MLB Update - 3/24/2009

• The Brewers will be without their new closer to start the season. Former Padre Trevor Hoffman will miss the first few days of the season due to a strained right oblique muscle. It is believed that Milwaukee will use a closer-by-committee approach, utilizing Carlos Villanueva and Seth McClung until Hoffman is ready.
• As I just posted, the Marlins have gotten approval - finally - for their own stadium. Marlins Ballpark will sit at the site of the old Orange Bowl and is expected to open in time for the 2012 season. Groundbreaking is expected this July.
• Japan has won their second consecutive World Baseball Classic title, edging Korea 5-3 in 10 innings. I wish Team USA cared about winning this title. I really do.
• Yankees manager Joe Girardi says that 3B Alex Rodriguez is recovering well from March 9th hip surgery. Rodriguez is not expected to appear in a game before May.
• Livan Hernandez is expected to be the Mets 5th starter, at least to start the season. Hernandez was in a competition with a slew of young guns and veterans for the final rotation spot.
• Former pitcher Curt Schilling has officially retired after 23 seasons in the majors. He spent 8.5 years with the Phillies, where he started to gain notoriety. Schilling won a World Series with the Diamondbacks in 2001 and a pair with the Red Sox in 2004 and 2007. Is he Hall of Fame worthy? [Macho Row]
• The Phillies optioned a bunch of players to minor league camps and none were that surprising. Kyle Kendrick - in contention for the 5th starter spot on the Phillies MLB roster - was sent to AAA Lehigh Valley. He has had a disastrous spring. Free agent addition Chan Ho Park and 2008 rookie surprise J.A. Happ are dueling for the final rotation spot.