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Another day gone, another day closer to the 2016 MLB season. We're in that weird limbo area of Spring Training where the novelty of having baseball back has worn off, but we aren't close enough to the actual games for us to get too excited. I assume that the excitement around the league will grow as we move closer to Opening Day, but for now, we're stuck in the doldrums of Spring Training. Regardless, let's get to the news!
Indians news
Scores really don't matter in Spring Training games; that being said, it sure is nice to see the Tribe overcoming a large defecit in the later innings of a game to come away with a win (and against a division rival, no less). Giovanny Urshella continues to make his case for the 3B spot as he launched his team-leading fifth home run of the spring in the Tribe's 9-4 victory over the Chicago White Sox
With TJ House being optioned to AAA, Cody Anderson's chances to secure the fifth spot in the rotation have increased to about 50/50 odds, as his only competition for the time being is Josh Tomlin. To make the rotation, Anderson knew that he needed to develop a reliable curveball; it looks like Neo has settled on the spike curveball after exhausting several other options.
Last week, I talked briefly about how it looked like Jose Ramirez would be taking over the super utility role that was previously occupied by Mike Aviles. Well, it's looking like Tito plans to use Ramirez often and frequently, citing that he doesn't plan on keeping him on the bench for too long. With how the Angry Hamster has been hitting this spring, why would you want him on the bench (SSS be damned)?
Everyone was clamoring all offseason for the Tribe to go and sign a #righthandedpowerbat. With Marlon Byrd on a minor league contract so late in the spring, it's going to take a lot for him to prove that he is the answer that Cleveland fans have been looking for. If Monday's game was any indication, the ball should be flying off of Byrd's bat in Progressive Field all summer long.
Around The League
- US-Cuba relations are trending in the right direction, and Tuesday's game featuring the Tampa Bay Rays and the Cuban national team could prove to be a very important first step in the conversation.
- A day after getting hit in the face by a pitch, Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Rymer Liriano was released from the hospital and was back in the clubhouse. Here's to getting back on the field soon, Liriano.
- Apparently, the San Diego Padres are moving their retired numbers in favor of a rather large advertisement for Sycuan Casino
Today's /r/baseball question comes from /u/cardith_lorda: