Top News:
CBS SportsLine.com:
MLB investigating K-Rod for doctoring the ball — Major League Baseball confirmed Thursday that it is investigating if Los Angeles Angels closer Francisco Rodriguez doctored the baseball during two appearances against the Rangers this week, the Dallas Morning News is reporting.
RELATED:
Matt Hurst / beloblog.com:
conspiracy theory — UPDATE #2: I talked to Francisco Rodriguez about this white substance on the underside of his bill and he grabbed the hat from his locker, flipped it over and said "This?" — On the black underside of his cap was a sizable white smudge. — "It's rosin," Rodriguez said.
Lyle Spencer / MLB.com:
Get a grip, says K-Rod — Angels closer: Resin — and nothing else — on his bill — ANAHEIM — The Angels had a two-word response to Internet posted allegations of doctoring baseballs by closer Francisco Rodriguez in two games this week against the Texas Rangers. — "It's resin," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said.
Dave Skretta / Associated Press:
Matsuzaka shines in highly anticipated debut — KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Daisuke Matsuzaka looked about as carefree after his highly anticipated major league debut as he did before taking the mound. In between, he validated the heavy price tag and huge expectations.
RELATED:
Mike Plugh / Matsuzaka Watch:Countdown to Armaggedon
Discussion:
Random Thoughts, Clubhouse Insider, Baseball Musings, The Red Sox Times and Bradford on Baseball
Associated Press:
Rosario expected to bolster Phillies' bullpen — PHILADELPHIA — Hoping to bolster a beleaguered bullpen, the Philadelphia Phillies acquired hard-throwing right-hander Francisco Rosario from Toronto for cash on Thursday. — Rosario was 1-2 with a 6.65 ERA in 17 games with the Blue Jays last year.
RELATED:
Rany Jazayerli / Baseball Prospectus:
Doctoring The Numbers — Charlie Haeger — It's no secret that I'm a fan of the knuckleball and the men who throw it. Among the many clues I have left in my wake, the most obvious is the time I ignored the objections of a few...okay, all of my colleagues, and attached Charlie Zink …
Alan Schwarz / New York Times:
Throwing Batters Curves Before Throwing a Pitch — The pitch was nothing remarkable: Pat Venditte, Creighton University's temporarily right-handed pitcher, threw a fastball past a Northern Iowa batter for a called strike three. It was his next windup that evinced this young pitcher's uniqueness and, perhaps, professional future.
Discussion:
The Griddle
Deadspin:
This Hurts Us More Than It Hurts You, Colin — As some of you might be unfortunate enough to know, the man pictured here is Colin Cowherd, who has a show on ESPN Radio. Like many sports radio hosts across this great land, he relies greatly on blogs to find himself some free, juicy content.
David Lennon / Newsday:
Insider: Reyes the marketing odd man out — The most accessible athlete in New York these days has to be David Wright. Not even Derek Jeter has appeared on more magazine covers, video game boxes or ESPN promos lately than the Mets' photogenic third baseman.
Discussion:
NJ.com
John Hickey / Seattle Post-Intelligencer:
Mariners offense ice-cold — CLEVELAND — On the drive past Jacobs Field, the site of the Mariners' first road game of the year this afternoon against the Indians, it's a winter wonderland. — Snow has been falling for a couple of days now, and while crews have been keeping the sidewalks clear …
Discussion:
U.S.S. Mariner
ESPN:
Decision 2007: Where will Rocket go? — Well, it's getting to be that time of year again: — Rocket-watching time. — If it's April, that must mean that any day now, Roger Clemens is going to have to wave a sad farewell to the pro-am golf circuit — and start gearing up his workout program for YouKnowWhat.
Discussion:
Purple Row
Jason Beck / MLB.com:
Notes: Rodney feeling out of sync — Setup man believes he'll bounce back if he throws more — DETROIT — Jose Mesa's return from his two-game suspension likely means some rest for Fernando Rodney after struggling through the first two games of the season. But Rodney actually wants more work when he can get it.
Rick Gano / Associated Press:
Chi White Sox 4, Cleveland 3 — CHICAGO (AP) — With A.J. Pierzynski at the plate, anything can happen and often does. — The White Sox catcher was hit by a pitch from Roberto Hernandez with the bases loaded in the ninth inning Thursday, sending Chicago to a 4-3 victory over the Cleveland Indians.
Discussion:
Let's Go Tribe
Pat Borzi / New York Times:
For a Reds Prospect, Dreaming the Big League Dream, Again — SARASOTA, Fla. — Two batters were due up ahead of him, but Carson Kainer had a batting helmet on and a bat in his hands. That is how eagerly Kainer awaited his first intrasquad game at-bat as a Cincinnati Reds minor leaguer …
