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Chapman to skip winter ball, still plans to start

Reds left-hander will not pitch in games until Spring Training

CINCINNATI --

The Reds have shelved plans for Aroldis Chapman to start games in winter ball. However, the club still expects to go forward with Chapman's transition to become a starting pitcher.

Chapman pitched 2 2/3 innings in the Arizona Fall League before he came down with left shoulder inflammation. A planned start on Oct. 31 was scratched, and the left-hander has not pitched since.

The Reds have decided that Chapman will skip winter ball and not pitch in games again until Spring Training.

"We were going to send him to Puerto Rico, but his shoulder was a little weak, so we decided to shut him down," Reds general manager Walt Jocketty said Tuesday at the General Managers Meetings in Milwaukee. "Rather than send him to winter ball without much supervision from our own people, we decided that he would be better in Florida working with some trainers there on strengthening the area. We have a couple of guys down there with him who set up the program and are monitoring it."

Chapman, a Cuban defector whom the Reds signed to a six-year, $30 million contract in January 2010, makes his offseason home in the Miami area.

The 23-year-old was 4-1 with a 3.60 ERA in 54 games out of the bullpen this season, with 41 walks and 71 strikeouts in 70 innings. He missed a month from May 23-June 21 with shoulder inflammation that was diagnosed after an erratic week of pitching.

Despite his not getting to start over the winter, there is no change to the plan of having Chapman compete for a rotation spot in camp.

"It would have been nice to build him up to where he could pitch four to five innings," Jocketty said. "Then, he would have been ahead of the game. But actually, strengthening his shoulder and getting him conditioned to be a starter in Spring Training, we'll be fine."

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PANAMA WINTER LEAGUE
Without a doubt, the best pitching performance out of Panama was posted by Toru Murata. Very nice! Murata and Salazar are doing a fine job.

CARACAS .-

Rick Sweet, will be the new manager of the Lions of Caracas after team President, Luis Avila, formalized his dicision on his Twitter account.

Sweet has experience as manager of the Louisville Bats, Triple branch of the Cincinnati Reds.

Sweet will take the place of his compatriot Tim Teufel, who was fired less than 24 hours after leaving 12-16 mark in his first experience in the Venezuelan winter league.

The American has the fifth best record of wins in the minor league system at 1515 wins and 1449 losses, according to Manuel Lira.

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Friday, Nov. 18, 2011

Time to talk:

Dragons skipper Hiromitsu Ochiai (center) speaks to his players in the third inning of Game 5 on Thursday. Chunichi lost its third straight Japan Series game at home. KYODO

Pitching carries Hawks to third straight win

By JASON COSKREY, Staff writer

NAGOYA —

For three nights, the Fukuoka Softbank Hawks were extremely rude house guests to the Chunichi Dragons.
Eye on the target:

Hawks left-hander Hiroki Yamada throws a pitch in Game 5 of the Japan Series on Thursday at Nagoya Dome. Fukuoka Softbank beat Chunichi 5-0. KYODO

Now that their first Japan Series title since 2003 is within reach, the Hawks won't exactly be rolling out the red carpet when they get back home either.

Hiroki Yamada threw six shutout innings, and a three-run eighth put the game out of reach, as the Hawks beat the Dragons 5-0 in Game 5 of the Japan Series on Thursday to sweep all three games at Nagoya Dome and move within a win of the title.

"I was very nervous before the game but got more and more comfortable as the game moved along, especially since I was working with a lead," Yamada said after his first Japan Series appearance. "I am very happy to have won my first Japan Series game. It is something I will never forget."

The Hawks lead the series 3-2 and can finish things off with a victory in Game 6 in Fukuoka on Saturday. That is, if they can manage to win at home in a series where thus far, the visiting team has won every game.

"You never know in baseball," Hawks manager Koji Akiyama said. "This is one series where home field has so far not been an advantage, but I hope that changes in the next game."

The Dragons are hoping things stay the same when the teams meet at Yahoo Dome.

"This is very disappointing and embarrassing to lose all our home games," Chunichi manager Hiromitsu Ochiai said. "We are obviously at a disadvantage now and will do our best to win the last two in Fukuoka. That is all we can do."

Softbank's triumph spoiled Ochiai's final home game. Ochiai was informed in September that he would not be retained after his contract expires at the end of the season.

Hitoshi Tamura drove in a pair of runs with a single in the eighth, while Nobuhiro Matsuda and Toru Hosokawa also recorded RBIs.

Softbank had trouble turning their hits into runs early on, which left it up to Yamada to keep the Dragons at bay.

"I appreciate that I was given the opportunity to be on the mound in such an important game like this," Yamada said. "I tried to enjoy it as well, I heard the loud chants for the opponents while I pitched, but I tried to look at it as a good thing for me and got them out."

The 23-year-old lefty limited Chunichi to three hits and struck out five without walking a batter or allowing a runner past second.

For the third straight game, the Dragons couldn't overcome their shortcomings at the plate. They were shut out and managed just five hits. Masahiro Araki's sixth-inning double represented the only time Chunichi put a runner in scoring position.

Dragons starter Chen Wei-yin took the loss, and was charged with five runs on nine hits over seven-plus innings.

There was a scary moment in the fourth, when Dragons right fielder Masaaki Koike crashed into the wall while making a leaping grab. Koike was on the ground for a few minutes while a stretcher was brought out, but he left the field under his own power.

Softbank shortstop Munenori Kawasaki singled to lead off the the game, and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Yuichi Honda. Seiichi Uchikawa singled to right to move Kawasaki to third and Kokubo singled to left to make the score 1-0.

"I'm pleased that we took advantage of the first chance we got," Kokubo said. "This is actually the same thing I said yesterday, though we want to win today, too."

The Hawks scored again in the seventh, taking a 2-0 lead on an RBI single by Hosokawa, and added three more runs on a bases-loaded hit-by-pitch and Tamura's two-run single.

Game 6 is scheduled for Saturday in Fukuoka.

"We have the momentum now, even though the road team has won every game," Akiyama said. "We should be able to win one at home and wrap up the series."

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Star free agents hit market in Korean baseball

A record number of players have declared free agency in South Korea’s top professional baseball circuit, including last year’s MVP, the league office announced Wednesday.

According to the Korea Baseball Organization, 17 players declared themselves free agents for the 2012 season. That is the most since free agency was introduced in the league in 1998.

Eleven others who were eligible for free agency have decided to remain with their current clubs, the KBO said.

The KBO has eight clubs, with an expansion club NC Dinos waiting in the wings to join them in 2013. All existing clubs are owned by local conglomerates, including Samsung, SK and LG. They can sign up to three free agents.
Lee Dae-ho has hit at least 20 homers in seven of his eight full seasons with the Giants. (Yonhap News)

Lee Dae-ho is the highest-profile player among the free agents. He won the league MVP in 2010 after leading in seven of eight major offensive categories, including the triple crown stats of home runs, RBIs and batting average. This year, Lee won his second straight batting title and also topped the KBO in hits and on-base percentage.

Lee, 29, has hit at least 20 home runs in seven of his eight full seasons with the Giants, and has driven in at least 100 runs in each of the last three. Listed at 194 centimeters and 130 kilograms, Lee has also been linked with Japanese clubs this offseason.

Chong Tae-hyon, a right-handed reliever for the SK Wyverns, should also attract offers. Known for his submarine delivery, Chong has been an integral part of the Wyverns’ bullpen that led the team to KBO championships in 2007, 2008 and 2010.

Chong, who turns 33 Thursday, has a career ERA of 1.93 in 569 innings pitched. He’s also excelled for South Korean national teams, helping the country to the gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and the runner-up finish at the 2009 World Baseball Classic.

Jin Kab-yong is one the KBO’s best defensive catchers. (Yonhap News)

Other veterans on the list include the Doosan Bears’ Kim Dong-joo, a third baseman with a career batting average of .310 over 14 seasons, and the Samsung Lions’ Jin Kab-yong, one of the KBO’s best defensive catchers.

The LG Twins have the most free agents, including hard-hitting catcher Cho In-sung.

The free agents can negotiate with the current teams for extension between Nov. 10 and 19. If their talks fall through, the players are free to talk with seven teams other than their original club during a 20-day window, from Nov. 20 to Dec. 9.

Should they fail to sign with anyone then, free agents have from Dec. 10 to Jan. 15 to talk with all eight clubs. Players not signed by Jan. 15 will be ruled ineligible to play next season.

To be eligible for free agency in the KBO, position players who graduated from four-year universities must have played in at least two-thirds of the team’s regular-season games for eight seasons.

The term is nine seasons for high-school graduates.

In order for pitchers to become free agents, those who join the league out of four-year colleges must throw at least two-thirds of the minimum number of innings required over eight seasons. The minimum number of innings equals the number of games in a season ― 133.

If a team signs a free agent, then it must meet one of the two requirements: pay two times the player’s previous salary and ship a player in compensation to the signee’s previous team, or pay that team three times the signee’s previous salary.

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S. Korean pitcher pursued by MLB calls off talks with current team

2011-11-17 17:35

SEOUL, Nov. 17

Free agent baseball pitcher Chong Tae-hyon on Thursday called off salary negotiations with his original South Korean team to seek a career in Major League Baseball (MLB), a day after the MLB checked his availability this offseason.

The right-hander had until this Saturday to negotiate with the SK Wyverns in Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) for a possible re-signing, after declaring free agency last week. But Chong said Thursday he wanted to test the MLB market.

"I've long wanted to pitch in the majors and I want to find out if I can compete there," he said. "I made the decision on Tuesday after discussions with my family. I felt this would be my last opportunity."

On Wednesday, the MLB asked the KBO for Chong's availability, a formal step for an overseas league before a team or teams pursue desirable players. Of 17 KBO free agents this offseason, Chong was the first to be approached by the majors.

"I don't know which major league team is interested but I want to get this done as soon as possible and focus on my training,"Chong said. "I will get myself into top shape and tackle the challenge in the big leagues."

In response to Chong's decision, the Wyverns' official said they will fully support the pitcher's next career move.

Chong can speak with any team other than the Wyverns between Nov. 20 and Dec. 9. If he can't reach a deal, then he will have the final chance to sign with any team, including the Wyverns, between Dec. 10 and Jan. 15 next year.

Players not signed by Jan. 15 will be ineligible to play in the KBO next season.

A right-hander with a submarine delivery, Chong has been a key part of the Wyverns' bullpen that helped the team claim KBO titles in 2007, 2008 and 2010. Chong is not a fireballer but has had good command of his off-speed pitches.

In 11 KBO seasons, he has a 32-22 win-loss record with 99 saves in 477 games, with an earned run average (ERA) of 1.93 in 569 innings.

Chong has also excelled in international tournaments. He was on South Korea's bronze medal-winning team at the 2000 Sydney Olympics as a college student. He induced the gold medal-clinching double play against Cuba at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, and also pitched for South Korea when it finished as runner-up at the 2009 World Baseball Classic.

There have been 12 South Korean major leaguers. Chong is seeking to become the first to jump straight from the KBO to the majors.

Currently, Choo Shin-soo, an outfielder for the Cleveland Indians, is the only South Korean in the majors.

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Will Yoon pitch Stateside?

Kia pitcher signs with MLB agent Boras

The country’s pro-baseball season is over, heralding speculation about players moving to other clubs.

And the biggest transfer rumor involves Kia Tigers pitcher Yoon Suk-min.

Reports say that the 25-year-old right-hander could leave the country to join Major League Baseball as early as next year.

Yoon, the 2011 KBO’s MVP, revealed last week that he had signed with MLB agent Scott Boras as a part of his long-term plan to pitch in the American top league.

Although a handful of Korean players, including former L.A. Dodgers pitcher Park Chan-ho, former Arizona Diamondbacks closer Kim Byung-hyun and Cleveland Indians slugger Choo Shin-soo, made it into the big league, they had never played in the KBO league.

If the rumor is true, Yoon will become the first Korean player to make the transfer from the KBO league to the Major League.

Speaking of the speculation, Yoon said that he always wanted to play in the big league, but added “nothing has been decided yet.”

Yoon, who debuted with Tigers in 2005, will not become a free agent until after the 2013 season. However, he will be able to join the Major League through the posting system, a transfer arrangement allowing players under contract to sign with foreign clubs ahead of free agency.

Kia Tiger`s right-hander Yoon Suk-min

But it will all depend on what Kia Tigers decides. Kia can post Yoon through KBO’s office to any Major League team. Interested teams will have a couple of days to submit a secret bid, if Kia accepts the highest bid, the team will be able to negotiate with Yoon.

Kia Tigers has not stated its intentions yet. However, newly appointed manager Sun Dong-ryul revealed he would not let Yoon go until the team lifts the league trophy next season.

The good news, though, is Yoon is now with the well-experienced Boras, who represents more than 100 professional players, including Cleveland’s Choo.

Boras is known for winning lucrative contracts for his clients. Korean veteran pitcher Park won a $65 million deal over five seasons with the Texas Rangers while he was with Boras in 2002.

Yoon had his career best season this year. He finished 17-5 with a 2.45 ERA over 172 1/3 innings, helping the team advance to the post season. He led in wins, ERA, strikeouts (178) and also winning percentage (.773) in the KBO league.

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Mariners' Campos virtually untouchable

Seattle righty hurls six scoreless innings in Cardenales'' win

Venezuelan Winter League

Lara 3, Anzoategui 2

Jose Campos (Mariners) allowed just one hit and a walk over six shutout innings in relief of Cardenales starter and fellow Seattle farmhand Jarrett Grube, who surrendered a run on a hit and a walk. Joe Thurston (Astros) doubled, walked twice and scored a run, and Scott Patterson tossed a perfect ninth inning for his sixth save of the year. Luis Nunez and Niuman Romero each plated a run for the Caribes, and starter Alex Herrera (1-3) gave up three unearned runs in a losing cause. He scattered three hits and four walks while striking out three batters over 5 1/3 innings.

Margarita 6, Zulia 2

Making his fifth start this winter, 21-year-old Luis Chirinos (2-0) helped the last-place Bravos past the Aguilas with his most dominant outing of the year. The former Minor Leaguer, who struck out three batters and retired 15 in a row after walking the game's first batter, took a no-hitter into the ninth before Henry Rodriguez (Reds) broke up his bid with a leadoff single up the middle. Catcher Max Ramirez was 2-for-4 with two RBIs and a run scored for Margarita, and Eric Young (Rockies) plated two runs on a bases-loaded single in the ninth. Former Dodgers and White Sox prospect Dwayne Pollok (3-3) yielded two runs on five hits and a walk over six innings.


Jose Campos was 5-5 with a 2.32 ERA in 14 starts for the Everett AquaSox this year. (Shari Sommerfeld/MiLB.com)

Magallanes 7, Caracas 2

Washington catching prospect Jesus Flores slugged a three-run homer, his fourth long ball of the year, and Adonis Garcia added a two-run shot as the Navegantes closed to within half a game of league-leading Aragua. Twins right-hander Deolis Guerra (2-0) struck out four batters over 2 1/3 perfect innings to earn his first victory in almost a month. Fu-Te Ni (Tigers) allowed four runs over 3 1/3 innings for the Leones, while Cubs shortstop Marwin Gonzalez was 2-for-4 with two RBIs a day after seeing his eight-game hit streak come to an end.

Mexican Pacific League

Culiacan 3, Guasave 0

Outfielder Tyler Graham went 4-for-5 with a double and a run and catcher Ali Solis (Padres) collected two hits, including a solo homer, as the Tomateros blanked the Algodoneros. Right-hander Andres Meza (4-0) surrendered six hits and a walk while striking out four batters over 7 1.3 innings, and Arturo Barradas and Major Leaguer Amauri Sanit set down the final five batters to complete the shutout. Mexican Leaguer Eduardo Arredondo had two of Guasave's six hits in the loss, while Daniel Guerrero (0-3) gave up three runs on nine hits across 6 2/3 innings.

Hermosillo 7, Obregon 2

First baseman Jesse Gutierrez smacked a three-run homer, Henry Mateo was 2-for-2 with a walk and two runs and Mexican Leaguer Ramon Rios tripled, doubled and scored a run in the victory. Edgar Gonzalez (3-4), who split time between Durham and Colorado Springs in Triple-A this season, scattered two hits and a walk over five innings, and Jason Rice worked a scoreless ninth. Rice has allowed just one run in 14 1/3 innings and none in his last five outings. Yaquis third baseman Agustin Murillo was 2-for-3 with a double and a run in the losing effort.

Navojoa 5, Mochis 2

Steve Moss snapped a 2-2 tie with a bases-loaded double with two outs in the bottom of the eighth to help the Mayos rally past the Caneros. Leadoff hitter Matt Young (Tigers) was 2-for-3 with a walk and a run scored, and Mexican Leaguer Adan Munoz came off the bench to deliver a game-tying two-RBI double. Right-hander Hugo Gutierrez (1-1) allowed a hit over two scoreless innings in the victory. Mochis starter Tomas Solis did not factor in the decision, but tossed 5 2/3 two-hit frames. Ramon Orantes hit his fifth homer of the winter in the defeat.

Mexicali 3, Mazatlan 1

Geronimo Gil and Jorge Guzman each plated a run in a key fourth inning, former third-round Draft pick Chris Aguila tacked on an insurance run in the eighth with a sacrifice fly and the pitchers took care of the rest as the Aguilas (21-11) kept pace with Culiacan at the top of the standings. Mexican Leaguer Marco Duarte struck out seven batters over 6 1/3 innings of three-hit ball and former Major Leaguer Oscar Villarreal gave up an unearned run on two hits in earning his 11th save. Venados starter Walter Silver (3-2) allowed a pair of runs on six hits and two walks over 6 1/3 innings. The 34-year-old had not allowed a run in his two previous appearances.

Dominican Winter League

Este 8, Estrellas 6

Matt Hague (Pirates) reached base five times and Jose Constanza (Braves) scored three runs and plated another as the Toros improved to 15-10 and moved into a first-place tie with Licey. Jose Diaz (Orioles) worked around a walk in an inning of relief to pick up his first win, and Braves stopper Jairo Asencio -- MiLB.com's Triple-A Reliever of the Year -- worked 1 2/3 hitless frames to collect his sixth save. Michael Martinez (Phillies) was 2-for-3 with two RBIs, a walk and a run out of the leadoff spot for Oriente in the losing cause. Stolmy Pimentel (Red Sox) surrendered two runs -- one earned -- on four hits and three walks over three innings but did not factor in the decision.

Puerto Rico Winter League

Ponce 4, Mayaguez 2

The Leones (6-4) moved back into a tie for first place behind six solid innings from A's right-hander Yadel Marti. The 32-year-old allowed a run on six hits and a walk while striking out six batters over six innings to earn his first victory of the year. Major Leaguers Antoan Richardson and Robinson Cancel each collected two hits in the win, while big league veteran John Rodriguez reached base safely twice, drove in a run and scored once. Jesus Feliciano and Miguel Negron were the only two players for the Indios to record multiple-hit games. Mayaguez starter Raymar Diaz (0-1) surrendered four runs -- two earned -- on six hits and two walks while fanning three over 4 1/3 frames.

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Venezuelan Winter League

•Ezequiel Carrera (CF, Navegantes del Magallanes): 0-for-4, R, BB, K. Carrera’s struggles and slide continue as he went hitless in four at bats. In his last 6 games he is now just 4-for-25 (.160).

•Luis Valbuena (2B, Cardenales de Lara): 1-for-2, R, BB. Valbuena continues to be the everyday Lara second baseman. In 30 games he has been okay as he has a .242/.370/.384 line, but he really needed to play better than this and has been saved by a high walk rate.
Obregon Top of the 9th

Pitcher Change: Jason Rice replaces Blake Parker.
Iker Franco walks.
Doug Clark called out on strikes.
Carlos Valencia flies out to center fielder Henry Mateo.
Victor Diaz strikes out swinging.

Lastings Milledge 85 | OF
Status: Active Tigres de Aragua
Offseason Liga Venezuela Beisbol Profesional
Stats
AVG: .324
HR: 2
RBI: 17
SB: 2
Full Name: Lastings Durell Milledge
Born: 04/05/1985
Birthplace: Bradenton, FL
Height: 5' 11"
Weight: 210
Bats: R
Throws: R

Lastings Milledge is having a very good winter to date in the Venezuelan winter league. He signed with the white sox as a free agent in 2011 but was designated for assignment in April. Milledge played out the season in Charlotte and got only 4 at bats in Chicago to end the season. He may be looking to sign with a team in Japan for the 2012 season. Perhaps Milledge would be a cheap outfield alternative for the Indians. He's 27 years old
Manny Acta & Lastings Milledge

I guess if anyone should have a clue concerning Milledge, it would be Manny Acta since they were both in Washington during the 2008 season. Sign him to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training. Who knows what might happen.
Milledge's major league numbers are pretty decent. Appears to be an upgrade to me. Maybe another Delmon Young ?!?!?!

Milledge is a head case. The clubs that have released him, knew.

Then again the Tribe will sign someone with no other offers.

Friday marked the deadline for ballclubs to protect eligible players from selection, and the Indians made a handful of moves to do just that. Cleveland selected the contracts of left-hander Scott Barnes, right-hander Danny Salazar and infielder Juan Diaz in preparation for the Rule 5 Draft on Dec. 8.

The three players were added to the Indians' 40-man roster, which is at capacity for the time being. Prior to the transactions, the Tribe's roster included 38 players, making it necessary for an extra spot to be vacated. In order to do so, Cleveland designated infielder Luis Valbuena for assignment.

Salazar, 21, returned from reconstructive surgery on his left elbow last season and made eight starts between Class A Lake County and the Rookie League Arizona Indians. He posted a 3.07 ERA in those outings, striking out 18 and walking four in 14 2/3 innings.

By designated the 25-year-old Valbuena for assignment, the Indians have 10 days to either trade or release the infielder, or re-assign him to a Minor League affiliate if he clears waivers. Valbuena excelled at Triple-A Columbus last season, hitting .302 with 17 homers and 75 RBIs, but hit just .209 (9-for-43) in a 17-game stint with the Tribe.

This is the fourth year in a row that Valbuena failed to impress during winter ball. That carried over to the Indians. I was hoping he would break out this winter but he's right back to where he's always been.....not very good.

Salazar is pitching in Panama and doing an excellent job down there.

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Hermosillo Naranjeros
Jason Rice continues to impress. I hate to give up on this guy so easily. This is the 5th night that I've seen Rice pitch and he looks very good to me. I'd like to keep him around through spring training before making any hasty decisions.

Culiacan Top of the 9th

Pitcher Change: Jason Rice replaces Zech Zinicola.
Sergio Gastelum singles on a ground ball to left fielder Mark Hamilton.
Jesus Cota grounds into double play, shortstop Carlos Gastelum to first baseman Jesse Gutierrez. Sergio Gastelum out at 2nd.
Jorge Vazquez grounds out, third baseman Walter Ibarra to first baseman Jesse Gutierrez.

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Big Z hit in face by line drive in winter ball start

CHICAGO --

Carlos Zambrano had his best outing in Venezuela on Friday, giving up one unearned run on two hits and two walks over five innings but had to leave the game after being hit in the face by a line drive.

Zambrano was taken to a local hospital as a precaution and needed six stitches, according to reports. He told the Caribes manager that he intends to make his next start, which would be Wednesday or Thursday.

Caribes beat Magallanes, 3-1, but Zambrano did not get a decision. He faced 19 batters, and struck out four before he was hit by a line drive by Ezequiel Carrera.

This was Zambrano's first start after his meeting in Chicago with Cubs president of baseball operations Theo Epstein.

Epstein and the pitcher had lunch at a restaurant near Wrigley Field on Monday, and were joined by Zambrano's agent, Barry Praver, and Oneri Fleita, the Cubs' vice president of player personnel.

The message to Zambrano: He has to earn his way back.

"I told him we'd give him the right to earn his way back to being a Cub," Epstein said after the lunch. "Nothing would be given to him but he could earn his way back from very hard work this winter, through rebuilding relationships, man to man, with all of his teammates, and through some other steps that we discussed."

Zambrano is under contract next season for $18 million, and has a full no-trade clause.

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Boscan helps Aguilas outlast Bravos

Rangers prospect allows four hits over six scoreless innings

Venezuelan Winter League

Zulia 1, Margarita 0 (10 innings)

Rangers prospect Wilfredo Boscan allowed four hits over six innings as the Aguilas outlasted the last-place Bravos. Braves farmhand Ernesto Mejia had three hits, including a walk-off single, and Yankees prospect Jose Pirela chipped in two hits for Zulia. Former Major Leaguer Yusmeiro Petit struck out seven over 7 2/3 frames for Margarita.

Caracas 9, Lara 5

Brewers prospect Caleb Gindl hit a two-run homer to help the Leones snapped a six-game losing streak. Ramon Cabrera (Pirates), Stephen Vogt (Rays) and Marwin Gonzalez (Cubs) also had two RBIs apiece for Caracas, while Major League veteran Tomas Perez delivered a three-run double for Lara.
Wilfredo Boscan went 5-15 with a 5.04 ERA in 27 appearances across two Minor League levels in 2011. (Carl Kline/MiLB.com)

La Guaira 5, Aragua 1

Former Rays farmhand Cesar Suarez had two hits, drove in a run and scored twice to lead the Tiburones to their third straight victory. D-backs right-hander Barry Enright allowed a run on four hits over 5 1/3 innings for La Guaira, while big league veteran Vinny Rottino had two hits and an RBI for the first-place Tigres.

Caribes 3, Magallanes 1

Mariners outfielder Mike Wilson hit a go-ahead two-run homer in the ninth inning as the Caribes avoided a third straight loss. Cubs right-hander Carlos Zambrano did not figure in the decision for Anzoategui after yielding an unearned run on two hits over five innings. Minor League veteran Eric Junge struck out 11 over 5 1/3 scoreless frames for Magallanes.

Dominican Winter League

Gigantes 11, Toros 1

Veteran southpaw Lenny DiNardo struck out three over five hitless innings as the last-place Gigantes surprised the Toros. Brad Nelson, who played for the Rangers' Triple-A affiliate this season, drove in four runs for Cibao, while Rockies farmhand Hector Gomez had two hits and scored the lone run for the Toros.

Aguilas 3, Escogido 2 (10 innings)

Major League veteran Joaquin Arias capped a three-hit night with an RBI single in the 10th inning as the Aguilas climbed within a half-game of first place. Former big leaguer Shane Youman fanned five over six shutout frames for Cibaenas, while Escogido's Julio Lugo delivered a two-run single in the eighth to force extra innings.

Licey at Estrellas (postponed)

Puerto Rican Winter League

Caguas 2, Carolina 1 (12 innings)

Marlins prospect Miguel Mejia struck out three over three innings of one-hit relief to help the first-place Criollos record their third straight win. Jorge Padilla went 2-for-2 with an RBI double for Caguas, while fellow former Major Leaguer Hiram Bocachica was 3-for-6 with a pair of doubles and a run scored for Carolina.

Mayaguez 1, Ponce 0

Dodgers prospect Ethan Martin pitched around five walks over four innings as the last-place Indios halted a two-game slide. Former Major Leaguer Ruben Gotay went 2-for-3 with a walk and scored the game's only run for Mayaguez. Rangers prospect Alexander Claudio got the start for the Leones and scattered three hits over three scoreless.

Mexican Pacific League

Hermosillo 4, Culiacan 2

Cardinals prospect Mark Hamilton delivered an RBI double and walked twice to help the Naranjeros end the Tomateros' four-game winning streak. Jonathan Castellanos gave up a run on five hits over 6 2/3 innings to get the victory, while Yankees Minor Leaguer Jorge Vazquez slugged his league-leading 12th homer for Culiacan.

Mazatlan 4, Navojoa 2

Miguel Ojeda's two-run double capped a three-run eighth inning as the Venados snapped a three-game losing streak. Fellow Major League veteran Ruben Rivera slugged a solo homer, walked three times and scored twice for Mazatlan, while former Southern League All-Star Wes Bankston doubled and singled for the Indios, who had a three-game winning streak halted.

Los Mochis 5, Obregon 2

Phillies prospect Sebastian Valle hit a three-run homer as the Cañeros ended a four-game losing streak. Former White Sox farmhand Emmanuel Avila also went deep and Ramon Orantes was 3-for-4 with a pair of runs scored for Los Mochis. Agustin Murillo had two hits, including a solo homer, for the Yaquis.

Mexicali 7, Guasave 5

Esteban Loaiza survived 5 1/3 rocky innings to record his second victory in three starts as the first-place Aguilas won their seventh straight. The former American League All-Star allowed four runs and scattered 10 hits. Jorge Guzman doubled twice and had four RBIs for Mexicali, while Japhet Amador fell a triple shy of the cycle and drove in two runs for Guasave.

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Australian Baseball League

•Andrew Campbell (DH, Brisbane Bandits): 0-for-3, BB, K. The ABL has an interesting schedule in that they only play games Thursday through Sunday and are off every Monday through Wednesday. As a result, a young player like Campbell has had limited playing time so far in the ABL where in 3 games he is just 1-for-8 at the plate.

Puerto Rico Winter League

•Giovanni Soto (RP, Gigantes de Carolina): 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K. Soto bent but did not break as he allowed two baserunners in his two innings or work. He has pitched well overall in 5 outings so far in Puerto Rico allowing 1 run in 5.0 innings.

•Joseph Colon (RP, Leones de Ponce): 2.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K. Colon’s second appearance in Puerto Rico and his first since November 6th. That’s the life of a young prospect playing winter ball as the opportunities can often be few and bar in between.

Venezuelan Winter League

•Luis Valbuena (2B, Cardenales de Lara): 1-for-4, R, K. It was a tough day for Valbuena to play as he learned he had been dropped from the big league roster. But as disappointing as it was, he has the opportunity to be picked up off waivers by another team so he needs to continue to showcase his abilities.

•Ezequiel Carrera (CF, Navegantes del Magallanes): 1-for-4. Carrera’s bat is still stalled and needs a jumpstart as he is now just 5-for-29 in his last 7 games.

Chalk it up:

Fukuoka Softbank's Nobuhiro Matsuda scores in the seventh inning of Game 5 of the Japan Series on Thursday. KYODO

Hawks look to Wada to close out Japan Series at home

By JASON COSKREY and KAZ NAGATSUKA, Staff writers


Fukuoka —

Fukuoka Softbank Hawks second baseman Yuichi Honda will celebrate his 27th birthday on Saturday.

If he can also help his team win the Japan Series, well that'd be the icing on the cake.

Honda and the Hawks returned home Friday and held a two-hour practice at Yahoo Dome in preparation for Game 6 of the Japan Series, which is scheduled for Saturday. Softbank can clinch the title with a win.

"I want to make it a good day by doing well in the game," Honda said. "It's kind of weird because I'm usually in fall camp (on my birthday), but we're still playing. I feel fortunate."

The Hawks hold a 3-2 advantage in the series after winning all three games in Nagoya.

"We'd like to keep our momentum going," Hawks captain Hiroki Kokubo said.

Softbank's Tsuyoshi Wada is expected to get the start opposite Central League co-wins leader Kazuki Yoshimi. Wada delivered the Hawks' last title with a victory in Game 7 of the 2003 Japan Series and has a chance to win the deciding game again.

"Hopefully, I can make that happen," he said.

Wada struck out eight over eight innings of one-run ball in the series opener. He was in control until allowing a game-tying solo homer to Kazuhiro Wada in the sixth inning. Chunichi would go on to win 2-1 in 10 innings.

"Last time out, I gave them the momentum with one big home run," Wada said. "I hope it doesn't happen again this time."

Wada will be facing Chunichi for the fourth time this year and says he knows what to expect.

"I faced them twice during interleague," Wada said. "I had the opportunity to start in Game 1 as well. Also, I've watched them play in the following four games. So I have a basic idea of how they are."

The Dragons also worked out Saturday for about two hours.

They were seemingly in control of the series after winning the first two games on the road, before three straight losses at their home stadium put them on the brink of elimination.

Chunichi manager Hiromitsu Ochiai wasn't happy with his club after the latest setback, a 5-0 defeat in Game 5, left the team with no more room for error.

"Our players don't try to come through until they're up against the wall," Ochiai said after Game 5. "That's how they've been winning. So maybe it's good. If we lose we're done, and if we win, then we'll just have another game. It's as simple as that."

Chunichi will be looking for another strong outing from Yoshimi, who was charged with one run on seven hits over 6⅔ innings in his win in Game 2.

If he delivers again, it would set the stage for a deciding seventh game on Sunday in Fukuoka, not that Softbank wants things to get that far.

"You have up to two games, and if we win tomorrow, that'll be it," Honda said. "So we want go out there and not be too afraid of making mistakes.

"That's how we've been playing all year. Whether we win or lose will be revealed in the end. We would certainly like to finish as the winner."