Top News:
David Lennon / Newsday:
Starting to belong — Pelfrey continues to show he's earned No. 5 spot in rotation — PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Unlike a bunch of players cut last week, Philip Humber among them, Mike Pelfrey did not have to report for work at the minor-league facility on Monday.
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com
RELATED:
David Lennon / Newsday:
Willie: It's time to get on the ball — PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Coming off Monday's off day, and with the number of exhibition games dwindling, manager Willie Randolph gathered his players in a conference room yesterday for a meeting designed to turn up the intensity for the remainder of the Grapefruit League schedule.
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com
Ben Shpigel / New York Times:
It's Not the Mets' Record, It's How They're Playing — Finally, after a long and tiring spring, the Mets will play an important game next weekend. — No, not opening night, April 1, in St. Louis. How about a showdown the day before in St. Petersburg, Fla., when the outcome …
Bob Herzog / Newsday:Newhan unlikely to ever tell writer: 'No comment'
Discussion:
Faith and Fear in Flushing
Barry Svrluga / Washington Post:
Nats' Bullpen Could Be Working OT — Acta Formulating Plan to Spell His Starting Pitchers — John Patterson is unquestionably the Washington Nationals' top starting pitcher, and yet in 58 starts since arriving in a trade prior to the 2004 season, he has averaged less than six innings an outing.
RELATED:
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Nats sign Astacio to Minor League deal — Veteran right-hander will start season at Triple-A Columbus — JUPITER, Fla. — In need of pitching depth down the road, the Nationals signed right-hander Pedro Astacio to a non-guaranteed Minor League deal on Tuesday.
Barry Svrluga / Washington Post:
Astacio Gets Shot At Team — The Washington Nationals entered spring training with 38 pitchers in major league camp in hopes of assembling a rotation. On Tuesday, still unhappy with their depth, they added one more to minor league camp, a leftover from last year's starting corps, veteran Pedro Astacio.
Karen Guregian / Boston Herald:
Manny being un-Manny: Opens up says he's 'going to be fine here' — FORT MYERS - Life must be pretty good in Manny World. Not only is he back to his goofy exploits, selling a gas grill on eBay, but he was so loose yesterday that he decided to chat on the record. — That's right, Manny talked.
RELATED:
Amalie Benjamin / Boston Globe:
Hot stove talk — Manny breaks silence, but it takes a grilling — FORT MYERS, Fla. — "Mirabelli, I'm a businessman," Manny Ramírez yelled across the clubhouse to Doug Mirabelli with a smile. "Got to make a little money." — Ramírez sat down at his locker …
Discussion:
Yanksfan vs Soxfan
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Playing time no idle chatter for White Sox — Guillen worries that Mackowiak will get rusty in early going — PHOENIX — Ozzie Guillen will face a tough task finding playing time for Rob Mackowiak during the first two weeks of the regular season. The White Sox have three off days ... and a crowded outfield.
RELATED:
Chris De Luca / Chicago Sun Times:Guillen likes what he sees in right-hander Russell
Discussion:
The Bard's Room
Joe Frisaro / MLB.com:
Notes: Benitez, Julio eyed in deal — Marlins trying to land veteran reliver before Opening Day — JUPITER, Fla. — Pursuing trade options for a closer remains a real possibility for the Marlins. — Sources continue to say the team has interest in veterans Armando Benitez and Jorge Julio.
Associated Press:
Uecker's Stalker Shows Up At Spring Training Game — PHOENIX — An attorney for a woman ordered to stay away from Brewers' broadcaster Bob Uecker said if Uecker wasn't at the spring training game that she attended Monday, then she wasn't violating the restraining order.
Discussion:
Brew Crew Ball
RELATED:
Jeff Horrigan / Boston Herald:
Sox' Timlin to start season on DL: Door opens for Tavarez — FORT MYERS - The Red Sox [team stats]' Opening Day closer picture became a little clearer yesterday when the decision was made to have Mike Timlin [stats] open the season on the disabled list. — Red Sox forum:
Tom Withers / Associated Press:
Indians hire formerly imprisoned sportscaster — WINTER HAVEN, Fla. - The Cleveland Indians are taking a chance on a sportscaster fresh out of prison for not paying taxes on gambling earnings. — SportsTime Ohio, a 24-hour TV network owned by the club, announced Tuesday …
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Lewis, Macias among Nationals' cuts — Lydon, Toca, Martinez also given unconditional release — VIERA, Fla. — Pitchers Colby Lewis and Luis Martinez, infielders Jose Macias and Jorge Toca and outfielder Wayne Lydon were unconditionally released on Monday by the Nationals.
Sports Illustrated:
The Riddle — With an array of pitches as sublime and mesmerizing as haiku, $100 million import Daisuke Matsuzaka could tip the American League balance of power to the Red Sox — and explode the old myths about pampering pitchers — The cherubic face of Daisuke Matsuzaka bears a mysterious contentment …
Discussion:
Matsuzaka Watch
MLB.com:
Brewers announce special savings for juniors, seniors and military — Free Terrace level tickets offered to active and retired military personnel — MILWAUKEE — For the third consecutive season, the Milwaukee Brewers will honor members of the United States Armed Forces through Stars …
