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MLB Notebook: Giants pay Fielder back quickly
Friday, March 05, 2010

The first pitch of the spring to Milwaukee Brewers first baseman Prince Fielder landed directly in the middle of his back, and it was not because of a lack of control on the part of San Francisco Giants left-hander Barry Zito.

The Giants simmered all winter over Fielder's antics after hitting a walk-off home run against them Sept. 6 at Milwaukee's Miller Park.

When Fielder neared home plate, he braced for contact with his teammates, who fell backward like bowling pins.

There had been rumblings that the Giants were going to send a message to Fielder, and they wasted no time in doing so Thursday.

Plate umpire Ted Barrett went about halfway to the mound to make sure no larger fireworks ensued.

Fielder ambled to first base with not much of a reaction, as if to say, "OK, you got me."

Mets

New York ace Johan Santana completed his last big test before pitching in a game, throwing two simulated innings Thursday. Facing hitters for the first time since having surgery on his left elbow late last season, Santana threw 40 pitches.

He is scheduled to make his first start of the exhibition season Tuesday against the Houston Astros.

Blue Jays

Toronto claimed right-handed pitcher Casey Fien off waivers from Boston and put right-hander Scott Richmond (shoulder) on the 60-day disabled list. The move ended a short stay with the Red Sox for Fien, 26. Boston claimed him off waivers from Detroit Monday. Fien pitched in nine games for the Tigers last year and was 0-1 with a 7.94 ERA.

Dodgers

With the signing of veteran outfielder Garret Anderson late Wednesday, the Dodgers could be in position to have five outfielders on their 25-man roster when the regular season begins. That likely would require the Dodgers to carry 11 pitchers into the season, instead of the 12 manager Joe Torre projected. Anderson, 37, will make $550,000 if he makes the major-league roster with another $200,000 available in bonuses. One roster spot will go to someone in a group of left-handed hitters that includes Anderson and former Pirates Brian Giles and Doug Mientkiewicz.

Around the diamonds

The Philadelphia Phillies' Roy Halladay pitched two hitless innings in the New York Yankees in his spring training debut Thursday. Halladay, signed as a free agent in the offseason, struck out three, and the only runner to reach base against him in the Phillies' 3-2 victory came on an error. ... Rich Harden pitched two innings of one-hit ball in his Texas Rangers debut as they beat the Kansas City Royals. ... Hunter Pence hit two home runs, a solo shot and a three-run blast, in the Houston Astros' nine-run fourth inning of their 15-5 victory against a split squad of Washington Nationals.

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First published on March 5, 2010 at 12:00 am