University of Tennessee Athletics
Vols in spring training update
March 17, 2008 | Baseball
Last week???s spring training highlights from former Tennessee players in professional baseball include the first spring start for a former No.1 draft pick and a veteran working on a comeback after having ???Tommy John??? surgery for the second time in his career. Below are the best performances from former Vols during last week???s action:
Chase Headley (2004-05) hit his third home run of the spring for the San Diego Padres, a solo shot, against the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday in a 6-2 loss. Headley has posted great offensive numbers this spring, leading the Padres in RBI (12) and total bases (26), sharing the club lead in home runs (3), ranking second on the team in hits (12) and ranking third in doubles (3). He is batting .400 and boasts an .867 slugging percentage in 16 games.
Luke Hochevar (2003-05) made his first start of the spring for the Kansas City Royals on Wednesday against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. He was touched for two quick runs on three first-inning hits but pitched his way out of trouble in the second, third and fourth innings. Hochevar earned a no-decision, giving up two earned runs on six hits. One of the top prospects in the Royals organization, he is in contention to make the opening-day pitching rotation.
Chris Burke (1999-2001) has been on a hot streak of late for the Arizona Diamondbacks, hitting .395 with a .763 slugging percentage. On March 10, Burke drove in two runs on two hits in a 10-9 win over the Colorado Rockies. He hit his third home run of the spring to lead off the third inning in Thursday's loss to the Milwaukee Brewers. Burke continued his hot hitting with two singles in Saturday's game against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Mike Lincoln (1996) is attempting a comeback after having ???Tommy John??? surgery for the second time in his career as a non-roster invitee with the Cincinnati Reds. So far this spring, Lincoln has a 2-0 record with a 7.11 ERA, giving up five earned runs on four hits, while striking out four. He earned his second win of the spring on March 11 against the Houston Astros, pitching one inning and allowing one run on one hit. During Friday's game against the New York Yankees, he struck out one while pitching 1 2/3 scoreless innings.
Augie Ojeda (1996) went 1-for-3 with two RBI in the Arizona Diamondbacks??? 6-5 win over the Chicago White Sox on Sunday.
