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Let's take a look at who was in the news on Tuesday's spring training action:
Cardinals starter Chris Carpenter pulled himself from the game yesterday with a hamstring injury. He should be out at least a week. When it rains, it pours for the Cardinals so far in spring training. First, they don't sign Albert Pujols to an extension, and 2011 could be his last season in St. Louis, then Adam Wainwright has Tommy John surgery, and now this. Carpenter is injury prone, so I would be wary of him this season.
On Sunday, Marlins outfielder Mike Stanton strained his quad and will be out for two weeks. He should be fine for Opening Day.
Here's an injury update on Phillies second baseman Chase Utley, from MLB.com's Todd Zolecki:
Amaro and Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said there is no timetable for Utley to play in a Grapefruit League game.
It's early, but this doesn't sound good for Utley.
Dodgers outfielder prospect Jerry Sands played right field and accounted for the Dodgers only run against the Indians as he homered in his only at bat. I doubt he makes the team out of spring training, but could see him up later this season should the left field platoon of Jay Gibbons and Marcus Thames not work out.
More after the jump:
On Monday, Yankees pitching prospect Manny Banuelos struck out two batters looking on six pitches in his one inning of work. How soon before we hear people asking when he will be up to take the 5th spot in the Yankees rotation? Buster Olney tweeted that his fastball was sitting at 93 mph, topping out at 95 mph.
I was listening to Inside Pitch on XM175 yesterday on my drive home and heard Jim Bowden say that the Diamondbacks signed J.J. Putz to close so they can deal him by the trade deadline similar to what the Pirates did with Matt Capps last season. So who should fantasy owners look to draft or pick up on waivers once Putz is dealt? i would say either Juan Gutierrez or Sam Demel right now.
I was listening to First Pitch on XM 175 yesterday morning (yes, I listen to the MLB Channel a bit), and both Jim Memolo and Rob Dibble stated that Nationals uber-prospect Bryce Harper is one of the three best outfielders on the Nats right now and think he will be up THIS year. I don't see it, but you never know.
Buster Olney tweeted the following yesterday:
@drewBbalis The Braves would prefer that Kimbrel win the closer's role. They like picking matchups for Venters in 7th, 8th innings.
Kimbrel got knocked around in his first spring training game over the weekend, topping out at 90 on his fastball. Not good for Kimbrel owners.
Phillies outfield prospect Domonic Brown DH'd in Tuesday game vs the Tigers and went 0-3 with 2 strikeouts. He is striking out alot in spring training, and it is looking more and more likely that he will be sent to AAA to start the season, with Ben Francisco getting plenty of starts in right field till he is ready.
Nationals reliever Drew Storen got knocked around again on Tuesday giving up 2 runs on 3 hits in his inning of work. Tyler Clippard could be the closer to start the season if Storen doesn't turn things around.
Rays pitching prospect Chris Archer struck out the side in his one inning of work. Some think he could be a solid closer in the big leagues, but he had a great 2010 season starting, so that move won't happen for quite some time if he can duplicate his 2010 performance.
Rays starter Andy Sonnanstine gave up 6 runs on 6 hits in 2 innings of work, courtesy of 5, yes 5, homers, two coming off the bat of Orioles outfielder Nick Markakis.
Speaking of Markakis, he went 3-3 with 2 HRs and 4 RBIs vs the Rays on Tuesday. Markakis was once a Top 10 AL-only outfielder, but has yet to reach his potential. His HR totals have dropped in each of the last 3 years, from 23 in 2007 to 12 in 2010. Is 2011 the year he bounces back?
Diamondbacks first baseman Russell Branyan went 1-4 with a 3 run HR on Tuesday. He is battling Brandon Allen and Juan Miranda for the starting first base job.
Reds prospect Yonder Alonso played first base and hit a 2 run HR on Tuesday. Alonso will probably play 1B and LF in AAA this season. He is more than a year removed from a hammate bone injury, so we should see more power from him this season.
Tigers pitching prospect Jacob Turner started and gave up one run in 3 innings of work vs the Blue Jays on Tuesday. Does he make the Tigers rotation at some point this season?
Is it me, or are more and more starting pitchers going 3 innings in the first week of spring training this season. I remember when they started out going just 2 innings.
Nationals prospect Bryce Harper, you may have heard of him, got his first hit in spring training on Tuesday and went 1-2 on the afternoon. Teammate Danny Espinosa hit his first spring HR.