Jair Jurrjens: Right-handed starting pitcher Jair Jurrjens didn’t have a perfect start into this year’s spring training, missing some time due to shoulder inflammation. Now he is back on track for the 2010 season, his second with the Atlanta Braves. On Saturday he shut out the Nationals over five innings, allowing just one hit and two walks, while striking out three. He threw 59 pitches, 40 for strikes. He will start another time in Spring Training and is slated to pitch on April 7th at home against the Chicago Cubs.
Excerpt from MLB.com:
“This is the best I’ve felt the whole Spring Training,” Jurrjens said of a spring that saw him battle shoulder inflammation. “Not just the result, [but] the location of my pitches, I think everything was working today.”
Kalian Sams: The Mariners had scheduled another split-squad day last Thursday. Top prospects Alex Liddi and Gregory Halman didn’t play, but another player with European ties made his debut in a 7-8 loss to the Royals. Kalian Sams replaced Ryan Langerhans in right field midway through the match and collected a single in his two at-bats. The 23-year-old from The Hague, Netherlands is entering his fourth professional season this year. In 2009 he split time between the Single- and Low-A affiliates of the Mariners in Everett and Clinton.