Top News:
Anthony Rieber / Newsday:
Rain not a big concern to Peterson — Rick Peterson obviously is one of those "let a smile be your umbrella" guys. — The Mets' pitching coach didn't curse the rain yesterday. He accepted it - just as he accepted the Mets' no-brainer, pre-breakfast decision to postpone the Jackie Robinson Day game against the Nationals.
David O'Brien / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
On DL, Aybar suspended three games — Willy Aybar's enigmatic career took another unwelcome turn Sunday when the Braves infielder, already on the disabled list with a sore hand, was suspended without pay for three games for violating a team rule. — Team officials declined to specify the infraction …
Discussion:
Talking Chop
RELATED:
Mark Bowman / MLB.com:
Braves suspend AWOL Aybar — Injured infielder docked three games after not showing up — ATLANTA — Willy Aybar's future with the Braves became even cloudier on Sunday afternoon, when the club announced that he had been suspended for three games for violation of team policy.
Ben McGrath / New Yorker:
WAITING FOR MANNY — Boston's mystery man. … Manny Ramirez is a deeply frustrating employee, the kind whose talents are so prodigious that he gets away with skipping meetings, falling asleep on the job, and fraternizing with the competition. He makes more money than everyone else …
Steve Popper / NorthJersey.com:
Philly fans taunt, boo Mets' Wagner — NEW YORK — Billy Wagner heard the taunts directed at Jimmy Rollins last week at Shea Stadium and just shook his head. For Wagner, the chants of "Jim-my Rol-lins" were tame compared to the treatment he received in Philadelphia last year.
Rich Lederer / Baseball Analysts:
Prior and Wood: Dusty Track Records — Mark Prior experienced discomfort in his right shoulder and left his first extended spring training start after two innings last Thursday in Mesa, Arizona. He was scheduled to throw no more than 45 pitches or three innings.
Discussion:
Viva El Birdos
Tony Massarotti / Boston Herald:
The center of scrutiny: As Coco's struggles continue, blame game should be pointed at Sox — The season is still young, but time is starting to catch up with Coco Crisp [stats]. And soon, unless things change, we must all ask the obvious question: — What, exactly, did the Red Sox [team stats] see in this guy?
Matthew Cerrone / MetsBlog.com:
Opinion: Baseball in Third Gear — It's not bothering me too much, to be honest with you. I'm glad the season has started, but I usually let a month pass before I allow myself to get really swept up in baseball. — This is due, in part, to the Rangers being in the NHL playoffs and playing well …
Discussion:
Amazin' Avenue
Anthony De Rosa / MetsBlog.com:
Notes: Mets Bullpen Coming Together — Entering the season, most people were concerned with the absence of Duaner Sanchez and Guillermo Mota and whether the Mets would be able to enjoy the same level of success in their bullpen as they had last year. It appears, at least early on …
Discussion:
MLB.com
Nick Cafardo / Extra Bases:
New start time and a minors report — The Sox have just announced the new start time is 12:15 p.m. The ground crew is dumping excess water off the tarp just beyond the infield which is really soaked with water at the moment. — The rain has lessened but not stopped completely.
Matt Smith / MLB.com:
A's top Yankees on Scutaro's walk-off — Ninth game-winning hit for vet; Harden leaves with tightness — OAKLAND — There were so many reasons that Marco Scutaro shouldn't have been able to hit a walk-off home run on Sunday afternoon. — For one, he was facing perhaps the greatest closer …
Marc Topkin / St. Petersburg Times:
Maddon welcomes opinions … MINNEAPOLIS - Manager Joe Maddon didn't necessarily agree with Rocco Baldelli's assessment that the Devil Rays didn't show up "ready to go and have a good effort" on Saturday. — But Maddon had no problem with Baldelli saying it.
Joe Cowley / Chicago Sun Times:
Fast fact: Jenks' velocity is down — CLEVELAND — Somewhere in Sox closer Bobby Jenks' psyche is a 99 mph fastball just waiting to get out. — It's the job of full-time pitching coach, part-time team psychiatrist Don Cooper to help Jenks find it again. — ''I don't feel overused …
Discussion:
Chicago Tribune
Roch Kubatko / Baltimore Sun:
Orioles call up Stern and Knott … The Orioles boarded their team charter with a three-game winning streak that stayed intact after today's postponement. They savored a rain-shortened sweep of the Kansas City Royals and looked ahead to a series against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays that has the chance …