While former first-rounder Alex Jackson got the headlines in the offseason trade that sent him from the Mariners to the Braves, Seattle is feeling good about its end of the deal, MLB.com’s Greg Johns writes. Righty Max Povse has impressed in camp, showing a bigger fastball than had been anticipated. Manager Scott Servais praised his current offerings while noting that “there’s a lot of room for growth” for Povse.
Here’s more from the American League:
- While the general vibe around David Price’s elbow health has been positive, details have been sparse, Brian MacPherson of the Providence Journal writes. Price and the Red Sox have expressed confidence, but little in the way of specifics with regard to the precise injury and what needs to be done for the lefty to get back on the mound. Further, as MacPherson explains, based largely upon an interview with sports medicine expert Dr. Paul Fadale, there’s still plenty of reason for concern.
- The Orioles are continuing to cram power bats in the outfield, with Trey Mancini now joining the freshly re-signed Pedro Alvarez on the grass. As Jon Meoli of the Batimore Sun reports, Mancini spent the winter preparing for the possible transition, but is only now readying to do so in game action. The long-time first baseman would surely be a much more intriguing player if he were capable of playing a passable outfield, though he’ll surely be given plenty of MLB opportunity regardless. Mancini, who’ll soon turn 25, blasted three home runs in 15 plate appearances during his first taste of the bigs last year.
- Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle takes a look at how the Athletics’ pen is shaping up. Righty Santiago Casilla was bombed in his spring debut, though he’s playing catch-up after a visa issue delayed his arrival. Lefty Sean Doolittle, meanwhile, is slated to make his first competitive appearance tomorrow. It remains to be seen whether he’ll be joined by another southpaw in the bullpen, but Slusser says that Ross Detwiler “is emerging as a strong possibility” to claim such a role.
I’m not very optimistic on Price. I’m a huge sox fan and I’m concerned it’s possibly worse than they’re letting on. Complete lack of details is never a good thing. Would be great to have him in the rotation (pending 1st season was adjusting to Boston), in just worried his arm is a time bomb and he’s just putting off surgery
I think that’s everyone’s consensus. It’s tough to be optimistic, plenty of DL time for the big man this year.
I mean, I love the fact Price was optimistic, but the fact he said if here 22 or 23 the doctors absolutely would have said go for the surgery just gives it a bad feeling. Agree, much DL time. I just don’t want July to roll around and have TJ actually happen… why put it off if it’s inevitable?
I think this year is a wash for Price. I’m
no swami but I see like 7-8 starts out of Price before 2017 closes. But if Price continues the narrative of he feels this way every year and this was just more pain than before…..and that he feels better each day and believes he’s going to be productive. Who’s anyone to not believe him, he’d have too much to lose by understanding the injury.
He has little to lose with that contract. The Sox are playing it right now because they don’t want to write him off for 17 and half of 18.
He did not have command of the strike zone last year and was hit hard. This is the first sign of an elbow issue.
Face-the-facts Sox fans: this was and will be the worst free agent signing in history.
Doubt he will be as bad as greinke
Seems to be working okay for Tanaka.
I hope Detwiler works out. He was great as the Nats’ #5 when he first came up, but ended up being shuffled to & from the bullpen. Thereafter he went into a tailspin from which he hasn’t emerged. Be nice if he got it back.