Pre-Sopranos MTM Update

The marks to the left of the player's name indicates that their chances of making the team are moving up (▲), moving down (▼), or staying even (–). No mark to the left indicates there was no change from the previous week.

Players on the 40-man roster

▼ Brad Baker, rhp / He got shelled again. He’s not impressing. (Previously ▼)
▼ Blaine Boyer, rhp / His scheduled date to make his first appearance of the spring keeps getting pushed back. He continues to feel discomfort in his shoulder and may not be ready to open the season. It’s still early, but it’s looking more likely that he’ll have to go to extended spring training, and join the team later in April. This may potentially open up another spot in the bullpen for one of the many pitchers vying for a spot. (Previously –)
▲ Lance Cormier, rhp / He continues to put in good work. Bobby Cox is impressed: "He's got one of the best curveballs in camp, and he's sneaky-quick, in the low 90s [mph]," Cox said, noting that Cormier has good command of four pitches: cutter, curveball, changeup and fastball. (Previously ▲)
▲ Kyle Davies, rhp / Another excellent outing, he is making his case for a rotation spot. If he continues like this he will be hard to overlook. (Previously ▲)
▲ Joey Devine, rhp / He gave up an alarming number of hits, but it was during the second inning of his two inning performance. (Previously ▲)
John Foster, lhp / (Previously ▼)
Chuck James, lhp / (Previously –)
▼ Anthony Lerew, rhp / Two rough outings in a row for Lerew, might have the team wondering if he is ready. His stock takes a sharp dive. (Previously ▲)
Macay McBride, lhp / (Previously ▲)
▲ Oscar Villarreal, rhp / The Chipper homer aside, he is pitching well. (Previously ▲)
▲ James Jurries, 1b / Showing some spring power. He’ll be slowed for the next few days because of some minor injuries. . . or maybe he won’t. (Previously –)
▼ Scott Thorman, 1b / Not getting at-bats with Team Canada means he has less of an opportunity to win a spot. (Previously ▼)
▲ Matt Diaz, of / It may be his good defense that helps him make the team. So far, he’s making all the right plays to help his chances. As the spring moves on, he’ll play some first which will add versatility and help his chances at making the team. Right now, he is the front runner for the 4th outfield spot since he’s playing well, already on the 40-man roster, and because the Braves made a point of going out and acquiring him this off-season. His hitting is not lacking either. (Previously –)
▼ Kelly Johnson, of / He’s been one of the many fighting the flu. But you can’t impress if you don’t play. (Previously ▼)

Non-roster invitees

– Kevin Barry, rhp / Two good innings of work, as he continues to have a good spring. (Previously –)
▼ Wes Obermueller, rhp / An okay outing on Friday. (Previously ▼)
– Chad Paronto, rhp / A rough first inning for Chad, but he righted the ship in his second inning of work. He’s a big guy who some think will not make the roster. He followed up with a good outing. (Previously ▲)
▼ Mike Remlinger, lhp / Still not able to get it together. (Previously ▼)
▼ Eddie Perez, c / Has not yet gotten in a game. (Previously ▼)
– Jarrod Saltalamacchia, c / He is beginning his first base odyssey, but his hitting is slowing down. Great article about him here. (Previously –)
▼ Jonathan Schuerholz, ss / Hitting wise, he’s making the best of his playing time this spring, and slammed another home run. But his fielding needs a lot of work, as he has committed three errors on Thursday. He’s headed off the radar. (Previously ▼)
▲ Brian Jordan, of / He handled first base like a pro his first time out. (Previously ▲)
▼ Dave Kelton, of / The O-fer’s are mounting, and he is being overshadowed by the other outfield contenders. (Previously –)
– Michael Ryan, of / It’s an uphill battle for this non-roster outfielder, but he’s starting to do some hitting. (Previously ▼)

Off the radar and bound for the minors: Jose Ascanio, rhp; Brayan Pena, c; Martin Prado, 2b; Travis Smith, rhp. Previously off the radar: Sean White, rhp; Steve Pyzik, c; Clint Sammons, c; Cesar Crespo, 2b-ss.