National League Capsules: Astros' Lee aims for 6th straight 100-RBI season
KISSIMMEE, Fla. — Roy Oswalt and Lance Berkman may be the emotional leaders of the Houston Astros, but Carlos Lee has been the team's most consistent and productive player over the last three seasons.
The left fielder is coming off his fifth straight 100-RBI season and eighth in a row with at least 25 home runs. Lee batted .300 in 2009, his fourth consecutive year reaching the benchmark.
The Astros raised eyebrows when they signed Lee to a six-year, $100 million contract in November 2006. Lee is due $18.5 million over each of the next three seasons.
But Lee gladly gives up the spotlight to Berkman and Oswalt, two of the last holdovers from Houston's only World Series appearance in 2005.
"These guys have been here forever and grew up in the system," Lee said. "I'm like the baby here. This is the house they grew up in."
Astros general manager Ed Wade thinks Lee is just as valuable to the franchise as the mainstays, Berkman and Oswalt.
"Our success is going to be predicated upon the 'Big 3' doing what we know they're capable of doing," Wade said. "I equate what Carlos can do offensively to what a guy like Tony Perez did for Cincinnati for all those years. If there's a guy in scoring position, there aren't a whole lot of players in our game who I believe are more reliable than Carlos."
Lee led the Astros in homers (26) and RBIs (102). He ranked seventh in the NL in hits (183) and logged over 600 at-bats for the fourth time in five seasons.
The slugger was having an MVP-caliber season in 2008 before a Bronson Arroyo fastball broke his finger in August. He missed the final 47 games due to the injury but still ended up with 28 home runs, 100 RBIs and a .314 batting average.
"Had it not have been for his fractured finger, we're probably playing in the postseason and he's getting a ton of MVP votes," Wade said.
Lee bristles at the criticism he's read about his contract being one of the most bloated in recent baseball history. A recent blog post lumped Lee's contract in with the likes of Barry Zito's seven-year, $126 million agreement with San Francisco, and Jason Schmidt's three-year, $47 million pact with the L.A. Dodgers.
Lee answers by pointing to his statistics and consistency.
"Just compare me with all the other run-producers in the league and find out," Lee said.
Lee had a calm and rejuvenating offseason, much longer than last year's off time, cut short when he played for Panama in the World Baseball Classic.
"I'm definitely more relaxed this year knowing that competition is still six or seven weeks away and you got plenty of time to prepare and be ready," Lee said. "You need a spring training. You need 50-60 at-bats before going into the season."
Owner Drayton McLane has said in the past that he'd like Berkman and Oswalt to finish their careers as Astros, the next generation of team icons behind Jeff Bagwell and Craig Biggio. Lee wouldn't mind sticking with the Astros, too.
"I would like to, but who knows?" he said. "It's a business and the business part of the game is difficult sometimes."
Young set to start Padres' exhibition opener
PEORIA, Ariz. — Padres pitcher Chris Young has benefited from all his hard work this offseason.
Young, who is 6½ months removed from shoulder surgery, was named by manager Bud Black as the starting pitcher for Thursday's exhibition opener against the Seattle Mariners.
It will be the first time Young has set foot on the mound since June 14, when he left a start against the Los Angeles Angels early with shoulder pain. But Young, who was 4-6 with a 5.21 ERA in 14 starts last season, isn't feeling any pain now and said he can't wait to get back on the mound.
"Nothing's easy," Young said Monday. "I don't take that for granted. Certainly the last seven, eight months, since June, I've spent a lot of time, effort and occasionally a little blood trying to get back out there, and I'm excited to do so.
"I'm excited to face some hitters again, to be in a competitive environment and to have some fun."
Fun probably isn't the way to best describe Young's offseason. He started work early in order to have his shoulder ready in time for the spring. But Young's efforts seem to be paying off. The right-hander, who owns a 46-34 career record with a 3.87 ERA, said his arm feels strong, his fastball has life and he's been able to work on his mechanics more so than at any time in the last year.
Pitching coach Darren Balsley said the difference is noticeable.
"As hard as CY works, I don't know why I'm surprised with how good he looks right now," Balsley said. "But I'm really surprised. He looks better than I anticipated. Everything is on schedule. He's at about the same point or even made more progress in spring training than he has been the last few years. And he's had no setbacks. His mechanics have actually gotten a little better. It might be because he's stronger right now and he has confidence that he can let the ball go without getting hurt."
Young said getting to this point is only one part of his rehab and that he's looking forward to completing his first full season since 2007. The 6-foot-10 Young has been limited to 32 starts the past two seasons, including a two-month stint on the disabled list in 2008 after he was struck in the face by a line drive off Albert Pujols' bat.
"It'll be satisfying to go through a full season healthy. That'll be the satisfying part," Young said. "But I feel like I've done everything I possibly can in terms of my shoulder rehab, my overall conditioning, core stability.
"I've spent a lot of time in the offseason trying to make myself better."
D'backs' Snyder healthy, shrugs off near-trade
TUCSON, Ariz. — Chris Snyder is still with the team that tried so hard to trade him, and he finds himself in an uphill fight for playing time.
The Arizona Diamondbacks catcher said he would have been fine with the purported deal last fall that would have sent him to the Toronto Blue Jays for one-time Diamondback Lyle Overbay.
"When it was going down, hey, I welcomed it," Snyder said after Monday's workout. "I looked at it as a new opportunity. I was looking forward to it. When it fell through, I'm still here. I'm comfortable here. This is where it all started and I'm happy to be back on the field."
Snyder struggled at the plate early last season, then a back injury led to several stints on the disabled list.
Meanwhile, his replacement Miguel Montero went on a tear at the plate. Montero, who added a much-needed left-handed bat to the lineup, hit .331 after moving into the starting role in June. He wound up hitting .294 overall.
Snyder, who hit .200 in just 61 games, underwent back surgery in September, and the uncertainty over his physical condition may have led Toronto to pull out of its trade talks at the last minute.
Manager A.J. Hinch, himself a former major league catcher, said Montero is ahead of Snyder this spring, but he expects both to "play a lot."
"Who knows what is going to happen?" Hinch said. "I do know that I'm going to need them both."
The manager said he believes Snyder and Montero both deserve to be major league starters.
"We could go through team by team and see where they rank, but I don't have a doubt in my mind that they're two of the best 30," Hinch said.
Snyder once was considered a cornerstone of Arizona's young team, signing a three-year, $14.5 million contract in December 2008. The club has an option for 2012.
Snyder said he is fully recovered from the surgery.
"I feel great physically," he said. "Worked hard all offseason to get back out on the field and I'm here ready to go."
Defensively, the 6-foot-4, 245-pound catcher has been outstanding. He has five major league errors, none since 2007.
With a career .233 batting average, Snyder can be streaky at the plate.
Since being called up from Double-A El Paso by the Diamondbcaks in August of 2004, he has 52 home runs and 208 RBIs in five-plus major league seasons.
Snyder hit .252 with 13 homers in 2007 and .237 with 16 homers and a career-high 64 RBIs in 2008.
Now 29, he said he has no problem having to fight his way back into the lineup.
"There's been many times I've been asked to fight for a spot and prove myself," Snyder said. "I've done it in the past. It's just one of those things. It's part of it. There's always going to be somebody behind you, somebody might be ahead of you. It doesn't matter."
The rivalry behind the plate, he said, is not personal.
"We get to work and put on the same uniform. That's the way it's been in the past," Snyder said. "We both have had success in the past. If that's the situation, that's the situation. Whenever my name's on the card, I'll go out and do what I do."
-- Bob Baum
Veteran OF Payton hoping to catch on with Rockies
TUCSON, Ariz. — Jay Payton is either on the road back to the big leagues or the road to retirement. Either way, he'll find out during the 2010 season.
The 37-year-old Payton is in camp on a minor league contract with the Colorado Rockies. He missed the entire 2009 season after injuring his right shoulder lifting weights before the start of spring training. Unsigned at that time, Payton tried to continue working out but finally underwent arthroscopic surgery in April to have a torn labrum repaired.
Payton spent the final two months of 2002 and all 2003 with the Rockies before moving on to San Diego, Boston, Oakland and Baltimore. He realizes he's "more of an insurance policy" at this point, since the Rockies are flush with outfielders. Starters include Brad Hawpe in right field, Dexter Fowler in center and Carlos Gonzalez, who can play all three outfield positions, in left.
The Rockies also have outfielders Ryan Spilborghs and Seth Smith on their bench, as well as third baseman Melvin Mora, who has outfield experience.
"I was fortunate enough to be in a situation where I knew I was going to be on a team, I knew I had a job," Payton said. "To be able to do that for 10 years is pretty good. To have a year where you didn't play and come in and be 37 and have an opportunity to be part of a great organization, I can't ask for any more."
Payton, who has a .278 career average in 1,239 games, played center field in an eight-inning intrasquad game Monday at Hi Corbett Field. He batted against Chaz Roe, left-hander Christian Friedrich and Edgmer Escalona, none of whom has thrown a pitch above the Double-A level.
"I don't mind," Payton said. "I need to see all the live pitching I can."
He saw six pitches from Roe and popped to shortstop, three pitches from Friedrich before flying to center on a 2-0 pitch and nine pitches from Escalona before flying to center.
"I hit two balls off the meat (of the bat) that I might have been a hair in front of, which is good because that means I'm quick," Payton said. "I can always back it up."
If he ends up in the big leagues, Payton will make $500,000. He does not have a date when he can opt out of his contract, which means unless the Rockies trade him before the end of spring training, he could open the season at Triple-A Colorado Springs and make $12,000 a month.
"I'm here to play baseball," Payton said. "And I'm here to play in the big leagues again, but obviously my road back to the big leagues might require a stay in Triple-A for a little while. I'm not going to play five months of Triple-A baseball. My hope is if I go down there, an opportunity will present itself.
"If I spend the whole season in Triple-A then can't get back to the big leagues this year, then there's probably not a good chance I'm going to get back to the big leagues next year."
NOTES: Reliever Rafael Betancourt asked to be scratched from his one-inning appearance Thursday against the Diamondbacks in the Rockies first exhibition game. Betancourt contracted a virus and was unable to work out from Dec. 27 until Jan. 19, when he reported to Denver for a physical. "There's no reason for me to rush anything right now," Betancourt said. "I feel fine so far. But to be able to pitch in a game, I don't think I'm ready to do that." He plans to throw batting practice Tuesday and Friday and will then determine when he's ready to pitch in a Cactus League game. ... Greg Reynolds was hit above his right elbow with a line drive while throwing batting practice. By choice, he was pitching without a protective.
Stults kicks off competition for 5th starting spot
GLENDALE, Ariz. — Dodgers pitchers will begin their battle for the open fifth spot in the rotation three days before the official spring training game schedule begins.
Left-hander Eric Stults will pitch for the Dodgers on Tuesday in a B game against the Chicago White Sox, kicking off what figures to be one of the more interesting competitions of camp.
Stults also has been the named the starter in Saturday's second spring game.
Stults' confidence already was high, but now he will enter the outing after receiving instruction Monday from Hall of Famer Sandy Koufax.
Stults was among a handful of pitchers who had a one-on-one session with Koufax. Josh Lindblom, Jon Link, Scot Elbert and Chad Billingsley also worked with the former Dodgers pitcher, who threw four no-hitters over a 12-year career, one of which was a perfect game.
"He does a great job relating to players," Stults said of Koufax. "I don't know if part of it is because he has that aura or awe about him. He's somebody that is special in the game of baseball. But he does have a way of communicating that you understand."
Stults is expected to pitch just one inning Tuesday and then go two innings against the White Sox on Saturday. But make no mistake, after struggling with a sprained left thumb last season and then working on the mental side of the game over the winter, Stults finally feels like it's showtime.
"Sometimes when you're in a game for the first time, things are going too fast," Stults said. "I'm just going to use it to get a feel for things. You want to go out and do well and impress but at the same time you want to stay under control and get your work done."
Other candidates for the final rotation spot include James McDonald, Charlie Haeger, Carlos Monasterios, Russ Ortiz, Ramon Ortiz and Josh Towers. Monasterios, a Rule 5 pick from the Phillies, will pitch in relief Tuesday.
Koufax's mere presence was the highlight of camp Monday. He spoke to the Dodgers pitchers for about a half-hour before the workout.
"It's pretty dang cool to hear things from somebody who has been around baseball as long as he has and what he does," said Elbert, who is also a left-hander. "I guarantee you, whatever advice he gives you it's going to work.
Lindblom, a 6-foot-5 right-hander, said Koufax helped him to simplify things. The instruction is similar to what he read in Koufax's book, "Sandy Koufax: A Lefty's Legacy."
"It was about not making the delivery too complicated to where you have to check all throughout it," Lindblom said. "Simplify your delivery, know your body, know yourself and be the best you can be."
Posey waiting for his chance with Giants
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — San Francisco Giants manager Bruce Bochy knows a good catcher when he sees one. He spent parts of nine seasons as a catcher in the major leagues.
And he has no doubts about the future of Buster Posey.
"He's a complete guy," Bochy said Monday. "He can handle the bat, and has a strong arm behind the plate. He's an intelligent kid who knows what he's doing back there. He gets better and better. It's a matter of time before he's a front-line catcher in the major leagues."
The time probably will go much slower than the 23-year-old Posey would like.
Gerald Demp Posey III was the fifth overall pick by the Giants in the 2008 draft and won just about every award imaginable in college baseball at Florida State, including the Golden Spikes Award (top overall player) and the Johnny Bench Award (top catcher).
Posey played in 10 minor-league games in 2008 and 115 in 2009, hitting a combined .327 with 19 home runs and 86 RBIs.
He got called up to the big club on Sept. 2 when veteran starter Bengie Molina suffered an injury. Posey played in seven games and started four after the team dropped from contention in the NL West. After the season, he got more work with the Scottsdale Scorpions of the Arizona Fall League.
That probably wasn't quite enough experience to land him a spot on the 25-man roster when the Giants break camp at the end of March. He knows he likely will begin the season back at Triple-A Fresno, where he can play every day instead of riding the big-league bench.
Posey's timetable of reaching the majors might have been accelerated had Molina, 35, gone to another club as a free agent over the winter. But Molina decided to return to the Giants, signing a one-year deal.
"The competitor in me wants to help the big club win, but if I do start at Fresno, I'm going to do everything I can to improve and get back up here," Posey said.
He also was in the big-league camp in the spring of 2009, soaking up everything he could from Molina and reserve Eli Whiteside.
"You learn how to manage your time, how to handle a lot of situations on and off the field," Posey said. "Bengie has always been a guy I could go to, and I can talk to "Boch" (Bochy) as well. Him being a former catcher is a benefit. If he sees something I need to do, he can relay that to me directly. It simplifies things."
NOTES: Bochy gave the team Tuesday off before opening the spring season on Wednesday against Seattle in Peoria. Tim Lincecum, winner of the last two National League Cy Young awards, will start for the Giants.
Reds 1B Votto, a Canadian, thrilled by hockey gold
GOODYEAR, Ariz. — Joey Votto wasn't a big hockey fan growing up in Toronto.
But the Cincinnati Reds first baseman was rooting for the home team during Canada's 3-2 overtime victory over the United States in the gold medal game on Sunday. The United States forced overtime on Zach Parise's goal with 24.4 seconds left in regulation, but Sidney Crosby's goal won it for the home team.
"I was a hockey fan yesterday," said Votto, who lives in Brampton, Ontario. "I watched it all. My heart sank when the USA team scored with 25 seconds left, but Sidney made it up to the nation. The right person scored the goal."
Crosby is considered Canada's greatest hockey player since Wayne Gretzky. He failed to score on a breakaway attempt earlier in the game, but got the one that gave Canada a victory in one of the most important games in the history of the hockey-obsessed nation.
"It was great to see him come back to win it," Votto said. "Don't forget the women won the gold, too. It makes me proud."
The Canadian women also beat the United States to win a gold medal for the third straight Olympics.
While Votto savored a hockey win, the Reds did a little tinkering with their infield depth as they got ready for the start of spring training games. Todd Frazier, who played shortstop at Rutgers and in the minors, took ground balls at second base.
The Reds' starting infield is set with Votto, second baseman Brandon Phillips, shortstop Orlando Cabrera and third baseman Scott Rolen. Frazier is trying to latch on as one of the reserves.
"He will play all over this spring," manager Dusty Baker said. "He has a real good bat. Hopefully at some point we'll find a position for him."
The 24-year-old Frazier is considered one of the team's top infield prospects. He made it to Triple-A for the first time last season, batting .302 in 16 games. He spent most of the year in Double-A, batting .290 with 14 homers and 68 RBIs. In addition to shortstop, he has played at third and in the outfield.
Frazier has been working to expand his experience at all the infield positions this spring.
"I try to take ground balls from every position during batting practice," Frazier said. "It is hard to find time for all of them, so you have to stay after."
Frazier said it's not difficult to move to third base. Playing second has been challenging.
"I came up as a shortstop and third base is pretty much the same, but second base is different," he said. "You would think it is a shorter throw and it would be easier. It's just different. Your footwork is different and turning the double play is different."
NOTES: Left-hander Aroldis Chapman will pitch in an intrasquad game on Thursday. The 22-year-old defector from Cuba is vying for a spot in the rotation, although the team isn't pushing him. If the Reds stay on schedule, Chapman would pitch his first game on March 9 against Arizona. ... The Reds play their first spring game on Friday against Cleveland. Right-hander Mike Lincoln will start.
Cardinals' Freese looks to put arrest behind him
JUPITER, Fla. — The St. Louis Cardinals are pleased with the way David Freese has handled his personal issues.
Freese was arrested in December outside of St. Louis on a drunken-driving charge. He apologized and is still slotted to be the team's third baseman this season.
"Obviously we were very unhappy with what happened," general manager John Mozeliak said Monday. "The very next day I met with him in my office and we talked about it. I made sure he understood dealing with the alcohol problem and dealing with the legal side was more important than baseball.
"If he could do all that then there wouldn't be any disciplinary actions. And that's what he's done."
Freese, 26, had a blood-alcohol level of 0.23, nearly three times Missouri's legal limit of 0.08, when he was arrested on Dec. 12 in Maryland Heights. He immediately entered the team's employee assistance program and said he has not had a drink since.
The case still is pending.
"It was poor judgment on my part," said Freese. "But God puts things in front of you for a reason. I've definitely learned from it. I've got a great opportunity in front of me that a lot of kids would dream of having."
Freese's main competitor for the third base job is Joe Mather, who also is his close friend. They were roommates in the minor leagues, hang out off the field and their lockers in the Cardinals' spring training facility are side-by-side.
"I got to know him very well," said Mather. "It's something that happened. It's regrettable but he's definitely he's going in the right direction. You can see that by his work ethic. He's been completely sober over two months now."
Freese is trying to win a starting job for the second consecutive spring. A year ago he had a sore left ankle and although he broke camp with the Cardinals, Brian Barden was the opening day third baseman and Freese was optioned to Memphis after 11 games.
Freese had arthroscopic surgery about six weeks later to clean out debris and repair the ankle before returning in time to help Memphis win the PCL championship. He was recalled in September and was 7-for-12 to end the season.
"We'll see if David is the best," manager Tony La Russa said. "But that being said, he's impressed everybody that's seen him."
La Russa was arrested in Jupiter in March 2007 and was determined to have a blood alcohol content of 0.093 percent. Florida's legal driving limit is 0.08 percent, and La Russa later pleaded guilty to driving under the influence.
La Russa said Freese has earned "a lot of points" for the way he has responded to the setback.
"As a lot of us have told him, that kind of situation, you don't just handle it really well early, it's supposed to be handled every day," said La Russa. "His personal life is more important than his professional life, really, so he needs to take care of that."
Cubs catcher Soto in shape after sophomore slump
MESA, Ariz. — Geovany Soto saw the 242 on the scale and was neither surprised nor upset. "Not really," he said. "I've seen worse."
It wasn't until the Chicago Cubs catcher looked in the mirror that he hated what he saw: a guy who failed his colleagues, his team, his fan base and himself.
"I feel like I let down my teammates," said the 2008 NL Rookie of the Year, whose sophomore slump contributed to a disappointing '09 Cubs season. "I wanted to show that I care. I needed to show that I really worked in the offseason."
Soto hired a personal trainer, changed his diet dramatically and worked out furiously. The next time his teammates caught a glimpse of him — at the Cubs Convention in January — they saw a fit athlete who looked like a middle infielder.
"You know what?" pitcher Carlos Zambrano said at the time. "He looks shorter."
Shorter? No. He's still 6-foot-1, but he's 40 pounds lighter, with a waistline 6 inches narrower.
"It's the best I've been body-wise my whole life," Soto said. "I have a lot of energy. I feel like a 12-year-old."
So far in spring training, Soto's manager has noticed an "appreciable difference."
"A lot quicker behind home plate, a lot more nimble," Lou Piniella said Monday. "Better bat speed; the ball's been jumping off his bat. I know he's worked hard here and hasn't complained at all about getting tired. He's in pretty darn good shape."
As he advanced within the Cubs' system, Soto said, being heavy hadn't hurt his production. He certainly wasn't skinny in 2008, when he started the All-Star Game and batted .285 with 23 homers, 35 doubles and 86 RBIs.
But last season got off to an awful start — a .109 April average — and he never got going, finishing at .218 with 11 homers and 47 RBIs.
"He was in that World Baseball Classic and I don't think that did him any good," Piniella said. "The Puerto Rican team had (Yadier) Molina and Pudge Rodriguez. If he could have gotten his normal playing time ... it would have been fine. But to sit for a long, long period, it wasn't good."
Shoulder and oblique injuries kept Soto out of the lineup for stretches last season, and Piniella even used career backup Koyie Hill instead of a healthy Soto on several occasions. The Cubs were 42-27 in Hill's starts compared to 41-51 with Soto behind the plate.
Combined with Milton Bradley's mood swings, injuries to Aramis Ramirez and Alfonso Soriano, and the severe statistical drop-offs of Zambrano, Soriano and Mike Fontenot, Soto's woes condemned the two-time NL Central champion Cubs to also-ran status last season.
In June, the International Baseball Federation said Soto tested positive for marijuana during the WBC, turning a bad year into a humiliating one.
"I hated what happened last season and I had to do something about it," he said. "I thought, 'I've got to go home and get my priorities straight.'"
Now that he's in shape, Soto actually plans to add a little muscle weight so he can play at 210 pounds.
"New me, new season, new attitude," he said. "Let's go get 'em in 2010!"
His boss likes the sound of that.
"I think he's going to bounce back," Piniella said. "If we can get him to duplicate his first year, we're in business."
NOTES: The starting pitchers are set for the Cubs' first five days of exhibition games: Thursday, Randy Wells; Friday, Carlos Zambrano; Saturday, Carlos Silva; Sunday (split squad), Jeff Samardzija and Tom Gorzelanny; March 8, Ryan Dempster. ... Piniella said teenager Starlin Castro probably will start at SS in Thursday's opener. ... The White Sox requested that the teams use the DH rule Saturday in Mesa, and Piniella said OK "only because of Ozzie" Guillen, the Sox manager.
Guardado making a pitch for role in Nats' bullpen
VIERA, Fla. — Teammates flock to Eddie Guardado's locker stall in the Washington Nationals clubhouse like moths drawn to a flame. They chatter about baseball, practice pitch grips and learn life lessons that extend beyond the game.
The guy who earned the moniker "Everyday Eddie" as a reliable closer for the Minnesota Twins and Seattle Mariners is comfortable in his new role as grizzled veteran and clubhouse sage. He hopes the Nationals will keep him as a left-handed bullpen specialist so he can extend his career, giving him another season to pass along the knowledge he's accumulated over 17 major league campaigns.
"Whatever I got to do to help the team, I'll do," said Guardado, who signed a minor league contract with a spring training invitation in December. "But I got to pitch, I can't sit. They don't call me 'Everyday Eddie' for nothing, you know."
But the 39-year-old is realistic. He knows he may have to become "Every Other Day Eddie" or "Ever Ready Eddie." Since the Nationals are remaking a bullpen that had the highest ERA in the majors last year, there are roles open.
Nationals manager Jim Riggleman views Guardado as a guy capable of working to multiple hitters, and maybe as an inning-at-a-time option. Riggleman isn't sure how many southpaws will make the bullpen, but Sean Burnett is a lock, which means Guardado battling with lefties Ron Villone and Doug Slaten.
"I can't say that we won't have two (left-handed relievers)," Riggleman said, "and I can't say we won't have three."
Guardado was 1-2 with a 4.46 ERA in 48 games with Texas last year. He hasn't closed regularly since 2005, but his 187 career saves give Guardado instant credibility — although it comes with a biting sense of humor.
"He will help the guys whenever they are stressed — especially the young guys — (because) he'll make a joke. It'll relax them," catcher Wil Nieves said.
Washington is an ironic destination, considering the expletive-laced tirade Guardado unleashed at Rangers general manager Jon Daniels when the Texas front office played a practical joke on him on July 31, 2008.
Guardado was summoned out of a steam room and hustled dripping wet to a meeting with Daniels, who informed him he'd been traded to the Nationals, owners of the worst record in baseball.
The easygoing Guardado was so livid that Daniels pulled the plug on the rib and had to calm the incensed reliever down.
"I got got, and I was always used to getting everyone. They got me good," Guardado remembered, laughing. "I told (Daniels) he was about to go out a window. But it was nothing against the Nationals."
When Washington general manager Mike Rizzo called in December, Guardado jumped at the chance, even without a guaranteed contract.
"It's not about the money. ... I love helping and I love giving my knowledge back to the young guys. It brings you back," Guardado said.
Now, Guardado's hearty laugh competes with whatever music is blaring in the Nationals clubhouse. Relievers Mike Bruney and Drew Storen, and starting pitcher Garrett Mock routinely amble up to Guardado's locker for shop talk.
Guardado arrives at 6:45 a.m. daily, toting a cup of Starbucks coffee. He does some conditioning, spends time in the hot tub and then pulls on his uniform.
"If you have a routine in this game and you come to the ballpark every day, come between those doors and do your routine, you're going to be consistent when you get between those lines," Guardado said. "If not, the baseball gods will slap you in the face real quick."
Even top prospect Stephen Strasburg isn't immune to Guardado's booming voice, though June's No. 1 draft pick initially drew the veteran's ire.
When pitchers and catchers had completed their first workout, most players made the short stroll from the minor league complex to Space Coast Stadium. Guardado wasn't pleased when Strasburg hopped on a golf cart to ride back to the clubhouse.
"Hey, rookie," Guardado bellowed. "You don't ride. You walk. We all walk."
Later, Guardado sought out Strasburg, imparting some fatherly advice.
"As I'm walking that five-minute walk, I'm thinking I should have went about it differently. But that's just what I do," Guardado said. "So I pulled (Strasburg) aside in the clubhouse and told him why I did it. He understood. I told him: This is baseball, this is what you do. And when he's a veteran, and there's another Strasburg coming along, he'll understand."
NOTES: C Jesus Flores, who is recovering from shoulder surgery, hopes to take batting practice for the first time next week. ... OF Josh Willingham, whose arrival in camp has been delayed for personal reasons after the birth of his son, could be in camp by the middle of the week, Riggleman said. ... After RHP J.D. Martin and RHP Garrett Mock start Washington's split-squad Grapefruit League openers Thursday, Riggleman said RHP Miguel Batista would pitch Friday against Atlanta in Lake Buena Vista, LHP John Lannan will start the Nationals' home exhibition opener Saturday against the New York Mets and RHP Jason Marquis will work Sunday's game in Port St. Lucie against the Mets.
Reyes, Niese look healthy in Mets intrasquad game
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Jose Reyes was admittedly nervous before the New York Mets' intrasquad game on Monday. He also said it felt a little weird when he stepped into the batter's box in the first inning.
He put that uneasiness behind him in a hurry.
Reyes hit the first pitch from Tobi Stoner into the right-field corner for a two-run triple, coasting into third in his first game-like setting since he was sidelined for most of last season by an injured right leg.
"I just feel happy that I made it to third base with no problem, at that time," a grinning Reyes said. "But like I said, there's nothing to worry about. I feel good. No pain, pain-free. I feel good to be playing the game again."
Reyes, a switch-hitting shortstop who has been in the leadoff spot for most of his career, batted third during the scrimmage. Manager Jerry Manuel is toying with the move with All-Star center fielder Carlos Beltran expected to miss the start of the season following right knee surgery.
"I feel very confident that he can handle that," Manuel said. "I think it gives us a great balance if we can pull that off."
The Mets also got an encouraging outing from Jonathon Niese, who is coming back after tearing his right hamstring last year. The left-hander struck out the side in the first and worked around a one-out walk during a scoreless second.
"It's a good feeling to face hitters in a game situation. It's been a while," said Niese, who is trying to win the No. 5 spot in New York's rotation. "It's good to get off to a good start."
Niese was hurt covering first base against St. Louis on Aug. 5, and collapsed when he tried to throw a practice pitch — one of the lasting images from a trying season for the Mets. He spent three weeks in bed after surgery to repair his hamstring and couldn't walk normally for six weeks.
"I just remember the last pitch he made in Citi Field," said second baseman Alex Cora, who struck out swinging against Niese in the first, "and to see him doing what he did to us today, I'm very happy for him."
The Mets were riddled by injuries last year when they used the disabled list 22 times for 19 players, including eight former All-Stars. Mets players spent more than 1,480 days on the DL, more than any other major league team, according to STATS LLC.
Reyes' absence was particularly painful, robbing New York of its speedy catalyst at the top of the order. He had scored at least 113 runs in each of the previous three seasons.
Reyes' run around the bases in first plate appearance Monday was another reminder of how much the Mets missed him last year.
"It was good to see him back on the field because that's where he belongs," third baseman David Wright said. "I think you could tell by kind of his body language and just the smile on his face that no matter what he did he was happy to be out there."
Reyes went on the disabled list last May with right calf tendinitis and wasn't able to get his leg back to normal for the rest of the season. He had surgery in October to clean up some scar tissue remaining from a torn hamstring tendon behind his right knee.
His feel-good spring took an eventful turn last week when he was interviewed by federal investigators regarding a Canadian doctor accused of selling an unapproved drug. Reyes said Sunday that everything was OK because he didn't do anything wrong, and he just told the investigators about the treatment he received from Dr. Anthony Galea last year.
An attorney for Galea has said his client denies any wrongdoing.
NOTES: New LF Jason Bay didn't play in the intrasquad game. "He was so caught up in that Canada thing that he needed a day to breathe," Manuel cracked. Bay, who was born in Trail, British Columbia, watched with some teammates at a local bar as Canada beat the U.S. on Sunday for the Olympic gold medal in hockey. He is expected to play when the Mets host the Braves on Tuesday in major league baseball's first spring training game of the year. RHP Nelson Figueroa is scheduled to start for New York.
-- Jay Cohen
Pirates' Clement gets crash course as 1st baseman
BRADENTON, Fla. — Two hours before the Pittsburgh Pirates begin their daily workouts, infielders coach Carlos Garcia puts Jeff Clement through a special series of drills.
On a half-field tucked away in the back of the spring training complex, a spot half-hidden by a fence and the looming batter's eye of an adjacent field, Clement scoops grounders, charges dribblers and knocks down hard-hoppers.
The Pirates want Clement to be their opening day first baseman — no small chore, considering he's never really played the position.
"He's my project this spring," Garcia said. "I'm happy with his progress. He's built a foundation. His hands and rhythm around the bag are getting a lot better. Hopefully, when we break camp, he'll be able to become our first baseman."
When the Seattle Mariners drafted Clement with the third overall pick in 2005, he was a top-flight college catcher. He reached the majors in 2008, and flashed his offensive potential with a two-homer game against the Detroit Tigers.
That September, however, Clement had surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee. The Mariners, concerned about the ongoing wear and tear on Clement's joints, used him last season mostly as a designated hitter at Triple-A Tacoma.
Last July, Clement was traded to Pittsburgh as part of a seven-player deal. Although Clement hoped to be moved back to catcher, the Pirates quickly made it clear their plans for him were at first base.
Clement played 22 games at first for Triple-A Indianapolis, and he made only one error in 189 chances. He was shut down in September due to a strained oblique, which also cut into his offseason workouts.
At the team's minicamp in January in Bradenton, Clement, who lives during the offseason in Iowa, finally got back on the field.
"I couldn't do much fielding work back home this winter, unless it was fielding snowballs," Clement joked. "Every day I'm over there at first base, I get more comfortable reading the ball."
Clement's lefty-hitting power would be an excellent fit at PNC Park and, other than Garrett Jones, the Pirates' lineup lacks punch. So, management plans on giving Clement every chance to win the first base job.
"He's got the hands to do it," said manager John Russell, who was a catcher during his playing career. "We'll see how he progresses and try not to put a lot of pressure on him. To make a determination today is not fair to him or us, but so far so good."
Clement has little trouble digging balls out of the dirt and handling errant throws. Although he struggles with his footwork and at times seems uncomfortable at the bag, Clement will start at first base Wednesday, when the Pirates play their first Grapefruit League game against the New York Yankees.
"He has his moments," Garcia said. "Definitely, he's still learning. As a catcher, he had to have a rhythm and timing to release the ball to second base and his footwork was a big part of that. That's what we're trying to do with him from the first baseman standpoint."
NOTES: The Pirates on Monday held their final morning workouts at the Pirate City complex, then moved their camp to McKechnie Field for the rest of spring training. ... Utility infielder Ramon Vazquez, who had arthroscopic knee surgery in November, participated in regular fielding drills at full speed for the first time and reported no setbacks.
Ailing toe affects Turnbow's control with Marlins
JUPITER, Fla. — Veteran reliever Derrick Turnbow was wild in his first week at Marlins camp, and it had nothing to do with his shoulder.
Turnbow, a former All Star trying to overcome a slight tear in his right labrum, has been battling an infection in his left big toe. The infection caused his toe to swell up enough that it burst during a bullpen session Sunday.
From the mound, Turnbow removed his shoe and sock while a trainer examined the toe.
"It got infected and it caused a lot of pain," he said Monday. "It was hard to do anything. It affected my command and everything."
Turnbow said he jammed the toe earlier in camp. Since the swelling was on his landing foot, he had trouble throwing strikes during live batting practice sessions.
"Once it busted open, the pressure felt a lot better," he said, adding that he's been taking antibiotics. "I've been getting treatment and trying to get the infection out."
Turnbow will throw off a mound again Tuesday. He hopes to get some action Thursday when the Marlins start playing Grapefruit League games.
The 32-year-old signed a minor league contract with the Marlins. He was limited to eight games last year, all with Triple-A Oklahoma City. He saved 39 games for the Milwaukee Brewers in 2005 and was an All-Star in 2006.
But his velocity dropped because of a slight tear in his right labrum, which he has opted to rehab rather than have surgery.
"Everything else is great," he said, referring to his shoulder. "My stuff is as good as ever."
