Today's info-packed links are brought to you by the end of the not so action-packed month of March.
- Craig Kimbrel didn't end up making the Braves' bullpen after all, reports Mark Bowman of MLB.com, but he will get to be the closer in Triple-A, and we should see him in Atlanta this summer. Bowman also adds that Jason Heyward could return to the Braves' lineup today as he re-cooperates from a bout with shin splints.
- The Colorado Rockies sent Eric Young, Jr. back to Triple-A, reports Tracy Ringolsby of Inside the Rockies. Little EY has been in prospect purgatory for a few years now, appearing to be ready, but without a spot to prove himself. He too will be back in the majors at some point this season, but may be relegated to a bench role much the way he was last September.
- David Freese has won the St. Louis Cardinals' third base job for Opening Day, according to Matthew Leach of MLB.com, but the announcement has a very "lack of better options" feel to it.
- Fernando Martinez will start the season in Triple-A, says Michael Baron on MetsBlog.com. F-Mart had been competing with Gary Matthews, Jr. for the New York Mets' temporary starting field job (until Carlos Beltran comes back from injury), but the team may have finally elected to let Martinez finally play at the level he's best suited for and leave him there until he proves himself. For such a highly rated prospect, Martinez has never produced the numbers consistent with his talent, but the excuse has always been that he was young for his level (true). Having turned 21 during the off-season, Martinez will finally be playing against the proper level of competition.
- The Minnesota Twins are considering keeping top prospect Wilson Ramos as their backup catcher, despite already having the best player in the American League behind the plate, reports Kelly Theiser of MLB.com. The thinking is that having a backup catcher who can hit will allow manager Ron Gardenhire to let Joe Mauer DH more often and give their big money man a few more days off. They could also begin to work Mauer into another position in the field if they don't want to lose Jim Thome's bat in the lineup, although the idea is pure speculation at this point and has yet to be mentioned by anyone in the Twins' organization.
- Pat Venditte appeared for the New York Yankees yesterday, reports Bryan Hoch of MLB.com, and threw with both arms. The switch-pitcher is trying to prove that he's more valuable weapon than novelty act, and got off to a good start in his first appearance against major league hitters. And for a good chuckle, don't miss the breakdown of the "Venditte Rule" broken down in the article about when he faces a switch-hitter.
