Jair Jurrjens: After having a slow start into spring training due to an inflamed shoulder, Jair Jurrjens finally made his 2010 Grapefruit League debut on Friday against the Pirates. He completed his scheduled two innings of work before rain forced an early ending after three innings. The 24-year-old right-hander allowed one hit and struck out one in two scoreless frames. 18 of his 29 pitches were strikes. Originally he was slated to pitch on Thursday evening against the Yankees, but that game was rained out as well.
“It felt awesome,” Jurrjens said. “I felt really great. I felt like all of my control was there and every pitch was like doing what I wanted it to do. I was happy with it.”
Shairon Martis: The rainouts of the last couple of days didn’t help to create opportunities for starting pitcher Shairon Martis of the Nationals. The club has scheduled two intrasquad games this weekend with Martis pitching on Sunday in one of them.
Kenley Jansen: As reported a few weeks ago, Kenley Jansen is traveling with the Dodgers to Taiwan for a three-game series. On Friday the Major League club lost 2-5 against an all-star team of the Chinese Professional Baseball League. Jansen didn’t pitch. Major Leaguers Manny Ramirez, James Loney and Ronnie Belliard were in the starting lineup for the team from Chavez Ravine. Skipper Joe Torre also held a manager forum at Tienmou Stadium in Taipei, Taiwan on Saturday.
Cincinnati Reds: The Aroldis Chapman show came to Phoenix, Arizona on Friday with the Reds taking on the Dodgers. Chapman allowed just two infield hits in two scoreless innings of work, striking out two. Battling a cold he threw 20 of his 35 pitches as strikes. In other Reds news: Alexander Smit has appeared in one game so far, allowing two hits, three runs and two walks in just 2/3 of an inning. Wladimir Balentien is hitting .300 (OBP .300/SLG .600) with a triple and a double in ten at-bats through four games.
Gregory Halman & Hainley Statia: Outfielder Gregory Halman of the Mariners and shortstop Hainley Statia of the Angels entered Friday’s games as late-game defensive replacements.
