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Before I get into offering my thoughts on some recent spring training news, SB Nation rolled our their brand spanking new MLB site over at SBNation.com/MLB, so make sure you bookmark that site for all top MLB news, and make sure you follow them on Twitter at @SBNationMLB. There, you will be able to read the best that SB Nation's MLB sites have to offer on a daily basis, along with some of the best from Baseball Nation. You may also find some of our stuff over there as well. Well, we're working on it.
Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw got knocked around in his spring training start yesterday giving up 7 hits, a walk, 4 runs and 2 strikeouts in 3 innings of work. It is easy to show some concern over the rough outing, especially when he had hip problems last year. But remember, this is still spring training, and pitching in Arizona is completely different than pitching in Dodger Stadium. If you can find an owner who panics over his performance, take advantage. I would.
Brewers third baseman Aramis Ramirez injured his knee sliding into second base on his first hit of the spring over the weekend, and will now miss up to two weeks to rest the knee. Luckily, it is only March 5th, so if all goes well, he should be back playing by mid-March. With Opening Day falling on April 1st, he will have plenty of time to get his at bats in before the season starts. If he should start the season on the DL, Hunter Morris, Taylor Green and Alex Gonzalez will battle it out this spring to man the corners for the Brewers.
The Yankees can't escape bad luck this offseason. A day after GM Brian Cashman broke his ankle jumping out of a plane for charity, they learn that first baseman Mark Teixeira has a strained wrist and is headed back to New York to get it checked out. Here is more from Daniel Barbarisi from the Wall Street Journal:
Cashman says hes worried about Teixeira - shut down for minimum two weeks - but Cash says Tex felt "pop", and that hes very concerned
— Daniel Barbarisi (@DanBarbarisi) March 6, 2013
Tex will miss the next two weeks, which will put his return date around March 19th, or roughly two weeks before Opening Day. It appears the injury "could" be more serious, but we will learn more tomorrow. With Curtis Granderson set to miss at least the first month of the season, and who knows when Alex Rodriguez will return, the Yankees can ill afford to lose Teixeira for any length of time. If he should start the season on the DL, I see Kevin Youkilis moving across the diamond to play first base, and Eduardo Nunez manning the hit corner. It is safe to say that the left side of the Yankee infield will be doing no favors to the Yankee pitching staff.
Diamondbacks outfielder Cody Ross will miss the next 2-3 weeks due to a lower leg strain. If he starts the season on the DL, Gerardo Parra will be the biggest beneficiary and will probably play every day. Another option would be outfield prospect A.J. Pollock.
The Tigers appear to have seen enough of closer prospect Bruce Rondon and are looking to trade for a closer. Candidates include Cubs closer Carlos Marmol, Red Sox set up man Andrew Bailey and Nationals set up guy Drew Storen. Manager Jim Leyland hinted that starter Rick Porcello could close as well. I don't see that happening, and see them dealing Porcello at some point.
Speaking of Marmol, I heard an interview with a Chicago sports radio personality on SiriusXM Fantasy channel last night, and he was sold on the idea that Marmol will be traded before the season starts. Kyuji Fujikawa's value will skyrocket as a result.
Rockies third base prospect Nolan Arenado is working his way back into the good graces in the Rockies dugout and front office with his power showing in spring training thus far. The Rockies are keeping third base warm for him with Chris Nelson and Jordan Pacheco set to platoon at third until he is ready, but Arenado has other ideas. He homered for the third time this spring on Monday, and has an outside shot at making the team out of spring training. He more than likely will start the season in the minors, but we should see him in Coors Field sometime this season.