Fantasy Baseball: Tuesday’s Spring Training Roundup

Here are some thoughts after reviewing Tuesday’s spring training boxscores:

The Met’s Jose Reyes was given clearance to return to the team, and manager Jerry Manuel says he will bat leadoff when he returns. I think he starts the season on the DL, and doesn’t run as much as he did in the past. I have an NL-only draft next Wednesday and wouldn’t draft him until the 4th round. Too much of a risk for me.

Mariner’s starting pitcher Cliff Lee played catch on Tuesday and still feels pain in his strained abdomen. I wrote a piece here earlier this year stating I think Lee will be the 2009 version of Cole Hamels. I see a fall-off in his performance in 2010.

Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard hit two HRs on Tuesday and apparently is standing closer to the plate to allow him to handle the offspeed pitches off the plate. Remember his 2006 season when he hit all those HRs to left field. If he gets that back, he could hit 50 HRs this year. Easily.

Marlins pitcher Ricky Nolasco is picking up where he left off in 2009, as he threw 6 innings of one run ball vs the Orioles, giving up 6 hits and striking out 3. I kept Nolasco at $18 in one of my NL-only leagues as I expect a big season from him in 2010.

Marlins outfielder Cody Ross started and batted 7th, but only got one at bat, as he was replaced by outfield prospect Mike Stanton. Is Ross hurt again?

Braves outfielder Nate McLouth batted 8th on Tuesday, going 1-3 to raise his spring average to .053. Melky Cabrera batted leadoff and played right field.

After the two pitchers who pitched before him gave up 9 runs in 3 innings, Indians pitcher Carlos Carrasco threw 5 shutout innings, giving up only 2 hits and 2 walks while striking out 5. Post-hype sleeper?

In our “All Questions Answered Thread” over at Fake Teams a few days ago, one of our readers asked for some pitching sleepers. He can look no farther than Twins pitcher Carl Pavano. Pavano threw 5 shutout innings vs the Red Sox, giving up only 2 hits and a walk.

Red Sox pitcher Clay Buchholz couldn;t get out of the 2nd inning, giving up 6 runs, 5 earned, on 4 hits and 3 walks.

Tigers outfield prospect Austin Jackson was 3-4 with 2 doubles and a stolen base on Tuesday. He stole 3rd base for his 3rd SB of the spring. Will the Yankees regret dealing him this offseason?