Mar

PRO Rumors: Heyward, Astros Closer, Dodgers fifth starter, Dallas McPherson, Tulowitzki, Chipper, Adrian Gonzalez

By Allan

Happy Thursday! Spring Training is starting and I can almost see the weekend. PRO Rumors will help you get through the next two days.

David O’Brien of The Atlanta Journal Constitution said that 20 year old Jason Heyward made a huge impact with his teammates in the Braves’ Grapefruit League opener. “Everybody knows he belongs. He’s the best 20-year-old I’ve ever seen,”catcher Brian McCann said of Heyward.
Bernanrdo Fallas of The Houston Chronicle says that the competition for the closer spot has yet to begin for the Astros. Right now Matt Lindstrom has the edge since Brandon Lyon has delayed his throwing program due to a cyst in his pitching shoulder. The big problem is that Lyon signed a guaranteed three year, $15 million contract – a lot of money for a setup guy.
The Dodgers have an open competition for the fifth starter sport among Eric Stults, Charlie Haeger, Carlos Monasterios, Scott Elbert, James McDonald, Russ Ortiz and Ramon Ortiz. “It has to be [a spring-wide competition],” manager Joe Torre said. “We’re going to have roster issues when you’re talking about five starters and seven relievers. It’s going to be tough to narrow it down. We have a lot of candidates. I’m not really worried about it at this point because there’s no decision to be made. (Barry M. Bloom, MLB.com)
Susan Slusser of The San Francisco Chronicle says that Dallas McPherson, a former Minor League Player of the Year, will hav a tough time making the A’s Opening Day roster. According to Slusser, “he’ll provide excellent depth at Triple-A Sacramento – or, if he has a big-league opportunity elsewhere, Oakland might allow him to take it.”
Troy E. Renck of The Denver Posts says that Troy Tulowitzki broke out his new Nike cleats that he helped design. The black flap over the laces reads: 2Low with a purple cross in the 0
Mike Puma of The New York Post reports that Chipper Jones of the Atlanta Braves sees the Mets contending. “It’s time for those other guys behind Johan Santana to step it up a notch,” Jones told The New York Post yesterday. “If they do, I see them contending.”
Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com, reports about the motivating factors involved with the San Diego Padres and their lack of effort in trying to re-sign Adrian Gonzalez.