WIETERS FINE AFTER ROLLING ANKLE
Catcher Matt Wieters was removed from the Orioles’ 6-5 loss in Grapefruit League play on Tuesday after rolling his right ankle while running from second base to third base on a groundout. Wieters was in notable pain, but made it clear he would have tried to play through the injury in the regular season.
Manager Buck Showalter said after the game that the move was merely precautionary. “He’s fine,” Showalter said. “[He] went in and got some ice on it. Richie said during the season he would have continued to play. Just wanted to get some ice on it to make sure it doesn’t turn into something worse.”
There are no plans currently in place for an x-ray or any follow up to the injury at this point; however, with a home game tomorrow followed by a couple road games, Wieters may be rested to ensure the injury stays minor.
Throughout the season, the catcher’s body takes by far the most beating of any of the nine position players, and nobody knows this better than Wieters, who has led the AL in innings caught over the past few seasons. A couple days of rest should allow the team to be sure the former gold glove winner is in good shape for the season opener March 31st.
BRAVES SIGN SANTANA
Ervin Santana, who originally sought a deal worth close to $100 million last October, latched on with the Atlanta Braves for one year after not receiving the interest in free agency he expected. The top suitors after Atlanta appeared to be the Orioles, Blue Jays, and Twins just a few days ago.
Santana’s 2013 season was highlighted by a sterling 3.24 ERA, but because of career inconsistencies and his being attached to draft pick compensation, the right hander was still unsigned. Santana had noted he had been working out in Arizona currently, in hopes of signing soon and being ready for the start of the season.
The top offer from the Blue Jays was around $14 million. The Orioles were thought to be offering a deal closer to $13 million, but with possible incentives to may reach or even exceed $14 million. The Twins reportedly offered Santana a three-year contract worth $30 million, but Santana was holding out for a fourth year.
As he decided between Toronto and Baltimore, injuries to Atlanta’s staff forced them to move in.
Santana’s exact terms for his deal with the Braves are approximately in the same $14 million range the Orioles and Blue Jays were offered, but Santana may prefer to pitch in the NL East as opposed to the AL East.
GONZALEZ RETURNS, FEELS ALRIGHT
Starting pitcher Miguel Gonzalez returned Tuesday to pitch against the Boston Red Sox after taking a line drive off his shin earlier this spring against the same team. Gonzalez pitched three innings in the game, allowing two runs on four hits, but the more important story is that he felt alright.
“I thought it would be worse,” Gonzalez said after the game. “Getting hit last time and being able to be under control this time, it was fun to be out there again… It’s been a little different than other years, but I’m not worried about it. Just try to stay healthy, that’s the most important thing.”
Gonzalez allowed only one base runner over the first two innings, but allowed two runs in the third on a leadoff homerun to Red Sox second baseman Brock Holt and an RBI single to AJ Pierzynski.
Gonzalez’s spring has been rocky, as before being hit by a comebacker off the bat of Cameron Rupp last week, he had already been shut down temporarily with a bad back. From this point on, no news on Gonzalez may be the best news, as he looks to regain his health and form.
BALFOUR HAS DEAD ARM
Until recently, when the Orioles became increasingly active in free agency, the team was chastised heavily for coming to an agreement with closer Grant Balfour and then backing out at the last minute. The O’s had issues with the physical that Balfour repeatedly said were just an excuse for them to back out after having second thoughts.
Balfour was then signed to a slightly lesser deal with the Tampa Bay Rays who needed to replace Fernando Rodney as closer. Since then, Balfour has underwhelmed, as his ERA so far in Spring Training is an astronomical 19.29 with a WHIP over 3.
Balfour also was rested on Tuesday as he deals with a period of “dead arm” (link 4) where he is unable to pitch and was slated to pitch the following day on Wednesday. Rays manager Joe Maddon said the right hander was alright, but the combination of underperforming and injury make Balfour look riskier than he did just two or three weeks ago.
Meanwhile, the Orioles have allocated the money they were going to pay Balfour to signing starting pitchers Ubaldo Jimenez and Suk-Min Yoon and left fielder/designated hitter Nelson Cruz.
photo: Craig Landefeld
