sportsillustrated.cnn.com
Mark Prior, who missed the first two months last season because of elbow problems, has irritation to the ulnar nerve and inflammation in his right elbow joint. Prolonged rest or surgery are the two most common outcomes with ulnar-nerve problems, casting doubts on whether the hard-throwing right-hander can be ready for the first week of the season with Opening Day less than three weeks away.
-- Chicago Sun-Times
Cubs GM Jim Hendry said Prior saw an elbow specialist over the weekend and had a precautionary MRI Sunday. "There is no damage to the nerve," Hendry said.
-- Chicago Tribune
Kerry Wood, out with bursitis in his right shoulder, played catch from flat ground Monday. Pitching coach Larry Rothschild said Wood felt fine and that if he is feeling well Tuesday morning, he'd possibly play catch again. Rothschild added that it's possible Wood could throw a side session from a pitching mound Wednesday.
-- Chicago Tribune
With the Cubs' staff possibly depleted by the injuries to Wood and Prior, trade talks could begin heating up. The Mets are reportedly talking to Detroit about former closer Ugueth Urbina, in whom the Cubs deny having any interest.
-- Chicago Tribune
An MRI exam to Mariano Rivera's right elbow revealed the Yankees prized closer has mild bursitis. The prognosis isn't terrible -- Joe Torre said he hopes Rivera can throw a side session by Friday and can pitch in a game by Sunday -- but any situation involving Rivera is always a lump-in-the-throat scenario for the Bombers, who already were proceeding slowly with Rivera because he did not throw all winter.
-- New York Daily News
Astros GM Tim Purpura would like to add a true center fielder via a trade, but he doesn't believe the team is in a "desperate situation by any stretch." He would also like to add another arm to the bullpen and perhaps even find an end-of-the-rotation starter. "We've had our conference calls with our scouts the last few days, and now we're starting to move into motion a little bit contacting other clubs to see how they feel about their club and any changes they might make," Purpura said.
-- Houston Chronicle
The bullpen has been one of the Devil Rays' strengths, and they don't want to make many changes. But their relievers have been attracting most of the trade interest, so a shakeup is possible. Lance Carter, Trever Miller, Bobby Seay and Jorge Sosa are probably the most likely candidates to be traded. If the right bigger deal came along, the Rays could also consider moving closer Danys Baez.
-- St. Petersburg Times
Kevin Cash, who was to be the Rays backup catcher, got off to another slow start at the plate. If Cash doesn't show he can hit, the Rays could consider Pete Laforest, a left-hander with some power, or revisit the idea of acquiring veteran Charles Johnson, who will be released by Colorado at the end of the spring.
-- St. Petersburg Times
A decision involving Chan Ho Park might not be quite as imminent as thought. Park rolled through a depleted Angels lineup, retiring 11 of 12 hitters he faced. "He looked great," the beaming owner Tom Hicks said. Manager Buck Showalter agreed, although not without a strong dose of skepticism over the $65 million pitcher whose spot on the Opening Day roster remains in doubt.
-- Fort Worth Star-Telegram
The Rangers have investigated a trade for Kansas City DH Mike Sweeney, but only on a superficial level. Ivan Schwartz, the agent for OF Kevin Mench , met with Rangers assistant GM Jon Daniels but came away no closer to a deal than two weeks ago when Mench's contract was renewed at last year's $345,000 salary.
-- Dallas Morning News
Brewers GM Doug Melvin expects to meet with Casey Close, the agent for right-hander Ben Sheets, at the end of the week. The sides will open talks for a multi-year contract extension for Sheets.
-- Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Phillies closer Billy Wagner yesterday reiterated his thoughts about retiring after this season unless a team comes to him with a multiyear deal worth annually something similar to his 3-year, $27 million deal that is in its final year.
-- Philadelphia Daily News
Tigers right-hander Franklyn German continued his spring bid to make the team, pitching two shutout innings to save a 3-2 victory. If German doesn't make the Opening Day team, he can be claimed on waivers by any other club.
-- Detroit Free Press
Rockies GM Dan O'Dowd has not spoken with any club recently about acquiring relief help. The team remains interested in Byung-Hyun Kim. But O'Dowd called speculation he recently offered starter Jason Young to Boston off base.
-- Denver Post
The Mariners could trade outfielder Randy Winn for pitching, or for Mike Cameron.
-- Seattle Times
With Edgar Renteria's presence effectively blocking top prospect Hanley Ramirez's path at shortstop for the next four years, top prospect Ramirez could be shifted. While second base is an option, the more intriguing possibility is center field, where his athleticism and range could shine most.
-- Providence Journal
Mark Prior, who missed the first two months last season because of elbow problems, has irritation to the ulnar nerve and inflammation in his right elbow joint. Prolonged rest or surgery are the two most common outcomes with ulnar-nerve problems, casting doubts on whether the hard-throwing right-hander can be ready for the first week of the season with Opening Day less than three weeks away.
-- Chicago Sun-Times
Cubs GM Jim Hendry said Prior saw an elbow specialist over the weekend and had a precautionary MRI Sunday. "There is no damage to the nerve," Hendry said.
-- Chicago Tribune
Kerry Wood, out with bursitis in his right shoulder, played catch from flat ground Monday. Pitching coach Larry Rothschild said Wood felt fine and that if he is feeling well Tuesday morning, he'd possibly play catch again. Rothschild added that it's possible Wood could throw a side session from a pitching mound Wednesday.
-- Chicago Tribune
With the Cubs' staff possibly depleted by the injuries to Wood and Prior, trade talks could begin heating up. The Mets are reportedly talking to Detroit about former closer Ugueth Urbina, in whom the Cubs deny having any interest.
-- Chicago Tribune
An MRI exam to Mariano Rivera's right elbow revealed the Yankees prized closer has mild bursitis. The prognosis isn't terrible -- Joe Torre said he hopes Rivera can throw a side session by Friday and can pitch in a game by Sunday -- but any situation involving Rivera is always a lump-in-the-throat scenario for the Bombers, who already were proceeding slowly with Rivera because he did not throw all winter.
-- New York Daily News
Astros GM Tim Purpura would like to add a true center fielder via a trade, but he doesn't believe the team is in a "desperate situation by any stretch." He would also like to add another arm to the bullpen and perhaps even find an end-of-the-rotation starter. "We've had our conference calls with our scouts the last few days, and now we're starting to move into motion a little bit contacting other clubs to see how they feel about their club and any changes they might make," Purpura said.
-- Houston Chronicle
The bullpen has been one of the Devil Rays' strengths, and they don't want to make many changes. But their relievers have been attracting most of the trade interest, so a shakeup is possible. Lance Carter, Trever Miller, Bobby Seay and Jorge Sosa are probably the most likely candidates to be traded. If the right bigger deal came along, the Rays could also consider moving closer Danys Baez.
-- St. Petersburg Times
Kevin Cash, who was to be the Rays backup catcher, got off to another slow start at the plate. If Cash doesn't show he can hit, the Rays could consider Pete Laforest, a left-hander with some power, or revisit the idea of acquiring veteran Charles Johnson, who will be released by Colorado at the end of the spring.
-- St. Petersburg Times
A decision involving Chan Ho Park might not be quite as imminent as thought. Park rolled through a depleted Angels lineup, retiring 11 of 12 hitters he faced. "He looked great," the beaming owner Tom Hicks said. Manager Buck Showalter agreed, although not without a strong dose of skepticism over the $65 million pitcher whose spot on the Opening Day roster remains in doubt.
-- Fort Worth Star-Telegram
The Rangers have investigated a trade for Kansas City DH Mike Sweeney, but only on a superficial level. Ivan Schwartz, the agent for OF Kevin Mench , met with Rangers assistant GM Jon Daniels but came away no closer to a deal than two weeks ago when Mench's contract was renewed at last year's $345,000 salary.
-- Dallas Morning News
Brewers GM Doug Melvin expects to meet with Casey Close, the agent for right-hander Ben Sheets, at the end of the week. The sides will open talks for a multi-year contract extension for Sheets.
-- Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Phillies closer Billy Wagner yesterday reiterated his thoughts about retiring after this season unless a team comes to him with a multiyear deal worth annually something similar to his 3-year, $27 million deal that is in its final year.
-- Philadelphia Daily News
Tigers right-hander Franklyn German continued his spring bid to make the team, pitching two shutout innings to save a 3-2 victory. If German doesn't make the Opening Day team, he can be claimed on waivers by any other club.
-- Detroit Free Press
Rockies GM Dan O'Dowd has not spoken with any club recently about acquiring relief help. The team remains interested in Byung-Hyun Kim. But O'Dowd called speculation he recently offered starter Jason Young to Boston off base.
-- Denver Post
The Mariners could trade outfielder Randy Winn for pitching, or for Mike Cameron.
-- Seattle Times
With Edgar Renteria's presence effectively blocking top prospect Hanley Ramirez's path at shortstop for the next four years, top prospect Ramirez could be shifted. While second base is an option, the more intriguing possibility is center field, where his athleticism and range could shine most.
-- Providence Journal
