Baseball Digest Daily

“Mauer has developed a stress reaction in his left fibula (outer bone in the lower leg). The MRI done on his left leg revealed the ailment and ruled out a fracture. A stress reaction is a weakening of the bone but hasn’t developed into a stress or incomplete fracture. The Twins medical staff has begun treating him with a bone stimulator and physical therapy to help accelerate the healing around the stress reaction area. Twins GM Terry Ryan stated today he believes Mauer will be back in the lineup next week.”

Angels third baseman Chone Figgins will be sidelined indefinitely. He fractures the middle finger on his throwing hand in Wednesday’s game in Arizona. He still hopes to be ready by opening day.

The Red Sox re-named Jonathan Papelbon their closer to start the 2007 season.

Justin Morneau and the Minnesota Twins have broken off talks on a long-term contract.

Ken Griffey Jr. will be the Reds starting right fielder, not center fielder, when the season opens.

Jason Repko and Rafael Furcal collided on a soft liner today that caused Furcal to leave the game with a moderately sprained ankle. Repko later left the game himself with a strained left hamstring.

The Astros reassigned top prospect Hunter Pence to their minor league camp on Wednesday.

Arizona outfielder Carlos Quentin has a slight tear in the labrum in his left shoulder. The Diamondbacks are undecided about whether he will start the season on the disabled list.

The Washington Nationals tonight purchased the contracts of infielder Ronnie Belliard and Robert Fick from Columbus of the Triple-A International League. Also, the Nationals optioned left-handed pitcher Billy Traber to Columbus, outrighted outfielder Michael Restovich and infielder Bernie Castro to Columbus, and reassigned right-handed pitcher Josh Hall to minor league camp.

The Chicago Cubs announced its second round of roster cuts, reducing its spring roster from 44 players to 36 players. Left-handed pitcher Sean Marshall, right-handed pitcher Carlos Marmol and catcher Geovany Soto have been optioned to Triple-A Iowa. Five non-roster invitees have been returned to minor league camp, including left-handed pitchers Ryan O’Malley and Carmen Pignatiello. Infielders Casey McGehee and Micah Hoffpauir, as well as catcher Jake Fox, have also been returned to minor league camp.

The San Diego Padres optioned left-handed pitcher Royce Ring to Triple-A Portland.

Leave Comment | Permanent Link

Braves Lock Up McCann!

by Joe Hamrahi on Thu 22 Mar 2007 11:37 AM EDT

(Bill Richardson - Baseball Digest Daily)

The Atlanta Braves announced today that they have agreed to terms with catcher Brian McCann on a six-year contract that includes a club option for a seventh season. The new deal runs through 2012. (with an option for 2013).

Thanks to Brad Hainje for the following information...

“We are delighted to have reached this agreement with Brian McCann,” said Braves Executive Vice President and General Manager John Schuerholz. “This is a significant and meaningful development for the Atlanta Braves. It demonstrates the extremely high regard we have for Brian’s ability, character and leadership.”

At just 23 years of age and with less than two full seasons of Major League experience, McCann has become one of the top catchers in the game. He batted .333 with 34 doubles, 24 home runs and 93 RBI in 130 games in 2006. His 58 extra-base hits last season marked the third-highest total by a catcher in Braves history. McCann was named to the National League All-Star team and also captured the Silver Slugger Award, as he was the only Major League catcher to hit .300 with at least 20 home runs in 2006. His 64 RBI after the All-Star break ranked third in the National League and was the most by a big-league catcher since the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Mike Piazza had 73 RBI after the break in 1997.

The deal is said to be worth about $28 million.

Leave Comment | Permanent Link

NCAA 3/16-3/18 Recap and 3/23-3/25 Series of the Week

by Joe Hamrahi on Thu 22 Mar 2007 12:12 AM EDT

Dean is pulling double duty this week. But even as he checks out the Spring Training action in Florida, he refuses to neglect collegiate baseball! In a double issue today, Mr. Jones brings us his NCAA recap for March 16-18 while previewing the upcoming Series of the Week.

Leave Comment | Permanent Link