Top News:
Ken Mandel / MLB.com:
Garcia leaves with right bicep tightness — Righty departs after one inning, returns to Clearwater for exam — DUNEDIN, Fla. — Hours after the Phillies announced that Jon Lieber would pitch out of the bullpen to start the season, starter Freddy Garcia left Wednesday night's game …
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Associated Press:
'Disappointed' Lieber goes to bullpen — CLEARWATER, Fla. (AP) — Jon Lieber is going to the bullpen for now, ending weeks of speculation, because the Philadelphia Phillies have six starters. — "I'm disappointed," Lieber said Wednesday. "I'd be lying if I said I wasn't. I think I can still start."
Will Carroll / Baseball Prospectus:
Vegas, Baby, Vegas — There's nothing like a long weekend in Vegas to recharge the batteries before the season starts. From a couple Cirque du Soleil shows to one of the best fights I've ever seen, it was a four day vacation that Barney Stinson would describe as an "awesomefest."
Discussion:
The Bard's Room
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Lyle Spencer / MLB.com:
Lackey to start Opening Day — Weaver set to open season on the 15-day disabled list — PEORIA, Ariz. — Manager Mike Scioscia made it official on Wednesday morning: John Lackey will draw the Opening Day starting assignment against Texas, and Jered Weaver will open the season on the 15-day disabled list.
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
Chris Haft / MLB.com:
Giants quick hits — SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — In a sense, little has changed for the San Francisco Giants. Barry Bonds still rules the roost, and management has assembled a fresh crew of veterans to complement him in an attempt to end the team's three-year postseason drought.
Discussion:
McCovey Chronicles
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Notes: Nats make roster changes — Club adds Fick, Belliard to 40-man roster, cuts three others — JUPITER, Fla. — The Nationals trimmed their roster to 38 players and added to two others to their 40-man roster on Wednesday night. — Washington purchased the contracts of infielders Ronnie Belliard …
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Sports Illustrated:
NCAA Basketball Scouting Reports — Gary Sheffield assumes his familiar bowlegged batting stance, his eyes focused slits, his bat cocked and waggling by his right ear, ready to annihilate anything thrown his way. He holds the pose for 60 seconds. Then he slowly uncoils …
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Richard Durrett / Dallas Morning News:
Tuesday's spring training report — rdurrett@dallasnews.com — Rangers 4, Giants 3 — Nelson Cruz hit two home runs and Matt Kata delivered a big RBI single as the Rangers held on for the win. Frank Francisco got the win after pitching two scoreless innings with one walk and two strikeouts.
Discussion:
MVN
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Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Baseball not just about haves and have-nots — Hope. — Not so long ago, commissioner Bud Selig dwelled on that word when talking about Major League Baseball's need for greater competitive balance. — Speaking for Kansas City, Cincinnati, and of course his beloved Milwaukee …
Discussion:
Shea Nation
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Better glove earns Cedeno roster spot — Shortstop's work with Trammell clicks — MESA, Ariz. — Ronny Cedeno struggled last year after being handed the starting shortstop job in the off-season and was considered a long shot to make the team when camp opened in mid-February.
Discussion:
The Cub Reporter
Seattle Post-Intelligencer:
Mariners, FSN near 10-year deal — Extension of TV rights worth $300M to team — TUCSON, Ariz. — The Mariners and cable TV partner Fox Sports Northwest are nearing agreement on a 10-year extension of their current agreement, through 2020, that would bring the baseball club more than $300 million …
Jeff Zrebiec / Baltimore Sun:
Q&A with Jason Dubois — The Orioles signed 28-year-old outfielder Jason Dubois as a minor league free agent in December. A one-time Chicago Cubs prospect, Dubois was a two-time first-team All-Colonial Athletic Association selection at Virginia Commonwealth.
Alan Eskew / MLB.com:
Royals tab Gordon as third baseman — Bell informs rookie of decision before Wednesday's game — SURPRISE, Ariz. — It was not really a surprise from Surprise, but the Royals made it official on Wednesday that Alex Gordon would be their starting third baseman when the season opens.
Discussion:
BBTF's Baseball Primer …
Janie McCauley / Associated Press:
Crosby makes solid return for A's — SURPRISE, Ariz. (AP) — Bobby Crosby's second at-bat showed the Oakland Athletics their shortstop is back. — He's certainly not afraid to swing away as usual now that his bad back is finally healthy again. — After Crosby grounded out on a high chopper …
Jon Weisman / Hardball Times:
Five Questions: Los Angeles Dodgers — Thrill of victory? Agony of defeat? The Los Angeles Dodgers had it all in the wide, wide world of 2006. They produced this decade's nominee for Game of the Century with September's 4+1 game: four consecutive solo home runs in the bottom of the ninth …
Sports Illustrated:
Yankees won't bid on A-Rod — Rodriguez as good as gone if he opts out of contract — Also in this column: — Alex Rodriguez will attract interest from at least a handful of teams if he opts out of his $252 million contract at the end of the season, with the Angels perhaps first in line.
Yahoo! Sports:
Reds release RHP Paul Wilson — SARASOTA, FLORIDA (TICKER) — Attempting a comeback from rotator cuff surgery, righthander Paul Wilson was released by the Cincinnati Reds on Wednesday. — Wilson, 33, struggled in five spring training appearances, allowing 12 earned runs and 22 hits in 13 1/3 innings.
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