Fantasy Baseball: Friday’s Spring Training Roundup

Newly acquired pitcher Cliff Lee has an ab strain and could start the season on the DL. Not much has gone right for Lee since the 2009 World Series. Lee is in his walk year and is looking for Roy Halladay money next offseason.

Cardinals starter Chris Carpenter gave up 7 runs on 10 hits in 4 innings of work yesterday, although he did strike out 5 without walking a batter. I have a feeling fantasy owners will be disappointed with Carpenter and Adam Wainwright this season after all the innings they logged last season.

Marlins outfielder Chris Coghlan was 3-4 with 2 RBI and is hitting .361 this spring. Maybe I will be wrong about him.

Orioles pitcher Brian Matusz held the Phillies hitless for 5+ innings on Friday, giving up only 2 walks and striking out 6. He struck out 10 in his last outing, so he is looking like a nice pitcher to have in 5 x 5 leagues.

Nat's pitcher Stephen Strasburg gave up 2 solo HRs, but struck out 8 and walked none in 4 innings on Friday. He will be sent to AA Harrisburg to start the season. I will be sure to try to see him pitch vs the Trenton Thunder this summer, as the company I work for has season tickets.

Diamondbacks closer Chad Qualls was knocked around for 6 runs on 5 hits and a walk in 1/3rd of an inning on Friday. Juan Gutierrez is the backup closer in Arizona, and fantasy owners should watch how Qualls pitches in his next few outings.

Yankees pitcher CC Sabathia had his best outing of the spring giving up 2 runs in 5+ innings, while striking out 8 and walking 2. Sabathia should be one of the top starter off the board in mixed and AL-only leagues, but don't get frustrated early on as he is usually a slow starter.

A's pitcher Trevor Cahill pitched 5 strong innings giving up 1 run on 5 hits vs the Rockies. The A's have a few young pitchers fantasy owners should target in 2010 drafts, and Cahill is one of them.

The competition for the backup closers job in Colorado heated up as both Manny Corpas and Franklin Morales pitched yesterday, with Morales throwing a scoreless inning, and Corpas giving up a run on 2 hits.