Player Updates 3/28 Part Deux

The Diamondbacks learned today that Chris Snyder likely would be ready for Opening Day despite a thumb injury. The sprained tendon in Snyder's thumb shouldn't keep him out for more than a few days. It's been decided that both Snyder and Koyie Hill will make the team out of spring training. The Diamondbacks' official site believes Hill will get most of the playing time initially, but we'd still give Snyder the edge for fantasy purposes. The Diamondbacks have informed Kelly Stinnett that he won't make the team. They'll keep Chris Snyder and Koyie Hill as their catchers. A good idea. Stinnett is likely to exercise his right to become a free agent.

Snyder might not be a buck, but he'll be cheap.

Diamondbacks optioned OF-2B Scott Hairston and RHP Lance Cormier to Triple-A Tuscon and reassigned LHP Kevin Tolar to minor league camp. The Diamondbacks probably aren't going to be too much better off with Shawn Green in right field than they would have with Hairston. ''He did everything to make a team,'' manager Bob Melvin said. ''There just wasn't room right now.'' Apparently, something is forcing the Diamondbacks to keep both Luis Terrero and Quinton McCracken.

Is Hairston available in the farm draft? Probably not. Terrero is a good name for the end game, but we may have no OF slots.

Andruw Jones hit his ninth and 10th homers of the spring today in a 12-6 win over the Indians. Jones attributes his terrific spring results to a change in his batting stance. Wille Mays told him to spread his feet wider. ''It's all about feeling comfortable up there,'' Jones said, ''and I feel comfortable.'' We wouldn't count on this being the year that Jones finally becomes an offensive superstar, but he should be worth more than $25 in NL-only leagues.

I think this is Andruw's year. He'll probably be in the high 20's to 30 except for the hype he's getting from his hot spring. He might be a better alternative for than Thome, given he has speed even if he doesn't steal much anymore. And he's a good age.

Mets reassigned RHP Scott Strickland, LHP Scott Stewart and RHP Orber Moreno to minor league camp. The Mets still felt Strickland needed more time to recover from Tommy John surgery. He had allowed one run in three innings this spring. Moreno isn't yet ready to pitch following shoulder surgery.

Ol' "Orber" didn't make it. Who the hell is setting up in Shea?

Freddy Sanchez homered and doubled today for his second and third extra-base hits in 49 at-bats. Sanchez also has just one walk, so his .286 batting average is pretty empty. He'll make the Pirates, but he won't get a lot of playing time initially.

Great $1 MI name at the end of the auction.

Jayson Werth today hit off a tee for the first time since breaking his left wrist 3 1/2 weeks ago. He expects to take batting practice in a day or two. It's probably too late for Werth to begin the season on the active roster, but maybe he won't be too far behind. Ricky Ledee and Jason Repko will share time in left field while Werth is on the DL.

I don't think we even reserve Werth if he goes on the DL.