Looper decides to retire: After failing to make the Cubs' 25-man roster, SP Braden Looper retired from baseball Friday after 12 major-league seasons with four different teams. Looper was competing for Chicago's fifth spot in the starting rotation, but struggled during the spring and surrendered at least one run in all five of his appearances. The veteran did not top four innings in any outing and finished with a 9.95 earned-run average. Looper, who did not pitch last year after not signing with a team, compiled a career 72-65 record and 4.15 ERA in 670 games with the Cardinals, Marlins, Mets and Brewers. (Updated 03/25/2011)
Injury Report
No information available at this time (Updated 2/12/12).
Fantasy Analysis
Looper, who lives in the Chicago area, said at the beginning of spring training that he had no desire to pitch anywhere except with the Cubs. "He handled himself like a true professional and was very helpful to the young pitchers in camp and was very appreciative of the opportunity and understood why he could not break with the 12 (pitchers)," Cubs general manager Jim Hendry told MLB.com. Looper, 36, converted to a starting pitcher in 2006 after signing with the Cardinals in 2006. He amassed 103 saves as a closer with the Marlins and Mets, including a career-high 29 saves in 2004. He was considered a marginal Fantasy option for the 2011 season anyway and should obviously remain unowned in all formats. (Updated 03/25/2011).
Actual 
AccuScore Projections) Note: Points are rounded down.
= probable start