Before I begin, please note that The Roundup is back in a new format that will be updated all day long, everyday. This will include links, quotes, stats ans analysis that do not warrant their own post and an easier way for you, the growing fan base, to consult my daily struggles with insanity.  Today, you can find it here on the blog and front page.

Atlanta    

Scott Spiezio - Signed by the Atlanta Braves to a minor league contract.

The versatile 35-year-old was released by St. Louis in February for an arrest on drunken driving and assault charges.  From MLB.com:

After meeting with Spiezio on Monday afternoon, Braves general manager Frank Wren and manager Bobby Cox gained a sense that the veteran player had already turned his life around.

"We had a good feeling after the meeting that he had taken responsibility for what had happened over this last year," Wren said. "He has been in a [substance-abuse] program, and I think there has been a change in personality and attitude. He was sincerely sorry with everything that has happened, and I think he's committed to making amends and making a change."

The Braves have been looking for a player to provide power off their bench, and they believe Spiezio could fit this role. He will work out with Class A Rome on Tuesday and then report to Triple-A Richmond on Wednesday.

If Spiezio performs well in Richmond, the Braves could promote him to the Majors sometime within the next few weeks.

Spiezio, whose versatility allows him to play second base, third base and both corner outfield positions, hit .269 in 82 games with the Cardinals last year. His season was cut short when he sought treatment for substance-abuse issues.
   
Baltimore    

Camden Chat offers Opening Day quotes on their sites:

"It was expected. If I was in their situation, I would have booed me, too. It was a stupid thing to do. I'm sure the fans have been itching to get at me."

-- Huff, on getting booed for calling Baltimore a "horseshit town" this offseason

"I thought it was hilarious, to be honest with you. I was booing him, too."

-- Kevin Millar

"Guys were laughing at it. Millar actually thought he was going to get a little bit, but he got off light."

-- Huff

"From what I heard, it was a pretty big deal up here, which I didn't realize that much until the next morning after the show was over. In Lauderdale, I didn't get anything, so I figured, 'OK, it'll be all right,' but whew."

-- Huff

"The fans have every right to receive anybody in this ballpark any way they want. Huff's here to play baseball, the fans are here to watch the game and support their team any way they want."

-- Trembley

Alex Cintron - Signed by the Baltimore Orioles to a minor league contract.

A .277/.315/.401 hitter that will be a good acquisition off the bench for the Orioles.  Let's not kid ourselves here, they just need to get through this season and things will be better already in 2009.
    
Cincinnati    

Mike Lincoln - Contract purchased from Louisville (AAA).
Johnny Cueto - Contract purchased from Louisville (AAA).

He had a great Spring, according to many scouts and executives who saw him.  Look at the numbers: 17.2 IP, 16 H, 10 ER, 12 BB, 19 K, 5.06 ERA.  He is one of five players that won spots on the roster, despite not being on the 40-man list.

Saber-Scouting offers an in-depth scouting report on the 22-year-old:

Fastball - Sat at 93-95 effortlessly with great command and late explosion the entire game. Moves it inside, outside, keeps it down, rarely elevated but it was eye level and purposeful when he did. Almost every one had heavy sink, mixed in some with cut, above-average life. Works mostly with four-seamer with late cut and some sink, mixes in occasional two-seamer with more run and sink.  Kept the ball down and overmatched FSL hitters. Clearly his best pitch and he knows it—fun to watch him confidently throw darts at 94-95 pitch after pitch.

Slider - Didn't throw it that much and it was short with late bite, used as a chase pitch low and away to RHH. Didn't get a good look with only a few and thrown in the dirt, but many other reports rave about the slider and he threw at most 5 tonight. Clearly didn't have the feel and stayed away from it because FB/CH was enough. It's probably a future 55 pitch, I just didn't see that so I can't project it.

Changeup - Was his second pitch tonight and while it's an average pitch with fade and sink, he throws it often and with conviction and great command that plays it up. Probably isn't an out-pitch in the big leagues as hitters were cheating and looking fastball, but certainly a good third pitch if the slider is what I think it can be. Good deception and arm speed, almost impossible to pick up.

Mechanics - Simple and quick, similar to Octavio Dotel. High 3/4 arm angle, clean and easy arm action with some deception in delivery—doesn't show the ball in the back. Does a better job than most power pitchers of keeping his front shoulder loaded and not flying open. Some concerns with him spinning of to 1B more times than not and also would periodically land on stiff front leg and have borderline violent recoil (you can see this in the video as well). [Note: it was nowhere near as common of a recoil as in the video–I would guess he's a little lazy early in camp for the video] Given there have been no noted injuries since signing in 2004 despite size and finish, he could just be a freak. Is a good athlete as well.

Jon Coutlangus - Designated for assignment.
Mike Stanton - Designated for assignment.

He had one of his worst WHIP (1.61) and ERA (5.93) in his career last season.
    
Cleveland    

Victor Martinez - Left hamstring injury, day-to-day.

The Indians have Yamid Haad and Wyatt Toregas available at Triple-A Buffalo to back up Kelly Shoppach.
   
From MLB.com:

Martinez left Monday's game against the White Sox in the second inning with left hamstring tightness, suffered when he tried to advance from first base to second on a ball in the dirt. After the game, the Indians did not yet have the results of an MRI performed on the leg. Martinez is listed as day-to-day.

"It's something going on with his hamstring," manager Eric Wedge said. "I have not received a report, outside of the fact that they're taking a look at it."

Kansas City    

David DeJesus - Sprained right ankle, day-to-day.

From MLB.com;

"It happened on the ball that went over his head [Carlos Guillen's double] and he planted to go," manager Trey Hillman said.

DeJesus said he just "tweaked" the previous injury.

"It didn't feel great so I just tried to run it off," DeJesus said. "Nothing's broken or anything like that."

DeJesus led off against the Tigers and grounded out to Guillen at first. He made a catch in the first inning and chased a couple of hits in the second inning.

When DeJesus' turn to bat came in the third inning, Joey Gathright pinch-hit for him.
    
Los Angeles    

Blake DeWitt - Contract purchased from Las Vegas (AAA).

He was ranked 5th in the top prospects list for the Dodger this offseason, by Baseball America.  He has smooth, repeatable swing from the left side of the plate, doesn't run well and has a strong arm for the 3rd base job he just won.  The power might not be enough for the position, but "supporters cite the development of James Loney", who developed plate recognition and great contact abilities, before the power appeared last season.  His .332 OBP in the minors is average and it has decreased to .320 and .327 in the last two years.

That was his first game above AA.

From the LA Times:

With his parents and younger sister visiting from Missouri and in the stands at Dodger Stadium, DeWitt started a double play on the first ball hit to him to end a first-and-third threat by the San Francisco Giants in the second inning.

In the bottom half of the inning, DeWitt singled to left for the first hit of his big league career and scored his first run on a hit by Rafael Furcal.

"Walking up to that plate, I heard my named called and I told myself, 'Be patient, be calm, breathe,' " DeWitt said. "You can get caught not breathing and start shaking a bit."

Brian Falkenborg - Assigned to minor league camp.
Danny Ardoin - Assigned to minor league camp.
Rene Rivera - Assigned to minor league camp.
Mike Koplove - Assigned to minor league camp.
Greg Jones - Assigned to minor league camp.
Ramon Martinez - Assigned to minor league camp.
Tony Abreu - Hernia surgery, 15-day DL.

He was tearing it up last season in AAA with a .908 OPS in 234 AB, but struggled at the plate when he reached the majors, hitting for .271, but with an OBP of .309.  Angel Chavez is taking his spot on the bench and Abreu should be back in 10 days.

Angel Chavez - Contract purchased from Las Vegas (AAA).
    
Milwaukee    

Richie Gardner - Claimed off waivers from the Cincinnati Reds...Optioned to Nashville (AAA).

The tight-handed starter doesn't walk many people and has struck out 314 batters in 394 innings pitched (99 walks) in the minors.  He posted a 3.52 ERA and 1.22 WHIP in 143 innings last season, from High-A to AAA.  He is 26-year-old.

Pittsburgh    

Josh Sharpless - Released by the Pittsburgh Pirates.
    
Washington    

Chad Cordero - Right shoulder tendinitis, day-to-day.

BDD's Brandon Heikoop was on the case yesterday.

Elijah Dukes - Right hamstring injury, 15-day DL.
Chris Schroder - Recalled from Columbus (AAA).

He had a good Spring: 11 IP, 13 H, 5 ER, 4 BB, 13 K.

From CapitolDugout.com:

Schroder showcases three pitches in his repertoire: a changeup, a reliable fastball that he easily hits his spots with, and an ever-improving slider.  Although he likes to use his fastball when he is ahead in the count, he maintains a great deal of versatility in his strategy against hitters.

"For my out-pitch, I like to throw my fastball elevated, you know, throw it up there. For the most part, that's been my pitch that hitters will chase," Schroder said.  "And you know, depending on the hitter, sometimes you try to throw a slider in the dirt."