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Tigers Coverage (Lakeland Ledger)

21 Mar Detroit_Tigers

Clayton Green profiled non-roster invitee Andy Dirks and his breakout spring.

Green also wrote about Tigers utility player Don Kelly and him finally being named to the opening day roster.

Spring Training Preview: Houston Astros

14 Mar astros

Houston Astros

Spring Training site: Osceola County Stadium (1000 Bill Beck Blvd., Kissimmee, FL 34744

2010 Record: 76-86 (4th in NL Central)

Key losses (2010 stats in parentheses): 1B Lance Berkman (.245, 13 home runs, 49 RBI), SP Roy Oswalt (6-12, 3.42 ERA, 120 strike outs)

Key returners: OF Hunter Pence (.282, 25 HR, 91 RBI, 18 stolen bases), LF/1B Carlos Lee (.246, 24 HR, 89 RBI), 2B Jeff Keppinger (.288, 148 hits, 59 RBI), OF Michael Bourn (.265, 142 hits, 52 SB), 3B Chris Johnson (.308, 11 HR, 52 RBI), SP Brett Myers (14-8, 3.14 ERA, 180 SO), SP Wandy Rodriguez (11-12, 3.60 ERA, 178 SO)

Quick Hits: The Astros and pitcher Wandy Rodriguez avoided arbitration by agreeing to a three-year, $34 million contract extension. … The team retains the majority of their lineup from last year, while adding two new members to the infield in Clint Barmes and Bill Hall. … The Astros suffered from one of the most anemic offenses in the MLB last season. They will be looking at Hunter Pence and slugger Carlos Lee to help the cause. … The Astros have one of the youngest lineups in the MLB and are hoping Brett Wallace can prove himself at first base. … Top pitching prospect Jordan Lyles could be called up this season and make an immediate impact.

- Allen Levine

Spring training preview: Detroit Tigers

14 Feb Detroit_Tigers

Detroit Tigers

Spring Training site: Joker Marchant Stadium (2301 Lakeland Hills Blvd., Lakeland, FL 33805)

2010 Record: 81-81 (3rd in AL Central)

Key losses (2010 stats in parentheses): C Gerald Laird (.207, 25 RBI), LF Johnny Damon (.271, 51 RBI, .355 OBP), P Eddie Bonine (4-1, 4.63 ERA, 26 strikeouts)

Key returners: SS Jhonny Peralta (.249, 15 home runs, 81 RBI), 3B Brandon Inge (.247, 13 home runs, 70 RBI), RF Magglio Ordonez (.303, 12 home runs, 59 RBI), LF Ryan Raburn (.280, 15 home runs, 62 RBI), RP Joel Zumaya (2.58 ERA, 34 strikeouts, 11 holds), RP Phil Coke (3.76 ERA, 53 strikeouts, 7-5, 2 saves).

Quick hits: C Victor Martinez, who signed a four-year deal worth $50 million during the offseason, will be the team’s designated hitter and catch two to three times a week. … 2B Carlos Guillen is expected to return for the last two weeks of spring training after microfracture surgery on his left knee. … RP Joaquin Benoit (1.34 ERA, 75 strikeouts, 25 holds) was signed to add depth to the Tiger’s bullpen. … The Tigers traded SP Armando Galarraga to the Arizona Diamondbacks for pitchers Kevin Eichhorn and Ryan Robowski. … With Guillen recovering from injury, the Tigers will be using Scott Sizemore and Will Rhymes.

- Matt Reinstetle

Spring training preview: Atlanta Braves

14 Feb braves

Atlanta Braves

Spring Training site: Champion Stadium at ESPN Wide World of Sports (800 S Victory Way, Kissimee, FL, 34747)

2010 record: 91-71 (2nd in NL East)

Key losses (2010 stats in parentheses): RP Billy Wagner (7-2, 1.43 ERA, 37 saves), UT Omar Infante (.321, 65 runs, 47 RBI), RP Kyle Farnsworth (3-2, 3.34 ERA, 61 strikeouts)

Key returners: SP Tim Hudson (17-9, 2.83 ERA, 139 strikeouts), OF Martín Prado (.307, 100 runs, 15 home runs), C Brian McCann (.269, 21 home runs, 77 RBI)

Quick hits: Manager Bobby Cox retired following the 2010 campaign after 25 seasons with the Atlanta Braves. Replacing him will be his protégé and former Florida Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez…OF Jason Heyward will look to build off a memorable rookie campaign in which he hit .277, had 18 home runs and was an All-Star selection…3B Chipper Jones, a six-time All-Star selection, saw his 2010 season end prematurely after it was reported in August that he tore his ACL. The 38-year-old Jones is planning on coming back during Spring Training…The Braves traded for 2B Dan Uggla (.287, 33 home runs, 105 RBI in 2010 for the Florida Marlins) in hopes of adding power to their lineup. The Braves then agreed to a five-year, $62 million contract with Uggla … RP Billy Wagner is expected to officially retire, meaning the Braves will rely on youngsters Craig Kimbrel (4-0, .44 ERA) and Jonny Venters (4-4, 1.95 ERA) to handle closing duties…There’s been a lot of hype surrounding 1B prospect Freddie Freeman, who was drafted by the Braves in 2007. He’ll get a chance to validate his lofty billing, as he is projected to be an everyday starter.

- Brendan Sonnone

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