field.
But Selig says it's unfair to add a ticket surcharge for games that don't include the Cubs.
"The commissioner is opposed to the proposed legislation," Bob DuPuy, baseball's chief operating officer, said in an e-mail to The Associated Press. "He is committed to finding an alternative method of financing that will allow the Cubs to continue training in Arizona."
The Cubs last month turned down an offer to move to Florida, choosing to continue training in Mesa as long as the state and the city can come up with $84 million for a new training facility, including a stadium and practice fields.
The legislation is designed to raise about $59 million from the state. Mesa plans to cover the rest by asking voters to approve new bonds in a November election.
"It's unfortunate that the commissioner would come out against something that I don't think he truly understands," Mesa Mayor Scott Smith said.
Arizona cities in recent years have lured teams from Florida by promising to build new stadiums and expansive practice facilities. The Arizona Sports and Tourism Authority has spent an estimated $183 million in the past decade to help build and renovate spring training facilities, many of which brought teams from Florida or prevented teams already here from leaving.
The authority, which was created primarily to build a stadium for the NFL's Arizona Cardinals, is funded through a rental-car and hotel tax approved by voters in 2000. But it's now strapped for cash and has no money for new spring training facilities. With the Cubs' lease on their aging facility in Mesa set to expire in 2016 with an option to leave earlier, Mesa leaders scrambled to counter incentive offers from Naples, Fla.
Cubs president Crane Kenney said Selig and other team owners have told him they want the Cubs to stay in Arizona and their opposition stems solely from the funding mechanism. He also said his team is committed to Arizona but isn't married to any particular funding method.
"We're going to rely on the legislators who do this for a living to figure this one out," Kenney said.
Selig's office is proposing that Arizona lawmakers create a new type of economic development incentive available in other states called tax increment financing. An Arizona attorney representing the commissioner said such a move would give the state a mechanism to offer incentives to the Cubs and other teams without taxing car renters or baseball fans.
But House Majority Leader Rep. John McComish, the Phoenix Republican who is sponsoring the Cubs legislation, said the proposal is not politically feasible in the Arizona Legislature.
McComish insists that his legislation is not just about the Cubs, saying it would produce extra revenue beyond what is needed to pay the debt on the Cubs stadium. The extra money would go to other teams that train in Arizona, he said.
Still, the legislation only goes into effect if the Cubs stay in Mesa, and all 14 of the other teams that train in Arizona have opposed it. Most of them train in stadiums built or renovated with tax dollars.
"It's not fair when there's a game between the Milwaukee Brewers and the Oakland A's at Maryvale Stadium that those fans will be paying for a facility in Mesa," said John Kaites, a lobbyist representing them.
Rental car companies also opposed the legislation, saying their customers shouldn't have to pay for a facility that has nothing to do with renting cars.
They said Arizona already has some of the highest car-rental taxes in the country.
McComish said he will meet with stakeholders to try to address their concerns before the measure goes to the full House. He said he wasn't sure how the bill might change.
-- Jonathan J. Cooper
Cox on retirement plans: ‘There’s no looking back’
ATLANTA — Getting ready for Friday’s start to his final spring training as a major league manager, Atlanta’s Bobby Cox insists he will not attempt to savor this visit to Florida more than any other.
He announced last September that he plans to retire after this season. Not that the cigar-smoking, tough-talking 68-year-old was looking for a farewell tour.
"I think I did it the right way. Now I’ve got to do it and there’s no looking back," he said while relaxing in his office at Turner Field this month.
Cox is entering his 21st consecutive season as Braves manager — the longest tenure of any active manager — and 25th overall.
During two stints with the Braves and four seasons with Toronto, Cox has won 15 division titles — including 14 straight with Atlanta — five pennants and one World Series. He holds the major league record for managers with 151 ejections and ranks fourth with 2,413 managerial wins, trailing only Connie Mack (3,776), John McGraw (2,840) and Tony La Russa (2,552).
He says he had to make retirement plans public. Otherwise, he might never walk away.
"You’d want to keep going," said Cox.
His run began in June of 1990 when, as the Braves general manager, he fired Russ Nixon and moved back into the dugout where he had worked from 1978-81.
Now, Cox says a return to the playoffs would be the best reason to celebrate in 2010.
"It’s no different," he said. "We still have a job to do. Just because I’m retiring, you’re expected to win and give everything you’ve got."
Still, some players doubt he’ll go.
"I’ll believe it when I see it," said Chipper Jones, the third baseman who has been with Cox longer than any current player.
Former pitching star Tom Glavine, now a club executive, also is skeptical.
"I’ll believe it when I see him turn his spikes in," the two-time NL Cy Young Award winner said.
Even rivals don’t necessarily accept Cox’s retirement announcement as the final word.
"My reflection is he may change his mind," said the St. Louis Cardinals’ La Russa. "Bobby loves the game. It’s in his blood. He does a great job."
Glavine said the chance to be with the Braves for Cox’s final season was a factor in his decision to accept a new loosely defined role as special assistant to team president John Schuerholz.
"Bobby obviously was so important and instrumental in my career, so for me to be around in some capacity for his last go-round, that’s something I wanted to be a part of," Glavine said. "Bobby obviously meant so much to so many people who played here. He was such an influence on so many guys’ careers, and I certainly fall into that category. He taught me more than anybody about the game itself and about respecting the game and how you play the game and how you carry yourself."
Former Braves first baseman Mark Teixeira, now with the Yankees, said Cox deserves farewell accolades.
"I think it’s great for Bobby to have an end in sight, because people have been asking him for a while now," Teixeira said. "He’s such a great manager, a Hall of Fame manager, and it’ll be good for him to have one last tour.
"Every manager you play for teaches you something different. Bobby was probably the first one I had that just totally loved his players. I mean, he’d get on you if he needed to, but he truly cared about his players and was really a father figure to a lot of guys."
Cox has agreed to serve as a consultant for the team after his retirement as manager.
"I could never just walk away and never come back to the clubhouse or watch the games," he said. "This way the transition will be great. I’ll stay connected but I’ll stay out of everybody’s hair. I don’t want to interfere with anything. They were nice enough to allow me to do some work in the minor leagues. I’m looking forward to that, going to Rome, going to Mississippi, going to Gwinnett and watching our guys and talking to them. At least it keeps you in."
He says his wife, Pam, hopes he’ll have time for other interests outside of baseball.
Hockey, anyone?
"I would love to go see the Thrashers," he said of Atlanta’s NHL team. "Pam is always talking about wanting to go but we never go. I don’t have time to go this year, but next year I’ll have all kinds of time."
Los Angeles Dodgers manager Joe Torre said he and Cox talked about life away from baseball last season.
"He’s one of the greatest — not only managers, but people," Torre said. "It’s what we all think about: What are we going to do if we don’t do this? It’s a lot of work, but you’re doing something you love. And Bobby — he’s a Hall of Famer."
The Braves’ worst-to-first finish in 1991 began their streak of division titles with Cox — a run that excludes the 1994 strike-shortened season. Cox acknowledges he hasn’t fully grasped the reality this will be his last season.
"I don’t know if this is going to hit me until the last pitch is thrown, the last out," he said. "I don’t know if you age different in baseball or public life or what, but it goes fast. I don’t know. It just has passed so fast."
His impact is lasting.
"If you were going to make a Mount Rushmore of managers," the Los Angeles Angels’ Mike Scioscia said, "Bobby’s one of them."
-- Charles Odum
Phillies closer Lidge looking to forget tough 2009
CLEARWATER, Fla. — Philadelphia Phillies closer Brad Lidge says he is pain free.
A year after converting all 48 save chances, Lidge led the major leagues with 11 blown saves last season. He had surgery to repair his right elbow in November and right knee in January.
Now as spring training is about to start, the 33-year-old is confident he can regain the form that helped the Phillies win the 2008 World Series.
"I probably won't look back and dwell," Lidge said Wednesday. "Now it's about being myself again, going to my bread and butter and getting things done."
The loser in a pivotal Game 4 of the World Series against the New York Yankees, Lidge estimates he is two weeks behind his usual preseason pace. He expects to pitch off a mound next week and doesn't rule out being available for the April 5 opener against Washington.
"The good thing is my arm and knee both feel good, and it's my goal to catch up and try to be ready," Lidge said. "I think that's a possibility. It's reasonable. But we also look at '08 as a model. We didn't rush it, and I had the best season of my career."
Lidge had arthroscopic surgery on the same right knee in spring training two years ago and missed the first series of the regular season. But he was activated after four games and helped the Phillies win the World Series for the first time since 1980.
Lidge completed his first three save chances last year, then blew one April 19. Less than two weeks later, the Phillies briefly sidelined their closer due to right knee inflammation.
He said Wednesday the knee pain caused him to change his mechanics: He put more pressure on his right arm, leading to the elbow injury.
"You try to convince yourself that you're not 100 percent but you're fine, you'll be able to go out there and do the same thing and get results as normal. You try everything to do that," Lidge said. "It's not about trying to trick people as much as convincing yourself. If you can't sell it to yourself, there's no reason to go out there. I think the biggest thing is I was trying to convince myself I could get it done the same way and I felt I could do it, but I wasn't the same guy last year."
Lidge's fastball control became erratic. He gave hitters a better and longer view of his delivery, and he couldn't hold runners on base — Johnny Damon stole two bases on one play during that Game 4.
Spring training will allow Lidge to work on his mechanics, which could be key for the Phillies.
"We, obviously, want to get back to the World Series, but more than that we want to be considered one of the best teams ever in the National League," Lidge said. "But that's not the motivating factor. The motivating factor was that we didn't like how last season ended.
"We feel even though the Yankees have a great team, if we're on top of our game and everybody is doing what they're capable of doing, then we can certainly beat a team as good as the Yankees. That'll be the motivation: To get back there and end the season on Broad Street again."
Giants hope new lineup is improved
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — The San Francisco Giants spent much of last season wasting some of the finest pitching in the National League.
Upgrading the offense was a top priority in the offseason, and as spring training begins manager Bruce Bochy likes his new lineup.
Center fielder Aaron Rowand is the top candidate to hit first, Bengie Molina is back after being courted by the New York Mets, and free agent signees Mark DeRosa and Aubrey Huff were added to boost an offense that was 13th in the NL in runs, 15th in home runs and last in OPS in 2009.
"It's a stronger lineup, one through eight. It is going to be stretched out more. It's a lineup that has experience," said Bochy, in his fourth season with the Giants. "I think they will work the pitchers more, along with being able to keep the line moving, as we say. That's getting big hits and more production throughout the order."
Despite their inept hitting, the Giants won 88 games behind repeat NL Cy Young winner Tim Lincecum and fellow hard-throwing starter Matt Cain.
Molina had 20 homers and 80 RBIs, second in both categories behind third baseman Pablo Sandoval, and is expected to cede his cleanup spot in the order (Sandoval will hit third) to Huff, who signed a one-year, $3 million contract to play first base. Huff hit .241 with 15 homers and 85 RBIs at Tampa Bay and Detroit last year, and he has 203 homers in a 10-year career.
DeRosa, who had offseason wrist surgery, signed a two-year, $12 million contract and is expected to start in left field, although he can also play right field and first and third base.
He and Molina are expected to follow Sandoval and Huff in the batting order. DeRosa is a career .275 hitter in 12 seasons and had a career-high 23 homers while playing in Cleveland and St. Louis last year.
"It's something Brian (general manager Sabean) worked hard on, to get the kind of players we wanted to get in here to improve this offense," Bochy said. "And I consider Bengie one of those guys, because even though he was with us, it looked like he might not be. To get him back, along with Huff and DeRosa, improves our situation."
Nate Schierholtz is the front-runner to replace Randy Winn in right field, although John Bowker and Eugenio Velez are candidates.
"We'd like to see Nate run with this. We think he is our best defender, and we talked about how important defense is in our ballpark. But that's going to be competitive, too," Bochy said.
Rookie left-hander Madison Bumgarner and newly signed free agent Todd Wellemeyer are in competition for the No 5 starting spot, Bochy said, behind Lincecum, Cain, Barry Zito and Jonathan Sanchez.
Bumgarner, 20, was the Giants' No. 1 draft pick in 2007 and was 1-0 with a 1.80 ERA in four September outings, one start. Wellemeyer has made 53 starts in the last two years, going 13-9 with St. Louis in 2008 and 7-10 with the Cardinals last season.
"It makes it more competitive when you sign a guy like Wellemeyer, I think it's fair to say. There are no givens here," Bochy said. We think a lot of Madison, but you always want depth. It is always good to have competition.
Catcher Buster Posey, the Giants' No. 1 pick in 2008, will also take ground balls at first in camp and could make the team as the backup catcher, Bochy said.
"We are going to stay open-minded with Buster. Everybody would be assuming he would go to triple-A and play every day and continue his growth as a player. But if we think we are better with Buster here and I can catch him two, three days a week, that's always a possibility," Bochy said.
NOTES: Travis Ishikawa, last year's starter at first base, suffered torn ligaments in his left foot while descending stairs at his home, Bochy said, and will have his foot in a boot for about a week. Ishikawa, who is battling for a reserve role behind Huff, has been able to hit in the batting cage. Second baseman Freddy Sanchez, coming off shoulder and knee surgery, saw the medical staff and will be reevaluated in a week to 10 days, Bochy said. "His knee feels great. We'll have to see where we're at with the shoulder," he said.
Lincecum, Giants finalize $23M, 2-year deal
SAN FRANCISCO — Tim Lincecum and the San Francisco Giants have finalized their $23 million, two-year contract that avoided salary arbitration.
The two-time NL Cy Young Award winner reached a preliminary agreement last Friday, and the sides have completed the deal, team spokesman Jim Moorehead said Wednesday.
Lincecum gets a $2 million signing bonus, payable half on March 15 with the rest due on March 15, 2011. He receives salaries of $8 million this year, $13 million in 2011 and the chance to earn performance and award bonuses. He made $650,000 last year.
In addition to his salary, Lincecum would earn $200,000 for pitching 225 innings, a figure he reached in each of his two full seasons. He would get $500,000 for each Cy Young Award, $250,000 for finishing second, $100,000 for third, $75,000 for fourth and $50,000 for fifth. He also would get $100,000 each time he’s an All-Star, $100,000 for NL MVP, $75,000 for World Series MVP and $50,000 for league championship series MVP.
Already a two-time All-Star, Lincecum is 40-17 with a 2.90 ERA with 676 strikeouts in three big league seasons. He won 18 games in his first Cy Young season of 2008, then 15 to win again last season after leading the league with 261 strikeouts and tying for top marks in the NL with four complete games and two shutouts.
Two other top pitchers recently received five-year contracts, with Detroit’s Justin Verlander getting $80 million and Seattle’s Felix Hernandez $78 million.
Nationals beat Bruney in salary arbitration
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Brian Bruney received a disappointing birthday present, losing to the Washington Nationals in salary arbitration.
The reliever was awarded $1.5 million Wednesday instead of his request for $1.85 million. Arbitrators Steven Wolf, Sylvia Skratek and Dan Brent made the decision a day after hearing arguments.
Bruney, who turned 28 Wednesday, was 5-0 with a 3.92 ERA in 44 regular-season appearances for the New York Yankees last season. He made $1.25 million.
Washington acquired the right-hander from New York on Dec. 7 for a player to be named, outfielder Jamie Hoffmann, whom the Nationals selected with the first pick of the winter meeting draft.
He pitched once for the Yankees from mid-April until mid-June last year because of a strained right elbow, an injury he blamed on time he spent warming up during an umpires’ video review.
He was dropped from the Yankees’ roster for playoff series against Minnesota and the Los Angeles Angels, then gave up two runs and got just one out in his lone World Series appearance, in the opener against Philadelphia.
Players and owners have split four cases decided thus far, with Milwaukee outfielder Corey Hart ($4.8 million) and Florida outfielder Cody Ross ($4.45 million) winning, and Tampa Bay outfielder B.J. Upton ($3 million) also losing.
Five more players are scheduled for hearings this week: Los Angeles Angels shortstop Erick Aybar and catcher Jeff Mathis; Washington left-hander Sean Burnett; Houston left-hander Wandy Rodriguez and Chicago Cubs shortstop Ryan Theriot.
Braves’ Jurrjens has only inflammation in shoulder
ATLANTA — An MRI on Braves pitcher Jair Jurrjens’ right shoulder has revealed inflammation but no structural problems.
The Braves say team orthopedist Dr. Xavier Duralde has prescribed a week of rest and treatment for Jurrjens following Wednesday’s MRI. Jurrjens is expected to start throwing next week.
Braves pitchers and catchers report to spring training on Friday.
Duralde says the MRI showed anterior shoulder inflammation. He says the structure of the shoulder and labrum looked normal.
Jurrjens says he made an awkward throw while working out last week, causing lingering discomfort. He was 14-10 and ranked third in the NL with a 2.60 ERA last season.
Villone agrees to minor league deal with Nationals
WASHINGTON — Left-hander Ron Villone is staying with the Washington Nationals, agreeing to a minor league contract.
The 40-year-old would get a $900,000, one-year contract if added to the 40-man roster and would have the chance to earn an additional $700,000 in performance bonuses.
Villone agreed to a minor league deal before the 2009 season and went 5-6 with one save and a 4.25 ERA in a team-leading 63 games. He has a 61-65 record with a 4.73 ERA in 15 big league seasons.
American League
Yankees pitchers and catchers ready for camp
TAMPA, Fla. — Faces change. Sky-high expectations remain the same.
The New York Yankees don't know any other way.
The defending World Series champions began assembling for the start of spring training on Wednesday, the eve of the first workout for pitchers and catchers.
Manager Joe Girardi doesn't expect complacency to be an issue for an experienced team that dethroned the Philadelphia Phillies in the World Series.
"In a sense you're supposed to repeat every year. That's the expectation here. We understand that. ... It's something that the organization has always stood for," said Girardi, beginning his third spring as Yankees manager.
"So is there a greater sense of urgency to win this year than last year or the year before? I don't think so. You look at 2010. What we did in 2009 was wonderful, but it all starts over. It takes a lot of hard work. It takes a lot of commitment from everyone in the organization from top to bottom."
Johnny Damon, Hideki Matsui and Melky Cabrera are gone, and Curtis Granderson, Javier Vazquez and Nick Johnson have arrived to help a talented roster chase another title for owner George Steinbrenner.
Unlike 2009, when Alex Rodriguez's admission that he used performance-enhancing drugs while with the Texas Rangers dominated spring training, the Yankees entered camp this year without the usual distractions associated with baseball's highest-profile franchise.
Oh yeah, Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera are entering the final years of their contracts. Girardi has one season remaining on his deal, too. But nobody seems to be stressing or talking about impending doom.
The Yankees have a policy of not negotiating new contracts until the previous deal expires.
"It won't have any impact on them," club co-chairman Hank Steinbrenner said. "They'll keep doing what they have always done: Win."
Girardi held his annual precamp news conference in the same tent where Rodriguez addressed the media about his involvement with steroids.
The manager fielded questions for more than 20 minutes before anyone asked specifically about A-Rod and expectations of the star third baseman for 2010.
"I think the expectations he has are different now. The one thing Alex really tried to do last year, to me, was become more of a leader. And he did that. And I think he expects even more out of himself this year," Girardi said.
"I think he wants to take on more responsibility on a daily basis to be everything that he can be as player and a person. I saw it all last year, and it really helped."
The Yankees spent generously to improve themselves before last season, signing starting pitchers CC Sabathia and A.J. Burnett and first baseman Mark Teixeira, who helped them offensively and defensively.
Granderson and Vazquez were obtained in trades this winter. Johnson and Randy Winn joined the club as free agents.
Now, Girardi has to figure out how integrate the new pieces into the puzzle.
The manager's top priorities over the next six weeks are to set the batting order, select a fifth starting pitcher and determine whether Granderson will begin the regular season in left or center field.
"I really like the players that are assembled in camp. We just have to figure out exactly how all the parts fit," said Girardi, adding that's he doesn't feel any added pressure because of his contract situation.
"The pressure comes from within. I want to win this year, just as bad as I wanted to win last year and the year before. ... It's something you learn to deal with. It's something I've been dealing with ever since I was a player."
Girardi reiterated that he's that he's also not concerned about the Yankees lacking the motivation and drive necessary to give themselves a chance to defend their 27th World Series title.
"In saying that, it's something that you will keep your eye out for, always. You never want your team to be complacent. But what I'm seeing today, the shape that people have come in, players getting here early, I think they're anxious to get going and get back to doing what they love. ... I think we have great character in that room, and those guys are hungry to win again."
All-Star catcher Jorge Posada, who won five World Series rings with the Yankees, agreed.
"It's probably the toughest thing, trying to do it again. Obviously everybody plays you a little different when we come in town or they come to New York," Posada said.
"You have to play like a world champion. You have to take pride in what you've done. But we have a very good team. It's all up to us to put it together like we did last year and click at the right time."
NOTES: The Yankees didn't issue the uniform numbers this spring worn by two key members of last year's World Series championship team, Damon (18) and Matsui (55), who both left as free agents. Other numbers not in use include those of former manager Joe Torre (6) and former players Paul O'Neill (21), Mike Mussina (35) and Bernie Williams (51).
-- Fred Goodall
Upbeat Orioles expect a different kind of spring
BALTIMORE — And now, for something completely different: The Baltimore Orioles 2010 spring training camp.
Not only have the Orioles moved across the state from their Florida home of 14 years, Fort Lauderdale, but manager Dave Trembley intends to make the workouts in Sarasota more comprehensive than in years past. No longer will Baltimore use youth and inexperience as an excuse for a string of losing seasons that stands at an even dozen.
After two years of rebuilding, it’s time for results.
"We’re out of Phase 1 and into Phase 2. All of us need to tighten up our belts and be a little more conscientious in our approach and be more accountable for the product that we put on the field," Trembley said. "The way we go about it needs to get better. There needs to be improvement on a more consistent basis from everybody, and I think we have enough guys that we’ll do that."
When pitchers and catchers take the field Thursday for the first practice, the focus will be on assembling a team that can contend for the AL East title. Making the task easier is the fact that the Orioles finally will have all their major and minor leaguers at one complex.
"There will be a better sense of cohesiveness and camaraderie. There won’t be a separation," Trembley said. "It won’t be the big leagues in Fort Lauderdale and the minor leagues in Sarasota. It will just be the Baltimore Orioles."
The move to Sarasota will be particularly helpful when the Orioles begin their exhibition schedule on March 3. While in Fort Lauderdale, the Orioles were the southernmost team in Florida and needed to travel an hour to the nearest big league camp.
"It’s a big upgrade for us. We’re just immeasurably better off as it relates to the facilities, the amount of fields at our disposal, the travel that our team has and community that we’re in," said Andy MacPhail, president of baseball operations. "I just think we’re better off in just about everything."
Especially when the games start.
"The schedule is a lot more conducive to getting time on the field. We won’t be on the bus every day at 7:30 in the morning and just basically going to a place, showing up and taking batting practice and playing," Trembley said. "If there is a guy in the minor league camp we need to look at, we just bring him over and put him in a game or bring him over to work out with us that day. It’s a real nice situation for everybody. There will be a lot more baseball and a lot less travel."
There also will be far fewer job openings. MacPhail filled several broad holes during the offseason by signing free agent third baseman Miguel Tejada, first baseman Garrett Atkins and closer Mike Gonzalez. MacPhail also got starting pitcher Kevin Millwood in a trade with Texas.
Add those four to a youthful roster that features Adam Jones, Nick Markakis, Matt Wieters, Nolan Reimold and a host of pitchers with potential, and it’s no wonder the Orioles enter camp with uncharacteristic — and maybe even justified — optimism.
"First of all, I’m excited for the team. I think overall, we’re as talented as anyone," Gonzalez said. "I keep saying, last year when we (the Braves) came to play the Orioles, these guys were exciting and fun to watch. But they were young. The starting rotation took its lumps last year, but now it’s time to get it done."
No more excuses. The Orioles finished 64-98 in 2009, but MacPhail expects things to be different this season.
"Last year we showed individual progress and promise," MacPhail said. "People got their expectations or hopes up because they could see young, talented players. That did not manifest itself in victories.
"Our job in the offseason was, let’s take these young kids and surround them with quality veterans that can help them grow and take some of the weight off them," he said. "Now it’s time for us to grow as a team, and to show that we can move the needle as a team as it relates to wins and losses. We need to collective progress, where to this point we’ve shown individual progress."
There are questions that still must be answered. Can Tejada make the switch from shortstop to third? Can Atkins bounce back from an awful season that cost him a starting job in Colorado? Can Koji Uehara return from injury to pitch effectively in the bullpen?
Most importantly, can young hurlers Brad Bergesen, Brian Matusz, Jason Berken, Chris Tillman and Dave Hernandez continue to make progress?
"You’re not going to win in any division without pitching. If you can build it through your own system, then you’re a step ahead," Millwood said. "It’s going to be a lot cheaper and you have control of your guys for a lot longer. Getting it done the way they’re getting it done is definitely the way to go."
And now, it’s time to see the results.
-- David Ginsburg
Greinke misses workout after trip to dentist
SURPRISE, Ariz. — Cy Young Award winner Zack Greinke missed his first scheduled bullpen session Wedenesday for the Kansas City Royals because he had to get two teeth pulled.
Greinke left camp with puffiness in his right jaw after he said he had a wisdom tooth and a broken tooth extracted.
Greinke said he would play catch Thursday and, if all goes well, resume throwing off the mound Friday. Greinke went 16-8 with a 2.16 ERA last season and has been named the opening day.
Jose Guillen was among the few players who did not check into camp. General manager Drayton Moore says he expects the veteran outfielder to arrive by Monday when all position players are scheduled to report.
A majority of the players have been working out since Friday when a volunteer mini-camp began.
Guillen was limited to 81 games last season because of injuries. He last played Sept. 2 and had back and ankle surgeries in the offseason.
"He's been in the Dominican working out and he's been working out in Florida," Moore said. "Some of our people attended his workouts. Jose is a veteran player and will be ready to go once he gets here.
The temperamental Guillen is being moved to full-time designated hitter this season. In the past, Guillen has said his preference is to play the outfield.
"Jose is a professional," Moore said. "Jose is a competitor. Jose wants to win. I'm very confident that he'll do what Trey (Hillman, Royals manager) asks him to do to best contribute to the success of the team."
Moore said with the addition of outfielders Rick Ankiel and Scott Podsednik, both free agent signings, Guillen would get the bulk of his at-bats as the Royals primary DH.
Manager Trey Hillman was also absent from camp Wednesday. A team spokesman said it was a family personal matter and Hillman is expected to return Thursday.
Kyle Farnsworth, who has not started since 2000 with the Chicago Cubs but is a rotation candidate in spring training, arrived Wednesday and worked out. The only pitcher not in camp was Juan Cruz, but he was scheduled to fly Wednesday night into Phoenix and workout Thursday.
The Royals open camp with 31 pitchers, including a dozen non-roster pitchers.
Angels open camp without Lackey, Guerrero
TEMPE, Ariz. — When the Los Angeles Angels begin spring training workouts Thursday, a few big-name players whom fans have become accustomed to won't be there.
During the offseason, the Angels lost two of their most recognizable players — outfielder Vladimir Guerrero and pitching ace John Lackey — and perhaps their best player, Chone Figgins.
But nobody expected the high-spending Angels to stand pat and they didn't.
They added what they hope will be big pieces that can replace the departed big names as leaders of a team that made an appearance in last year's American League championship series.
The Angels snared slugging outfielder Hideki Matsui from the Yankees after Matsui captured the 2009 World Series MVP award. They also added former St. Louis starter Joel Pineiro to bolster the back end of the starting rotation left vulnerable when Lackey left for Boston.
Relievers Fernando Rodney and Brian Stokes were also acquired to replace Kelvim Escobar and Darren Oliver.
Matsui hit 28 homers and drove in 90 runs for New York in 2009 and will likely be used as the team's designated hitter. His bat should easily offset Guerrero's numbers of 15 homers and 50 RBIs in an injury-plagued season during which he only played in 100 games.
Pineiro, a 31-year-old right-hander, went 15-12 for NL Central-winning St. Louis in 2009.
The hard-throwing Rodney, also a right-hander, had 37 saves in 38 opportunities, despite a 2-5 record and an ERA of 4.40 over 75.2 innings with Detroit in 2009. Fellow right-hander Stokes was acquired from the New York Mets for outfielder Gary Matthews Jr. and will compete for a middle-relief role after posting a 3.97 ERA over 69 appearances in 2009.
The Angels resisted dealing several young prospects over the past few seasons for needed and tantalizing slugging and they hope they'll get a return for that decision from third baseman Brandon Wood.
Wood has big shoes to fill as Figgins hit .298 with a .395 on-base percentage and stole 42 bases out of the lead-off position while playing Gold Glove third base.
It appears the powerful Wood could also have a long way to go. A converted shortstop who's sound defensively, Wood hit .195 with a homer and three RBIs in 41 at-bats with the Angels in 2009 and has a .192 average with seven homers over 224 career at-bats.
The Angels have more than adequate backup should Wood fail in utility man Maicer Izturis (.300/.359 in 387 at-bats in 2009.)
The remainder of the lineup appears set with Erick Aybar at shortstop, Howie Kendrick at second and Kendry Morales at first. Mike Napoli and Jeff Mathis are back to share the catching duties and Juan Rivera, Torii Hunter and Bobby Abreu will shore up the outfield.
The Angels feel right-hander Jered Weaver (16-8, 3.75) will replace Lackey as the ace and head a strong rotation featuring lefties Joe Saunders (16-7, 4.60) and Scott Kazmir (10-9, 4.89) and right-hander Ervin Santana (8-8, 5.03) who struggled with injuries out of camp last season.
Rodney will set up closer Brian Fuentes (48 saves, 55 opportunities, 3.93 ERA) and join Scot Shields, who is recovering from knee surgery last June but is on schedule to be ready by opening day.
Lee arrives at Mariners camp with bandaged foot
PEORIA, Ariz. — Cliff Lee has a new spring training address in Arizona, the Seattle Mariners' complex, but it likely will be another week or more before he can pitch.
Acquired from Philadelphia in the biggest trade of the offseason, Lee has a bandage around his left foot following Feb. 5 surgery to remove a bone spur. He arrived Wednesday for a physical and said he's getting around fine.
"It won't affect me," Lee said.
The 31-year-old left-hander is expected to combine with Felix Hernandez to give Seattle among the best rotation fronts in the major leagues.
"It's minor in terms of Cliff. I think he's feeling really good about himself," Mariners general manager Jack Zduriencik said. "When they went in and did it, they thought it was kind of a surface-type injury."
Seattle and the doctors preferred that Lee have the operation earlier rather than later.
"That's common sense," Zduriencik said. "Three weeks now is a whole lot different than three weeks in the middle of July."
Left-hander Erik Bedard, who became a free agent before deciding to stay in Seattle, is recovering from surgery to repair a torn labrum in his throwing shoulder. He might be sidelined until June.
"I'm very excited where Erik's at," Zduriencik said. "The date for when he's going to come back is yet to be determined. None of us know that yet. But I think if you talk to Erik, he's excited about where he's at physically. I'm really looking forward to when he's healthy and on that mound pitching."
Zduriencik also mentioned the importance of a healthy Sean White, placed on the 60-day disabled list with right shoulder tendinitis last September. White had a 2.80 ERA out of the bullpen last season.
Catcher Rob Johnson had offseason operations on his left and right hips and left wrist.
"He's probably a little ahead of schedule," Zduriencik said.
Seattle likely will limit Johnson during the early part of spring training.
"A lot of new fresh faces, a lot of enthusiasm," Johnson said. "Totally taking this organization in a different direction, and it's for the better. Just a lot of excitement, man, getting going. We're pumped."
Mariners GM Zduriencik optimistic about 2010
PEORIA, Ariz. — Seattle Mariners general manager Jack Zduriencik says there's plenty of excitement as spring training starts.
Zduriencik says avoiding a lot of injuries is key, and that he has expectations and optimism. He orchestrated several major additions to the club in the offseason, obtaining pitcher Cliff Lee from the Philadelphia Phillies and signing free agent infielder Chone Figgins.
Seattle improved to 85-77 last year.
Rays abandon naming rights deal
PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Rays are reconsidering plans to change the name of their spring training stadium.
The team announced Wednesday that it has decided to "defer pursuit" of a deal for naming rights to Charlotte Sports Park.
Under a proposed 15-year partnership with The Mosaic Company, the ballpark would have been called Mosaic Field at Charlotte Sports Park.
The proposed arrangement drew opposition from some local residents.
Elsewhere
Ex-pitcher Jim Bibby dies; won '79 World Series
LYNCHBURG, Va. — Former major league pitcher Jim Bibby, who started for World Series-winning Pittsburgh in 1979, has died. He was 65.
Community Funeral Home said Wednesday that Bibby died Tuesday night at Lynchburg General Hospital. The cause was not disclosed. The family asked for privacy but said a statement would be released later.
Bibby played 12 years in the majors starting in 1972 and pitched the first no-hitter in Texas Rangers history, beating Oakland 6-0 in 1973. He was a member of the Pittsburgh team that won the 1979 World Series, starting two games against Baltimore — including the deciding seventh game.
Bibby's best season was 1980, when he went 19-6 and was a member of the National League All-Star team.
"All of us at the Pittsburgh Pirates are deeply saddened by the passing of Jim Bibby," Pirates president Frank Coonelly said in a written statement. "Jim was a well-respected member of the Pirates family, both as a player and a coach. Jim won 19 games and finished third in Cy Young Award voting for the Pirates in 1980 but will always be remembered in Pittsburgh as a key member of the 1979 World Series championship team."
Bibby also played for St. Louis and Cleveland, compiling a career record of 111-101 and a 3.76 earned-run average.
Bibby came from an athletic family. His brother Henry played in the NBA, coached the University of Southern California and now serves as an assistant for the NBA's Memphis Grizzlies. His nephew Mike Bibby plays for the Atlanta Hawks.
Jim Bibby, who lived in Madison Heights, Va., is survived by his wife, Jacqueline, and daughters Tamara Bibby and Tanya McClain.
After retiring from the majors, Bibby served as pitching coach for the Lynchburg minor league team for 15 years. He spent a year with the Pirates' Nashville affiliate in 2000, then retired.
Funeral arrangements were incomplete Wednesday.
