Xavier Nady will be tested for Crohn's disease on Monday, the PG reports. Nady's cousin has Crohn's disease, raising the odds that Nady might. Crohn's disease, also known as inflammatory bowel disease, is an autoimmune disease that results in chronic intestinal inflammation. Nady should still be able to play, but this would be real bad news. We wish X and his gut the best and hope for a quick return to health.
Kovacevic reports a funny:
Because Sanchez made contact with one of the six pitches he saw from Kuwata, he was peppered with 10 minutes of questioning by the Japanese media. "How were you able to get your bat on the ball?" one reporter asked in English.
I would have played it cool. "I do not know." Then maybe I would do some Kurt Warner-style Jesus hogging.
It does not matter what Castillo looks like in camp. He was awful at second last year. And Sanchez won a batting crown. The team should settle the best players into the toughest positions they can handle. The remaining players can compete for the other spots.
Dejan Kovacevic soaks up the Florida sunshine.
It appears the Pirates might be moving Freddy Sanchez to second base. If he can play that position well, he should. There's little chance of him growing out of it. While I worry a bit that he's more likely to be injured playing second, that can't be a reason to use overgrown or inadequate people at second. Castillo may be slimmer this spring, but I'd guess he's likely to outgrow second again. If not this year, maybe next.
Mike Henry of the Brandenton Herald on "fussles", tough love, and The Promise of Snell.
Dejan Kovacevic has some news from spring training. Chacon has arthritis and will pitch through pain. Herrera has performed well, with poise. Bautista can play shortstop. He also reported early, with Chris Duffy. In another article, Eldred is compared to Ryan Shealy. I'm still a little bitter about that one so I will say, watch what Ryan Shealy does this year before expecting the Pirates to get much for Eldred at the deadline. Doumit will make the team, but no one is sure what his role will be. I still expect he'll get good PA starting behind Paulino, LaRoche, and Nady. Time will tell.
Tomoo Ota for the Daily Yomiuri. If Kuwata has as much guile and poise as reported, I am thinking he might be useful in a Doug Jones-like bullpen role.