Designated Hitter Erubiel Durazo and P John Wasdin have been released by Texas.
While the Rangers have no shortage of players who can DH or play first, it wouldn’t be a huge surprise to see Durazo (above) on someone’s major league roster by opening day. Personally, I’d refer to see him go head-to-head in a televised tryout versus Carlos Pena on Saturday night, kind of the like the NCAA tournament’s play-in game (or the first season of “Dream Job”, only with less talking).
Houston’s $15.6 million insurance claim on Jeff Bagwell has been rejected by Connecticut General Life. The insurance company takes issue with the club’s declaration that Bagwell is “totally disabled”. Well, let’s see. Bagwell can’t throw and has struggled to hit the ball out of the infield this spring. Not only do the Astros have a case, but going by the lowest of baseball standards, the Mets might want to try the same thing with Kaz Matsui.
Pete Rose has come out in favor of punishment for players found guilty of using steroids “during the last two years.” That should kill Matt Lawton’s remaining chances of making the Canadian Baseball Hall Of Fame.