February 17, 2011 at 5:37 PM
Fort Report: February 17
Here are your minor league notes for the last two days:
- Gordon Edes of ESPN Boston talked to Pawtucket catcher Mark Wagner on Wednesday. The backstop, who missed a lot of time in 2010 after having the hamate bone removed from his left hand, had another surgery this off-season to remove a second bone from the same hand. Wagner feels like he’s back to full health this spring.
- John Thomase of the Boston Herald reports that outfielder Daniel Nava, who added some noticeable bulk to his frame this off-season, has his sights on a backup role with Boston when camp breaks, but understands that he may end up back in Triple-A Pawtucket to begin the 2011 season.
- Alex Speier notes that second baseman Oscar Tejeda reported to camp at 6’2”, 205 pounds. When Tejeda signed as an international free agent at the age of 16 in 2006, he was listed at 6’0”, 167. One of the top positional prospects in the system, the 21-year-old Dominican infielder will likely start the 2011 season in Double-A Portland.
- Speier also reports that Brandon Duckworth and Tony Pena were back in action on Wednesday, joined by Alfredo Aceves, who is in camp after experiencing some visa issues.
- Brian MacPherson of the Providence Journal brings us a column on left-hander Felix Doubront, who has plans to become an American citizen this season.
- Earlier this week, Dominican Summer League pitcher William Abreu was the first Red Sox prospect to receive a suspension for PEDs since 2005. The 19-year-old Dominican right-hander was suspended for 50 games after testing positive for an anabolic steroid known as Deca-Durabolin. Abreu has never played in a game in the Red Sox system, and in fact was just signed to his first professional contract on December 3, 2010. Not the best way to make a first impression.
- Today was the mandatory reporting deadline for position players in major league camp. Among the likely minor leaguers in attendance today were Lars Anderson, Drew Sutton, Nate Spears, Brent Dlugach, Jose Iglesias, Hector Luna, and Yamaico Navarro.