Player Notes 3/9

Padres center field prospect Freddy Guzman could be out for the season because of an elbow surgery. He will miss at least a few weeks, probably more, while the Padres decide if Guzman requires reconstructive surgery. He has a damaged ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow. If Guzman undergoes surgery, Xavier Nady could become the top option in center in the event of a Dave Roberts injury. Mar. 9 - 11:34 am et

Nady could be real cheap, particularly hitting in San Diego.

Cliff Floyd says he wants to steal 20-25 bases this season under Willie Randolph's green light philosophy. Well, that would certainly be a surprising development. Floyd has stole 14 bases the last two seasons while battling constant injuries. He stole a bag in Tuesday's game successfully. Mar. 9 - 11:23 am et

Yeah, right. And Piazza’s going to get a dozen.

GM Paul DePodesta said starters Odalis Perez and Brad Penny, both struggling with biceps injuries, might not be ready to start the season. L.A. is getting Scott Erickson and Edwin Jackson prepared in the event this happens. Perhaps DePodesta is just being cautious, but Perez is at least a week from appearing in a game. Mar. 9 - 11:05

Those are Busch and Bums keepers. Meanwhile, Any 9 may have to make a decision on Jackson.

Joe Kennedy believes his shoulder is strong after winter workouts. The test, of course, will be how it feels a few months from now. Denver's Opening Day starter will make his second spring appearance today. Mar. 9 - 10:17 am et

He can pitch. If he were on the Giants’ staff he’d go for 5-10. Do we dare say a buck?

Brian Fuentes gave up a cycle of hits Monday in one inning of work. The top candidates for Denver's closer job, Fuentes, Eddie Gaillard and Chin-Hui Tsao, have struggled thus far in spring. Gaillard has a 23.14 ERA. At this point, it looks like Tsao could win the job by default. Mar. 9 - 10:08 am et

Somebody’s going to overpay for General Tsao and his chicken.

Greg Aquino, who has been bothered by an elbow strain, pitched a bullpen session Tuesday with no complications. It sounds like he's not far away from pitching in games. Aquino may need a solid spring to keep his closer's job, especially if Jose Valverde pitches well. Mar. 9 - 9:29 am et

Jose Valverde worked a perfect eighth innings today against the Athletics. Quite an improvement over his first outing, when he was charged with five runs in two-thirds of an inning. Valverde, returning from a partially torn labrum, will likely open the season as Greg Aquino's setup man. Mar. 8 - 9:18 pm et

A good day for the good guys holding the rights to Valverde.

Luis Terrero, who left Monday's game with a bruised tailbone, should return to the Diamondbacks lineup today. Terrero looks like the fourth outfielder in Arizona currently. If he gets enough at-bats due to injuries, he could provide double-digit steals. Mar. 9 - 9:26 am et

Could be a source of cheap steals.

Conor Jackson homered, singled and was hit by a pitch in Arizona's 10-2 win today. Jackson is 4-for-10. He's getting most of his playing time at first, which figures to be his position in the minors this season. He's only a year away. Mar. 8 - 9:26 pm et

1st round minor league???

Noah Lowry bounced back from a rough first outing to hold the Rangers to one hit in three shutout innings today. We remain unimpressed by Lowry's curve, but his change is an excellent pitch, especially against right-handers and hitters that haven't seen him before, both of which describe most of the players in the Rangers lineup today. We're not very optimistic about his chances of remaining a quality starting pitcher. Mar. 8 - 5:45 pm et

We’ve seen him. He can pitch. And he may go cheap, though maybe not in a league based in SF.

Brandon Claussen beat the Pirates by throwing three scoreless innings today. Claussen hasn't allowed a run in five innings. Although technically there are five pitchers competing for the final two spots in the Cincinnati rotation, the way we see it, Aaron Harang is close to a lock for the fourth spot and Luke Hudson and Claussen are the top candidates for the last opening, with the loser working in middle relief initially. If Claussen's strong spring continues, he could pass Hudson and become a nifty $1-$2 pick in NL-only leagues. Mar. 8 - 5:15 pm et

Good name for the end of the draft, though I think we’ll be looking at relievers then.

Vincente Padilla (triceps) continues to work on long tosses, but his availability for Opening Day remains in doubt. Manager Charlie Manuel says he will have a better idea about Padilla by next week. Mar. 8 - 9:29 am et

Forget him. He’s somehow turned into Old Guy.

Jason Marquis is debuting a new curve that will give him a ''swing and miss'' pitch he's never had.Marquis got a strikeout on a nasty curve using the pitch on Monday. Even a few more strikeouts would help Marquis provide more value in fantasy leagues this season. Mar. 8 - 8:45 am et

Uh huh. Is this from the same guy who was hyping Volglesong last year?

Nationals GM Jim Bowden says ''It'd be real hard for me to trade a guy like (Sledge)... because they don't come around very often.'' Sledge played first base on Monday, where he could spell Nick Johnson occasionally during the season. Manager Frank Robinson has told Sledge to ignore the trade rumors surrounding him. While it's uncertain if he'll have a spot to start on Opening Day, he should get his at-bats eventually. Mar. 8 - 8:36 am et

Player. Keeper.

Sergio Santos got a start at third base tonight and went 1-for-3. It's not a position switch, at least not according to the Diamondbacks. They're just giving Santos some time at third in order to allow Alex Cintron more reps at short. Santos is expected to remain a shortstop in the minors this year. Mar. 8 - 1:47 am et

Nice to see his name. AAA this year?

Rule 5 pick D.J. Houlton pitched three hitless innings tonight in the Dodgers' win over the Marlins. He fanned five. ''That was very, very impressive,'' manager Jim Tracy said. ''He threw strikes with all his pitches. He was aggressive with all his pitches. His curveball was as good as Josh Beckett's.'' Well, that might be a little generous. Houlton still doesn't seem very likely to make the Dodgers, but if he continues to retire batters this spring, another team may claim him off waivers. Mar. 7 - 11:40 pm et

There is a name from absolutely nowhere. Let’s remember it, particularly in the 2nd round of the minor league draft.