AL Central Update

CHICAGO WHITE SOX

Spring Leaders

Hits - Gordon Beckham 18
Home runs - 2 tied with 4
RBIs - Alex Rios 14
Stolen Bases - Lastings Milledge 3
Innings - Edwin Jackson 19 1/3
Strikeouts - Edwin Jackson 20

News: Jake Peavy's attempt to break camp as a part of the White Sox rotation has come up short having been shut down with tendinitis in his right shoulder. While he was encouraged by how he felt following some light throwing Tuesday, it's clear that the White Sox aren't going to mess around with this one, and rightfully so. Peavy has appeared in just 19 games in his season an a half with Chicago and they do not want to risk further injury by pushing him back into play too quickly. This spring Peavy has performed well though his record doesn't indicate that. In 4 starts he is 0-3 with a 4.11 ERA and opponents are hitting only .241 against him.


CLEVELAND INDIANS

Spring Leaders

Hits - Travis Buck 20
Home runs - 2 tied with 4
RBIs - Travis Buck 12
Stolen Bases - 2 tied with 4
Innings - Fausto Carmona 24
Strikeouts - Fausto Carmona 21

News: Grady Sizemore is back on the field. Sizemore played centerfield for 3 innings in yesterday's spring training game against Arizona marking the first time since May 16th that he had played out there in a game situation. Sizemore made his debut as a DH on Sunday. He's 0 for 4 with a strikeout in his limited action so far, but getting him out there at all is encouraging for Cleveland. The 28 year old outfielder hit 39 doubles, 33 home runs and stole 38 bases in his last full season in the majors (2008).


DETROIT TIGERS

Spring Leaders

Hits - Andy Dirks 19
Home runs - 2 tied with 3
RBIs - Miguel Cabrera 12
Stolen Bases - 9 tied with 1
Innings - Phil Coke 21 2/3
Strikeouts - Justin Verlander 20

News:  Jim Leyland has named his opening day second baseman: Will Rhymes. Not yet a household name for people who didn't follow the Tigers closely last year, Rhymes burst onto the scene late in the year and hit .304 in 54 games after hitting .305 with 22 steals in 95 games with AAA Toledo. Rhymes, who turns 28 next week, was originally a 27th round pick back in 2005, but he beat out Scott Sizemore and Danny Worth for the job. Rhymes is hitting .271 in 48 at bats this spring. Sizemore, 26, was sent back down to AAA after only hitting .243 this spring though he did have 10 runs batted in. In 48 games last year he hit just .224 with 3 home runs. Worth, 25, hit .255 in 39 games with the Tigers last year and is still fighting for the last open roster spot. Worth is 11 for 34 (.324) this spring with 6 doubles.


KANSAS CITY ROYALS

Spring Leaders

Hits - Melky Cabrera 22
Home runs - Kila Ka'aihue 4
RBIs - Billy Butler 14
Stolen Bases - Jarrod Dyson 7
Innings - Jeff Francis 15
Strikeouts - Kyle Davies 15

News: The Royals have finalized their starting rotation with Luke Hochevar getting the ball on opening day and Jeff Francis, Bruce Chen, Kyle Davies and Vin Mazzaro rounding out the group. Mazzaro, 6-8 with a 4.27 ERA with Oakland last year, beat out Sean O'Sullivan for the final spot. O'Sullivan will work out of the bullpen to start the season. Francis is in his first year with the Royals after spending the previous 6 years with Colorado. He had his best season in 2007 when the Rocks went to the World Series going 17-9 with a 4.22 ERA and logging over 200 innings, but he missed all of 2009 and the beginning of 2010 with shoulder surgery. Hochevar (6-6 4.81), Davies (8-12 5.34) and Chen (12-7, 4.17) all pitched for the Royals last year.


MINNESOTA TWINS

Spring Leaders

Hits - Jason Kubel 17
Home runs - Luke Hughes 5
RBIs - Luke Hughes 14
Stolen Bases - 2 tied with 5
Innings - Carl Pavano 19
Strikeouts - Brian Duensing 12

News: Joe Mauer and Justing Morneau are both back in action which is great news for Twins fans. Mauer has appeared in 3 grapefruit league games going 4 for 8 with a pair of runs batted in. Morneau has struggled a bit in Grapefruit League play going 0 for 10 in 4 games with a walk. When these two lefties are healthy, it adds a whole new element to Minnesota's lineup. Morneau had a streak of 4 straight 100 rbis seasons snapped when he got hurt last year while Mauer is a career .327 hitter. If these guys are ready to go come opening day, the Twins could surprised some people, especially with the way their starting pitching has performed this spring. Carl Pavano (19 IP 0.95 ERA), Brian Duensing (3-0 17 IP 1.59), Nick Blackburn (2-1 16 IP 2.81),  and Scott Baker (12 2/3 IP 2.84 ERA) have all been pitching great and the only starter who hasn't been on thus far, Francisco Liriano, might be the best one out of the whole lot.