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N.L. East.(BASEBALL)
ATLANTA BRAVES
RHP John Thomson began the season in the bullpen, and he might stay there if the club isn't able to trade him. Atlanta has good starting pitching depth, and Thomson has better control coming out of the bullpen than RHP Jorge Sosa, the club's No. 5 starter. Elbow pain scuttled the club's plans to trade Thomson during spring training.... OF Bran Jordan secured a roster spot mostly by proving he could play first base. Jordan's surgically repaired left knee appears healthy, and he still has good range in the outfield. MR. APRIL: Umpires have told clubs that more low strikes will be called this year. That will benefit sinkerballing RHP Tim Hudson, who is determined to rebound from what he considers a disappointing 2005 season. Hudson is at his best when he can mix in his split-finger fastball; look for him to get more strikeouts if hitters are forced to swing at it.--Mark Bowman
FLORIDA MARLINS
Manager Joe Girardi likes to use consistent catcher-pitcher pairings, so expect to see C Miguel Olivo regularly handle LHP Dontrelle Willis and RHP Sergio Mitre. Olivo will make about 60 percent of the starts at catcher. Josh Willingham will catch two or three games a week and play left field on other days.... RHP Todd Wellemeyer, acquired from the Cubs for two minor league players, will be one of the team's primary setup men. His mid-90s fastball and his changeup make him a good option against lefthanded hitters. MR. APRIL: Willis has an 8-0 career record in April, and even though he did not pitch well in the World Baseball Classic, he will have another strong start.Timing is the the key to Willis' delivery--when his mechanics aren't good, he throws across his body and gets behind in counts-and he appeared to find his rhythm in the WBC even though the results weren't good.--Joe Frisaro
NEW YORK METS
2B Kazuo Matsul (knee) was on the D.L. at the start of the season, which wasn't too great of a loss. Rookie Anderson Hernandez is a better defensive second baseman, particularly in terms of range. It will be interesting to see what the team does with Matsui if Hernandez asserts himself offensively in the first 10 games. ... Manager Willie Randolph likely will move CF Carlos Beltran around in the order and shift him among the second, ...
- Lo Duca: I'm not selfish.
- Newspaper article from: Newsday (Melville, NY) June 29, 2007 700+ words
...Byline: David Lennon Jun. 29--Paul Lo Duca can absorb the foul tips, the backswings...of the job as wearing shin guards. But Lo Duca, one of the most emotionally driven players...thrown out of games happens, and the fiery Lo Duca has been in the faces of plenty of umpires...
- Lo Duca willing to shoulder blame.
- Newspaper article from: Newsday (Melville, NY) June 13, 2007 700+ words
...announced Monday that Martin had passed Paul Lo Duca, last year's starter, in the most...push appeared to be working. Just as Lo Duca took over for Mike Piazza at Shea, now...position his own at Chavez Ravine. But Lo Duca bristled at a question late Monday night...
- PAY OR TRADE? LO DUCA, DODGERS COULD PART WAYS.(Sports)(Statistical Data...
- Newspaper article from: Daily News (Los Angeles, CA) May 18, 2004 700+ words
...Byline: Tony Jackson Staff Writer Paul Lo Duca wasn't coddled as a minor-leaguer...decade after signing out of Arizona State, Lo Duca remains with his original organization...possibility. ``It is a little hard,'' Lo Duca said. ``There was a time when I wanted...
- More on his plate: Lo Duca's putting in extra work to ward off wear & tear of...
- Newspaper article from: Newsday (Melville, NY) March 22, 2007 700+ words
...About the only place you can see Paul Lo Duca these days is behind the plate. Which...exactly the point. In order to stay there, Lo Duca is among the first to arrive at Tradition...for him at his locker. Minutes later, Lo Duca is in the weight room, doing whatever...
- The Met in the middle: Lo Duca's hard play puts him in the center of sweep of...
- Newspaper article from: Newsday (Melville, NY) October 9, 2006 700+ words
...bloops and a blast. That sums up Paul Lo Duca's Saturday night in Los Angeles. His...visitors' clubhouse at Dodger Stadium. Lo Duca's locker was in the far corner, but...in Game 1, and naturally it involved Lo Duca. The Brooklyn-born catcher caught a...
- More on his plate: Lo Duca willing to shoulder the blame for Mets' recent slide.
- Newspaper article from: Newsday (Melville, NY) June 13, 2007 700+ words
...announced Monday that Martin had passed Paul Lo Duca, last year's starter, in the most...push appeared to be working. Just as Lo Duca took over for Mike Piazza at Shea, now...position his own at Chavez Ravine. But Lo Duca bristled at a question late Monday night...
- DODGERS NOTEBOOK: LO DUCA WASN'T `ECSTATIC'.(Sports)
- Newspaper article from: Daily News (Los Angeles, CA) February 13, 2003 700+ words
...VERO BEACH, Fla. - Dodgers catcher Paul Lo Duca reported to spring training Wednesday...Eric Karros to the Chicago Cubs.'' Lo Duca, who considered Karros a mentor, said...Hundley, who is also a close friend of Lo Duca's. Lo Duca said he had to call Karros...
- Spanish-speaking Mets say Lo Duca's no racist.
- Newspaper article from: Newsday (Melville, NY) June 30, 2007 700+ words
...Lennon Jun. 30--PHILADELPHIA -- Paul Lo Duca, a tabloid favorite last season, found...clubhouse and could be far more damaging. Lo Duca was back in hot water for comments he...answering questions from the media. Where Lo Duca may have crossed the line -- depending...