Weekend Run Down

We are just a few days into Spring Training 2012 and the news is flowing out of Florida and Arizona as players begin to work out all of the rust accumulatted over the winter.  Catchers and pitchers reported last week and the remaining positional players are set to join their clubs as teams prepare for the start of the Spring Training season.  

Among the most notable news from the weekend is the end of Joel Zumaya's 2012 season...the Detroit Tigers former closer-in-waiting signed on with the Minnisota Twins was diagnosed with a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow. If he wants to return to baseball, he will need Tommy John surgery.  Zumaya is considering retirement after this latest setback to his career. 

The Cleveland Indians will be working out pitchers to replace Chris Perez as the team's closer for the short term.  Perez, will likely start the season on the disabled list.  Cleveland’s All-Star closer will miss at least one month and possibly six weeks with a strained left side muscle he injured throwing off the mound for the first time in spring training. Perez said Sunday he had thrown about 30 pitches Thursday when he pulled up with what he thought was a cramp.  Instead, he strained an oblique muscle.

Not sure what I make of the current Josh Hamilton situation in Texas.  The All-Star outfielder and former MVP relapsed this past winter - still you can't deny that the guy has put up the numbers to warrent a long term contract extension.   It'll be interesting to see what Nolan Ryan and the Rangers do with Hamilton during spring training and the regular season.  

I took part in my first ESPN draft of the season last night and here is what my roster looks like:

C	Miguel Montero, Ari C
1B	Michael Morse, Wsh 1B, OF
2B	Ryan Roberts, Ari 2B, 3B
3B	Brett Lawrie, Tor 3B  DTD
SS	Elvis Andrus, Tex SS  DTD
2B/SS	Dustin Ackley, Sea 2B
1B/3B	Adam Lind, Tor 1B
OF	Jacoby Ellsbury, Bos OF
OF	Justin Upton, Ari OF
OF	Shin-Soo Choo, Cle OF
OF	Logan Morrison, Mia OF  DTD
OF	Jason Kubel, Ari OF, DH
UTIL	Billy Butler, KC DH
P	Felix Hernandez, Sea SP
P	David Price, TB SP
P	Matt Moore, TB SP
P	Drew Storen, Wsh RP
P	Yu Darvish, Tex SP
P	Ryan Madson, Cin RP
P	Brandon League, Sea RP
P	Tyler Clippard, Wsh RP
P	Jim Johnson, Bal RP  DTD
Bench	Jesus Montero, Sea DH
Bench	Bryce Harper, Wsh OF
Bench	Phil Hughes, NYY SP

Can't say that I have displeased with the results of this draft.   Team is young and has the potential to boast quite a few breakout players.   Harper was selected in the 23rd round.  I tried to resist drafting him, but given that he was there in round 23, I couldn't really resist.