Top News:
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.
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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.
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.
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.
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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
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
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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 …
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.
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Chris De Luca / Chicago Sun Times:Guillen likes what he sees in right-hander Russell
Discussion:
The Bard's Room
Baltimore Sun:
Reliever Shuey pushing on despite injury … PORT ST. LUCIE, FLA. // Though conceding that he probably has no shot at making the team out of spring training, Orioles reliever Paul Shuey will keep pitching in 2007 for as long as his body allows. — Shuey, who sprained the plantaris tendon …
Discussion:
Oriole Post
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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.
Troy E. Renck / Denver Post:
Howard taking swing at producing powerful sequel — Clearwater, Fla. - The birthplace of Hooters remains overshadowed by homers. This is the spring home of the Philadelphia Phillies' Ryan Howard, the reigning National League MVP. Ice pack on his sore left quad, smile on his face …
Bob Herzog / Newsday:
Newhan unlikely to ever tell writer: 'No comment' — PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Chances are you won't find David Newhan hiding out in the trainer's room after a night game in which he failed to deliver a big hit or made a critical error. If there is one major-league player who fully understands …
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:
