The Cleveland Indians announced that Cliff Lee will be out for til May due to an abdomen strain. "The reality is I can't pitch until mid-April," Lee said after being scratched from a scheduled throwing session when he felt discomfort during training-room exercises Sunday morning. Lee, who went 14-11 with a 4.40 ERA last season, will be replaced by Fausto Carmona for the time being.
The Nationals announced today that they have renewed Ryan Zimmerman's contract for the 2007 season. Zimmerman, who batted .287 with 20 HR and 110 RBI, finished second in the voting for Rookie of the Year behind Hanley Ramirez and will make 400,000 next season. However, he is not eligible for free agency until after the 2011 season. Jim Bowden said he hopes to continue contract discussions with the third basemen to keep him with the organization for years to come. "The kid is happy, and he knows he's going to be the face of the franchise for years to come," Nationals manager Manny Acta said.
The Braves announced today that they have signed pitcher Mark Redman to a minor league contract and announced that he will start Saturday's game against the Blue Jays. "It's a great pick-up," Braves manager Bobby Cox said. "We're thin." Redman, who went 11-10 with a 5.71 ERA for the Royals last year, was selected to the All Star Game in Pittsburgh. However, he was asking for too much during the off season and no one was interested. "I think we got lucky that there was a guy around like that," Cox said. "You know that every team is looking for starting pitching. There's going to be one or two guys not make the rotation somewhere that's going to be available." Redman will make $750,000 if he's placed on the 40-man roster. Redman's contract also allows him to make an additional $500,000 in performance bonuses, based on the amount of starts he makes at the Major League level.
Transactions
- Mets sign Wil Cordero to a minor league contract
Controversies
- Angels willing to void Matthews contract?
- Maddux (speaking of Cubs): "I let it go."
- Darren Holmes linked to HGH
- Phillies/Cubs coach John Vukovich died
- Steinbrenner speaks with Clemens about future
- Former Cub Gene Oliver remembered
Injuries
- Mark Kotsay out for first three months
- Mike Hampton out for first two months
- Cardinals Josh Kinney out for season
Rumors
- Zambrano extension talks back on
Game Highlights
- Check out the Offical Scorecard
Highlights from Spring Training
The Oakland A's announced that Mark Kotsay will be out for three months recovering from surgery on a herniated disc. Kotsay first injured his back running into the outfield wall while with the San Diego Padres in 2003. "Mark has been battling this for a couple years, and it's become more frequent," A's general manger Billy Beane said. "He was a zealot in following his off season therapy but when there was a relapse in the first week of spring training, it was time to take more aggressive action." In 129 games, Kotsay hit .275 with 7 HR and 59 RBI.
According to one major league source, the Angels are considering voiding Gary Matthews' contract if he doesn't come clean about the allegations against him that he took Human Growth Hormones. The Angels are frustrated by the amount of coverage this is getting even though there is hardly any information; still, the Angels are expected to take action. "We want as much information as Gary can provide, but he can't or won't tell us anything," Mead said. "There is a sense of frustration here because of the lack of information. Everyone understands this is a legal issue but there is a sense of frustration. We feel like this is hanging over our heads." The Angels and MLB don't think Matthews has a legitimate reason to stay silent."There's no reason for him not to say something," the source said. "If he had a prescription (for HGH) and he took it before it was banned (2005), then he doesn't have to worry about anyone punishing him." It is possible the Angels will void his contract and rework a similar contract with an opt clause if he is indited, similar to the clause the Giants gave Barry Bonds.
Braves pitcher Mike Hampton is injured yet again taking practice swings. Hampton, who's made 12 starts in the past two years, will miss the start of the season for what coaches are calling, a left oblique strain. The Braves expect him to be out for at least the first two months. "I was pretty upset about it yesterday," Hampton said Thursday. "Then I went through a little time of sulking, and now, well, there is nothing you can do about it now except just try to get it healed up and get it better. I guess the only silver lining is that my elbow gets a little more time to rest." Career wise, Hampton is 138-101 with a 3.97 ERA.
Transactions
- White Sox give Vazquez extension
Controversies
- Rocker, Bell linked to steroids
- Belliard linked to extortion
Injuries
- Piazza out after getting HBP
- Delgado out (stiff neck)
- Freddy Sanchez: mild MCL sprain
Rumors
- Orioles near two year extension with Roberts
- Lieber to Toronto?
- Morneau's agent to meet with Twins?
Game Highlights
- Check out the Official Scorecard
Highlights from Spring Training
New Red Sox pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka is drawing so much more attention after he blanked the Marlins in his second successful start. Matsuzaka allowed two hits, walked one and struck out three against the Florida Marlins. The right-hander also threw 47 pitches, 31 for strikes. "My readiness for the season is difficult to judge from the outside," Matsuzaka said through a translator. "I'm probably 40 to 50 percent there." When he made his debut against Boston College, he gave up one hit over two innings, and had three strike outs.
See Matsuzaka Projection...
The White Sox and Javier Vazquez have agreed to a three year deal, worth 34.5 million dollars. At the beginning of this off season, many people thought he was the White Sox pitcher on the way out. However, Vazquez, who was 11-12 with a 4.84 ERA and 184 K in his first year with the White Sox.
Although Mark Prior got shelled by the Mariners through 1.1 innings, there has been no report of any stiffness or injuries. Prior gave up 4 hits, 3 runs, all earned, and 2 walks. Yes not what you would liked to see from Mark Prior, but at least he is not reporting any injuries. On a good note, Kerry Wood pitched 1 inning, giving up 0 hits, runs, and walks. He did have 1 strikeout. The Cubs hope Kerry Wood will fill in as a reliever this season while Mark Prior will be the full time starter or a spot starter. Also a good sign from Cubs camp, Ted Lilly pitched 2 innings giving up just one hit, and Cubs prospect Felix Pie is 3-5 with 1 RBI and 2 runs scored.
Transactions
- No Transactions to report
Controversies
- Santana: I will test market if deal isn't done soon
- Mets Wright willing to give up position for A-Rod
Injuries
- Justin Duchscherer is sidelined with tendinitis in his elbow
- Roberto Novoa out because of tightness in his shoulder
- Rafael Furcal out with sore shoulder
- Mark Grudzielanek out for four to six weeks
Rumors
- Todd Helton to Boston?
Game Highlights
Check out the Official Scorecard
Highlights from Spring Training
