NL Central Update

CHICAGO CUBS

Spring Leaders

Hits - Marlon Byrd 24
Home runs - Starlin Castro 4
RBIs - Starlin Castro 15
Stolen Bases - Starlin Castro 2
Innings - Randy Wells 25 2/3
Strikeouts - Randy Wells 23

News: Braden Looper hasn't pitched in the majors since winning 14 games with the Brewers and it looks like that's going to be it for him. After 12 major league seasons with the Cardinals, Marlins, Mets and Brewers, Looper failed to crack the Cubs rotation this spring and is hanging them up. 72-65 over his career with  a 4.15 ERA and 103 saves, Looper missed the 2010 seasons and was unable to return to form this spring allowing 20 hits and 14 earned runs in just 12 2/3 innings for a 9.95 ERA. Looper, who resides in Chicago was unwilling to relocate his family again so at age 36, he's hanging them up. Originally drafted as the third overall pick in the 1996 MLB draft by St. Louis out of Wichita State, Looper was a first team all-american as a junior and was a member of the U.S.'s bronze-medal winning team at the 1996 Olympics. He was a part of 2 World Series teams winning rings with the Marlins (2003) and Cardinals (2006). With Looper out of the running for a spot in the rotation, and with Randy Wells locked in as the number four starter, the final spot is down to Carlos Silva, Andrew Cashner and Casey Coleman.


CINCINNATI REDS

Spring Leaders

Hits - Dave Sappelt
Home runs - Chris Heisey 4
RBIs - Joey Votto 13
Stolen Bases - Kris Negron 4
Innings - Travis Wood 19 1/3
Strikeouts - Travis Wood 18

News: The Reds rotation is having all kinds of issues as we close in on opening day. Johnny Cueto will start the year on the DL with a mild inflammation in his right shoulder, Homer Bailey has been placed on the DL with a right shoulder impingement and now it's been determined that Bronson Arroyo has mono. Cincinnati's depth will be tested early on as they look to defend their NL Central title, as this string of injuries just adds to the mystery of who the best team in the NL Central really is.


HOUSTON ASTROS

Spring Leaders

Hits - Brett Wallace 22
Home runs - J.R. Towles 3
RBIs - Brett Wallace 18
Stolen Bases - Jason Bourgeois 4
Innings - Nelson Figueroa 20
Strikeouts - Bud Norris 18

News: The Astros got more bad news on the injury front when Clint Barmes was hit in the hand with a pitch by Ivan Nova fracturing a bone his hand which will cause him to miss 4 to 6 weeks. The Astros, already thin at the shortstop position, now find themselves scrambling to find their opening day starter. Matt Downs, Angel Sanchez, Anderson Hernandez and Oswaldo Navarro are the remaining players in camp who can play the position. Tommy Manzella, last year's opening day shortstop, has already been sent back down to AAA. Sanchez played 57 games at short last year after Tommy Manzella went down with a broken finger and seems the most likely candidate to be up the middle on opening day.


MILWAUKEE BREWERS

Spring Leaders

Hits - Erick Almonte 29
Home runs - Casey McGehee 4
RBIs - Erick Almonte 13
Stolen Bases - 3 tied with 3
Innings - Chris Narveson 21 2/3
Strikeouts - Chris Narveson 15

News: The Brewers acquired Sergio Mitre from the New York Yankees this week for outfielder Chris Dickerson. Mitre has pitched in parts of 7 different major league seasons with the Cubs, Marlins and Yankees. He made a career high 27 starts with Florida in 2007 but won just 5 of them. His best season came last year where he was used as a middle reliever/spot starter for New York. In 27 games (3 starts) he posted a 3.33 ERA and got his first career save. Milwaukee has not made it clear what role Mitre will be assuming with the club, but there's a chance he can fill in for the injured Zack Greinke until he returns from his rib injury. In Dickerson, the Brewers part with a 28 year old outfielder who has hit .267 in 173 career games. Last year between the Reds and the Brewers he batted just .206 with 0 home runs and 5 stolen bases.


PITTSBURGH PIRATES

Spring Leaders

Hits - 2 tied with 18
Home runs - 2 tied with 4
RBIs - Lyle Overbay 11
Stolen Bases - Corey Wimberly 4
Innings - Paul Maholm 20
Strikeouts - Kevin Correia 15

News: The Pittsburgh Pirates starting rotation has been set by manager Clint Hurdle. Kevin Correia (10-10 5.40 w/ SD) will take the ball on opening day followed by Paul Maholm (9-15 5.10), Ross Ohlendorf (1-11 4.07), Charlie Morton (2-12 7.57), and James McDonald (4-6 4.02 w/ LAD-PIT). The Pirates have finished in last place in each of the last 4 seasons.


ST. LOUIS CARDINALS

Spring Leaders

Hits - Matt Holliday 19
Home runs - Mark Hamilton 3
RBIs - John Jay 14
Stolen Bases - Daniel Descalso 3
Innings - Kyle Lohse 24
Strikeouts - Kyle Lohse 15

News: Although no decision has been made, Kyle McClellan appears to be in line to lock down Adam Wainwright's vacated spot in the Cardinal rotation. In 4 spring starts, McClellan is 3-0 with a 0.53 ERA allowing just 9 hits in 17 innings of work. The 26 year old righty has not started a game in his major league career as all 202 of his appearances over the past 3 seasons came in relief.