Pre-season Player Projection Blog, March 10, 2008

Good news for Chad Tracy owners. He is expecting to go off of his blood thinning medication on Friday which would mean he could start taking live BP for the first time this spring, possibly as early as the 18^th. He had surgery to repair a microfracture in his right knee near the end of last season. At this point, however you need to plan to start the season without him. It is unlikely he’ll be ready for Opening Day. 

Brandon Webb allowed 4 runs in 4 IP on Sunday and his ERA sits on 6.00 for the spring as a result, but yesterday at least he spent the bulk of the day concentrating on dialing in his curveball, a pitch which he struggled with in his previous outing. Brandon said he wasn’t perfect with his curve on Sunday, but he “felt a lot better” about it. Brandon's spring ERA is the least of your problems.

Josh Beckett (back spasm) felt a lot better when he woke up on Sunday morning, but that was the extent of the good news about Beckett from Vero Beach. Beckett pulled up lame during his first inning warm up set on Saturday after complaining of some back discomfort most of last week. The Red Sox will be ultra cautious with their ace, and that may include holding him out of the Red Sox first series of games against the A’s in Japan. Right now, we are talking back spasms and the first round of tests failed to show any structural problems, so there is little reason to panic at this point. Just be aware that you may not get a start from Josh until the Sox get stateside.

We may see the return of Carlo Beltran to the Mets’ lineup today as their DH. Beltran’s knees feel so good that he said he could play CF on Monday, but the Mets will of course be cautious. This will be his first game action this spring and circumstances point towards Carlos being ready for the start of the Mets season.

Carlos Delgado has reported progress with his impinged hip and he could be in the lineup as the Mets first baseman against the Sox today. Most of the injured Mets including Delgado, Beltran will try bery hard to get into today’s game to try so they can avoid 6 hours of riding on the bus to, and from, Fort Myers tomorrow.

Bartolo Colon threw 43 pitches in minor league BP on Sunday under the watchful eye of pitching coach John Farrell. If he responds well physically today the Sox will allow him to throw up to 30 pitches in an MLB spring training outing on, or about Thursday. Colon threw all of his pitches yesterday and reported that he felt good. John Farrell is concerned about his delivery slowing down a bit when he throws his change, but if that is the worst of it, Bartolo is further along than we all expected him to be. In fact, Colon says his control and velocity are pleasant surprises at this point. 

It appears that the Cubs and Orioles will not agree to a trade that would bring Brian Roberts to Chicago before Opening Day. Given what they are offering (Cedeno, Gallagher and Donnie Veal) the Orioles would be wise to take Roberts into the season and hope for an injury among the contenders. But these things can change quickly and the Orioles aren’t particularly wise, so stay tuned.

Gary Sheffield is likely to be out until Tuesday with leg cramps. Sheff asked into yesterday’s game but Jim Leyland sees no reason to rush him back. No problem here... Mark Sweeney had fluid drained from his left knee this week and he has missed 5 days of action. He is likely to miss a couple more days as well. ... Brad Lidge (knee) is scheduled for two mound sessions this upcoming week with a live BP next weekend. He could be pitching in a spring training game next week and it looks very possible he could be available Opening Day … Nomar will miss a few more days after getting plunked in the hand Friday. There are no bone problems and it is a matter of controlling swelling at this point … Elijah Dukes was hit by a pitch on his left hand Sunday and left the game in the 4^th inning. He appears to be ok. We will wait for reports today but this does not look like a problem …  Freddie Sanchez is expected to test out his surgically repaired shoulder in the field by the end of the week. It is spring so everyone is being cautious, but Freddie is expected to be in the Opening Day lineup…

The Cubs are trying to leverage the Red Sox health issues with Curt Schilling and now Josh Beckett, as well as the Sox desire to limit the innings of Lester and Buchholz. They want to foist Jason Marquis on them in trade for Coco Crisp. Theo wont be going for that. He would want one of the Seans, Gallagher or Marshall in the deal as a starting point.    

The Sox do not feel particularly pressured to make a deal for a starter. Colon is in better shape than we initially expected and they also have Julian Tavares and Kyle Snyder to contribute spot starts. They will not be bullied into a deal for Crisp. Don’t underestimate the fact that Jacoby Ellsbury got off to a slow start this spring either. He is still the Red Sox centerfielder, but his early struggles may have bought Crisp a half a year in Boston unless some team gets hungry.

B.J. Ryan threw 18 pitches in a simulation game Saturday and got three of four batters faced. He will throw one more simulated outing before trying an inning in an exhibition game. It will not be too long before Ryan is in the closing mix, but Jeremy Accardo may still provide some value here and if your league scores holds his value will be enhanced by a few saves opps in the early going.