Spring Training News & Notes, 3/24: Catching Up With Everyone

Blue Jays: The only locks for the bullpen as of now are Kevin Gregg, Jason Frasor and Scott Downs. Casey Janssen has looked solid this spring and could grab one of the remaining spots. ... Edwin Encarnacion and Mike McCoy played in a minor league game today. McCoy could play for the Jays as soon as Friday.

Orioles: What is Cal Ripken Jr., doing nowadays? Just trying to get cops to become Little League coaches. No big deal. ... The Orioles are making a change to their farm system, moving farm director David Stockstill from his current position. Stockstill will move into another position.

Diamondbacks Starter Edwin Jackson has been struggling in spring training, and it seems to be a mechanical issue. A scout who watched Jackson pitch on Sunday said, “He just looked totally out of whack, like he had no rhythm and couldn’t repeat his delivery. Didn’t look like his arm was bothering him.” Velocity was down a few clicks on the gun, though not enough to be a major concern. D-backs pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre Jr. has also said Jackson is struggling with the mechanics.

Dodgers Former fifth starter candidate James McDonald is “not happy” about his demotion. “I don’t want to be in the Minor Leagues. It’s angry, but focused. Don’t be pouting, there’s work to do. Keep working hard, that’s all I can do…but I feel it can fuel myself to keep going and get better.” McDonald feels issues with his off-speed pitches are the main problem, saying “I’m not a hitter, but if I was, I wouldn’t swing at my off-speed pitches.”

Padres Chase Headley is getting re-acquainted with third-base, after two years spent mostly in the outfield. “It’s pretty much what I thought it would be… But it takes a couple of weeks. The really hard ground ball at you, the backhand play, those take you a little longer.” The off-season move of previous incumbent Kevin Kouzmanoff to the Athletics, opened the spot up for Headley to return to the position at which he was drafted in 2005.

Rockies SI’s Jon Heyman has been very impressed with what he has seen of the Rockies this spring. “The Rockies have depth, youth and talent — all for the relatively low payroll of $80 million — and they appear to have no obvious holes,” he says. Heyman also describes them as having “the look of an annual contender.”

Royals: The major news of the day is that highly regarded pitching prospect Danny Duffy is taking a leave of absence and may be leaving baseball. Although less surprising, it is now official: Alex Gordon won’t be on the Opening Day roster. Through it all, unloved Royal OF Mitch Maier has had a nice March.

White Sox: According to South Side Sox, the Opening Day roster for the Pale Hose is all but set, while the official team site reports that all Mark Teahen needed was some extra time in the minors.

Mariners: Cliff Lee’s game of catch didn’t go so well on Tuesday, as he still felt some discomfort in his abdomen. He says it’s getting better, though, and he’ll throw on flat ground again on Thursday...even though it’s only spring training, Ichiro robbed Jeff Mathis of an extra-base hit in Tuesday’s game with one of the better catches of the decade...Chone Figgins and Ichiro have combined for 17 walks and four strikeouts so far this spring, a possible harbinger of annoyance to come for opposing pitchers.

Angels: Scot Shields didn’t pitch the best game of his life on Tuesday, but his body felt nice and healthy...Ervin Santana banged his elbow on a piece of furniture and has an inflamed bursa sac, forcing him to miss a start.

Cardinals: Just two days after undergoing an MRI and receiving a cortisone shot to relieve stiffness in his back, Albert Pujols is back in the lineup for the Cardinals on Wednesday, starting at first base...Julio Lugo, who has been out for ten days with a groin issue, is also in the lineup...Wednesday’s game might be the last chance for fifth starter candidate Rich Hill to make an impression on the organization. The fifth spot will come up at least twice more this spring, but Jaime Garcia is expected to start at least one of those games.

Astros: Reliever Alberto Arias hasn’t pitched in a game since leaving his March 9 appearance with shoulder discomfort, and is expected to open the season on the DL. Brian McTaggart reports that players who open the season on the DL can have that assignment retroactively dated to anytime after Friday, so Arias could be eligible to return as soon as April 10. He posted a 3.35 ERA in 42 relief appearances last season.