MLB

Here’s the scoop: Cole Hamels left Clearwater, FL tonight for the Philadelphia area to have his left elbow examined tomorrow by team doctor Michael Ciccotti.

General Manager Ruben Amaro, Jr. said Hamels complained about “a little bit of a persistent soreness” in his elbow. “We thought it was important at this time for Dr. Ciccotti to check it out,” Amaro said.

Andy Martino is the new guy in town.  He’s beginning his first season on the Phillies beat for the Philadelphia Inquirer.  Martino let me know a little more about himself in our interview, Sunday afternoon.

SHAY RODDY: Where are you coming from?  What jobs have you had in the past?
ANDY MARTINO: I last worked for the New York Daily News, where I covered most New York teams: Yankees, Mets, Giants, Jets, etc.  For three years before that, I was a high school teacher in Brooklyn.

As Opening Day nears, the Dodgers still do not have their fifth starter in place, or do they?

Dodgers filled in their offense by signing Manny and Hudson to short-term deals. Though the Dodgers are still avoiding filling in the making of a true pitching staff to be a prominent contender in the west. 

The Dodgers have the offensive power to score three to five runs or more this season with a great starting lineup. Though, what about the pitching, is it capable of surviving a season without a true fifth starter?

The New York Mets' offense was noticeably anemic today in their spring training game against the Atlanta Braves. In their defense, most of the offensive stars are either playing in the World Baseball Classic or did not make the trip to Orlando.

Here are the lineups:

YANKEES
Jorge Posada C
Johnny Damon LF
Mark Teixeira 1B
Hideki Matsui DH
Xavier Nady RF
Melky Cabrera CF
Cody Ransom 3B
Ramiro Pena 2B
Eduardo Nunez SS

The 2009 Fantasy Draft for the keeper Grand Slam league in its 10th season came and went on Saturday, March 14. After the first seven rounds were completed with keepers being claimed, the real draft began.

Here's how the first free agent round played out.

1) Screaming Eagles selected Adrian Gonzalez (1B, San Diego)

So far this offseason has provided us with many prospect lists. Baseball America's top 10 Yankees prospects and top 100 overall.

Round 5

Jonathan Papelbon is the best closer to own, end of story.  He plays for one of the three best teams in baseball, he strikes out people at a ridiculous rate, and his ERA has never been above 2.65. His saves have increased over the last three seasons, and given the talent on the Red Sox, he could top his 41 saves from last year.

Last night, I participated in my first fantasy baseball draft of 2009 in the "League of Awesomeness." I have to say I am very satisfied with the results. I had the seventh overall pick in the draft and my strategies going into the draft were:

As your Chicago Cubs community leader, I just wanted to take this opportunity to wish you a Happy St. Patrick's Day and to salute you, the Chicago Cubs fan. I'd also like to toast all of the terrific writers who help make this the best place to get your online Cubbie fix!

To all of you baseball fans in general, who stop by to read and comment on our articles, even though you may not be Cubs fans, this toast is for you as well.