Press Releases around the league

Here are some press notes from the team beat writers recently:

Lasting Milledge bumps up his SB projection

The Washington Post reports that “In 115 major league games, Lastings Milledge has stolen four bases and been caught attempting to steal four times. Yet asked Thursday if he could regularly steal 30 bases a year, the response was swift: “Definitely.” Milledge, the 22-year-old outfielder entering his first year with the Washington Nationals, stole second and third in his first exhibition game with the team Wednesday night. That performance — in which Milledge went 2 for 3 with a double and scored two runs — underscored the fact that, for now, Manager Manny Acta has given Milledge the right to run when he wants to. … Milledge stole 79 bases over parts of five seasons in the minors. But if he steals them at the same rate — he was thrown out 38 times for a 67.5 percent success rate — Acta will take away the “green light.” Milledge said Acta wants him to steal successfully at least 74 percent of the time.”

Mulder makes pitch for #5 slot

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that “Mark Mulder increased the intensity of his bullpen sessions with a 45-pitch outing Thursday that left teammates and coaches impressed. He was only droll. “Compared to what they’ve had to watch the last couple years,” the lefty said, “a lot of things would look good.” That’s kind of the crux, his pitching coach said. “It’s the best I’ve seen him mechanically since he’s been here,” Dave Duncan said, referring to Mulder’s arrival before the 2005 season. Duncan sees a pitcher whose delivery has returned to the point that he can focus on gaining strength and health. It’s possible he will be throwing to hitters before the Cardinals leave Florida.”

Ray Durham to have shoulder examined

As the Contra Costa Times reports, “The Giants revealed that Durham went for tests Thursday night on his sore right shoulder, possibly leaving an all-out scramble in the middle infield. Shortstop Omar Vizquel is already out until April because of left knee surgery. Durham didn’t play Thursday and was scratched from today’s lineup, manager Bruce Bochy said.”

Michael Bourn impressing his skipper

As the Houston Chronicle reports, “One of the few bright spots in the Astros’ 12-2 loss to the Indians on Thursday — outside of pitcher Wandy Rodriguez — was center fielder Michael Bourn, who went 1-for-2 with a walk, a run and a stolen base. “Michael looked like the guy we’re going to need at the top of the lineup,” manager Cecil Cooper said. “He took a lot of pitches today. That’s what he’s got to do. He had some deep counts and then he got a base hit and stole a base.” Cooper plans to get Bourn about 70 to 80 at-bats this spring, meaning he’ll play in most of the team’s games.”

Andrew Miller has sharp debut

The Miami Herald reports that “Left-hander Andrew Miller tossed two scoreless innings in his first spring training appearance, and Gonzalez liked what he saw. ”The swings they were having off him were kind of defensive swings,” Gonzalez said of the Orioles’ hitters. Miller said he threw strictly fastballs and changeups — “and the changeup is not my go-to pitch.”

Randy Johnson has successful bullpen outing

As the Arizona Republic reports, “Left-hander Randy Johnson made more progress Thursday in his return from back surgery, facing hitters in a batting-practice session for the first time this spring training and coming away feeling good. Johnson said he threw 53 pitches and likely will throw to hitters again in three or four days. And after that? “Hopefully we’ll sit down and see where we go from there,” Johnson said. That would seem to suggest a game situation, which likely would make him a little more than a week behind his teammates, who opened Cactus League play Thursday. Whether that makes Johnson a week behind in the regular season remains to be seen. Manager Bob Melvin wouldn’t speculate on that possibility. Johnson faced non-roster invitees Chris Rahl and Trent Oeltjen on a back field Thursday morning, throwing his four-seam fastball, a two-seamer and his splitter.”

Anthony Reyes showing improved command

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that “A critical element of the improvement the Cardinals want to see in Anthony Reyes before plugging him into the rotation is ability to lower pitch counts. The righthander did that Thursday, in the first Grapefruit League game. Reyes pitched three scoreless innings, did not walk a New York Met and started what became a 7-0 victory for the Cardinals. He did it in 30 pitches, 23 of which were strikes. Reyes has displayed better command of his fastball every time he has pitched, and Thursday it hummed consistently at 90 mph to 91 mph, scouts said.”

Not so fast – Jason Schmidt shoulder shows fatigue

According to the Dodgers official site, “Jason Schmidt missed his second day of tossing after reporting a fatigued arm during a Tuesday bullpen session, but Torre said Schmidt was expected to resume tossing on Friday. “He’s hit a little bit of a wall,” Torre said of Schmidt, who is returning from shoulder surgery. “The trainers don’t feel it’s anything to concern themselves with. He came in and said he felt good today.”

Colby Rasmus making an early statement

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that “Colby Rasmus, the Cardinals’ top prospect, entered Thursday’s game as a pinch runner for Albert Pujols — not that he’s had any trouble reaching base on his own. Including the exhibition against St. Louis University, Rasmus has reached base in his first six plate appearances. He doubled and walked Thursday, and he’s three for three with three walks and four runs scored. “If spring training ended tomorrow,” Tony La Russa said, grinning, “he’d have a hell of a shot.”

Jhonny Peralta comes to camp heavy

The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports that “Shortstop Jhonny Peralta came to camp weighing 227 pounds. “I working to get my weight down,” said Peralta. “A good weight for me is 220 pounds. My range is better at 217 or 218, but my power isn’t as good.”

Jose Contreras looking to put 2007 behind him

According to the Chicago Sun-Times, “It was only three innings, but starter Jose Contreras continued to show his dismal 10-17 record and 5.57 ERA of last season are behind him. The right-hander held the Colorado Rockies to an unearned run and one hit. ”This year, I prepared hard physically and mentally, and I feel good about it,” Contreras said afterward. ”[Last season] was the worst year of my career.” Contreras went through a divorce last year, which played a role in his struggles.”

Ian Kinsler candidate top candidate to be leadoff man

As the Dallas Morning News reports, “Ian Kinsler hit leadoff in the Rangers’ intrasquad game. He hit leadoff against a left-hander in the exhibition opener. He hit leadoff against Los Angeles right-hander Ervin Santana on Thursday. See a pattern developing? You bet. The Rangers are thinking about using Kinsler exclusively as the leadoff hitter this season rather than have him platoon at the spot as he did with Frank Catalanotto for the second half of last year. “There’s a chance of that,” manager Ron Washington said Thursday. … Kinsler got only six leadoff opportunities before suffering a stress fracture in his foot in late June. By the time he returned, however, the Rangers had traded Kenny Lofton and the club used a platoon of Catalanotto and Kinsler. Kinsler hit .275 in 20 games in the leadoff spot, but had a .408 on-base percentage. Los Angeles’ Chone Figgins was the only full-time leadoff man with a higher OBP (.415). What will determine whether Kinsler hits in the spot full-time is likely to be his plate-discipline and his OBP. Thursday, in three official plate appearances, he saw 15 pitches, going 2-for-3. He took all three at-bats to two strikes. … For the first couple of days of spring, it looks like the Rangers are most comfortable with Kinsler at the top of the lineup.”

Joel Zumaya starts light tossing program

According to the Tigers official site, “Reliever Joel Zumaya’s rehab program following his surgery to rebuild the AC joint in his right shoulder last October was discovered to be ahead of schedule when he was cleared to play catch Wednesday. And after making perhaps 45 throws, the good news Thursday was that Zumaya felt as expected. “He’s in great shape,” Leyland said. “He’s as strong as a horse. He’ll be fine, it’s just a matter of when [he'll return]. We’re not going to rush it.”