Around NL Central Spring Training, 3/24: Pujols Back In The Lineup

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.

Cubs: Aramis Ramirez returned to action yesterday for the first time since leaving a game with soreness in his triceps nearly two weeks ago, going 2-for-3 as a designated hitter. Ramirez is expected to play third base again sometime this week.

Brewers: The Brewers trimmed three more pitchers from camp yesterday, but none took it harder than veteran lefty Scott Schoeneweis, who was released after rejecting the team’s offer of a spot in AAA. Schoeneweis told Adam McCalvy he wasted a month of his time in Brewer camp and seems to think the Brewers released him because his wife died last season. The lefty had posted a 7.71 ERA in seven Cactus League outings.

Pirates: The team officially announced Zach Duke as their Opening Day starter yesterday. Duke has posted a 5.40 ERA in three Grapefruit League appearances this spring, but led the Pirates with 213 innings pitched last season, and finished third in the NL with three complete games.

Reds: Yesterday was an off day in Reds camp, but Mark Sheldon clarified a detail in Aroldis Chapman’s six year deal with the team: If Chapman is eligible for arbitration after three years (which he likely would be if he makes his major league debut before mid-May), the final three years of the deal are voided. Chapman would still be under Reds control for three more years, but his salary could be determined via arbitration.