• The momentum in the fight for the open spot in the Yankees’ rotation appears to be with Phil Hughes(notes), despite his imperfect stat line against Philadelphia on Monday. Hughes went 4.1 innings versus the Phillies, allowing four runs on five hits (including three homers) while striking out six and walking no one. Manager Joe Girardi later offered this nugget: "Even though he gave up three homers, that was the best he’s thrown all spring." In Hughes’ previous spring start, the 23-year-old pitched four innings against Houston, giving up three hits and no runs.
Joba Chamberlain(notes) spent Monday facing his own team’s junior varsity, a group that Bill Madden of the Daily News called "The Randy Winn(notes) All-Stars." Chamberlain said, "I felt like I was back in the Florida State League." His performance was something less than dominant. This via Blogging the Bombers:
Chamberlain faced 19 batters in five separate “innings,” giving up two runs on six hits and one walk, striking out one. Chamberlain gave up three extra-base hits and recorded three double plays, throwing 75 pitches, 48 for strikes.
Alfredo Aceves(notes) was in the rotation race for a little while, but most observers feel he dropped out after yielding five runs to the Astros over the weekend. Girardi reportedly will declare in winner in the fifth starter battle on Thursday. The losers head to the bullpen, where they will immediately become relievers of interest for those of us in holds leagues.
• Also of interest to anyone in a league that uses holds: CJ Wilson(notes) may have earned a spot in the Rangers’ starting rotation. He hasn’t been overpowering this spring (4.50 ERA, 10K, 14.0 IP), but that hasn’t really been necessary, given the competition. The Texas bullpen seems a bit thin without Wilson, however. This from the Dallas Morning News:
If the Rangers move Wilson to the rotation, they are probably going to have to go with Neftali Feliz(notes), who has never pitched on back-to-back days, and Darren Oliver(notes), who at 39 has never been a true setup guy, as their eighth-inning guys in front of Frankie Francisco. They are going to have to hope that for the first time in his career, Francisco will pitch in 60 games. They are going to have to count on Darren O’Day(notes) being ready despite some inflammation (consistent with a bruise) in the back of his elbow and on Chris Ray(notes) finding his velocity and command in the final two weeks of camp.
If there are trouble spots, they might have to count on Alexi Ogando, who has never pitched in the United States, and Tanner Scheppers(notes), who has only Independent League experience.
Ideally, "fixing Chris Ray" would not be one of the pillars of your bullpen plan.
• Aroldis Chapman(notes) was lifted from his appearance on Monday due to back spasms. He pitched only 1.2 innings on a day when he was scheduled for four. He lacked his usual triple-digit velocity, though he still managed to hit 97 mph. The plan, not surprisingly, is for Chapman to rest, receive treatment, then be reevaluated. For the moment, consider this only a small setback.
• Mike MacDougal(notes) has been released by the Marlins after predictably struggling during the spring. He somehow saved 20 games for Washington last season (grit! toughness! closer’s mentality!), despite posting a 1.52 WHIP. Leo Nunez’s(notes) ninth inning role remains relatively safe.
• We have an update of sorts on Jose Reyes, via the New York Post:
Reyes is waiting to be cleared by doctors before he can begin exercising. He still has no idea when that time will come. He’s into the third week of Camp Shutdown, which was originally announced as a two to eight week period. He will not be given clearance until his thyroid levels return to normal. … Until doctors give him clearance, he is stuck on the couch.
So that’s not really much of an update at all. Your fourth round pick is on the couch, waiting for the Mets to call, watching some TV. New York is expected to rely on some combination of Alex Cora(notes) and Ruben Tejada(notes) – two non-factors in fantasy – to fill-in for Reyes at the beginning of the season.
Update, noon CT: Whoa, hey. Suddenly the couch is a lonely place. This via MLB.com:
The Mets announced on Tuesday morning that their starting shortstop’s
thyroid readings have normalized and that he has been cleared to engage
in baseball activities. Reyes is expected to resume his Spring Training
upon his arrival in camp.
Even if Reyes can’t make the opener, he apparently won’t be too far behind. This is outstanding news for those of us who recently spent 36 imaginary dollars on Reyes in NL-only dynasty leagues. (Ahem).
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Photos via US Presswire (Hughes, Joba) and Carlor (Wilson bobblehead)