Let there be news – Volume 12

This week produced very little in analysis-worthy news. Hopefully you’re getting a chance to watch some of the spring training games to make up for the lack of news.

Transactions

The Twins signed reliever Glen Perkins to a three-year, $10.3 million contract extension for the 2013-2015 seasons. Perkins performed admirably out of the bullpen last year and is considered by many to be next in line for the Twins’ closer job should Matt Capps falter again.

Carlos Guillen announced his retirement. He was in camp with the Mariners on a minor-league contract. The move is not entirely surprising as injuries have prevented Guillen from spending much time on the field over the last few seasons.

The A’s Jason Pridie received a 50-game suspension for violating the MLB drug policy. The drug is said to have been recreational rather than performance enhancing. Pridie was not expected to make the big-league roster.

Notable injuries

Giancarlo Stanton was hit on the wrist on Sunday by Chris Schwinden. X-Rays were negative. The young slugger hopes to return to action soon.

Nolan Reimold took a Alex Cobb fastball to the face. Apparently, the only casualty was a chipped tooth. He’s expected to return to action in a few days. Reimold is battling for a full-time role with the Orioles.

The Cardinals’ Chris Carpenter has a bulging disc in his neck and will be shut down indefinitely. The injury opens up a rotation slot for the Cardinals who will look to fill it internally. Kyle McClellan might be an early front-runner and a Roy Oswalt signing potentially could be revisited.

David Price injured his neck toweling off between innings. He expects to return to action in a few days, citing experience with such injuries. Perhaps he should towel himself less aggressively. And I’m sure that is a euphemism for something…

Angels prospect Mike Trout caught a nasty case of the flu and reportedly lost 10 pounds. The Angels will be careful with their top prospect and wait for him to regain some weight before he returns to game action. The Angels are chock full of outfielders, so Trout was likely headed to Triple-A even before the illness.

Speaking of injured top prospects, Bryce Harper has a left calf injury but it isn’t considered serious. The club is being cautious.

Josh Collmenter is battling forearm tightness. It’s not expected to be serious, although a prolonged injury would open the door for a prospect like Trevor Bauer or Tyler Skaggs.

Braves prospect Arodys Vizcaino has some inflammation in his elbow. He had a shot to earn a place in the Braves bullpen, but will probably miss time now.

Andre Ethier is battling back stiffness for the second time this spring. If it gets worse, it could open up more playing time for Jerry Sands in the early going.

Kenley Jansen experienced heart palpitations, but he has been medically cleared. Jansen is the Dodgers’ best reliever, although he likely will begin the season as the setup reliever for incumbent closer Javy Guerra.

David Wright has returned to New York and is expected to get a cortisone shot for what is described as a rib cage/oblique issue.

Mets prospect Kirk Nieuwenhuis also has an oblique strain. He was expected to compete for a role with the club. It is unclear how much time he will miss at this time. Including Scott Hairston, that marks three Mets with oblique injuries this spring. The club is re-evaluating the players’ workout programs.

David Robertson suffered a bone bruise on his foot in a stairs mishap.

Phillies prospect Domonic Brown injured his thumb diving. Tests have shown only inflammation and no major injury. Brown is nominally blocked at the MLB level, but a perfect spring could have resulted in a full-time role with the big club.

Phillies prospect Harold Garcia, who missed most of last season with an ACL injury, will miss the 2012 season due to microfracture surgery.

Dontrelle Willis is experiencing arm soreness and fatigue.

The Rangers are dealing with several injuries. Ian Kinsler has lower back stiffness, Mike Napoli has a strained groin, and Conor Jackson has a left eye injury after failing to catch a fly ball.