San Francisco Giants: Mark Sweeney hit his first home run of
spring training and added a double during an impressive day.
Not a bad statement for San Francisco's left-handed
pinch-hitter, who is batting only .194 this spring and is in danger
of not making the team. Those results from Saturday's Cactus League
game against the Chicago Cubs might not mean much.
The 25th and final Giants roster spot will go to either Sweeney,
outfielder Jason Ellison or first baseman Lance Niekro -- and
Sweeney is likely one of the odd men out barring injury. He's been
in this business long enough to understand.
It was Sweeney whom slugger Barry Bonds reportedly blamed
following a failed amphetamines test in 2006, attributing the
result to something he got from Sweeney's locker. Bonds publicly
apologized and the two apparently haven't had any issues this
spring.
While Sweeney would prefer to stay with the Giants for a second
season, he believes he will get his shot somewhere. The New York Mets are in the market for a left-handed bat off the bench.
"Without sounding cocky, I know what I can do," said Sweeney,
a career journeyman. "Like I said before, I know I can help
somebody. The decision's theirs. I'm trying to get better."
In other Giants news, manager Bruce Bochy received a standing
ovation from Padres fans Sunday as he walked onto the field 25
minutes before the game's first pitch.
Bochy, who managed the Padres to four National League West
division titles and one World Series appearance between 1994 and
2006, then watched as San Diego batted around and scored eight
runs in the third inning on the way to a 10-7 victory at Peoria
Stadium.
Elsewhere in the Cactus League:
Chicago Cubs: Kerry Wood failed to protect a seventh-inning
lead, giving up three runs that allowed the Los Angeles Angels to
beat the Cubs 3-2.
Wood, trying to stay off the disabled list and make the
Opening Day roster as a reliever, gave up a two-run homer to Kendry Morales after the Angels tied it at 1. In his one inning, Wood
yielded three hits while striking out one.
"He wasn't as sharp today, obviously," Cubs manager Lou
Piniella said. "The fastball didn't have the life of the last
time. We'll see how he feels [Monday]."
Wood, who rehabbed this winter from a shoulder injury, strained
his right triceps March 11 and didn't pitch again until Friday. For
the spring, Wood has thrown five innings, giving up seven hits,
seven runs and two homers. The Cubs hope to convert him from a
starter to a one-inning reliever this year.
The team hasn't decided whether Wood will open the season on the
active roster or if he needs more time to build up arm strength.
Seattle Mariners: Mariners closer J.J. Putz, recovering from a mild right
elbow strain, threw 25 pitches in a bullpen session and will pitch
in a minor league game Tuesday.
If all goes well, he will pitch
Friday in Las Vegas against the Chicago Cubs. Putz went 4-1 with a
2.30 ERA and 36 saves in 2006 after taking over the closer's job
May 6.
Manager Mike Hargrove expects to have all roster decisions made before
the team breaks camp in Peoria, though the players might not be
told that soon.
San Diego Padres: Saturday's spring training game was a rough outing for Padres GM Kevin Towers.
The San Diego executive chipped a tooth after being hit in the face by a foul ball that ripped through a screen during a Padres-Brewers exhibition game. Towers' lip was swollen and he had cut after being hit in his fourth row seat.
Kansas City Royals: Thirteen months after he left the Royals' camp to deal with social anxiety, Zack Greinke is back
in the starting rotation.
Greinke will be the Royals' No. 3 starter and will pitch in
their opening series against the Boston Red Sox, manager Buddy Bell
said after Greinke's five-inning stint Sunday in a 7-6 loss to the
Milwaukee Brewers.
"He doesn't need to do any more than he is doing now," Bell
said. "I just hope he stays this way and he's encouraged by all
this."
Greinke allowed four hits and three runs, two of those unearned,
against the Brewers. He struck out seven and has a 3.32 ERA in five
spring appearances.
"I'm pitching good right now, but the key is who is going to be
the best during the season," said Greinke, who abruptly left the
Royals' 2006 camp in February and returned to his home in Orlando,
Fla. When he did return, he spent much of the season with Double-A
Wichita.
Chicago White Sox: Injuries headlined the White Sox camp on Sunday, especially backup catcher Toby Hall's
partial shoulder dislocation.
Hall, who was playing first base, hurt his right, throwing
shoulder when he dove for a ground ball in the ninth inning of
Chicago's 10-2 loss to the Texas Rangers.
Hall left the game and was taken to a hospital for X-rays. He
was told he had a subluxation, which is a partial dislocation. He
is scheduled for an MRI on Monday.
"Right when I dove, when I got up I said something's wrong,"
Hall said. "My whole career I've never been hurt, and all of a
sudden [I] dive right there."
Chicago shortstop Juan Uribe fell down chasing a popup in the
fourth and had to leave the game an inning later with a right calf
injury that is not considered serious.
With opening day a week away, Hall said he would do everything
he could to be ready.
"I'm not going to let this stop me. So, we'll see what
happens," he said.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.