Astros: Lance Berkman had been hoping to recover from arthroscopic knee surgery in time to play on Opening Day, but he suffered a setback in his rehab Tuesday and will open the season on the DL...Brian McTaggart reports that Felipe Paulino is having back spasms and was having a hard time moving Wednesday morning. He'll be reevaluated Thursday. Infielder Chris Johnson was the final player to make the team, edging out outfielder Jason Bourgeois. The Opening Day roster is now set...Tommy Manzella played in a minor league game Tuesday and remains on pace to be ready for Opening Day...If the Astros enter the ninth inning with a lead on Opening Day, Matt Lindstrom will be the closer.
Brewers: An MRI showed an issue causing cervical disc pain in Jeff Suppan's neck, so he'll open the season on the DL. With that move, the Brewers' Opening Day roster is set, with fifth starter candidates Manny Parra and Chris Narveson both pitching out of the bullpen until a fifth starter is needed around mid-April. During a talk radio appearance yesterday, GM Doug Melvin wouldn't commit to Corey Hart as the everyday starter in right field. Hart has struggled this spring while Jim Edmonds has performed very well, which might lead to Edmonds getting significant playing time in right, especially against right-handed pitching.
Cardinals: Backup catcher Jason LaRue, thrust into a starting role until Yadier Molina returns from his oblique strain, left Tuesday's game and was expected to get a CT scan on his hand Wednesday morning after injuring it during a home plate collision. With both their regular and backup catcher potentially out for Opening Day, the Cardinals have called Matt Pagnozzi and Bryan Anderson, who were expected to split time in AAA, back to major league camp.
Cubs: Chad Tracy has won the final spot on the Cubs roster, beating out Sam Fuld and Micah Hoffpauir, who were returned to AAA, and Kevin Millar, who was released. Tracy has hit .263/.349/.421 this spring, and hit his first Cactus League home run Tuesday.
Pirates: Jason Jaramillo will be the backup catcher behind Ryan Doumit this season, as Erik Kratz was returned to minor league camp Wednesday morning. The Pirates' Opening Day roster is now set.
Reds: Aaron Harang has posted a 9.88 ERA this spring, but told John Fay he feels great and is ready for the season. Harang worked out of trouble in each inning Tuesday and allowed five runs, but says he's been working on a mechanical adjustment this spring.
