Top News:
Jorge Arangure Jr / Washington Post:
Walker Will Show Ex-Mates No Mercy — Don't expect Baltimore Orioles reliever Jamie Walker to take it easy on his old mates this week if he happens to get in a game against the Detroit Tigers. — Walker, who spent five years with the Tigers, left Detroit during the offseason after the Orioles gave …
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John Harper / NY Daily News:
Yapping Phillie is looking silly — At 1-6, Rollins won't back down — Chances are, Jimmy Rollins didn't envision a day like this back in January when he brazenly declared the Phillies the team to beat in the NL East: a day when his team fell to 1-6; when he made a crucial error …
Discussion:
Hot Foot
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Anthony DiComo / MLB.com:
Rollins' error makes rally mean more — Mets make statement as Phillies protagonist makes gaffe — NEW YORK — This one was different. — Though the novelty of an explosive inning never truly wears off — not even for Mets fans who have seen it evolve into second nature — there was something unique about this one.
Dan Shaughnessy / Boston Globe:
Old days are impossible to explain to newcomers — It's hard to explain to the young people that there was life before $312 box seats, bloody socks, $60 parking spaces, and hundreds of photographers on site to shoot two guys from Japan facing one another in a midweek night game in April.
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Kat O'Brien / Newsday:
Cabrera a fixture but rarely on base — MINNEAPOLIS — In spring training, the Yankees talked about needing to find at-bats for Melky Cabrera. He was so valuable to them last season, but they weren't sure where they would fit him in with regulars Johnny Damon, Hideki Matsui and Bobby Abreu.
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Joe Strauss / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Carpenter shelved — PITTSBURGH — Cardinals ace Chris Carpenter probably will remain disabled for the rest of this month after an examination Monday disclosed that he is suffering from what the club called moderate arthritis and a mild impingement of the right elbow.
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Ben Maller's Sports …
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Lboros / Viva El Birdos:
joint custody — the p-d's morning elbow report cuts right to the chase: "Cardinals ace Chris Carpenter probably will remain disabled for the rest of this month after an examination Monday disclosed that he is suffering from what the club called moderate arthritis and a mild impingement of the right elbow." …
Discussion:
1060west.net
The Big Lead:
Kevin Millar: They'll Love Him on Broadway — By now, you've probably seen Kevin Millar of the Orioles gettin' jiggy with the Ray Lewis dance Monday in Baltimore. Pretty funny stuff. What we've got here is Millar back in his younger days, singing vintage Bruce Springsteen.
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Aaron / AaronGleeman.com:
Yankees 8, Twins 2 — After spending much of the offseason criticizing the Twins' decision to fill the starting rotation with washed-up veterans rather than trust their young talent, many of you probably expect me to go off on a long rant about Sidney Ponson's eight-run outing last night.
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Dejan Kovacevic / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
Pirates Notebook: Castillo would welcome starting duty ... anywhere — Pirates manager Jim Tracy smiles as he is introduced before the home opener yesterday at PNC Park. — Jose Castillo, despite being clearly dissatisfied with his new role on the bench after three years of starting …
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
Joe Frisaro / MLB.com:
Nolasco goes to disabled list — Vanden Hurk summoned to start Tuesday against Brewers — MIAMI — Warning signs surfaced on Friday when Marlins right-hander Ricky Nolasco's fastball was repeatedly clocked between 84-87 mph. — The 24-year-old right-hander struggled in his 1 1/3 inning relief stint …
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Arizona Republic:
Season young, but this homegrown-veteran D-Backs mix looks good — The big moment of anticipation Monday night at Chase Field came before the first pitch, when the pregame introductions reached Randy Johnson. — Would fans cheer? Boo? Care? — So much for the off-season hand-wringing …
Discussion:
Capitol Punishment
Chris Constancio / Hardball Times:
Eight More Prospects to Watch in 2007 — Bryan Smith identified eight prospects to watch several months ago, and I found his list to be an informative and fun read. I agree with many of his choices, but I found myself interested in the challenge of finding undervalued players and put together a list of my own.
Discussion:
Purple Row
Geoff Young / Hardball Times:
Build from Within, Trade for Quality — Chances are, a small-market team isn't going to make a big splash in the free-agent market. Sure, they might fill a hole here and there with lower-profile guys (Mark Loretta) or aging veterans (Doug Brocail, Greg Maddux, Rudy Seanez, David Wells) …
Discussion:
Ducksnorts
Jason Beck / MLB.com:
Mailbag: What is Robertson's secret? — Beat reporter Jason Beck answers Tigers fans' questions — The stats say that Nate Robertson is unusually effective against left-handed hitters. Why is that? I can understand Jamie Walker's effectiveness against lefties, given his goofy delivery …
