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Sporting News, The, March 18, 2005

The PHILLIES' experiment of using burly 1B Ryan Howard in left field began poorly. Howard misplayed several balls during an intrasquad game. Manager Charlie Manuel says Howard will play the outfield in "B" games until he feels comfortable.... DODGERS OF Jason Grabowski, who was drafted by the Rangers in 1997 as a catcher, is getting a crash refresher course in that position because manager Jim Tracy is considering carrying three catchers. If Grabowski can catch, Tracy could pinch hit for Cs David Ross and Paul Bako more often.... C Henry Blanco won't necessarily be RHP Greg Maddux's personal catcher with the CUBS. The two teamed up with the Braves in 2002 and 2003. Manager Dusty Baker says Michael Barrett will work with Maddux this spring.... ASTROS C Brad Ausmus added a leg kick to his swing in hopes of improving his anemic hitting. Ausmus wants to shift the strength in his swing from his upper body to his legs. The kick will help keep his weight on his back leg and perhaps generate more power.... RHP Ryan Vogelsong, who is trying to become the PIRATES' No. 5 starter, has ditched his changeup in favor of a split-finger fastball. Vogelsong worked on the pitch in winter ball. He believes it will better complement his mid-90s fastball.... METS RHP Victor Zambrano did not use a slider, his best pitch, during an intrasquad game last week. Zambrano is coming off a slight muscle tear in his pitching arm, and the club isn't rushing him.... The PADRES hoped LF Ryan Klesko could stay healthy, but he underwent an MRI on his left (throwing) shoulder a week into camp. His right shoulder was a concern the past two seasons.... BREWERS manager Ned Yost might use hard-throwing RHP Jose Capellan in relief at the beginning of the season and ease him into a starting role by June. Yost figures the light early load will keep Capellan at full strength all season.... OF Ryan Langerhans, known mainly for his fielding, has shown more power than the BRAVES had expected. Langerhans will begin the season in a left field platoon with Brian Jordan.... Manager Fellpe Alou says the GIANTS' fifth outfielder job is Jason Ellison's to lose. Ellison probably is the fastest player on the team, and he is an excellent fielder.... ROCKIES LHP Darren Oliver looks like the pitcher who had 13 victories for the club in 2003. He is keeping his fastball down and is hitting spots with his cutter. Oliver, a nonroster player, could create some difficult pitching decisions.... RHP Ben Weber appears to be the REDS' No. 1 option as the main setup reliever, but manager Dave Miley could use a combination of Weber, RHP David Weathers and LHP Kent Mercker to get to RHP Danny Graves, the closer.... CARDINALS RHP Jimmy Journell, who had shoulder surgery last May, has looked good and improved his command. He could compete for a bullpen job. The club needs a hard-throwing righthanded reliever to replace RHP Kiko Calero, who was sent to the A's in the deal for LHP Mark Mulder.... LHP Brad Halsey has impressed the DIAMONDBACKS with his fearlessness on the mound. He has a good cut fastball and will use it to get inside on dghthanded hitters.... IF Joe Dillon's hitting has attracted the MARLINS' attention. The question about Dillon, 29, a career minor leaguer, is what positions he can play. Dillon will play third, second and left field in the spring.... OF Ryan Church might have to wait to join the RATIONALS as a reserve. Church has a minor league option remaining. Outfielders such as JJ. Davis and Alex Escobar do not.

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Camp surprises

Cardinals RHP Matt Morris has made remarkable progress after offseason shoulder surgery and could be ready to pitch on April 20, the first time St. Louis will need a fifth starter.... Diamondbacks IF Alex Cintron played a lot this winter, which has put him ahead of other players in camp. Cintron, a switch hitter, also has adjusted his hitting mechanics so that his stances from both sides are similar. That should make it easier for him to stay in sync.... Phillies LHP Randy Wolf is throwing all of his pitches without pain this spring. Wolf's 2004 season ended early because of elbow tendinitis .... Braves CF Andruw Jones came to camp lighter than usual and with more maturity. He also has widened his stance at the plate to shorten his stride and improve his plate coverage.

Hot prospect

RHP Josh Johnson has opened eyes in the Marlins' camp with his imposing frame (6-7,220), 94-mph fastball and aggressiveness. Johnson, 21, could be a sleeper in the bullpen competition even though he's still about a year or so from being regarded as big-league ready.

A fourth-round draft pick by Florida in 2002, Johnson is working to improve his slider and changeup. He is projected to open the season as a starter at Class AA Carolina.

Scouting report

Cardinals OF John Gall, a converted first baseman, appears to have made significant progress on defense. He turned in a couple of impressive plays in left field early in camp. If the club has confidence in Gall's fielding, there might be a spot for him on the bench. There are few doubts about his hitting.

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Sporting News, The, March 18, 2005

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