American League Capsules: Harden pleased after one inning in intrasquad game
SURPRISE, Ariz. — Rich Harden was glad there was no screen in front of him Monday when he pitched a scoreless first inning for the Texas Rangers in an intrasquad game.
Harden had been throwing with the protective screen in batting practice, but that was discarded for the eight-inning intrasquad game.
"I know a lot of guys don't like throwing with the screen in front of them," Harden said. "I'm one of those. It's kind of a distraction. It feels good to get out there on the mound."
Harden gave up a one-out single to Michael Young but ended the inning by inducing Chad Tracy to ground into a double play. The Rangers signed Harden to a one-year $6.5 million contract after he went 9-9 with a 4.09 ERA and held opponents to a .234 batting average in 26 starts last year with the Chicago Cubs.
"I've been around, so the older you get you don't get up as much for these (intrasquad games), but being with a new team you want to go out and pitch well," Harden said. "This early, I just want to establish my fastball command, and everything comes from that. If I'm getting good extension and hitting spots then the other pitches will come, too.
"Now it's about getting back on the mound, getting comfortable. There are always some small mechanical things you tweak and you're working on and just getting your arm in position to throw consistent strikes."
Harden is scheduled to throw two innings Thursday in the Rangers exhibition opener against Kansas City.
"Harden was good," Rangers manager Ron Washington said. "He had a clean inning. He gave up one hit and then got out of the inning. He threw the ball free and had good velocity."
Non-roster invitee Matt Brown homered on a 3-0 pitch off left-hander Kasey Kiker. Pedro Borbon went 2-for-3 with a triple a bunt single, two stolen bases and scored a run. Mitch Moreland doubled home Kevin Richardson, who led off the eighth with a double, for the game-winning run in Team Jackie Moore defeated Team Bobby Jones 4-3.
Left-fielder Josh Hamilton, who has been slowed by soreness in his left shoulder, was scratched. Hamilton bruised his shoulder Thursday in the first full-squad workout.
"He came in stiff, and the first thing (trainer Jamie Reed) said was, 'Let's not take any chances,'" Washington said. "It's not a big deal simply because there is a lot of time left. If it continues another four or five days, it will be a concern, but it's no big deal right now."
Hamilton scratched from Rangers game
SURPRISE, Ariz. — Outfielder Josh Hamilton has been scratched from the Texas Rangers' initial intrasquad game with a bruised left shoulder.
Hamilton had been scheduled to play left and bat third during Monday's intrasquad game. Rangers manager Ron Washington says he is not concerned about the injury at this point, but would be if it keeps Hamilton out for "another for or five days."
Hamilton bruised his shoulder Thursday in the Rangers first full squad workout when he fell while running after a pop-up during a fly ball drill. Hamilton returned on Saturday, but did not participate in the rain-shortened Sunday session.
Hamilton was limited to 89 games last year because of injuries.
Willits say he'll do his best wherever he's needed
TEMPE, Ariz. — He'd never admit it, but Reggie Willits might have cringed a bit when the Angels went outside the organization to acquire outfielders Gary Matthews Jr., Torii Hunter, Bobby Abreu and Hideki Matsui over the past three years.
In trying to keep up with the Steinbrenners, the Angels have never been shy about spending money through free agency. But in acquiring those players, Willits was shoved, not only to the side, but to the minors.
Since a breakthrough rookie season in 2007 when he finished fourth in the American League in the Rookie of the Year voting, Willits has racked up 271 at bats at Triple-A Salt Lake and 188 with the big club.
"In 07, I got an opportunity and was fortunate to do well with that opportunity," said Willits, who hit .293 with an on-base percentage of .391 and stole 27 bases over 136 games that season.
And even though the Angels are currently looking for a leadoff hitter to replace Chone Figgins, Willits won't be considered because he plays in an outfield that has Juan Rivera in left, Hunter in center and Abreu in right with Matsui as the designated hitter.
"They've signed some free agent outfielders since that and that's something I can't control," said Willits, 28. "I think I'd be lying if I said I liked sitting the bench. Everybody in baseball wants to play. If we didn't want to play, they wouldn't want us on their roster.
"I want to play, but there is also a sense in me that I understand my role. I'm never going to complain about that role and I'm happy to have a job and whatever role they put me in I'm going to try my best to be good at that role."
Willits likely would have gotten considerably more playing time elsewhere around the majors.
"I probably would have gotten a lot of playing time but I wouldn't have been in the playoffs every year," said Willits, whose speed and defense made Angels manager Mike Scioscia place him on the playoff roster the past three seasons. "That's something that's worth a lot. That's something I've been able to experience. I've been in the playoffs three years here."
This season, Willits has a few more variables to be optimistic about. For starters, Matthews has been shipped out to New York with the Mets. He's also heard that the leadoff man and speed figure to come more into play in the seasons to come.
"I think in the role that I've been put in recent years, which is playing all three outfield positions, in playing and coming off the bench and running and bunting, stuff like that will keep you around," Willits said. "If you can stick around, you won't know when that opportunity might come up again.
"My mindset is always the same, it's to make the team. Once you get on the team then roles get determined."
Crisp learns from idol Rickey Henderson
PHOENIX — Coco Crisp never saw Rickey Henderson play in the Oakland Coliseum, even though he spent parts of his summers visiting relatives in nearby Richmond.
That didn't stop the young Crisp from wanting to play like him and from wanting to collect every baseball card ever produced of Henderson.
These days Crisp is getting tips from the famed base stealer and leadoff hitter. It made him a little bit nervous at first. Now he's trying to absorb everything he can from Henderson.
"My goal as a kid was to go out and find every Rickey Henderson baseball card," Crisp said Monday. "It got to be kind of a grind, but I still have most of them. There's been several more produced after I stopped collecting them."
Crisp, who didn't play after June 12 last season because of surgery on both shoulders, particularly found Henderson's lesson on sliding head first informative.
"He gave us pointers on a few things and that was one of them," Crisp said. "Basically it takes pressure off the body by getting lower and pushing into the slide rather than jumping into it."
Crisp signed a $5.25 million, one-year contract with Oakland because he wanted to play for a team in California, because he had family in the area and because "this is where I hit my first home run ever" — a tennis ball he hit over the fence of a Richmond park.
His shoulders feel fine, though Crisp will likely be used as a designated hitter early in spring games.
"Injuries are always frustrating and it was a tough decision to make not to continue playing," Crisp said. "Normally I would just play hurt, and if it were one shoulder, I would have. I couldn't do it with both shoulders hurting."
He hit .228 with three home runs and 14 RBIs in 49 games for the Kansas City Royals, who declined an option and paid a buyout. Crisp can play all three outfield positions but primarily is a center fielder, where the A's plan to use him.
"It was Rickey, Ken Griffey Jr., Ozzie Smith and Brett Butler," Crisp said of his childhood heroes. "They all had different skill sets which made it fun for me to watch. I was a little nervous talking to Rickey at first but now I feel fortunate. I'm able to sit down and talk with him, not just say 'hi' to a favorite player, but listen to talk about his experiences. It's an exciting time for me."
Notes: A's manager Bob Geren announced that RHP Trevor Cahill would start Thursday's spring opener against the Cubs in Mesa. He'll be opposed by Randy Wells. Clayton Mortensen, Jerry Blevins, Brad Kilby and Lenny DiNardo are also scheduled to pitch. ... A's radio announcer Vince Cotroneo recorded about 30 promos in succession for the team's 15 affiliate stations. He said his record is 180 "Peter Pan Peanut Butter" promos that were used nationwide in 1990.
Mariners' Lopez out of comfort zone at third base
PEORIA, Ariz. — Jose Lopez is not a happy camper, and he doesn't like to play baseball that way.
The Seattle Mariners infielder is frustrated with a spring training position switch. The 26-year-old Lopez has played second base almost exclusively for the past four seasons, but this spring he's being tried out at third base.
"It makes sense but I don't feel comfortable right now," Lopez said after the Mariners' intrasquad game Monday. "I don't want to play mad. I want to play like the last four years at second base. I want to play happy."
He's not happy because he's out of his comfort zone. He played some third base in the minor leagues but has been on the "hot corner" only five times in 718 big league games.
Third base was vacated after Gold Glove winner Adrian Beltre departed, signing a free agent deal with Boston. The Mariners signed free agent Chone Figgins in the offseason with the idea he could play third. But Figgins is versatile enough to play all around the field. He'll be playing second while the Lopez experiment progresses.
With Lopez's power — 25 home runs last season — and some range limitations at second, the club believes third base would be a more accommodating spot for him. The Mariners will use at least the first half of their spring schedule to determine if it's worth following through into the regular season.
"You're looking at the middle of the games. We don't have an end date," Mariners manager Don Wakamatsu said. "We want to take a look. We can always go back the other way."
Although this was a local hot stove topic during the winter, Lopez said, "no one said nothing" to him about the change before camp opened. "I come in the first day and skipper talk to me.
"I never say no. I try. It's a good idea for my team. I want to be a good teammate," Lopez added. "Wak said, 'you don't like it, come see me in my office and say, you don't like it.'"
Lopez is going to give it his best shot over the next few weeks.
"I want to catch a lot of ground balls in the games, see how I catch them at third base," he said. "The ground ball is coming fast. "One (difference) at third base is the ball is up in the eyes. I need maybe two weeks at third base to feel comfortable catching ground ball. When games starts, I play maybe five games a week, maybe seven innings. I catch a lot of ground balls during the week.
"I don't feel good right now. I want to be happy at third base."
If it works out that Lopez stays at third with Figgins at second, the Mariners would essentially have an entire new infield from last season. The club signed Casey Kotchman to play first, and Jack Wilson, who arrived in a July 29 trade from Pittsburgh, will start at short. But Wilson was limited to only 31 games with the club last season because of a bruised right heel.
"We are all veterans. Everyone played four, five, six years in the big leagues," Lopez added. "They know what's going on in this game, especially Figgins, who played short, second, third, center field. It'll take a couple weeks (to work together) but it's no big deal."
NOTES: Lopez had a couple base hits, including a double, in the Mariners intrasquad game. However, he did not have a ground ball hit his way. ... Dustin Ackley, the Mariners' first-round draft pick (second overall) from last June, also is making a position transition from outfield to second base. He made a fine diving stop to his right to start a force-out at second base in the eighth inning. "It's good to get out there and see balls off the bat live. It's a little bit different when you get into games," Ackley said.
A-Rod to be questioned in Canadian doctor probe
TAMPA, Fla. — Yankees star Alex Rodriguez has been contacted by federal investigators regarding a Canadian doctor accused of selling an unapproved drug.
Rodriguez said Monday he was "aware" of the investigation and plans on cooperating with government officials who are looking into Dr. Anthony Galea. Rodriguez said a date for an interview has not been set.
"I can't really get into that," Rodriguez said. "I have to speak to those guys first. I've just got to wait for instructions."
Galea is facing four charges in his country related to the drug known as Actovegin, which is extracted from calf's blood and used for healing. His assistant also has been charged in the U.S. for having HGH and another drug while crossing the border in September.
A-Rod said the probe won't have an effect on him because "this is about someone else." He declined comment when asked if he has even been treated by Galea.
"I'm focused on baseball," Rodriguez said.
New York general Brian Cashman was informed of the situation Monday, and added that he has not been told about any other Yankees' players being involved.
"Not aware of any," Cashman said.
The Yankees released a statement saying they had not been contacted about the matter.
"The Yankees never authorized Dr. Tony Galea to treat Alex Rodriguez, nor do we have any knowledge of any such treatment," the statement said. "We will continue to monitor the situation."
Cashman said the Yankees have not had any dealings with Galea. He declined comment on Rodriguez's situation, saying "I don't have much to comment off of."
It had been uneventful start of the new season — except for a minor car accident that caused no damage or injuries — for Rodriguez.
Last year, he started spring training by addressing his use of performance-enhancing drugs and underwent right hip surgery in March that sidelined him until May 8. The third baseman then put together a 30-homer, 100-RBI season that ended with the Yankees winning their first World Series title since 2000.
Galea is known for using a blood-spinning technique — platelet-rich plasma therapy — designed to speed recovery from injuries. Among the athletes he has treated are golf superstar Tiger Woods and Mets shortstop Jose Reyes.
Reyes said Sunday he met with federal investigators last week.
Galea was arrested Oct. 15 after a search warrant was executed at the Institute of Sports Medicine Health and Wellness Centre near Toronto. He is charged with selling Actovegin, conspiracy to import an unapproved drug, conspiracy to export a drug and smuggling goods into Canada.
His lawyer, Brian H. Greenspan, has said his client denies any wrongdoing. Greenspan also has said Galea has used HGH himself and prescribed it to non-athlete patients over the age of 40 to improve their quality of life, but said he has never given it to athletes.
The investigation into Galea began when his assistant, who often drove for the doctor, was stopped attempting to enter the United States from Canada.
Vials and ampules containing human growth hormone and Actovegin were found in a car driven by Mary Anne Catalano, according to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and U.S. federal court documents.
Catalano, a Canadian, told American authorities at the border in Buffalo, N.Y., that she knew the drugs were illegal and that she was transporting them for her employer.
According to an affidavit, Catalano also told authorities that her boss instructed her to say she was coming to a medical conference if she were questioned about the purpose of her trip and also to say that none of the equipment was for treating patients.
Yankees closer Rivera throws first bullpen session
TAMPA, Fla. — Closer Mariano Rivera threw 21 pitches on Monday during his first mound session since helping the New York Yankees win the World Series last year.
Rivera has been on a slower spring training schedule the past few years. The 40-year old right-hander had another stellar season in 2009, going 3-3 with 44 saves and a 1.76 ERA in 66 games.
"Hey Mo, welcome to spring training," Yankees bullpen coach Mike Harkey joked.
Rivera will work off a bullpen mound again Wednesday and could throw batting practice next week. He should make the first of his eight or nine appearances in mid-March.
"The first bullpen, I feel real good," Rivera said. "I think at this age, I definitely have an idea of what I have to do. It's spring training, you come to get ready. In my case, I don't have to come in and impress anybody. I just have to make sure I'm ready for the season. That's what I try to do."
Rivera, again, said entering the final season of a three-year contract is not a distraction.
"I have a job right now," Rivera said. "It's not like I don't have a job. I'm OK with it. All I have to focus on is, help the team, be in shape and have a great year. After that, it's not in my control."
Rivera would like to end his career in pinstripes.
"I definitely want to do it," Rivera said. "But again, this is a business."
Also, A.J. Burnett, Saturday's scheduled starter against Toronto, threw 30 pitches in his first batting practice session.
"It was a good day," Burnett said. "I feel strong."
Left-handed reliever Damaso Marte and recently acquired right-hander Chan Ho Park also threw off the mound for the first time.
NOTES: LHP Andy Pettitte is scheduled to throw BP Tuesday. ... Manager Joe Girardi will be taking the players away from the ballpark Tuesday for a team activity. Last year the Yankees took part in a billiards tournament.
Youkilis comfortable at both corners for Red Sox
FORT MYERS, Fla. — When the Red Sox were trying to sign free-agent first baseman Mark Teixeira before last season, it seemed Kevin Youkilis would be moved from first to third.
Teixeira wound up with the New York Yankees, and Youkilis kept his spot. But when Boston attempted to trade third baseman Mike Lowell to Texas this winter, Youkilis was mentioned as a potential replacement again.
Not exactly the sort of stability most two-time All-Stars would expect. But while many big leaguers prefer to hold down one position, the uncertainty doesn't bother Youkilis. He's comfortable at both corners of the diamond, a luxury that gives general manager Theo Epstein added flexibility.
"I just tell Theo I need a raise every year. I just tell him I should get a bonus in there for how many times I move over," Youkilis said, tongue in cheek. "But it's not a big deal. It's fun, and it's all about winning. Whatever you can do to help your team win, that's the key. You can't really worry about all that other stuff."
Although he won a Gold Glove at first base in 2007, Youkilis is adept across the infield as well. Last year, he had a .998 fielding percentage in 78 games at first base and a .974 mark in 61 games at third.
In his six-season career, he's played second base, left field, center and right in addition to first and third.
"A lot of times you have to move because there is an injury," Youkilis said. "It's not like they're just trying to get guys in the lineup and flop guys around."
Youkilis, an eighth-round draft pick by Boston in 2001, turns 31 on March 15. He approached Epstein this offseason to talk about moves — not only Youkilis' moves on the field but other moves affecting the team.
"He wants me to be comfortable," Youkilis said. "I love to be comfortable wherever. I love third, I love first — put me out there. Somebody always says, 'What would you choose?' I say it'd be the hardest choice. But I would choose whatever would make the team better."
And that's exactly what Youkilis told Epstein this winter.
"If there's a player that's coming in, either way I'd tell Theo, 'Make a move on what you think our team can be better. Don't make a move just because I want to play third this year or I want to play first this year.' And Theo knows, and that's what Theo tells me, too," Youkilis said.
"It's a good line of communication that wasn't there before and now it is there. And it's a good thing that we have a good understanding, (manager Terry Francona), Theo and I, which makes it a lot more fun to play here."
Youkilis' versatility makes him a valuable component.
"He is a kid that is an organizational player that works his way through the system, makes the big league club, is a good player, works hard, and makes himself into a great player," Francona said. "Good baserunner. Gold Glove-caliber defense with some home runs, drives in 100, a guy you want to hit right in the middle of your order. He's turned himself into that type of a player. I don't know if scouts saw that when he was drafted. He's developed into a mainstay on our club."
Although Youkilis takes pride in his defense, fielding is just a means to an end.
"I always joke around, but I'm kind of serious in the fact that we play the field so we can hit," he said. "That's one of the things I always joke about, but it's a little bit true. But you also have pride in a sense. You don't want to make errors and stuff like that. You have to work hard at playing a position."
Last season, Youkilis hit .305 with 27 home runs and 94 RBIs. His average fell below his career-best .312 in 2008, but above his career mark of .292. He hit .259 batting third in the lineup and .338 batting fourth. As a third baseman, he hit .286. While playing first, .325.
Like his position on the field, Youkilis' spot in the batting order matters little to him.
"I think you just stick to your strengths," he said. "You can't change who you are just because of where you're hitting in the lineup. You have to go out there and stick to your strengths and learn from your weaknesses. You don't really go up there like, I'm hitting fourth today, I better hit a home run or I've got to hit a grand slam. You've got to go up there and get a hit in a situation or move a runner over."
He's also heard talk that the 2010 Red Sox will be light on offense while emphasizing pitching and defense more.
"It doesn't matter how many runs you score," he said. "It's about holding the opposition down. And at the end of the game if you win 1-0, it's the same as winning 13-10."
Red Sox claim RHP Fien off waivers from Tigers
FORT MYERS, Fla. — The Boston Red Sox have claimed right-hander Casey Fien off waivers from Detroit and designated righty Gaby Hernandez for assignment.
Fien, who was designated for assignment last week, was 0-1 with a 7.94 ERA in nine games as a rookie with Detroit last year.
The Red Sox claimed Hernandez off waivers from Seattle on last month. He spent all of last year with Triple-A Tacoma and went 10-9 with a 5.23 ERA in 26 starts.
Tigers Cabrera says he doesn't drink any more
LAKELAND, Fla. — Detroit Tigers slugger Miguel Cabrera wants to clear a few things up after the ugly incident last fall, right before his team surrendered the American League Central Division title to the Twins.
First, he's done drinking alcohol. And he's not an alcoholic.
"You guys write in the paper 'alcoholic,' that's not right," the Detroit first baseman said Monday before the Tigers' morning workout at spring training. "I don't know how to explain, but it's not an alcohol problem."
Five months ago, Cabrera went 0 for 4 and stranded six runners in a 5-1 loss to Chicago. That game started about 12 hours after Tigers general manager Dave Dombrowski picked him up at a police station following a fight with his wife — apparently after a late night out.
The All-Star first baseman with a $152.3 million contract had what police said was a 0.26 blood-alcohol reading — three times above Michigan's legal limit for driving — and a bruised and cut left cheek.
Cabrera apologized to his teammates for being drunk on a weekend while the Tigers were trying to hang on to the lead in the AL Central. They later lost the division in a tiebreaker game against Minnesota.
The 26-year-old Cabrera spent much of the winter undergoing counseling. He said he has quit drinking and doesn't miss it.
"When you want something and you know what you're doing is bad, you say this thing is not right, this thing is not going to help me in my work," he said. "So first you've got to think about yourself. First you help yourself and then you can help everybody."
Having discussed his rehabilitation with reporters in Detroit in January, Cabrera arrived at spring training last week hoping to resume a career that appeared briefly to be in jeopardy.
"I was comfortable talking about everything because I think you can't hide it. Someday it's (going to come out)," he said. "I can't hide what I'm doing; I can't lie to people when they see something. If I worry about what everybody is saying, there is going to be a lot on my mind. I don't want that. I want to do everything I can to play baseball."
Cabrera has grown up in the major leagues, having played in 87 games for the Florida Marlins at the age of 20 in 2003.
Manager Jim Leyland has been impressed with his cleanup hitter's decision to confront the matter publicly.
"He took on a challenge that he needed to take on. That's a sign of maturity," Leyland said.
"I know it was wrong what I did. but I can't hide that, you know?" Cabrera said. "It's there, so I have to be a man and say the truth, and say I made a mistake and I'll work in the season to be better. It's part of life to be a man and don't try to hide something if it's broken."
He did want to make it clear that he is not an alcoholic.
"It's what you guys call it, it's what you guys say. I don't have a problem with you guys saying that. I'm not going to put my mind on it every time you guys write something and I read it in the paper," he said.
Porcello to pitch Tigers' home opener
LAKELAND, Fla. — One year ago, Rick Porcello was considered by some too young to make the Detroit Tigers' pitching staff.
After leading American League rookies in wins last season, Porcello was named as the starting pitcher for Detroit's home opener April 9 against the Cleveland Indians.
"It's an honor, seeing how big the home opener was in Detroit last year," said Porcello, who won 14 games as a 20-year-old rookie in 2009. "Fans were coming out early and tailgating. It's obviously a pretty big deal. I remember how exciting it was and what the buzz was like with the crowd there for opening day. So I'm excited to be pitching in it."
A week ago, manager Jim Leyland chose 19-game winner Justin Verlander for the season opener at Kansas City on April 5. Max Scherzer, who came from Arizona in a December trade, will pitch the second game at Kansas City on April 7.
"I want Scherzer to get his first start under his belt on the road, and I don't know who the other two starters are," Leyland said. "You could pencil about four or five names in right now for the third game, and for the fifth game."
Jeremy Bonderman, Armando Galarraga, Nate Robertson, Dontrelle Willis and Eddie Bonine are in competition for two spots in the rotation as the Tigers prepare to open their exhibition schedule Tuesday against Florida Southern College. Porcello's first spring start is scheduled against the Toronto Blue Jays on Friday.
The Tigers' first-round draft choice in 2007, Porcello became only the fourth pitcher since 1970 to win 14 games in a season before his 21st birthday.
"He's something special. That's why he's up here at this age and why he's successful at this age," Leyland said. "If he has a few problems from time to time like he did last year, he'll make those adjustments, too. That's all part of being special."
Pitching in Comerica Park in the home opener will be special, too, Porcello said — even if it's cold.
"I came from New Jersey and it's pretty much going back to where I've been through the offseason, so it doesn't really bother me too much. I know from when I was in high school that I'd much rather be pitching in cold weather than hitting," he said. "Detroit's my home now. I'm trying to embrace it. I love playing there and I definitely feel I'm a part of the city right now."
NOTES: At least once per game during the exhibition season, Tiger hitters will approach at bats as though they have two strikes on them, Leyland said. The idea is to simulate protecting the plate. "I thought we did a poor job with that last year, quite frankly," Leyland said ... Leyland gave the following lineup and batting order for the first exhibition game: Austin Jackson, cf; Johnny Damon, lf; Magglio Ordonez, rf; Miguel Cabrera, 1b; Carlos Guillen, dh; Don Kelly or Kory Casto, 3b; Scott Sizemore, 2b; Gerald Laird, c; Adam Everett, ss; Phil Coke, p ...Brandon Inge (knee surgeries) won't be ready to play third base for two weeks, but might DH before then.
Twins counting on solid year from LF Delmon Young
FORT MYERS, Fla. — Delmon Young has grown up a little bit more and he'd like to grow into his new role as the everyday left fielder for the Minnesota Twins.
"Last year, my mom died," Young said. "Baseball became a way to get away from everything."
Bonnie Young died last May following a three-month battle with liver and pancreatic cancer.
"In the offseason, I went through the grieving process," Young said. "You can't really do that during the season when you're expected to go out there and perform. You want to win games and make a living too."
Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said Young has matured in many ways since the Twins acquired him in a trade with Tampa Bay in 2007.
"His job was baseball, and he had to be away," Gardenhire said of early last season, when Bonnie Young had fallen ill. "The only time he got to talk to her was on the phone. He went through an awful lot with that. You know what, he came back from that, and he worked really hard in the second half. He has grown as a person, and he has grown as a player. He has become a fantastic teammate. He has worked really hard this winter to come in here in shape and ready to go.
"I'm proud of him. I'm happy for him, and I'm proud of him."
Last year at this time, Gardenhire was juggling outfielders Young, Denard Span, Michael Cuddyer and Carlos Gomez to get them regular playing time in the three outfield slots.
This year, Gardenhire has given Young the left field slot.
"When you're platooning, it's hard to keep a rhythm , not knowing when you're going to be in there," Young said. "But it's a great situation now. We're all looking forward to playing in it."
Young hit .284 with 12 home runs, 60 RBI and two stolen bases in 108 games.
"He struggled off and on," Gardenhire said of Young's performance. "You define your own role out there. If you're playing really well, you stay in the lineup for us. You know what, we had a tough situation last year, with four outfielders and trying to make sure they all got at-bats. When they did perform, they played, and they stayed in there."
Young turned 24 on Dec. 14. He enters his fourth season in the big leagues and his third full one, having played 30 games for the Rays as a rookie in 2006.
"I don't think people realize how young I am, because I've been up since '06," Young said. "It's a learning curve. They say that you go from 24 to 26 and get to 27, you can have a breakout year. I'm hoping I can break out at 24."
Young, however, did not offer any statistical projections.
"I just want to do whatever I can to help us get to the playoffs," he said. "If your team gets to the playoffs, and your team somehow gets a ring, that means you had a good year. If you go out and put up big numbers, and you're team's not winning, it doesn't mean anything."
There's one number Gardenhire enjoyed seeing: Young's weight.
Young, listed at 6-foot-3 and 202 pounds, said he weighed as much as 239 last season. He said he recently weighed in at 207, a size that prompted Gardenhire to wonder if he had been through a "shrink machine."
"We talked about him not running the bases very well last year," Gardenhire said. "He was a little bigger. This was something that he set his own mind out to do. He set a goal to lose some weight and get back to running the bases better. He came in great shape."
Notes: Gardenhire has set his pitching rotation for the first few spring training games. Nick Blackburn will start Thursday against the Boston Red Sox, with Kevin Slowey scheduled to relieve him after two innings. Carl Pavano will start Friday against the Boston Red Sox in Minnesota's Grapefruit League home opener. Francisco Liriano will start Saturday on the road against the Red Sox. Scott Baker, already named Minnesota's Opening Day starter, will start Sunday at home against the New York Yankees. Brian Duensing will start on the road in a split-squad game against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Garcia back with White Sox
GLENDALE, Ariz. — The Chicago White Sox still believe in Freddy Garcia, even though he's won just five games the past three seasons.
Garcia, who has made only 23 major league starts since the 2007 season began, is slated to be Chicago's fifth starter two years after surgery on his right throwing shoulder.
The 33-year-old showed the White Sox he still has some life in that arm, going 3-2 with a 3.66 earned run average over his last six outings of 2009. The veteran is back in 2010 hoping to reward the club with which he won a World Series ring in 2005.
"A lot has happened. Out of the last three years I spent almost a year out of the big leagues recovering from the operation," Garcia said. "It was a difficult time but who knows why these things happen? With health, brother, I'm trying to be here and have a good season and help the team."
"I feel good about my place here," he added. "Time has passed and I'm 100 percent."
The White Sox aren't likely to get the Garcia of 1999 to 2002, when made two All-Star Game appearances and led the Seattle Mariners to a pair of postseason appearances.
They may not even get the Garcia of 2005-2006, who went 31-11.
"I'm not 22 anymore, I'm 33," Garcia said. "It takes more time and I have to work harder, but I have more experience and I'm in control of more bad situations. I'm not that hyper kid I was before, and with time I feel much better on the mound."
The White Sox don't intend to pass over Garcia when his time to pitch in the rotation comes up, at least for now.
"We're not planning on skipping him. We're going to give everybody their day," pitching coach Don Cooper said. "We've got some off days (in April), but the weather can sometimes come into play and you lose days there. We believe in all five of them and we're going to let them go out there and have their day."
Garcia sometimes feels the wear and tear of more than a decade in the big leagues.
"It feels like I've played 30 years in the major leagues," Garcia added. "But I've done pretty well over the years. I've reached almost all of my goals. I've been in a World Series and won."
Garcia has also appeared in the World Baseball Classic, in 2006 with Venezuela. He has 121 career wins, the second-most for a Venezuelan-born pitcher in major-league history, and has thrown more innings than any Venezuelan-born pitcher in the majors, 1,772.
Garcia is one of five White Sox players remaining from the 2005 championship team, along with A.J. Pierzynski, Paul Konerko, Mark Buehrle and Bobby Jenks. He said he still wears his championship ring once in a while.
"I pitched eight years without a major injury," Garcia said. "The time came, but thanks to God it's in the past and here I am."
Notes: Left-hander John Danks will start the White Sox spring training opener Thursday against the Los Angeles Angels. Lefty Mark Buehrle gets the start Friday against the Los Angeles Dodgers, with veteran relievers Scott Linebrink and J.J. Putz also scheduled to pitch. ... Manager Ozzie Guillen said baserunning will be a major point of emphasis for his team during spring training, as he wants the team to be more aggressive.
Danks to start 1st spring training game for WSox
GLENDALE, Ariz. — Left-hander John Danks will start the White Sox spring training opener.
The game is Thursday against the Los Angeles Angels.
Lefty Mark Buehrle gets the start Friday against the Los Angeles Dodgers, with veteran relievers Scott Linebrink and J.J. Putz also scheduled to pitch.
Military commitment leaves Choo's future in doubt
GOODYEAR, Ariz. — As one of baseball's rising young stars, Shin-Soo Choo has a bright future.
Due to circumstances beyond his control, the Cleveland Indians outfielder and native of South Korea is uncertain if that future will be interrupted.
Choo put together a solid all-around season in 2009, but he faces a potential problem that has nothing to do with baseball. South Korean men are required to serve two years in the military by the time they turn 30 years old. Choo will be 28 in July and will have to deal with this issue soon.
"It's hanging over my head a little bit," he admitted.
Choo has options. The best alternative would be to play for the South Korean baseball team in the 2010 Asian Games, which will be held in November. Choo would need to get clearance from the Indians to participate. If South Korea wins the gold medal, Choo said his military obligation would be waived.
The situation would become more complicated if Choo doesn't play on the team or if South Korea doesn't win the tournament. He's reluctant to go into details since this is a sensitive issue in his country, where his success with the Indians has turned him into a well-known figure.
Choo could refuse to return to South Korea or apply for citizenship in the United States, but he realizes that decision may not be well-received in his country, where people follow his performance on a daily basis.
"I try not to think about it," Choo said. "It's the same as last year. I didn't think about it then. The only thing I know how to do is play baseball."
Choo has gotten some good-natured questions about the situation from his teammates.
"They've asked me about it and I told them, don't worry, that I'll be with them," he said.
Choo, who bats and throws left-handed, had good numbers across the board last season. He hit .300 with 20 homers, 86 RBIs and 21 stolen bases. Choo tied for fourth among American League outfielders with 11 assists.
"I think I'm getting better at everything, not only hitting, but defense and stealing bases," Choo said. "I want to keep getting better. That's my goal every year."
New manager Manny Acta is getting his first look at Choo, but has been impressed with what he's seen early in camp.
"He sticks out the way he swings the bat," Acta said.
Choo's improvement could cause another problem for the money-conscious Indians. Although he can't be a free agent until after the 2013 season, he'll be eligible for arbitration following this season unless he signs a multiyear contract. The fact Choo recently hired Scott Boras as his agent probably won't help the Indians' chances of reaching a deal.
Choo, however, is comfortable playing in Cleveland.
"I like being with the Indians," he said. "I feel like I'm at home here. I want to stay a long time."
NOTES: The Indians will play intrasquad games Tuesday and Wednesday. Acta said OF Grady Sizemore, coming off groin and elbow operations, won't play Tuesday and will DH on Wednesday. ... RHP Jake Westbrook, returning from Tommy John surgery, threw batting practice for the first time Monday without any problems. ... RHP Jason Knapp, acquired from Philadelphia last season in the Cliff Lee trade, has reported to early minor league camp. The Indians expect Knapp, who had shoulder surgery last year, to pitch at some point this season. ... RHP Tom Mastny, who pitched for the Indians from 2006-08, signed a minor league contract. He pitched in Japan last season.
Seitzer ready to improve Royals hitting
SURPRISE, Ariz. — Given Kansas City's on-base percentage last season, it's hard to call Kevin Seitzer's first year as Royals hitting coach a success.
It could even be called a failure.
Nevertheless, Seitzer figures year No. 2 should be better for many reasons. The arrival of some savvy, experienced newcomers should help. Veterans such as outfielder Scott Podsednik and infielder Chris Getz have career on-base percentages higher than the .318 the Royals put up last year.
Most of all, Seitzer feels he's earned the right to expect hitters to listen.
"Last year I had to prove they could trust me," he said. "So this year, I'm hoping we get in, we get after it, we get better, we get prepared."
Royals fans have no problem trusting Seitzer's hitting credentials, especially those who recall 1987 when he hit .323 and finished second to Mark McGwire in rookie-of-the-year balloting. Twelve years later, he retired with a career average of .295 and some definite ideas about the art of putting bat to ball.
"Everybody's got a different swing," he said. "You take their God-given swing and try to establish some good mechanics. But the approach is kind of the glue that holds the mechanics together and gives them a chance to square the ball up consistently."
Still, it was a rough first year back with his old team. With few exceptions, the Royals struggled at the plate while finishing in a last-place tie with Cleveland in the AL Central.
"I'm excited about being a second-year coach in this organization," Seitzer said. "You can come in as a new coach, but that doesn't mean you're going to instantly have the trust and respect that a hitting coach needs in order to (persuade hitters to) make the adjustments happen during the game.
"A lot of it comes down to being more disciplined. How do you create discipline and still have aggressiveness?
Seitzer's main message to all hitters, young and experienced, is direct: Have a plan.
"There are things — mindsets, approaches, that I know worked and didn't work as a hitter," he said. "Last season, I feel it got better and better and better as the season went on."
Billy Butler was his biggest success story. At 23, he had 51 doubles, 21 home runs, 93 RBIs and a .301 average with a .362 on-base percentage. It was one of the best years in team history and he lavishes credit on Seitzer.
"I worked with him every day, mentally and mechanically," said Butler. "For the most part, I pick his brain all the time and get information from him."
With Butler going around the clubhouse and batting cage singing his praises, Seitzer should have little trouble getting anyone's attention.
"If guys listen to him and listen to what he's saying and actually believe in it, I feel like they're going to see the adjustments and start believing in him," Butler said. "It's hard to earn trust if people don't listen to what you're saying. It takes time. It didn't take me a year. I just believed in what he was saying. But it takes longer for some players than other players."
Still, Kansas City's on-base percentage was 28th in the major leagues.
That doesn't matter, insists manager Trey Hillman.
"I thought he was outstanding last year," the second-year manager said of Seitzer. "For me, it's just a continuation of what he did."
Another newcomer, infielder/outfielder Josh Fields, sought out Seitzer several times during the winter after getting traded to the Royals by the Chicago White Sox.
"He's awesome at what he does," Fields said. "He knows hitting. He can read people. He doesn't try to change you or switch anything up too much. He wants to go with your swing and make you feel as comfortable with your swing as you possibly can and tweak some things here or there."
-- Doug Tucker
Snider hoping to find home in Blue Jays' outfield
DUNEDIN, Fla. — This spring is Travis Snider's first serious chance at finding a full-season home in the Toronto Blue Jays' outfield after failing to take last year's opportunity seriously.
"He has to play his way onto this team," general manager Alex Anthopoulos said. "He's a young player and he knows that. I told him in the offseason he's going to be a big part of this organization. That being said, he knows he's got to go out and perform in spring training.
"But if he doesn't make it as an everyday player, he'll go down. He flew through the minor leagues and has not had a lot of minor league at-bats, and that's a credit to his ability. So if he's going to be up here it's going to be to play every single day," Anthopoulos said.
Snider did well in the spring as a 21-year-old a year ago and hit the regular season running: three home runs, 11 runs batted in, a .258 batting average and .480 on-base percentage in April. But he slumped in May and was demoted to Triple-A.
"I went through some mental troubles that, from a baseball standpoint, I'd never had to deal with — failing and being sent down," Snider said. "I didn't know how to handle it. I didn't know how to turn on that switch every day. You watch successful guys, how their concentration never changes.
"Adjustments at this level are key. I stopped making adjustments at the end of April and the beginning of May and for a while at Triple-A (following his May 19 demotion). I was reluctant to listen to some people. They were trying to help me and I backed myself into a corner."
Toronto's first-round draft pick out of high school in 2006 hit .345 average with 11 home runs in the rookie league in 2007 before charging through the minors and into the Blue Jays' dugout in August 2008.
He wasn't prepared for failure. He had no home runs, one RBI and a .216 average in May last season. Being sent down, he said, "was the best thing that could've happened to a young man learning how to grow up."
Now, Snider has a chance to take a prominent role in the Blue Jays' infusion of youth as they attempt to rebound from fourth place, a losing record, and their worst season since 2005.
His plan is simple: "Come out here and play, earn a spot, same thing I had last year," he said. "I feel like we've got good competition in camp, a group of on-the-bubble guys who have to come out and prove ourselves.
"I'm just excited. I'm saying, 'Hey, 22 years old and you've got a shot to make the big-league team out of spring training.' I'm here to win a job. Coming off last year's performance, how can anyone guarantee me a job?"
NOTES: Left-hander Ricky Romero is scheduled to start the Blue Jays' spring training opener Wednesday against the visiting Detroit Tigers, to be followed by Dana Eveland, Josh Roenicke and Willie Collazo. Thursday's Toronto pitchers against the Tigers in Lakeland are Marc Rzepczynski, Brett Cecil and Kyle Drabek. Friday, Brandon Morrow will start against visiting Philadelphia and Brad Mills will start the Blue Jays B game against the Phillies in Clearwater. If former Blue Jays ace Roy Halladay starts the for the Phillies on opening day, April 6 at Washington, Toronto will almost certainly face him on March 31 at Clearwater.
