Justin Verlander says Tigers manager Jim Leyland can relax if he is worried about his ace trying to do too much to justify his big contract. “I can’t give any more than I’ve been giving,” Verlander said Sunday. He has a point. The 27-year-old right-hander led the major leagues in games started (35), innings pitched (240), strikeouts (269) and total pitches (3,937).
Archive for February, 2010
Romero, Lidge hope to be ready by opener (AP)
In 2008, they comprised the back end of the best bullpen in baseball on the season’s best team. Last year, J.C. Romero and Brad Lidge had the worst seasons of their respective careers, dealing with injuries and other off-field distractions. After a winter filled with surgeries and soul-searching, the two were back on neighboring mounds Sunday in the Phillies’ bullpen for the first time in a…
Outfield could again hold key for Cubs (AP)
With Milton Bradley moping, Alfonso Soriano limping and Kosuke Fukudome whiffing, the 2009 Chicago Cubs were done in by their $214 million outfield. Bobby Scales was called up after 10 1/2 years in the minors and asked to save the day. Jake Fox was all-hit, no field. Sam Fuld was all-field, no-power. First baseman Micah Hoffpauir, thrown into the outfield to supply offense, batted .239.
Rangers’ Borbon has lead for CF job (AP)
Texas Rangers manager Ron Washington said the center field and leadoff starting jobs are Julio Borbon’s to lose. “For me, Borbon is in the same position that (shortstop) Elvis Andrus was last year,” Washington said Sunday. “It’s up to us to keep him relaxed and let him be who he is.” Borbon made his debut with the Rangers last season as a substitute for an injured Josh…
Ruiz, 32, hopes to stick with Blue Jays (AP)
Randy Ruiz had bounced around the minors for 10 years before getting his first taste of the majors. This year he hopes to stick with one club: the Toronto Blue Jays. He knows from experience, though, not to get his hopes up too high. “I put no pressure on myself,” Ruiz said Saturday. “I would love to be up there with the club but right now I’m just going to have fun and try to do…
Chipper says he could retire after 2010 (AP)
An offseason of reflection hasn’t softened Chipper Jones’ stance. The Atlanta Braves’ third baseman still says he will walk away from the game if he can’t bounce back from a disappointing season. Jones, who will turn 38 in April, said this week he won’t hang around just to collect a paycheck if he’s no longer playing up to the standards which have made him one of the best…
Baez, Contreras together again in Philly (AP)
When word first started spreading that veteran pitcher Jose Contreras was joining the Philadelphia Phillies last month, no one was happier than Danys Baez. This was no ordinary new teammate for Baez. Hardly. Contreras’ signing with the Phillies completed a remarkable reunion of two men who escaped Cuba and found success in the major leagues.
Lots of rotation questions for Mets (AP)
The top of the New York Mets’ rotation is in good hands again, with Johan Santana looking healthy this spring after season-ending elbow surgery last year. After Santana, well, there’s a lot of ifs, maybes and question marks. Mike Pelfrey regressed last year after a promising 2008 season. John Maine has struggled to stay on the field.
Henderson to show A’s how to steal bases (AP)
Hall of Famer Rickey Henderson arrived at the Oakland Athletics’ spring training facilities Saturday and at least a two dozen A’s were listening intently as he spoke on stealing bases, among other subjects. A’s manager Bob Geren said Henderson’s focus will be on the basepath, but he won’t be limited.
Samardzija hopes to catch on with Cubs (AP)
When most sports fans talk about Jeff Samardzija, they mention the agile receiver who used to catch Brady Quinn’s touchdown passes at Notre Dame. Then, as an afterthought: “Oh, and isn’t he trying to pitch for the Chicago Cubs?” As much as he loves a good football conversation, Samardzija wants this to be the year people are talking baseball when he is the subject.
