As opening day looms just a week away, while many teams are trimming the fat, sportsbook players are
salivating at the prospect of another season of baseball.

The Florida Marlins have announced they released pitcher Seth McClung, after the 29-year-old was unable to secure a bullpen job during spring training. In six spring appearances, McClung allowed nine hits and nine earned runs.

In other news, the Pittsburgh Pirates claimed pitcher Hayden Penn off waivers from the Marlins, who acquired him a year ago from the Orioles for Robert Andino. Penn was considered a highly-regarded prospect four years ago.

Meanwhile, after the Blue Jays released Joey Gathright Sunday following a poor performance in the Grapefruit League, The Orioles have signed him to a minor league deal. Gathright, who turns 29 in April, spent most of 2009 with Baltimore’s Triple A club. He stole 24 bases in 80 games.

The Milwaukee Brewers have a decision to make. With three pitchers up for their fifth starter job, fans of sports betting expect Milwuakee to release Jeff Suppan. Suppan, along with Manny Parra and Chris Narveson are all being considered for the job, but Suppan is an overpaid veteran at this point, and if they keep Suppan, Parra and Narveson are out of options, and Carlos Villanueva would have to be demoted, a move many do not expect the team to make. A trade is also unexpected, after reports have indicated that the Brewers have not discussed the possibility with other teams.