Local MLB players status updates

Status updates for local MLB players

American League

Curtis Granderson, T.F. South, OF, Yankees: Part of one of the biggest trades of the offseason, the all-around nice guy can go from star to superstar in Yankee pinstripes, so long as he grows on the fans in the Bronx, who are satisfied after the team's 27th World Series title last fall. Already tabbed as the everyday center fielder, Granderson, a 2009 All-Star, hit a career-best 30 home runs and drove in 71 and scored 91 with 20 stolen bases last season. If the power continues an upswing, which is well within reach at second-year launching pad known as Yankee Stadium, the runs and RBIs will improve drastically.

Rob Mackowiak, Lake Central/South Suburban, OF, Indians organization: After bouncing around the big leagues following several solid seasons in Pittsburgh, the former White Sox backup last swung a bat at the major league level in June 2008, although since then he's had contracts that have kept him employed with the Reds, Mets and was cut from New York's Triple-A club last April but bounced back to sign with the Cleveland organization, where the 33-year-old will start this season in Triple-A with the Columbus Clippers.

Ron Mahay, South Suburban, P, Twins: The 38-year-old was caught in the flotsam and jetsam of the majors when Twins closer Joe Nathan complained of elbow soreness and eventually settled on season-ending Tommy John surgery, throwing the Minnesota bullpen into disarray and opening a tryout slot for Mahay. The reliever appeared in 16 games for the Twins last season, throwing nine innings with two earned runs and eight strikeouts. Before that he made 41 appearances for the Royals. He will stay in extended spring training for now and probably start the season with Triple-A Rochester. Originally an outfielder in the Red Sox organization, if he gets back to the show this season it will be his 15th year in the majors.

National League

Tim Byrdak, SSC/RailCats, P, Astros: The 36-year-old ninth-year major leaguer should spend the majority of his season in the big leagues for the sixth consecutive season. His 76 appearances ranked 10th in the National League last season. He went 1-2 with a 3.23 ERA, tossing 61 1/3 innings with 58 strikeouts in his second year in Houston.

Tom Gorzelanny, Lansing native, P, Pirates: Recently named a member of the North Siders' rotation, he'll stick at No. 4 in the rotation until Ted Lilly returns and then have to fight Carlos Silva for the fifth spot to stay out of the bullpen. Once banished to the minors by the lowly Pirates, the 27-year-old Marist grad came back to the big league club for nine relief appearances before a deadline trade to Chicago seemed to reinvigorate him. He won two of his final three decisions for Chicago and finished the season 7-3, albeit with a 5.55 ERA, gaining momentum for a comeback campaign in 2010.

LaTroy Hawkins, West Side, P, Brewers: After a great year in 2009 with the Astros, the 37-year-old enters his 16th big league season as the third in command behind closer Trevor Hoffman and Todd Coffey in the Brewers' bullpen. The righty with 87 career saves and 793 strikeouts is on his eighth team. Last season in Houston he had 11 saves when Jose Valverde was hurt and finished the season with 65 appearances, a 2.13 ERA and 45 strikeouts in 63 1/3 innings.

Jeff Samardzija, Valparaiso, P, Cubs: Once stuck between Triple-A and the parent club, Samardzija is now caught between the rotation and the bullpen, although the depth of the former and lack of power in the latter necessitates his presence on the bench a phone call away. The third-year pro was 1-3 with 7.53 ERA in 34 2/3 innings last season. However, barring one brutal start against the Phillies (7 ER, 3 1/3 IP) his ERA was 6.30. He fared better in relief than in starts in the spring, which cost him a shot at starting. At age 25, this is a big season for the lanky, long-haired right-hander as it's the second-to-last guaranteed year on his contract.

Jordan Schafer, Hammond native, OF, Braves organization: After a 2008 50-game suspension on suspicion of HGH use, he opened 2009 as the 99th player in major league history to hit a home run in his first at-bat, despite never playing above the Double-A level. However, he faded fast after a breakout game on ESPN's "Sunday Night Baseball" and by June he was batting .204 with 67 strikeouts in 167 at-bats and went to Triple-A. He then hurt his left wrist and had season-ending surgery after only nine games in the minors. He was on the 40-man roster for the Braves this spring but is simply hoping to be recovered in time to start at Triple-A Gwinnett.

Others

Chris Bootcheck, P, LaPorte, Yokohama BayStars: Once a starter with promise, he found a niche in the majors as a little-used reliever with double-digit ERAs in three of his final four seasons. He came up with the Angels in 2003 and didn't return until 2005, but then he made 51 appearances for the team in 2007. With 90 games and a 6.54 career ERA, he will try to fare better in Japan this season.

Cliff Floyd, Thornwood, OF, free agent: It seems it might be over for the fun-loving former outfielder for the Expos, Marlins, Red Sox, Mets, Cubs, Rays and Padres. San Diego unceremoniously released the weak-kneed continual disabled list resident after a season in which he appeared in just 10 games with 16 at-bats and two hits (.125). Two seasons removed from his World Series run with Tampa Bay, the 37-year-old recently landed a gig as an analyst with ESPN radio in Miami.

Mark Mulder, Thornwood, P, free agent: The 32-year-old former Times delivery boy last threw a pitch in a big league game in 2008 with St. Louis. Once one of the "Big Three" in Oakland along with Barry Zito and Tim Hudson, Mulder is all but retired now. February rumors had him retiring, but his agent refuted the claims. After the 2008 season, the Cardinals declined his $11 million option for 2009 and bought his contract out for $1.5 million.

Jason Repko, East Chicago native, OF, free agent: On a team where divorce was the major story of the offseason, Repko's 11-year marriage with the L.A. Dodgers ended Wednesday when they released the outfielder, who had traversed between the big league club and Triple-A for four of the last five years, including 10 games in 2009. Productive in the minors for most of his career, in 2007 he missed the entire season with a torn hamstring. The 29-year-old, who still has family in E.C., is looking for a new team at the moment.

-- Compiled by Paul Trembacki