Oakland Athletics
The San Francisco Chronicle’s Susan Slusser reports Oakland Athletics SP Dallas Braden is likely to start on opening day.
Our Instinct: If you have Braden, I guess this means you have at least one starter going in the first scoring period. This doesn’t make him an Ace though. Braden should probably be a number 4 in most rotations. Don’t take this news to your auction and overpay for him. This means nothing.
Our Instinct: He's vying to playing time in a packed Sox outfield. His bat is ready now to contribute as a bat off the bench but cracking the starting lineup will be tough. More time in AAA is probable until injury strikes JD Drew. Unless JD Drew is hurt already, which he probably is.
The Kansas City Star's Bob Dutton reports Kansas City Royals 3B Alex Gordon (thumb) will miss three to four weeks because of a broken right thumb. The injury occurred Saturday, March 6, when Gordon slid headfirst into second base on an attempted steal. He remained in the game despite feeling pain immediately. The injury will prevent Gordon from swinging a bat or making throws, but he can still do conditioning work and continue to field ground balls in workouts. Manager Trey Hillman said IF Alberto Callaspo will likely get most of the playing time at third base, with 3B Josh Fields also gaining playing time there. Our Instinct: Gordon can't buy luck. Well, at least not the type you'd want for your fantasy 3B. Alberto Callaspo may become relevantagain after all.
The Associated Press reports Kansas City Royals SP Zack Greinke tossed three scoreless innings in his spring debut against the Texas Rangers Friday, March 5, striking out three, giving up one hit and walking none. Our Instinct: Further proof that last year wasn't a fluke. Greinke is an elite pitcher and in 2009 was the best in fantasy baseball, posting a 16-8 record, with 242 k's, 51 walks, and a ridiculous 2.16 era in 229 innings pitched. He should be the poster boy for overcoming depression. Baseball Instinct Premium Members: Check out our BI Precision news on Zack Greinke.
Mets shortstop Jose Reyes plans to undergo tests in New York after doctors in Florida discovered a thyroid imbalance, the team said Friday. (source: USATODAY) Our Instinct: Reyes was cleared on Friday to play, but the Mets decided to send him back to New York to have tests done on Monday. We will monitor the situation, but it doesn't sound like it will cause him to miss the start of the regular season.
Yankees pitcher Dustin Mosely struggled mightily in his spring training debut on Thursday against the Rays. He pitched just 2/3 an inning, allowing two hits and one earned run while walking two. Our Instinct: Mosley, who was with the Angels last season, has no chance to start with the Yankees. It's starting to appear as if he won't even make the 25 man roster.
