Thursday, March 16, 2006
Around the Birds Nest
Second baseman Aaron Miles has been bothered with a bone bruise on his left wrist. The injury has not only cost Miles time and valuable spring at-bats but may also end up ultimately costing him a job with the Cardinals. He was brought over in a trade this off-season from the Colorado Rockies where he served as their starting second baseman in 2005 hitting .281/.306/.355/.661 (.074 IsoP, .105 SecA) in 324 at-bats.
He has yet to be cleared to take a game at-bat and in practice the wrist still stings when the switch-hitter swings from the left side. He was brought in to challenge Hector Luna and Junior Spivey at second base, though with the lost time it may end up making him the odd man out.
Outfielder Rick Ankiel is also missing valuable at-bats this spring due to injury. Though his injury is a patellar tendon strain. He had another physical setback over this past weekend that could further delay his 2006 debut. Ankiel has been experiencing swelling and soreness in his left knee. It was originally thought that he could begin playing this week but now that timetable is indefinite. His bid to make the club has fallen by the wayside as the team has seen strong spring performances by Chris Duncan, John Rodriguez and John Gall. Those three figure to battle So Taguchi for two reserve outfield roles on the roster. He appears headed to the disabled list to begin the season.
LaRussa confirmed that Duncan will begin the year at Triple-A Memphis where he will receive regular at-bats and time in the field as he learns the nuances of the outfield corner positions. He came up through the system as a first baseman but that position is blocked by reigning National League MVP Albert Pujols likely for at least the next decade.
2005 Cardinals minor league player of the year Travis Hanson has been battling a parasite. It has caused him nausea and a loss of weight over the past week or so. Hanson figures to make a full recovery but it may take some time for him to put the weight back on and get into baseball shape. He did receive some at-bats in Wednesday mornings simulated game. Hanson has been optioned to the minors to begin 2006.
Pitchers Blaine Neal and John Webb was also optioned to minor league camp for extended spring training. shortstop Brendan ryan was also sent down.
Brian Daubach is making a push to make the major league team out of camp, though it is likely he will be offered a spot at Triple-A Memphis and play the season as a AAAA player - shifting between Memphis and St. Louis as needed. He homered in two separate games on Wednesday as he played in both a Triple-A Memphis and Double-A Springfield spring game to get some extra work in.
Minor league spring training games began on Wednesday for Cardinals farmhands with five games versus the Florida Marlins system.
Tuesday’s game versus the Yankees was a family affair for the Duncan family. Most Cardinals fans know that first baseman/outfielder Chris Duncan is the son of big league pitching coach Dave Duncan. But the Yankees have another of Dave’s sons, infielder Shelley Duncan. shelley went 0-for-1 versus the Cards.
Junior Spivey was hit on the left forearm by Yankees relief pitcher Kyle Farnsworth in Tuesday’s game. It is still bruised but shouldn’t affect him too much the rest of the spring as he bids to become the everyday second baseman for St. Louis.
With the beginning of minor league spring games Tony LaRussa will finally be able to get his bullpen some extended work in preparation for the season. St. Louis has some new components to this seasons bullpen and they still need to be further evaluated by LaRussa and pitching coach Dave Duncan. It will also allow the fifth starters spot to settle itself out as Sidney Ponson, Anthony Reyes and Adam Wainwright battle for the job.
He has yet to be cleared to take a game at-bat and in practice the wrist still stings when the switch-hitter swings from the left side. He was brought in to challenge Hector Luna and Junior Spivey at second base, though with the lost time it may end up making him the odd man out.
Outfielder Rick Ankiel is also missing valuable at-bats this spring due to injury. Though his injury is a patellar tendon strain. He had another physical setback over this past weekend that could further delay his 2006 debut. Ankiel has been experiencing swelling and soreness in his left knee. It was originally thought that he could begin playing this week but now that timetable is indefinite. His bid to make the club has fallen by the wayside as the team has seen strong spring performances by Chris Duncan, John Rodriguez and John Gall. Those three figure to battle So Taguchi for two reserve outfield roles on the roster. He appears headed to the disabled list to begin the season.
LaRussa confirmed that Duncan will begin the year at Triple-A Memphis where he will receive regular at-bats and time in the field as he learns the nuances of the outfield corner positions. He came up through the system as a first baseman but that position is blocked by reigning National League MVP Albert Pujols likely for at least the next decade.
2005 Cardinals minor league player of the year Travis Hanson has been battling a parasite. It has caused him nausea and a loss of weight over the past week or so. Hanson figures to make a full recovery but it may take some time for him to put the weight back on and get into baseball shape. He did receive some at-bats in Wednesday mornings simulated game. Hanson has been optioned to the minors to begin 2006.
Pitchers Blaine Neal and John Webb was also optioned to minor league camp for extended spring training. shortstop Brendan ryan was also sent down.
Brian Daubach is making a push to make the major league team out of camp, though it is likely he will be offered a spot at Triple-A Memphis and play the season as a AAAA player - shifting between Memphis and St. Louis as needed. He homered in two separate games on Wednesday as he played in both a Triple-A Memphis and Double-A Springfield spring game to get some extra work in.
Minor league spring training games began on Wednesday for Cardinals farmhands with five games versus the Florida Marlins system.
Tuesday’s game versus the Yankees was a family affair for the Duncan family. Most Cardinals fans know that first baseman/outfielder Chris Duncan is the son of big league pitching coach Dave Duncan. But the Yankees have another of Dave’s sons, infielder Shelley Duncan. shelley went 0-for-1 versus the Cards.
Junior Spivey was hit on the left forearm by Yankees relief pitcher Kyle Farnsworth in Tuesday’s game. It is still bruised but shouldn’t affect him too much the rest of the spring as he bids to become the everyday second baseman for St. Louis.
With the beginning of minor league spring games Tony LaRussa will finally be able to get his bullpen some extended work in preparation for the season. St. Louis has some new components to this seasons bullpen and they still need to be further evaluated by LaRussa and pitching coach Dave Duncan. It will also allow the fifth starters spot to settle itself out as Sidney Ponson, Anthony Reyes and Adam Wainwright battle for the job.
