Cubs: Derrek Lee, who had to be removed from a game last week with a sore back, was scratched from the lineup Sunday with a bruised foot. He might not return to the lineup until Tuesday...Tyler Colvin was informed he made the team on Sunday: he’s hit .468/.468/.710 in 62 at bats this spring, prompting manager Lou Piniella to tell Carrie Muskat, “If we can’t keep Colvin after the spring he’s had, something’s wrong.”...the team freed up a roster spot Saturday by trading infielder Andres Blanco to the Rangers for a PTBNL or cash. Blanco was out of options and unlikely to make the team...Rule 5 pick Mike Parisi won’t open the season with the team but will remain in the organization: He was offered back to the Cardinals but had the right to refuse an outright assignment to the minors, and re-signed with the Cubs as a free agent.
Around NL Central Spring Training, 3/29: Derrek Lee Sits, Tyler Colvin Stands Out
Astros: Rookie shortstop Tommy Manzella’s quad injury was only supposed to keep him out of action for a week, but his return has been pushed back. He last played on March 20, and is still expected to be ready for Opening Day...reliever Yorman Bazardo underwent an MRI to check for structural damage in his throwing shoulder, but the results came back clean. He hasn’t thrown off a mound since leaving a game with tightness in the joint on March 13...In rare good injury news, Michael Bourn returned to the lineup Saturday after missing a week with a strained oblique. He went 1-for-3 at the plate and reported no issues while playing six innings in center field.
Cardinals: The team optioned Adam Ottavino to the minors on Saturday, more or less cementing their Opening Day pitching staff. Jaime Garcia will likely be the fifth starter, with Kyle McClellan getting the final job in the bullpen...Ryan Ludwick left Sunday’s game early after fouling two balls off his left shin in a third inning at bat against Mike Pelfrey. Ludwick stayed in to finish the AB and hit a home run, but was removed afterwards as a precautionary measure.
Reds: Aroldis Chapman returned to the mound Sunday for the first time since being sidelined with back spasms. He pitched one inning in a minor league game, hitting 97 with his fastball, and told reporters he “felt like before” afterwards...Some recent comments from manager Dusty Baker may suggest the team is leaning towards keeping Travis Wood as the fifth starter. 2009 draft pick Mike Leake is also a candidate, but Baker noted Leake’s inexperience pitching in a five-man rotation.
Brewers: Rickie Weeks and Alcides Escobar stayed home in Maryvale Sunday while the rest of the team made their final trip to Tucson. The team had some issues holding runners on second base on Saturday and manager Ken Macha wanted them to get some extra work on it...Macha has also asked new center fielder Carlos Gomez to work on getting on base. Gomez has excellent speed (he leads all players with ten stolen bases this spring), but has a sub-.300 career OBP...Corey Hart continues to struggle this spring with new corrective lenses. He’s now wearing contacts at the plate and went 1-for-7 over the weekend. On Sunday he went 1-for-3 with a single, but was caught stealing.
Pirates: With Brandon Moss, Ramon Vazquez and Rule 5 selection John Raynor all competing for one roster spot, the team is reportedly considering opening the season with an 11 man pitching staff to create an extra opening on the bench. Sunday’s Grapefruit League game against the Phillies was rained out, but Ross Ohlendorf was pitching in the other half of a split-squad day, so the Pirates’ rotation remains on schedule.
