Thursday, March 23, 2006
Twins Infield Springs Some Leaks
Starter Carlos Silva, a ground ball pitcher who depends on solid defense for his effectiveness, stands to be the most negatively impacted of the Twins staff due to inadequacies in the team's new infield. Playing third this year will be Tony Batista, far from spectacular with his hands and very limited in range. Meanwhile rookie shortstop Jason Bartlett's range is not particularly suspect, but he has booted routine grounders and muffed enough infield pops this spring that his defensive abilities have been called into serious question. The coaching staff will soon begin perusing the waiver wire if Bartlett fails to pick up his game soon.
Doctor X -- the 'Baseball Medic' -- is an anonymous U.S. government trauma specialist with a Duke University sports medicine background and more than 20 years experience in emergency medicine. From time to time he considers MLB rumors, events and news reports as they pertain to baseball players' injuries, illnesses and various other disabilities, both on the field and off.
MLB Rumors editor Greg Fieg is a former sports news editor and award-winning writer whose bylines have appeared on the wires of the Associated Press and in numerous publications, including San Antonio Express-News, San Antonio Light, Houston Chronicle and Philadelphia Bulletin. He formerly was posted in various positions on the U.S.-Mexican border with Freedom Newspapers, and was a regular, independent contributor to United Press International.