Jason Marquis Looks Good in Rebound with Reds; Casey Sandler Leads Pirates to 1-0 Win over Toronto

Players of the Day for Sunday, March 8, 2015

Grapefruit League

Casey Sadler

After reaching the playoffs in 2014, the Pittsburgh Pirates are looking forward to another strong season, and, if the kind of pitching they got last year and in their 1-0 win over Toronto Sunday, translates into the regular season, they're a good bet to be playing ball in October.

Pittsburgh brought one of their top prospects, Casey Sadler, to the mound as the starter against the Blue Jays and the 6'4" righty didn't disappoint, throwing three hitless innings, fanning three without allowing a walk.

Sadler has been honing his stuff in the minors since 2010, having his best season last year, going 11-4 with Indianapolis in the International League (AAA). While he's considered one of th Pirates' best hurlers, he'll have a tough time breaking into the starting rotation, but should see some time with the big club in 2015.

Stolmy Pimental, who followed Sadler in the fourth, took the win. The Pirates are 3-2 this Spring, with all their wins coming on the road.

Cactus League

Jason Marquis

Taking all of 2014 off while recovering from Tommy John surgery, 36-year-old Jason Marquis is making a strong impression on his new teammates, the Cincinnati Reds, as he picked up his second win in as many starts, tossing three innings of no-hit ball in the Reds' 10-1 romp over Seattle. The veteran struck out three and did not allow a walk.

Marquis has had his share of travels, having pitched for Atlanta, St. Louis, Colorado, the Cubs, Arizona, Minnesota, and San Diego since breaking into the majors in 2000.

Lifetime, Marquis is 121-114 with a 4.46 ERA, and, while some may believe his best years are behind him, the miracle surgery that is known as Tommy John's, has revitalized many an aging arm and the Reds are betting that he'll be a welcome addition to their starting rotation, one which had its share of problems last year.

The Reds hit three homers off Seattle pitchers, putting the game away with a six-run outburst in the eighth, evening their record at 3-3.