• Albert Pujols(notes), the consensus No. 1 pick in fantasy drafts, has been dealing with discomfort in his lower back throughout the spring. It really didn’t seem like much of an issue initially, but in recent days he’s needed an anti-inflammatory injection and the injury has limited his playing time.
On Wednesday, however, Pujols was "swinging the bat without pain" according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. So the fantasy community can relax. There’s nothing to fear from Pujols. Unless you’re a stationary object in left field.
• Dodgers catcher Russell Martin(notes) is reportedly well ahead of schedule in his recovery from swine groin. Here’s the good news, via the Los Angeles Times:
"I was pain free," Martin said. "It feels awesome."
Martin was not ready to make any promises about opening day, but said his groin has healed to the point that he does not think it will keep him out of the lineup on April 5 in Pittsburgh.
If you’ve already drafted him, rejoice. If instead you’re drafting this weekend, then you can maybe elevate Martin to the next tier on the cheat sheet.
• Matt LaPorta(notes) is a solid candidate to be the post-hype sleeper story of the year. He’s 8-for-20 with six RBIs in spring action and, according to his manager, he’s "pretty much a lock" to make the club. This from the Cleveland Plain Dealer:
The condition of first baseman Russell Branyan’s(notes) back will go a long way toward deciding who plays first and who plays left field. Either way, it sounds as if Matt LaPorta is going to open the season in the big leagues.
"This guy is pretty much a lock on our club," said Acta, "especially taking into consideration Russell Branyan’s situation. We made it very clear from the very beginning that we were going to have this guy play every day, either here are in Triple-A."
No one’s ever really questioned LaPorta’s power potential – he’s hit 39 homers in 700 minor league at-bats since ’08. If he gets an extended opportunity this season, you’ll be happy with the results. And no, I cannot explain the Branyan signing.
• More injury-related relief: Dustin Pedroia’s(notes) wrist problem isn’t anything to fret about. The Boston Herald offers details:
The wrist is sprained, not badly, and Pedroia could be ready to play as soon as tomorrow’s game here against the Blue Jays. He thoroughly downplayed the injury yesterday morning in the clubhouse after he’d heard the X-rays results.
• Mr. Pianowski sent me a Matt Lindstrom(notes) link that I shall now pass along to you. Here it is. Lindstrom has apparently refined his slider, and the spring results have been encouraging (6.2 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 6 K). Nonetheless, I’m terrified. Also, I think perhaps Scott was laying the groundwork for a Friends & Family trade offer. I’d hate to see innocent blog readers caught in the crossfire.
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Photo via AP Images