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.

Saturday's player news

Max Scherzer, sp, Arz: Scherzer is slotted to be the Diamondbacks' No. 5 starter. But since they won't need a No. 5 starter in the opening weeks, he'll open the season on the DL (shoulder) to open the season, then be activated in time to start on April 14.

Brandon Backe, sp, Hou: Placed on DL (intercostal strain) and likely won't return during April.

Shairon Martis, sp, Wash: Named Nationals' No. 4 starter

Jordan Zimmermann, sp, Wash: Named Nationals' No. 5 starter. But since Nats' won't need a No. 5 starter until April 19, he'll go to the minors until then.

Friday's player news

Francisco Cordero, rp, Cin: Cordero has been lit up all spring and his velocity is down. Watch carefully.

Skip Schumaker, 2b, StL: Cardinals GM indicated Schumaker would be Cards' opening day second baseman.

Troy Glaus, 3b, StL: Placed on 15-day disabled list (shoulder). Expected back in May.

Ronny Paulino, c, Fla: Catchers trade from Phillies to Giants and now to Marlins could eventually cut into Marlins' John Baker's playing time.

Matt Lindstrom, rp, Fla: Won't make another preseason appearance, but remains hopeful to open season with team. Remain skeptical.

Garet Anderson, of, Atl: Prospects for being ready for opening day still cloudy (calf strain), but should be ready no later than first or second week.

Tuesday player news

Jason Motte, rp, Cardinals: Motte's dominant spring has tossed him into the mix for closer with Chris Perez.

Livan Hernandez, sp, Mets: Clinched Mets' No. 5 spotter spot with Freddy Garcia being sent to minor league camp.

Garrett Atkins, 3b, Col: Groin injury could be opening day in doubt if he's not able to return to lineup this week.

Monday player news

Troy Glaus, 3b, StL: After shoulder surgery in January, the Cardinals have scaled back their expectations for his return. He had been aiming for late April to early May.

Cole Hamels, sp, Phi: Phillies pitching coach now says there's a "very, very small shot" at Hamels starting on opening day. But he remains on target to make his first start on April 10.

Matt Lindstrom, rp, Fla: Lindstrom injured his shoulder pitching in the WBC. But remains hopeful to open season on time, although Marlins are not sure that's realistic.

Sunday player news

Gaby Sanchez, 1b, Fla: Despite being sidelined with a bruised knee, Sanchez remains the Fish's top candidate at 1B, with injuries to others keeping Jorge Cantu at 3B.

Cole Hamels, sp, Phi: Manager Charlie Manuel says that even if Hamels can't go by opening day, he should be ready pitch sometime in the first week of the season.

Brandon Backe, sp, Hou: Backe will open the season on the disabled list (strained rib cage).

Luis Rodriguez, ss, SD: Rotoworld says Rodriguez will be the Padres opening day SS, meaning David Eckstein opens at 2B.

Trevor Hoffman, rp, Mil: Manager Ken Macha says Hoffman's chances of being ready for opener are "looking dim."

Lastings Milledge, of, Was: Manager Manny Acta will make Milledge his leadoff man. That nails down one outfield spot. With the other presumably going to Adam Dunn, there's one starting spot left for Elijah Dukes, Austin Kearns, Josh Willingham, Wily Mo Pena and Corey Patterson.

Saturday report

Rich Harden, sp, Chi: Aiming for April 10 first start, but it might not come to 5-7 days later.

Brandon Backe, sp, Hou: Won't be ready for season opener (rib cage).

Trevor Hoffman (oblique), rp, Mil: Progressing slowly; status for opener in question.