Top News:
Associated Press:
Travis Lee released by Nats — KISSIMMEE, Fla. — Travis Lee asked for and was granted his unconditional release by the Washington Nationals on Sunday, making Dmitri Young the starting first baseman as the club made progress on settling its 25-man roster. — The Nationals made several moves …
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Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Young to man first base as Lee leaves — Close spring battle ends quietly as veteran asks to be released — LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Several weeks ago, while still in the Nationals' Minor league camp, first baseman Dmitri Young vowed that he would be on the team's 25-man roster.
Discussion:
Beck's Blog
Howard Fendrich / Associated Press:
'I've had my whirlwinds before'; Young gets Nationals 1B job — KISSIMMEE, Fla. (AP) — Two months ago, Dmitri Young was out of a job, pondering retirement. — A week ago, he was stuck in Washington's minor league camp, trying to prove his personal demons are in the past and that he can still swing a mean bat.
Jeff Zrebiec / Baltimore Sun:
Orioles cut 5, including Penn and Fahey … JUPITER, FLA. // Orioles officials have spent part of the spring boasting about their improved depth, which has given manager Sam Perlozzo more options and harder decisions on his roster makeup. — He made a couple of those decisions today …
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Baltimore Sun:
Dodgers 4, O's 2 O's 2, Mets 1 — Synchronized errors — Each time shortstop Miguel Tejada made an error yesterday in the Orioles' 4-2 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers, so did catcher Ramon Hernandez . Almost immediately. Tejada misplayed two balls, in the first and second innings, and Hernandez followed with errant throws.
Phil Rogers / Chicago Tribune:
Oops! Maybe Sox got it right — Getting Danks for McCarthy might make GM look good — Scouts don't write glowing reports on pitchers because of their pickoff moves. Teams certainly don't hand out super-sized bonuses because of them. — Even the best prospects often have to work on the little things.
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Evan Grant / Dallas Morning News:
Loe's role with Rangers uncertain — He's pushing to be a starter, but may open season in long relief — egrant@dallasnews.com — TUCSON, Ariz. - For Rangers manager Ron Washington, the question still surrounding Kameron Loe is not about whether he makes the Opening Day roster, but rather where he fits in.
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
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Ben Shpigel / New York Times:
For One Met, Spring Training Is Just Beginning — Guillermo Mota is expected to take part in his first workout with the Mets on Monday, showing up right as his teammates are preparing to leave. For about six weeks, he will remain here in a curious limbo, beginning a spring training program …
Bryan Hoch / MLB.com:
Karstens leaves with elbow stiffness — Right-hander threw 46 pitches against Tigers on Sunday — LAKELAND, Fla. — Yankees right-hander Jeff Karstens left his start against the Tigers on Sunday after two innings with stiffness in his pitching elbow. — "I didn't want to push …
Discussion:
The Bronx Block
Associated Press:
Milwaukee 7, Kansas City 6 — SURPRISE, Ariz. (AP) — Thirteen months after he left the Kansas City Royals' camp to deal with social anxiety, Zack Greinke is back in the Kansas City Royals' starting rotation. — Greinke will be the Royals' No. 3 starter and will pitch in their opening series …
Fox Sports:
Teams with no hope for success — In baseball, spring equals hope, right? — Every team's got a prayer, everyone's undefeated, optimism abounds, tabula rasa and all that. — For most teams, that's certainly the case. The overwhelming majority of clubs enter the 2007 campaign …
Matthew Leach / MLB.com:
Notes: Cardinals rotation announced — Despite off-days, La Russa plans five-man staff to start season — JUPITER, Fla. — Cardinals manager Tony La Russa announced his team's pitchers for the first week of the regular season on Sunday. La Russa said that the club will use all five …
Discussion:
The Gas House Gang
Murray Chass / New York Times:
Braves Do Repairs and Try to Restore What Was Theirs — Throughout the Atlanta Braves' unparalleled run of 14 consecutive division championships, nary a player was heard to boast of the team's superior standing, certainly not before a season began. — So it is curious that in the first winter …
Fox Sports:
Ten days of Top 10s: Reasons for hope — Sure, these clubs haven't a prayer in 2007, but the future isn't entirely grim. Here, then, are the ... 1. Devil Rays: The Future — With youngsters like Delmon Young, B.J. Upton, Carl Crawford, Scott Kazmir, Reid Brignac …
Discussion:
Purple Row
Troy E. Renck / Denver Post:
Rockies out to win numbers game — Their roster nearly finalized, their optimism fully stoked, it's time to take a closer look at what separates the Rockies from last place and relevance. The answer is three. — This number holds the key to the Rockies posting their first winning season since 2000 …
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