- It was too good to last. The string of good health for Cole Hamels may be coming to an end. The Phillies ace headed back to Philadelphia yesterday and will be examined by the team doctor today. Hamels has been complaining of soreness in his pitching elbow in between innings and during his time off. The elbow is not giving him problems during his pitching routine, possibly a good sign. Phillies GM Ruben Amaro says Hamels could miss his scheduled opening day start but that nothing is certain until after the examination. UPDATE: Todd Zolecki has passed on some news on Hamels' elbow... there is no structural damage and everything looks fine. The team may decide to shut him down for a week or two as a precautionary measure but he does not need any form of surgery at this time. We can all exhale now. The 700 Level & Nittanydelphia]
- C Ivan "Pudge" Rodriguez is close to a deal with the Houston Astros. Rodriguez has been a strong performer for Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic and Astros scouts now think he can play at a high level for at least one more year in the majors. He would immediately upgrade the Houston catching contingent which is composed of primarily young and untested players - J.R. Towles, Humberto Quintero - not truly ready for MLB action.
- Braves third baseman Chipper Jones has aggravated his oblique injury and has left the Team USA squad. Not that it matters much for the U.S. Jones was an abysmal 0-10 with 6 Ks. Good riddance; keep that up this season!
- The Yankees received some good injury news when second baseman Robinson Cano and pitcher Damaso Marte were told their shoulder injuries were nothing serious. They'll miss limited time.
- Two former Mets players have been signed to manage minor league clubs for the organization. The ageless Julio Franco (now 50) will manage the Gulf Coast League Mets. Franco played 23 seasons in the majors. Former major league catcher and Philadelphia native Mike DiFelice will manage the Kingsport Mets.
- LF Manny Ramirez will miss a week of spring training with a sore hamstring. Ramirez aggravated the muscle Sunday during his first fielding appearance in a spring game. The Dodgers expect the slugger to be ready opening day.
- The World Baseball Classic concludes on Monday. Tonight there are two elimination games on the schedule. The U.S. "hosts" Puerto Rico at 7 PM, with the loser eliminated and the winner advancing to the Pool 2 Championship Game versus Venezuela. At 11 PM Korea "hosts" Japan, the defending World Baseball Classic champions. The winner automatically qualifies for the semifinals, no matter the outcome of the Pool 1 Championship Game on Thursday night. The loser will play Cuba tomorrow at 11 PM in an elimination game.
Brilliant!
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