Mariners: A spring training experiment that has switched Jose Lopez to third base and Chone Figgins to second encountered its first real speed bump on Monday, as Lopez struggled on groundballs, but the team isn’t particularly concerned...Dustin Ackley experienced some growing pains at second as well, but he’s still getting used to the position, and this is par for the course...Felix Hernandez will throw a simulated game Tuesday against live batters...Jack Wilson is out of the lineup Tuesday afternoon, but he’s feeling good and ready to return from his hamstring injury...Franklin Gutierrez, who was having some soreness in his shoulder, is playing his second consecutive game and feels close to full strength...Rob Johnson is nearly ready to catch Cactus League games again after having some soreness in his recovering hip.
Around AL West Spring Training, 3/9: The Human Body Is A Delicate Body
Athletics: Justin Duchscherer, slowed by a bad back, is slated to throw off a mound on Tuesday, while Joey Devine - returning from Tommy John surgery - should throw within a week...Brett Anderson made a successful Cactus League debut on Monday.
Angels: Both Kevin Jepsen and Scot Shields threw successful simulated games Tuesday morning, as Jepsen works his way back from shoulder soreness and Shields works his way back from knee surgery. Both are nearing a return to game action...Hideki Matsui is set to make his spring debut Tuesday afternoon. He’s taking it easy to keep his knees fresh...Torii Hunter remains out of the lineup with a sore right groin. The team isn’t concerned, as Hunter simply broke up some scar tissue from an offseason operation, but they will take things easy for the time being...Scott Kazmir will throw two innings in an intrasquad game on Wednesday as he works his way back from a sore hamstring.
Rangers: The Rangers acquired righty reliever Edwar Ramirez from the Yankees for cash considerations. Ramirez has a high strikeout rate and a dynamite changeup, but he’s a flyball pitcher with a demonstrated home run problem, so Texas may not be the best environment for him...Josh Hamilton, who was delayed with shoulder soreness, made his spring debut Monday...Jarrod Saltalamacchia, who had shoulder surgery late last season, has been scratched on Tuesday with shoulder soreness, but the team believes it’s just aggravated scar tissue...Matt Harrison, who usually threw in the low- to mid-90s, is hitting 97mph, and he credits surgery for thoracic outlet syndrome...Esteban German is impressing and Joaquin Arias is not, as the battle for utility infielder heats up.
