big league chew
It looks like there is just one bench job left on Washington’s 25-man roster, and ex-Mississippi State star Tyler Moore is in a group that includes Brendan Ryan, Scott Sizemore, Reed Johnson, Chris Heisey and Matt den Dekker vying for that spot as camp winds down. Moore, an outfielder/first baseman, provides right-handed power (24 homers in 601 MLB at-bats) but is just a .228 career hitter (.203 in 2015). A change of uniforms might be in store for Moore. … The frightening injury suffered by Milwaukee’s Rymer Liriano, who was hit in the face by a pitch, will open a roster spot that Ole Miss alum Alex Presley might squeeze into. The lefty-hitting outfielder, in Brewers camp as a non-roster invitee, is batting .321 with three homers (he hit one Tuesday) and nine RBIs. … Former Pillow Academy standout Louis Coleman hasn’t allowed a run in six innings for the Los Angeles Dodgers and may stick in their bullpen. Coleman, formerly with Kansas City, is out of minor league options, which could help his cause. … Cody Reed, not yet on Cincinnati’s 40-man roster, was sent to minor league camp on Tuesday despite a 3.97 ERA in four Cactus League games. The Northwest Mississippi Community College product, who hasn’t pitched above Double-A, will be back with the Reds soon enough. … A strong outing on Sunday wasn’t enough to earn T.J. House a roster spot with Cleveland, which optioned the left-hander from Picayune to Triple-A Columbus on Monday. Despite those four shutout innings against Seattle, House had a 5.59 ERA this spring in four games. After posting a 3.35 ERA in 19 games as a rookie in 2014, House’s 2015 season was wrecked by a rotator cuff issue. He was 0-4, 13.15 to open last season before being sent to the minors and ultimately shut down. “He needs to find some consistency,” manager Terry Francona told mlb.com. “(R)epetition will be really good for him.” … Ole Miss product Drew Pomeranz is slated to start today for San Diego against the Chicago White Sox in the Cactus League as he bids for a spot in the Padres’ rotation. A newly developed cutter could be the key for left-hander Pomeranz, who has been primarily a two-pitch pitcher working as a starter and reliever in the past. … Chris Coghlan has been getting time at second base in Oakland’s camp. The former Ole Miss star, traded to the A’s by the Chicago Cubs this spring, has played primarily outfield in his MLB career but has seen some duty at second and third. He is hitting just .233 this spring but did take San Francisco’s Jeff Samardzija deep on Monday.