Around AL Central Spring Training, 3/29: Robertson Makes His Pitch

Royals: Alberto Callaspo is out of action with a sore right side, and though the team doesn’t think the injury is serious, he may not be healthy by Opening Day...Gil Meche, who was pulled from last week’s start with shoulder soreness, reported no problems throwing 120-foot long toss...Bryan Bullington was re-assigned to minor league camp...Robinson Tejeda will be working out of the bullpen, and not the rotation...Royals Review asks if you could build a decent combination team out of three lousy teams.

Twins: Matt Tolbert, Mike Maroth, Ben Revere, and Danny Lehmann were cut from big league camp. Tolbert’s dismissal paves the way for Alexi Casilla to step in as the last guy on the bench...Jacque Jones had a big spring as he attempted a comeback, but he will not make the Twins...barring a trade, the Twins are prepared to go with a closer-by-committee approach, headed by Jon Rauch.

Indians: Russell Branyan, who still hasn’t appeared in a game so far this spring, will begin the season on the DL with back trouble. Matt LaPorta will get time at first base in Branyan’s absence. Left field will be decided by a competition between Michael Brantley, Austin Kearns, and Trevor Crowe...In Fausto Carmona’s 20 innings this spring, he’s allowed only one run and two walks, and he’s drawing rave reviews...Carlos Carrasco had a rough start on Sunday as he competes for a rotation slot with David Huff...1B/3B Andy Marte may stand to benefit from Branyan’s injury, as the former top prospect, who’s out of options, could serve as a backup at both corners in the early going.

White Sox: Gordon Beckham was scratched from Friday’s game with a sore side, but he should be just fine...Ramon Castro injured his foot while running the bases on Sunday, but he should also be fine. Not a lot of roster questions, here.

Tigers: Daniel Schlereth and Wilkin Ramirez were cut from big league camp...Bobby Seay has a torn rotator cuff in his shoulder. He’s going to try to rehab and work through without getting surgery, but it’s a significant problem. An operation would cost him a year. Phil Coke will take over as Detroit’s top bullpen lefty...Austin Jackson is officially going to be the center fielder and leadoff hitter...Nate Robertson had a solid start on Saturday as he continues to complete with Dontrelle Willis and Jeremy Bonderman for one of the last two rotation slots. So far this spring, Robertson has 19 strikeouts and seven walks in 19.2 innings, Willis has ten and eight in 15, and Bonderman has ten and five in 13. There are rumors that all three are available in trade talks.