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About Ellis Canady - RotoBaller
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Ellis Canady - RotoBaller has written 674 articles so far, you can find them below.
Eduardo Nunez Starts The Season With No Knee Concerns
Boston Red Sox utility player Eduardo Nunez feels more confident in his knee than he has all spring, according to Rob Bradford of WEEI. Nunez finished the spring with a .259 average, one stolen base attempt and zero extra-base hits. In the field, he had very few opportunities to test his injured knee. He does... Read More
J.D. Martinez's Success Is Dependent Upon Mental Preparation
Boston Red Sox outfielder J.D. Martinez says that his success at the plate is attributable more to the mental side than anything else, according to Logan Mullen of NESN.com. Martinez works on his craft daily and not just leading up to the game. He studies his at-bats after the game, as well as what opposing... Read More
A.J. Puk Needs Tommy John Surgery
Updating a previous report, Oakland Athletics pitching prospect A.J. Puk (elbow) was recommended to have Tommy John surgery, according to Jane Lee of MLB.com. Puk sought a second opinion from well-known orthopedic surgeon, Dr. James Andrews, after receiving news Tuesday that he had ligament issues in his pitching elbow. He would be the second young pitcher... Read More
A.J. Puk Has Elbow Ligament Concerns
Oakland Athletics pitching prospect A.J. Puk could potentially have elbow ligament issues, according to Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports Network. A week ago, Puk was shut down after being diagnosed with biceps soreness. This was after he was having a great spring that gave manager Bob Melvin consideration on whether Puk should stay with the... Read More
Hector Velazquez Finishes Spring On High Note
Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Hector Velazquez pitched four shutout innings against the Cubs on Tuesday. He only allowed three hits, struck out two batters and walked one. Prior to spring training, Velazquez was a long shot to make the rotation. Due to injuries, he takes over the fourth spot in the rotation and has... Read More
Craig Kimbrel Strikes Out Two Against The Cubs
Boston Red Sox closer Craig Kimbrel pitched a clean inning against the Cubs on Tuesday, striking out two batters and walking none. Kimbrel spent most of the offseason back home in Boston supporting his daughter and her medical concerns. Manager Alex Cora had no doubt that when the season started Kimbrel would be closing down... Read More
Rafael Devers Does Not Play Tuesday
According to Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe, Boston Red Sox third baseman Rafael Devers (knee) is not playing in Tuesday's game. Devers said he felt fine after bruising his right knee in a home plate collision in Monday's game. While he will not do any running, Devers will get some work done in the... Read More
Steven Wright Starts Season On DL, Suspension Will Begin Upon Activation
Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Steven Wright (knee) will start the season on the disabled list, according to Evan Drellich of NBC Sports Boston. Additionally, Wright also had a platelet-rich plasma shot in his left knee on Monday. Wright is still recovering from knee surgery in May. Wright was also recently suspended 15 games for... Read More
Matt Joyce Hopes To Return To Action On Tuesday
Oakland Athletics outfielder Matt Joyce (knee) hopes to return to play in Tuesday's game, according to John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle. Joyce fouled a ball off his right kneecap in Sunday's game against the Giants. Joyce is recovering quickly and does not feel it will prevent him from starting the season. “Pretty positive... Read More
Rick Porcello Has Solid Final Tuneup
Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Rick Porcello gave up two runs on seven hits over five innings against the Cubs on Monday. He struck out three, but did not walk anyone, facing a majority of the Cubs' starting lineup. Porcello was 11-17 with 4.65 ERA in 2017. Porcello will likely not produce like the 2016... Read More
Rafael Devers Involved In Collision At Plate
Boston Red Sox third baseman Rafael Devers collided hard with Cubs catcher Victor Caratini in Monday's game, which resulted in a right knee bruise, according to Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe. It was originally believed to be worse than it actually turned out to be, as Devers was down for a little bit after... Read More
Drew Pomeranz Starts Season On DL
Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Drew Pomeranz (forearm), as expected, was placed on the 10-day disabled list, according to Jen McCaffrey of MassLive.com. Pomeranz recently threw 48 pitches in a minor league game and felt good afterwards. Pomeranz won 17 games in 2017 and could very easily do the same again this year, if healthy.... Read More
Eduardo Rodriguez Placed On DL
Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez (knee) was placed on the 10-day disabled list, according to Jen McCaffrey of MassLive.com. Rodriguez had a below 50 percent chance to recover in time to take a starting spot to open the season. The good news is that if manager Alex Cora gave him anything near a... Read More
Mookie Betts Explodes for Two HR
Boston Red Sox outfielder Mookie Betts powered the Red Sox past Twins with two HR and three RBI. While his spring started out rough, Betts has came on strong and now sits with a .340 average. Betts is getting hot just in time for the start of the season. He remains an elite top-10 option.
Sam Travis Optioned To Triple-A
Boston Red Sox first base prospect Sam Travis was optioned down to Triple-A Pawtucket today, according to Sean McAdam of Boston Sports Journal. The Red Sox currently have two veterans who will be splitting time at first base. Travis has always had issues demonstrating power in the minors, as je has never hit more than... Read More
Trevor Cahill Works Toward A Starting Rotation Job
Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Trevor Cahill has a couple more starts ahead of him before he potentially takes over a starting gig. Cahill will work three innings in Tuesday’s game at AT&T Park, then he will go to the minor leagues to get in one start in Arizona, according to Susan Slusser of the San... Read More
Chris Sale OK And Ready For Opening Day
Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Chris Sale (hip) says he is doing ok after getting hit by a line drive in the first inning yesterday, according to Chad Jennings of the Boston Herald. Sale was removed from the game and diagnosed with a left hip contusion, but the X-rays came back clean. “It looked a... Read More
Steven Wright Suspended 15 Games For Domestic Violence
Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Steven Wright will be suspended for 15 games after the MLB investigation into domestic violence, according to Evan Drellich of NBC Sports Boston. Wright is currently in the process of returning from knee surgery and was actually in consideration to start the fourth game of the season against the Rays.... Read More
Brian Johnson Shuts Down Yankees In Spring Game
Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Brian Johnson had a very strong effort against the Yankees today to solidify himself as the fifth starter to start the season. According to Christopher Smith of MassLive.com, Johnson went 4 2/3 scoreless innings with five strikeouts and one walk. Manager Alex Cora has already stated Johnson is in line... Read More
Drew Pomeranz Looked Good In Minor League Game
Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Drew Pomeranz (forearm), as scheduled, pitched in a controlled minor league game against nine batters, according to Chris Mason of the Eagle Tribune. He allowed two earned runs on three hits with one strikeout and one walk. Pomeranz threw 48 pitches, 27 of which were strikes. After the outing, Pomeranz... Read More
Boog Powell Might Have Inside Track On Center Field Spot
Updating a previous report on the Oakland Athletics center field competition, all indications are moving towards Dustin Fowler being the odd man out and starting the year in the minors. According to Jane Lee of MLB.com, manager Bob Melvin said, "We’re comfortable with Smolinski and Powell." This would indicate that Boog Powell might be getting... Read More
Paul Blackburn Out With Forearm Strain
Updating a previous report, Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Paul Blackburn has a forearm strain, according to Jane Lee of MLB.com. Lee also noted the MRI showed no structural damage. Manager Bob Melvin estimated Blackburn would be shut down for 10 days. With an already thin rotation, the starters are identified by their health. The starting... Read More
Steven Wright Had A Successful And Injury-Free Outing In Minor League Game
Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Steven Wright (knee) threw four innings in a game against Orioles minor leaguers on Thursday, according to Sean McAdam of the Boston Sports Journal. Wright allowed four earned runs on six hits and four walks. Manager Alex Cora recently stated that Wright had a 50-50 chance of taking the fourth... Read More
Dustin Fowler Has Competition For Center Field Spot
Oakland Athletics manager Bob Melvin has one last decision to make, picking a center fielder, according to Jane Lee of MLB.com. The choices are among Dustin Fowler and Boog Powell. It has long been thought that Fowler had an edge on the position. Powell, .270 average, is having a good spring compared to Fowler, .189 average. Fowler comes... Read More
Paul Blackburn Having Forearm Tightness
Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Paul Blackburn is dealing with forearm tightness. He will see a doctor here in Arizona, according to Julian McWilliams of the The Athletic. On Tuesday, Blackburn had a terrible game against the Dodgers, giving up seven runs. This concern is bad news for the Athletics who are already reeling from injuries... Read More
Bruce Maxwell Earns Backup Catcher Spot
Oakland Athletics catcher Bruce Maxwell earned the backup catcher job behind Jonathan Lucroy, according to Melissa Lockard of The Athletic. Maxwell started slow this spring, but is finishing strong and has a .313 average with two home runs thus far. He became the backup catcher when the Athletics optioned Dustin Garneau to Triple-A this morning.... Read More
A.J. Puk Shut Down With Bicep Concerns
Oakland Athletics pitching prospect A.J. Puk (bicep) has been shut down with biceps soreness, according to Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle. Puk had an MRI and there was no indication of any major structural damage. Since the injury does not appear to be serious, the Athletics are just taking every precaution, considering recent... Read More
Alex Cora Provides Clarity On Red Sox Starting Rotation To Start Season
Updating a previous report, there has been some clarity provided to the back end of the rotation for the start of the season for the Boston Red Sox. It remains clear that starting pitchers Chris Sale, David Price and Rick Porcello will start the first three regular season games against the Tampa Bay Rays. According to... Read More
Paul Blackburn Cannot Make It Out Of Third Inning
Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Paul Blackburn was scorched for seven runs against the Dodgers on Tuesday. Runs allowed in the spring is not an indicator of success in the season. On the positive side, though, he has struck out 17 batters in 17 innings. The biggest concern is his control; Blackburn has given away a... Read More
Rafael Devers Continues To Hit
Boston Red Sox third baseman Rafael Devers went 2-for-2 with his third home run of the spring against the Pirates on Tuesday. There has never been a question about Devers' bat. He has always been able to hit. He is currently tied for the team lead in hits this spring. The Red Sox have been... Read More
