Top News:
Gordon Wittenmyer / Chicago Sun Times:
Prognosis on Wood not good — Often-injured Cub hurt again, could be put on disabled list — MESA, Ariz. — Kerry Wood's chances to open the season on the Cubs' active roster likely ended Sunday when the injury-plagued right-handed pitcher suffered another setback.
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Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Wood headed to disabled list — MESA, Ariz. — The Cubs are shutting down Kerry Wood until further notice after he experienced shoulder problems during Sunday's outing against the Angels in which Wood gave up a three-run homer in one inning. — Wood will be placed on the disabled list and won't be available for at least a few weeks.
Discussion:
GROTA
Jeff Horrigan / Boston Herald:
Pineiro set up for potential trade — FORT MYERS - If the Red Sox [team stats] want to deal Joel Pineiro now that he is no longer in the picture to serve as closer, they are not going to have difficulty finding a trading partner. — Red Sox forum: — Scouts from several teams …
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Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Several teams interested in Arizona's Julio — The Cardinals and Marlins appear to be the clubs most interested in trading for Diamondbacks right-hander Jorge Julio, according to major-league sources. — The Pirates and Devil Rays also are in the mix for Julio, sources say.
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Dan Shaughnessy / Boston Globe:
Famous guest blogs in — Given 'invite,' Schilling issues direct answers — Curt Schilling isn't one to sit on an opportunity to get an unfiltered message to the fans. (FILE/BRIAN SNYDER/REUTERS) — FORT MYERS, Fla. — Getting a little tired and bored here in the final week …
Discussion:
Boston Sports Media Watch, FIRE JOE MORGAN, Dan Shaughnessy Watch and The FanHouse - Mlb
Patrick Saunders / Denver Post:
Corpas fabulous in relief — Tucson - Considering the trials and tribulations of many of his bullpen brethren, Manny Corpas has had an easy time of it this spring. — After pitching a scoreless ninth inning in the Rockies' 3-2 loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks on Sunday …
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John Hickey / Seattle Post-Intelligencer:
Mariners rising into place — More importance put on final week of Cactus League — PHOENIX — During a January series of organizational meetings in Peoria, Ariz., the Mariners put together a roadmap for the spring. — The decision was to go young early in Cactus League games, and not to worry about the record.
Discussion:
U.S.S. Mariner
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Jerry Crasnick / ESPN:
High-speed pursuit … We interrupt major league baseball's fascination with radar guns to point out the following velocity-related tidbit, courtesy of the Bill James Handbook: — The fourth-slowest fastball in the American League last year, at 85.8 miles per hour, belonged to Barry Zito of the Oakland Athletics.
Ken Gurnick / MLB.com:
Notes: Good news, bad news — Furcal on the mend; Repko faces season-ending surgery — VERO BEACH, Fla. — The MRI on shortstop Rafael Furcal's sprained ankle must have been clean, because during Sunday's game Furcal played catch with a team trainer near the batting cages …
Discussion:
The Saberoticians
RELATED:
Associated Press:
Dodgers get Clark from Brewers for Dessens — PHOENIX (AP) — The Los Angeles Dodgers, shy on right-handed hitting outfielders, acquired Brady Clark and cash from the Milwaukee Brewers on Monday for reliever Elmer Dessens. — The 33-year-old Clark has a .278 career batting average …
Joe Cowley / Chicago Sun Times:
Sox catcher Hall could miss season — TUCSON, Ariz. — Toby Hall joked Sunday that he was hoping his diving stop of a groundball at first base in Sunday's loss was going to be a "Web Gem" on ESPN. This morning, however, the White Sox backup catcher found out what the ramifications of his dive actually were.
David Lennon / Newsday:
Pelfrey locks up fifth spot — PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — The identity of the Mets' fifth starter was not much of a mystery by the time Mike Pelfrey threw his opening pitch in yesterday's start against the Astros at Tradition Field. — As long as the 6-7 Pelfrey walked off the mound under his own power …
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com
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Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Simontacchi, Logan likely to go on DL — Pitcher, center fielder expected to miss early part of season — LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Both right-hander Jason Simontacchi and center fielder Nook Logan are expected to miss the start of the season because of right groin injuries.
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John Beamer / Hardball Times:
Five Questions: Atlanta Braves — We all know the story: for the first time since 1991 the Braves failed to win their division. Shocking, wouldn't you say? Or perhaps not? — By thinking back to some of the events in 1990 we can put the Braves' achievements into perspective.
Phil Rogers / Chicago Tribune:
An unrequited love of the game — At 37, Ernie Young hopes for a return to the majors but is happy just playing baseball, writes Phil Rogers — TUCSON, Ariz. — Stress comes in many forms for an athlete, but the most elemental involves survival. Of this, Ernie Young is quite certain.
Discussion:
South Side Sox
Pat Andriola / Shea Faithful:
Interview with Bill James — Former independent writer turned revolutionary Bill James, who is now a part of the Boston Red Sox Front Office, was kind enough to answer a few of my questions. Bill and I discuss Mark McGwire, his own potential website, parody in sports, and more.
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
Fox Sports:
Why don't the Yankees win titles anymore? — Though they're supposedly baseball's neighborhood bully, the New York Yankees haven't won the World Series since 2000. — Yes, the Yanks always grab the column inches/bandwidth for being perennial free-spending contenders, but they haven't laid hands on a trophy in almost seven years.
Jason Beck / MLB.com:
Tigers set Opening Day roster — Durbin, Perez earn spots on Leyland's 25-man list — LAKELAND, Fla. — In the end, having options was not a good option for players in Tigers camp. — The defending American League champions made their final decisions to get down to their 25-man Opening …
