Astros: The Astros have now allowed nine or more runs in three of their seven games this spring after losing 16-4 to the Marlins Wednesday. Wandy Rodriguez was victimized by the Marlins, allowing six runs (four earned) on six hits (including two home runs) in three innings. Potential 2010 contributors Felipe Paulino, Wesley Wright and Gary Majewski didn’t fare any better, allowing nine earned runs in three combined innings.
Around NL Central Spring Training, 3/11: Fixing Carlos Gomez
Brewers: New center fielder Carlos Gomez may be as fast as any player in the major leagues, but his tendency to hit the ball in the air has led to a relatively low .309 BABIP over the course of his career. Gomez is working on tweaking his swing to hit more balls on the ground, which could make a major difference in his ability to get on base.
Cardinals: The team may not have to open the season without Brendan Ryan after all. Ryan, recovering from surgery on his right wrist a month ago, has set a March 20 target date for his first at bats of the spring, and is hoping to be used as a pinch runner and defensive replacement before then. That would give him slightly more than two weeks to get ready for Opening Day.
Cubs: Xavier Nady, recovering from Tommy John surgery, went 1-for-2 in his first plate appearances of the spring Wednesday. Nady’s arm won’t be full strength until June, but he can still hit and seems to think he’ll be able to play the outfield in April and May, with some defensive adjustments.
Pirates: Ramon Vazquez, who appeared in 101 games (hitting .230/.335/.279) as a utility infielder for the team last season, has been told that he’s not guaranteed a spot on the Opening Day roster. Vazquez played through torn cartilage in his knee last season and had arthroscopic surgery in November: He now says he wishes he’d had the surgery sooner so he could have played winter ball.
Reds: Mike Lincoln and 2009 top draft pick Mike Leake combined with three other pitchers to throw a three hit shutout against a lineup largely composed of regulars for the Angels Wednesday. Kip Wells walked three batters while pitching the final two innings, but the Reds had allowed just five baserunners before he entered the game. The Reds rode a 5 run eighth to a 6-0 victory.
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