Author: Peter Portero
Date: 03/09/06
Articles Category: Baseball News
Major League Baseball is warming up! Spring Training exhibition games began March 1, and excited fans are getting their first look at how their favorite teams are shaping up for the season. Team USA players seem to have been born to play together; after only their second day of workouts they already seem to be bonding as a team. Manager Buck Martinez reports that they’re upbeat and excited to be playing together, and making his job easy by virtually training each other. Look for good things from them this year.
Nationals' slugger Jose Guillen had good news Saturday; after hurting his wrist overdoing batting practice on Wednesday, a non-sports doctor had recommended an operation to repair the damage. Team docs reviewed Guillen’s MRI and found no tendon damage, just swelling and fluid. With cortisone and a wrist splint, he should be ready for opening day.
The Mets’ Cliff Floyd was thrilled to be named Designated Hitter in the exhibition game against the Nationals on Saturday. The left fielder had a great defensive season last year, though there is talk that Lastings Milledge will replace him in 2006 and Floyd may return to the American League. Meanwhile, Mets pitcher Petro Martinez is training cautiously. His lingering big-toe injury has him practicing in plastic cleats and there is some doubt that he will be ready by opening day.
The Marlins terminated Pokey Reese’s contract Sunday morning; he had been AWOL from camp for three days. Reese was widely expected to start as second base for the Marlins. That position will now probably be held by Rule 5 pickup Dan Uggla.
Finally, on Sunday “Goodwill Ambassador” Tommy Lasorda criticized NY Yankees owner George Steinbrenner for discouraging the participation of his players in the World Baseball Classic. Steinbrenner posted a sign at a Grapefruit League game apologizing to fans for the absence of Yanks Derek Jeter, Johnny Damon and Alex Rodriguez (Team USA) and Bernie Williams (Team Puerto Rico) and saying that the Yankees did not support the WBC event.
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