Spring Training: 3/31

Spring Player Outlook: Tyler Clippard

 Stat Line: 0-0, 0.00 ERA, 0.40 WHIP, 1 SV

Relievers can't do much to stand out in spring training, but Clippard did his best.  Over ten innings of work, he allowed just two hits and two walks, none of which scored, and struck out 16 batters.  He started off the spring with five perfect innings while striking out seven.  He struck out at least one batter in each of his outings (each of which was one inning), and twice struck out three.  In his spring finale against the Yankees, he struck out all three batters he faced to end the exhibition season.  It's clear that last season's woes are behind him and he's as dominant as ever.  

News

Opening Day is tonight, with the Rangers meeting the Astros in Houston.

Mets starter Johan Santana will get shoulder surgery and miss the 2013 season.

The Nationals decided that Henry Rodriguez earned the final roster spot over J.C. Romero.

Game Scores

Red Sox (17-17) beat the Twins (17-16) 4-2.

Yankees beat West Point 10-5.

Blue Jays (16-17) beat the Phillies (16-17) 10-4.

Rays (15-17) tied the Tigers (19-14) 3-3.

Angels (10-20) beat the Dodgers (13-20) 2-1.

Astros (15-16) beat the Cubs (16-19) 6-3.

Mariners (22-11) beat the Rockies (16-15) 4-3.

Top Scorer: Blue Jays beat the Phillies 10-4, Yankees beat West Point 10-5, and Braves beat the Mississippi Braves (AA) 10-0.

Final Standings

Grapefruit League: Top: Orioles (19-9, .679 WPCT).  Bottom: Pirates (13-18, .419).

Cactus League: Top: Royals (25-7, .781).  Bottom: Angels (10-20, .333).

Nationals: 14-18, .438, t-14th in Grapefruit League.

Final Spring Leaders

Offensive: AVG: Bryce Harper (Nationals), .478 (32-67).  Home runs: Michael Morse (Mariners). 9.  RBI: Brandon Belt (Giants), Billy Butler (Royals), and Justin Upton (Braves), 19.  Stolen bases: Ezequiel Carrera (Indians), 11.

Pitching: Wins: Josh Johnson (Blue Jays), 5.  K's: Julio Teheran (Braves), 35.  ERA: Jon Lester (Red Sox). 0.75 (24 innings, 2 earned runs).  Saves: Heath Hambree (Giants), 4.

Top Performers

Offensive: Nate McLouth (Orioles): 2-3, 2 home runs (4), 2 RBI, 2 runs, AVG up .022 from .298 to .320, hitting streak to 4 games (8-13, .615 AVG).

Pitching: Homer Bailey (Reds): Win (2-1). 6 shutout innings, 1 hit, 1 walk, 7 K's (25), ERA drop: 2.29 runs from 8.64 to 6.35.

Worst Pitching Performance: Jason Marquis (Padres): Loss (1-1), 3.2 innings, 5 earned runs, 3 hits, 6 walks, 3 K's (15), ERA jump: 1.74 runs from 2.00 to 3.74.

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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