Top News:
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 …
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.
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.
Buster Olney / ESPN:
Glaus to be put on DL; Ryan out 4-6 weeks … The Toronto Blue Jays will put third baseman Troy Glaus on the disabled list on Tuesday due to a sore left heel, GM J.P. Ricciardi said Monday. — Also, closer B.J. Ryan, currently on the 15-day disabled list, will be out 4-to-6 weeks due to a strained ligament in his left elbow.
Baseball America:
Prospect Hot Sheet: April 16 — Hitting .353/.405/.912 with five home runs in spring training was just the tip of the iceberg for the 23-year-old Braun. And if it weren't for the errors, he probably would've spent more than 11 games in big league camp. Undeterred, Braun has gone to Nashville …
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
MLB.com:
Mets-Nationals game rescheduled — Sunday night rainout to be made up in first game of day-night split doubleheader on July 28 — The New York Mets home game with the Washington Nationals from Sunday, April 15th, postponed due to rain, has been rescheduled as a part of a day-night …
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
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?
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.