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Yesterday, we learned that Nationals closer Drew Storen will have his arm checked out as he experienced soreness after playing catch yesterday. He was sore after playing catch, that doesn't sound good. I see him starting the season on the DL with Tyler Clippard or Brad Lidge getting the chance to close. I can see Lidge getting the job until Storen returns. Patrick Reddington from Federal Baseball has more on the Storen injury and test results here.
Speaking of the Nationals, outfielder Michael Morse will probably start the season on the DL as well, as he had a platelet-rich plasma therapy on his ailing lat. Here is MLB.com with the explanation on what this therapy is and what is involved:
Platelet-rich plasma therapy is a treatment that involves putting the patient's blood through a centrifuge to isolate platelets and growth factors. Those are then injected back into the injured area to accelerate both healing and tissue growth.
Several prominent baseball players such as Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez and Orioles pitcher Zach Britton have recently used PRP to help in their recovery from injury.
Nationals manager Davey Johnson indicated yesterday that the team will take it slow with Morse as they want him to be 100% when he returns. When asked who will bat cleanup, Johnson responded with "Wilson Ramos or Jayson Werth". I can see Werth, but Ramos?
Braves third baseman Chipper Jones announced he will retire at the end of the 2012 season yesterday. Jones will be a Hall of Famer, no doubt, but will he be a first ballot HOFer? I think he should. The guys on SiriusXM's MLB channel said that the announcement freed up $7 million for the Braves next offseason, possibly to pursue a left field upgrade.
More fantasy baseball thoughts after the jump:
The Reds reported last night that Ryan Madson was scratched from his scheduled appearance in a minors game last night, and his availability on Opening Day looks slim. Grab Sean Marshall as he should get the first shot at closing in Cincy should Madson require a DL stint.
I have my draft next Thursday night, an NL-Only redraft league, 5 x 5, 10 team league. I am guessing the top 8 goes in some combination of the following:
Matt Kemp
Ryan Braun
Joey Votto
Troy Tulowitzki
Justin Upton
Carlos Gonzalez
Hanley Ramirez
Jose Reyes
I would not be surprised to see Roy Halladay and Clayton Kershaw go 9 and 10, or at least go in the Top 10. The draft order for the first 3 rounds goes, 1 -10, 10 - 1. 10 - 1. Also, we pick our draft slots at the draft, as it is an in-person draft. But there's a twist. Say you pick #1. You get the choice of picking anywhere in the draft. Since there first 3 rounds are unconventional, it may make sense to pick 10th, so you can grab 3 of the top 21 players. Or, if you stick with the first pick, you get 4 of the top 31. What would you do if you had the first slot in the draft? Stick with the #1, or draft later in the round?
Twins first baseman Justin Morneau is struggling this spring as he has only 3 hits in 30 at bats thus far, but the fact that he is playing games is a feat in itself. He will probably go undrafted in mixed leagues, but is a late round pick in AL-only leagues. I am rooting for him to return to health, but even then, I am not expecting much from him this season, especially in Target Field.
Angels DH Kendrys Morales went 2-3 in his first major league game since May 2010, albeit a spring training game. This is the next step in his journey to return to baseball, and I hope he is successful. He should be a late round pick in mixed leagues, and a mid-late round pick in AL-only leagues.
Giants closer Brian Wilson looked good in a minor league exhibition game yesterday, striking out two batters. I own Sergio Romo in two keeper leagues, at $1 in one, and $2 in the other, so you know what I am rooting for.
Yesterday, Phillies manager Charlie Manuel was asked for an update on second baseman Chase Utley. His response "I haven't heard nothing. Absolutely zero." Is that code for "it's not good."?