Spring Training: 3/10

Spring Player Outlook: Zach Walters

Stat Line: 2 HR, 4 RBI, .333 AVG, 0 SB.

Nationals prospect Zach Walters is having a great spring.  Though it is unlikely that he makes the team with the infield-bench set with Steve Lombardozzi, Chad Tracy, and Tyler Moore backing up the regulars, Walters could be the guy if someone goes down with an injury.  He reached AAA for 29 games in 2012 and looks to start there.  For the Nationals in spring training, he's 8-24 (.333 AVG) with a pair of home runs and four RBI.  Over the last two games, he is 2-5 (.400 AVG) with two home runs, three RBI, and a pair of runs scored.  Look for him on the big league squad at some point in 2012.

News

Yankees closer Mariano Rivera announced that he will retire after the 2013 season.

Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira will miss 8-10 weeks with a wrist strain.

The Netherlands, Dominican Republic, Cuba, Chinese Taipei (Taiwan), Italy, Japan, and Puerto Rico qualified for Round Two in the World Baseball Classic.  Since then, Chinese Taipei has been eliminated.  Venezuela, Brazil, Australia, China, Korea, and Spain have already been eliminated, though Spain and Venezuela still have to play eachother, while Canada, Mexico, and the USA are battling in for the last spot in Round Two.

The Cardinals signed Allen Craig to a five year, $31 million extension ($6.2 million per season).

Cardinals shortstop Rafael Furcal will have Tommy John Surgery and miss the entire season.

WBC Scores

Cuba (4-1) beat Chinese Taipei (2-3) 14-0. (Round 2)

Dominican Republic (2-0) beat Spain (0-2) 6-3. (R1)

Puerto Rico (2-0) beat Venezuela (0-2) 6-3. (R1)

Canada (1-1) beat Mexico (1-2) 10-3. (R1)

Game Scores: SS=Split Squad

Nationals (6-6) beat the Marlins (SS, 5-7) 8-7.

Rays (11-4) beat the Phillies (6-8) 15-7.

Orioles (10-2) beat the Red Sox (7-8) 5-2.

Braves (8-8) beat the Yankees (3-11) 2-1.

Dodgers (5-6) beat the Mariners (11-4) 3-2.

Tigers (8-7) beat the Blue Jays (7-7) 4-2.

Rockies (7-5) beat the Angels (3-9) 8-6.

Top Scorer: Rays beat the Phillies 15-7.

Spring Leaders

Offensive: AVG: Shane Robinson (Cardinals), .520 (13-25).  Home runs: 6 tied with 4.  RBI: Aaron Hicks (Twins), Ryan Howard (Phillies), and Casper Wells (Mariners), 12.  Stolen bases: Ezequiel Carrera (Indians), 6.

Pitching: Wins: Dave Bush (Blue Jays), 3.  K's: Stephen Strasburg (Nationals) and Michael Wacha (Cardinals), 13.  ERA: Michael Wacha, 0.00 (9.2 shutout innings).  Saves: Jose Alvarez (Tigers), 3.

Top Performers

Offensive: Cedric Hunter (Indians): 3-3, home run (1), 3 RBI, run, walk, AVG up .129 from .053 to .182, hitting streak to 1 game (3-3, 1.000).

Pitching: Jose Ramirez (Yankees): Win (1-0), 4 shutout innings, 1 hit, no walks, 4 K's (5), ERA drop: 0.00 runs from 0.00 to 0.00.

Worst Pitching Performance: Yusmeiro Petit (Giants): Loss (0-1). 1.2 innings, 8 earned runs, 9 hits, 1 walk, 2 K's (3), ERA jump: 10.80 runs from 0.00 to 10.80. 

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Teams followed in this update: Washington Nationals, Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees, Chicago Cubs, Tampa Bay Rays, Los Angeles Dodgers, Philadelphia Phillies, Colorado Rockies, Detroit Tigers

If your team is not included, please leave a comment.

HR: home runs.  RBI: runs batted in.  AVG: batting average.  SB: stolen bases.  ERA: earned run average. WHIP: walks/hits per innings pitched.  K's: strikeouts. WPCT: winning percentage

Zack Silverman