3/02/2007

Players who have improved physically

 

Every year we hear about players who come into camp with an improved physique. It sure makes for great chatter around the water cooler, but does it really have an effect on a player's performance? Unfortunately we don't have an answer for that. To date, there is no empirical research to support the notion that an improvement in stature increases player performance.

 

However, logic dictates that there should be some benefit resulting from an improved off season regiment. There is little doubt (in my mind at least) that increased muscle mass improves both strength and stamina. While losing weight (in over-weight body types) can aid stamina, and ease the strain on ailing joints.

 

Besides the obvious physical benefits, we're dealing with an active change in a player's lifestyle. A change that probably took a considerable amount of sacrifice. It's not a stretch to believe that such motivation could/should translate into some improvement on the field of play.

 

For what it's worth, here's a quick and dirty list of players (reported through the media) who have come into training camp this year with an improved physique:

 

The "Gainers":

1B Todd Helton gained 30 lbs, Yoga

3B Adrian Beltre bigger biceps, bigger forearms

OF Lastings Milledge adds 15 lbs of upper body mass

P Noah Lowery 10 lbs of upper body muscle

DH David Ortiz adds upper body mass

2B Ian Kinsler adds 20+ lbs to lower body

OF Nick Swisher gains 20 lbs of muscle

SS Jose Reyes adds to upper body mass

OF Shane Victorino adds 15 lbs of upper body mass

 

The "Losers":

OF Jason Kubel slims down 10 pounds

P Kerry Wood lost 30 lbs

2B Dustin Pedroia drops 25 pounds

3B Alex Rodriguez drops 10-12 pounds

P Brett Myers drops 32 pounds

P Andruw Jones slims down 10 pounds

3B Jose Castillo slims down 15-20

P Felix Hernandez drops 20 lbs

RP Bobby Jenks drops 25 lbs

P Aaron Harrang drops 17 lbs

OF Terrmel Sledge drops 15 lbs

RP Ryan Dempster drops 20 lbs

P CC Sabathia appears to have lost weight.

 

 

Here are some press notes from the team beat writers this morning:

Griffey takes BP
Griffey Jr., Ken - Cin/OF: The Cincinnati Enquirer reports that "Ken Griffey Jr. took batting practice Thursday at Ed Smith Stadium. He took six rounds, 45 swings total. He had no problems. "That's real good news," Narron said. Griffey had not taken live batting practice all spring. He was still recovering from the broken left hand he suffered during the offseason. If Griffey has no adverse reaction from the session, there's plenty of time for him to get ready. He's been able to participate in all drills, except hitting."

Dustin Hermanson : Possible Reds Closer
Reds - Cin/T: According to the Cincinnati Enquirer, "The Reds have agreed to terms with right-hander Dustin Hermanson on a minor-league contract. But he could have a major impact.  "If he's healthy," Reds manager Jerry Narron said. "We have someone else to pitch at the end of the game." The Reds wanted to make sure Hermanson was healthy. He passed a physical Thursday in Cincinnati. "We wanted (our doctors) to sign off on it," Reds general manager Wayne Krivsky said. "He checked out. So rather than flying back to Scottsdale, he's flying to Sarasota." Hermanson is a potential solution to the Reds' closer situation."

Murton / Floyd platoon a likely senerio
Murton, Matt - ChN/OF: The Arlington Daily Herald reports that "The way many Cubs fans and statistically oriented observers see it, Thursday's lineup looked just fine with Matt Murton batting second. Murton is a right-handed hitting left fielder who batted .297 with a solid on-base percentage of .365 last year. Murton will share time with the left-handed hitting Cliff Floyd, meaning manager Lou Piniella will have to come up with different No. 2 hitters. The candidates include shortstop Cesar Izturis (.295 OBP last year), right Jacque Jones (.334), second baseman Mark DeRosa (.357) and catcher Michael Barrett (.368). ... Whoever bats second, Piniella said the Cubs won't hit-and-run much, instead preferring to allow Soriano to steal. Murton was 0-for-2 in Thursday's 9-2 loss to the Giants."

Charlie "Huff" Haeger making an impression in White Sox' camp
Haeger, Charlie - ChA/P: The Arlington Daily Herald reports that "Ozzie Guillen watched the White Sox' split-squad team play the Colorado Rockies at Hi Corbett Field on Thursday. The Sox blew an early lead and lost 4-3, but Guillen was impressed with Charlie Haeger. The knuckleballer pitched 2 scoreless innings. In Monday's intrasquad game, Haeger also pitched 2 innings and allowed 1 run on 3 hits. ... Haeger entered camp as a candidate for the fifth starter's spot, but Guillen is envisioning the 23-year-old pitcher in a relief role."

Jenks Improving
Jenks, Bobby - ChA/RP: According to the Chicago Sun-Times, "Closer Bobby Jenks, who had to leave Wednesday's game after nine pitches because of tightness in his right shoulder, had a day off from throwing Thursday but is expected to resume his throwing program today. If all goes well in his side work, Jenks is scheduled to pitch against the Cubs on Sunday in Mesa. ''It feels good,'' Jenks said. ''It was like we expected. The muscles released, so I've got full flexibility, which is good for me. ''If we're good [today], we're still on the same schedule; other than throwing Saturday, I'll throw Sunday.''

Rot Halladay solid in first outing of the spring

Halladay, Roy - Tor/P: The Toronto Sun reports that "Ace Roy Halladay threw two scoreless innings and said his forearm problems from late last season are a thing of the past. ... Halladay, throwing nothing but sinking fastballs and changeups, gave up just the Hinske double, the only solid contact against him. The tightness in his forearm that cost him his final few starts last year hasn't been an issue for a while, he said, a big relief to the Blue Jays. ... Halladay wants to use his fastball, which he sinks, and the changeup more often this season instead of his cutter to ease the strain on his arm."

Eric Gagne returns to workouts, but won't be pitching in a game until mid March?
Gagne, Eric - Tex/RP: As the Dallas Morning News reports, "The Rangers don't expect to see closer Eric Gagne in a game before the middle of the month. The rest of the American League can wait until April. Manager Ron Washington said the Rangers won't pitch Gagne, who has spent his entire career in the National League, against any AL clubs this spring. ... Gagne returned to workouts Thursday after missing most of the last two days with a stomach virus."

Jose Lopez could be ready for action in 2 weeks
Lopez, Jose - Sea/2B: According to the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, "Second baseman Jose Lopez is taking grounders and hitting in the batting cage, but he's probably 10 days or more from being game-ready."

Jose Guillen looks healthy this Spring
Guillen, Jose - Sea/OF: The Seattle Times reports that "Jose Guillen went hitless in four at-bats but smoked a couple of balls the opposite way to right his final two times up. The first of those ended with right fielder Will Venable make a twisting, diving catch in the fifth inning. "That's something I wasn't doing last year," Guillen said of hitting to the opposite field. "That's how I know my elbow is good." Guillen will continue throwing drills today with some 150-foot efforts."

Kouzmanoff off to a good start
Kouzmanoff, Kevin - SD/3B: As the San Diego Union-Tribune reports, "Kevin Kouzmanoff pulled a sharp single to left field, driving in the Padres' first run. "It felt good to be out there,"Kouzmanoff said. Acquired for popular second baseman Josh Barfield in November, Kouzmanoff mentioned that he "got some fan support. Somebody said, 'Hey, Kouzmanoff, welcome to the Padres.' "

Peavy: "Arm feels Strong"
Peavy, Jake - SD/P: According to the San Diego Union-Tribune, "Ailments and injuries continue to find Peavy, who has made joking references to mishaps such as slicing his hand on an opened can of beans and stubbing his toe on a couch. After throwing 19 pitches yesterday, Peavy said he "didn't feel very good"because of a sinus ailment that has flared up in Arizona. "It was tough to get the adrenaline going,"he said. Peavy overcame two singles in the first inning. He regretted the plunking of Kenji Johjima to lead off the second. ... Coming off a season in which he received cortisone shots in his shoulder and underwent the first MRI exam of his career, Peavy worked with a personal trainer in the offseason and said his arm feels strong."

Fielder has Quad Injury, could miss some spring action
Fielder, Prince - Mil/1B: According to the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, "First baseman Prince Fielder was scratched from the starting lineup for the Brewers' exhibition opener Thursday against Oakland with tightness in his left quadriceps. Assistant general manager Gord Ash said Fielder could be sidelined up to a week. Though Fielder said he "wasn't sure" the problem was the result of the 60-yard dash all position players were required to run Wednesday, he began experiencing the tightness shortly afterward. ... Fielder hoped to take batting practice in the morning workout but backed off when he couldn't get the quad loose."

Lee Missing time, could open the door for Dmitri Young
Lee, Travis - Was/1B: As the Washington Post reports, "Washington Nationals first baseman Travis Lee has been held out of drills with a strained oblique muscle on his right side, and Lee won't be able to participate in the first several games of Grapefruit League action, beginning Friday against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Vero Beach. ... Lee is playing soft-toss, but said he's best off being cautious. "If you push it and it blows," he said, "I'm done." Lee, a nine-year veteran, is in competition with prospect Larry Broadway and perhaps Dmitri Young, who remains in minor league camp, to be the Opening Day first baseman."

Top Brewers prospect Ryan Braun, making for job
Milwaukee's Ryan Braun homered twice -- a three-run shot off Jason Windsor and a grand slam off Scott Dunn - and finished with seven RBI.
 

Victorino and his new body mass: off to a good start
Victorino, Shane - Phi/OF: Shane Victorino went 2-for-3 in the No. 2 hole and looked very good."

Reyes going long ball in Game 1 of the spring
Reyes, Jose - NYN/SS: As the Newark Star-Ledger reports, "Jose Reyes' sixth-inning solo homer tied the game and Anderson Hernandez's RBI single in the seventh gave the Mets the lead. Carlos Beltran had two hits and drove in a run."

Pedro Martinez could be cleared to start tossing the baseball
Mets - NYN/T: According to the Newark Star-Ledger, "David Altchek, the Mets orthopedic surgeon, is due in camp today and will examine both Pedro Martinez and Duaner Sanchez. While Martinez is months away from returning following rotator cuff surgery, it's possible he could be cleared to begin throwing. Sanchez, recovering from shoulder surgery last Aug.1, hopes he'll be allowed to begin throwing off a mound."

Pavano back on track
Pavano, Carl - NYA/P: According to the New York Post, "Carl Pavano will make his next scheduled start. After throwing well in the bullpen yesterday and experiencing no problem with his left foot, the oft-injured right-hander is in line to start Sunday against the Phillies in Clearwater. ... Pavano hasn't made a scheduled start for the Yankees since June 2005. Since then, he has been sidelined by shoulder, back, buttock, elbow and rib problems."

Here comes Jason Kubel
Kubel, Jason - Min/DH: The St. Paul Pioneer Press reports that "If the Twins still had any doubts about Jason Kubel's knees, they don't after Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the New York Yankees. Kubel, coming off two lost seasons because of knee injuries, continued to show he is a new man by making a highlight-reel diving catch in left field. The fact Kubel sprinted all-out before diving to catch Robinson Cano's sinking line drive in the third inning showed the Twins he is finally healthy. Manager Ron Gardenhire had said early in the week that the only thing he hadn't seen Kubel do was run all-out. ... Kubel is projected to be the everyday designated hitter and Rondell White the starting left fielder. The Twins still view Kubel as their left fielder of the future. But they re-signed White in the offseason not knowing how healthy Kubel would be. Kubel said he came to camp looking to win a spot in the field. ... Kubel's emergence is timely, considering the Twins are uncertain how long backup outfielder Lew Ford will be out with a knee injury."

Josh Johnson could be lost for a significant portion of the season
Johnson, Josh - Fla/P: According to the Miami Herald, "The Marlins continue to remain hopeful that right-hander Josh Johnson's arm injury isn't so severe that he'll be required to miss a major chunk of the season. But they're also bracing for any outcome, including the possibility that he has nerve damage in his right arm, just above his elbow. ... Johnson said he plans to have another magnetic resonance imaging performed on the arm today. If the tests reveal a damaged nerve, he could miss the first half of the season, if not longer. ... Previous tests on Johnson have ruled out any structural damage."

Mike Maroth looks to be fully recovered
Maroth, Mike - Det/P: As the Detroit News reports, "Maroth backed up Thursday what he's been saying for a week, that he's fully recovered from last year's surgery on his left elbow. He threw two scoreless innings in his start against the Philadelphia Phillies, a game the Tigers won 9-7 at Marchant Stadium. And while his patience with questions after the appearance was sufficient to get him through the expected barrage, it's easy to see Maroth wants to put the entire issue behind him as quickly as possible."

Let the Torrealba / Lopez / Iannetta contest begin
Torrealba, Yorvit - Col/C: According to the Denver Post, "After two stints on the disabled list last season because of an injured shoulder, Yorvit Torrealba said Thursday he'll be ready to challenge base-stealers. "My shoulder is pain-free and working good," he said. "It's not where I want it to be, but it's getting better every day. It's definitely way better than it was all of last year. I think by opening day it's going to be 100 percent, maybe even before then." Torrealba is competing with 36-year-old Javy Lopez and rookie Chris Iannetta for two spots on the roster. ... In Wednesday's Cactus League opener, Lopez was 0-for-3 against White Sox base-stealers. In the Rockies' 4-3 victory over Chicago on Thursday, Iannetta was charged with an error when he skipped a throw trying to catch Aaron Cunningham stealing second."

Cliff Lee Sidelined with a strained abdominal muscle
Lee, Cliff - Cle/P: According to the Akron Beacon Journal, "Cliff Lee will be on the sidelines for a while, although Indians officials hope that he misses only a few days with a strained abdominal muscle.``It happened five days ago during his first batting-practice session,'' head trainer Lonnie Soloff said Thursday. ``He threw a bullpen session yesterday for his start tomorrow and felt it again.''Lee will miss his start against the Philadelphia Phillies today, but Soloff doesn't think the left-hander will be absent from the mound for long."

Back Issues: Hanson & Timlin
Red Sox - Bos/T: The Providence Journal reports that "Craig Hansen and Mike Timlin are each battling back stiffness, but their outlooks on dealing with the spring setbacks are different. Hansen, a first-round draft pick in 2005, is growing increasingly frustrated by his relative inactivity. Hansen (bulging disc) has played catch, but isn't sure when he'll be able to throw off the mound for five days, putting a crimp in whatever chances he had of pushing aside a quartet of veterans and landing the Sox' closing job. Timlin, who turns 41 on March 10, said his back is feeling better, but despite his opportunity to claim the closer's role, the right-hander knows he has to be patient and listen to his body."

Randy Johnson Tosses: Could be ready for April
Johnson, Randy - Ari/P: According to the Arizona Daily Star, "Randy Johnson threw his third bullpen session of spring training on Thursday. He threw 55 pitches and said he might be ready to make his first regular-season start in April. He is scheduled to throw again Sunday and said he could throw batting practice as early as next week. "Everything's kind of coming along, and I'm seeing progress," said Johnson, who underwent back surgery in October."

Webb solid without Sinker
Webb, Brandon - Ari/P: The Arizona Daily Star reports that "Throwing all fastballs except for one change-up, Webb allowed one hit and an unearned run in two innings in Arizona's 8-5 victory over the Chicago White Sox. He struck out one."

Betemit losing ground on the field
Betemit, Wilson - LAN/3B: As the Los Angeles Times reports, "Third baseman Wilson Betemit took spring rustiness to an extreme Thursday, misplaying three ground balls in four innings of the Dodgers' 7-2 loss to the Atlanta Braves in a Grapefruit League opener. Betemit pretty much grew up with the Braves, signing (illegally) at 15 in 1996, breaking into the major leagues in 2001 and batting .305 in 2005. He was traded to the Dodgers at midseason last year for Willy Aybar and Danys Baez.But Betemit looked anything but comfortable Thursday, reacting slowly to field a ground ball that was scored a single in the first inning and booting ground balls for errors in the third and fourth. ... Betemit's strength is his power - 18 home runs in 373 at-bats last season - but if he's a defensive liability he'll risk losing his job to Andy La Roche."

Santana prime for breakout season
Santana, Ervin - LAA/P: The Los Angeles Times reports that "Ervin Santana looked sharp, throwing two hitless innings, striking out two."
 

There are over 100 press news items similar to the news above posted in the member section. If you are not already a member, take a look at some of what we offer.

---