Final player news posting before Draft Day

Pablo Sandoval, c, SF: He started a game at catcher Saturday, meaning if someone wants to start him at catcher for Week 1, they could. He'll serve as a backup to Bengie Molina when he does not start at 3B. By Week 2, Sandoval should be reach the five-game qualification mark for 3B, and it may take a couple of weeks to gain full catcher eligibility. But it could add to his value.

Bronson Arroyo, sp, Cin: Will see hand specialist about his carpal tunnel issue. Likely isn't ready to open season.

Austin Kearns, of, Was: Washington Post reports Kearns is the starter in right field, but likely will lose ABs to Elijah Dukes and Josh Willingham.

Rich Harden, sp, Chi: Harden got hammered yet again, putting his spring ERA at 10.38. Spring stats don't mean much, but the way Harden has thrown makes some worry.

Tom Glavine, sp, Atl: Will open the season on the DL.

Friday players news

Gary Sheffield, of, NY: The former Tiger agreed to a contract with the Mets, who already seem to have their corner outfielders set. But Sheffield likely will see time against lefties, with Fernando Tatis playing against righties in right field. But it may take a couple of weeks for Sheff to get in shape to play the OF for the first time since 2006.

Bronson Arroyo, sp, Cin: Arroyo, who has been battling carpal tunnel syndrome, was lit up for six runs in three innings against the Reds' Double-A team. An early trip to the DL might be in line for Arroyo.

Francisco Cordero, rp, Cin: Gave up three runs in an inning against Double-A hitter. He's struggled all spring.

Jordan Schaefer, of, Atl: The rookie won the starting center field job for the Braves.

Emilio Bonafacio, 3b, Fla: Has been named the lead-off hitter for the Marlins to start the season. If he struggles, Cameron Maybin would move into the spot.

Roy Oswalt, sp, Hou: He was named the Astros' opening day starter. As if that was going to Brian Moehler.

Lance Berkman, 1b, Hou: Played Thursday as a DH and is expected to play in Houston's opener.

Huston Street, rp, Col: Was named the Rockies' closer, beating out Manny Corpas.

Anderson Hernandez, 2b, Was: Will open the season on the DL, opening the starting spot for Ronnie Belliard, at least until April 10.

Troy Glaus, 3b, Stl: Now reports say he won't return until after the All-Star Break.

Matt Lindstrom, rp, Fla: Fish are feeling confident that Lindstrom will be ready for the opener.

Elijah Dukes, of, Was: Now the Nationals are saying Dukes is not an everyday starter and he's still battling Austin Kearns for playing time.

Eric Byrnes, of, Arz: Byrnes says he finally feels close to 100 percent again. That could move Conor Jackson to more starts at 1B than in the OF. That is, unless Justin Upton struggles, then Tracy plays at 1B and Jackson starts in place of Upton.

Tuesday player news

Wily Mo Pena, of, Wash: He was released.

Emmanuel Burris, 2B, SF: Gets the starting job as Kevin Frandsen was sent to the minor leagues.

Jorge Cantu, 1B, Fla: He takes the starting 1B job after the Marlins sent rookie Gaby Sanchez to the minors. Emilio Bonafacio will start at 3B.

Skip Schumaker, 2b, StL: It's official. The Cards announced Schumaker as the starting second baseman.

Pablo Sandoval, 3B, SF: Giants GM Brian Sabaen is considering going into the season with Sandoval serving as backup to Bengie Molina at catcher on day when he's not playing 3B.

Position eligibility -- one more add

Forgot to mention Jorge Cantu of the Florida Marlins in the position eligibility discussion.

Cantu was thought to be the Fish's third baseman, but he's played exclusively at first base since returning from the WBC.

At first, we thought that was because rookie Gaby Sanchez was hurt. But now it appears as if the Marlins will go with Emilio Bonifaco at third base and Cantu at first base.

If nothing changes by Friday, Cantu will be moved from 3B to 1B on the pre-draft sheets.

Monday player news

Jason Motte, rp, StL: With Chris Perez being sent to minor league camp to get in shape, the Cardinals will go with a bullpen by committee of Motte, Ryan Franklin and Josh Kinney. It could give Motte the opportunity to shine and secure the job full time.

Daniel Murphy, of, NY: The Mets set their opening day lineup and it has Murphy in the 2-hole. A nice spot given that lineup.

Cole Hamels, sp, Phi: Hamels has been ruled out for starting opening night on Sunday. However, he should be set to start on April 10, the Friday of Week 1. Brett Myers moves into position to start the opener.

Claudio Vargas, rp, LA: Once the favorite to claim the No. 5 starter spot, Vargas will open on the DL. James McDonald is now the favorite for that spot.

Lance Berkman, 1b, Hou: Hit off a tee Monday and could return to action Wednesday. Still having problems with bicep tendinitis, but adds there is a 100 percent chance he'll play in another exhibition game this spring, indicating he'll be ready for the opener.

Livan Hernandez, sp, NY: He's the No. 5 starter and will open the season on April 11 (Saturday of Week 1).

Jordan Schafer, of, Atl: Josh Anderson was traded to Detroit, opening a spot for Schafer or Gregor Blanco.

Trevor Hoffman, rp, Mil: Placed on DL retroactive to March 27. He'll be eligible to return after the fourth game of the season.

Jeff Weaver, rp, LA: LA Daily News says he "looks like a lock" to make the Dodgers as a long reliever. He has no fantasy value, but way to go, Jeff!

Sunday player news

Jason Schmidt, sp, LA: Rotoworld projects he might be able to work his way into rotation by late April, but not to open season.

Chad Billingsley, sp, LA: Dodgers remain optimistic that he'll open the season on time.

Trevor Hoffman, rp, Mil: Reported progress with his oblique strain. Likely will begin minor league rehab assignment later this week, but will open the season on the DL. Carlos Villanueva will get save opps until Hoffman returns.

Josh Willingham, of, Was: Like Austin Kerans, he's slated to play reserve role to start the season -- unless he's traded before opening day.

Kevin Gregg and Carlos Marmol, rp, Chi: Manager Lou Piniella picked Gregg to be the team's closer to open the season after an effective spring. Keep an eye on Marmol, who could step forward if Gregg blows up.

Troy Glaus, 3b, StL: Says he doesn't know when he'll be able to pick up a bat or ball. Ouch. Cards hoped to have him back by early May, but now all bets are off.

Micah Owings, sp, Cin: Appears to have won Reds' No. 5 starter spot over Homer Bailey. Doh!

Lance Berkman, 1b, Hou: Will miss a couple of more days with bicep tendinitis and could be in danger of missing Opening Day.

Position eligibility

Position eligibility is the one issue that keeps confusing owners as we head into the draft, probably because it differs with what they see on fantasy baseball magazines and web sites.

The FBLG rule on position eligibility is based on where a player plays during the 2009 season. If a player appears in five games at one position, he is eligible to be played there in FBLG play for the entire season. If a player has not yet reached the five-game threshold, he can be played at any position in which he has played one game at.

For the first week of the season -- as no precedent has been set for player position eligibility -- we will use this rule of thumb: If a player has played a position during the final two weeks of spring training, then an FBLG owner can start that player at that position during Week 1 of the regular season.

So far, the only players that might be impacted is Conor Jackson of the Diamondbacks, Skip Schumaker of the Cardinals and Pablo Sandoval of the Giants.

Jackson has played games at both 1B and OF in spring training, so he will be eligible to start at either position for Week 1. Because of that, I listed him at both 1B and OF on the pre-draft stat sheets. He'll be listed with the outfielders on FBLG draft board on draft day, but he could be put into a 1B slot on an FBLG roster if that is how the owner drafting him wants to play it.

Be aware that it looks like Jackson will likely reach full-season position eligibility in the outfield first. So if you draft him as a first baseman and start him there in Week 1, it's possible that by Week 2, he will no longer be eligible there. That dual eligibility likely will come, but it might take a couple of weeks.

Schumaker, who played outfield last season, appears all but certain to open the season at 2B for the Cardinals. And he'll stay there until either injury forces him back to the outfield or his 2B defense blows up. He's listed as a 2B in both the pre-draft stats and the FBLG draft board.

Sandoval, who played 1B, 3B and catcher last season, has played exclusively at 3B this spring. That's where his eligibility will reside. It's possible he could see some time at the other positions, but that likely will take several weeks to gain eligibility outside of 3B.