Top News:
Peter Abraham / The LoHud Yankees Blog:
Cervelli injured and Girardi is furious — The look on Joe Girardi's face said plenty. Then he had plenty to say about the play in the ninth inning when Tampa Bay's Elliot Johnson rolled into Yankees catcher Francisco Cervelli. — “I think it's uncalled for in spring training.
Discussion:
MY BASEBALL BIAS, Mike Ashmore's Thunder …, Scott Proctor's Arm, iYankees and New York Yankees etc.
RELATED:
Spring Training / Associated Press:
Yanks' C Cervelli breaks wrist in collision at plate — TAMPA, Fla. (AP)—The Tampa Bay Rays changed their name this offseason, and the beleaguered organization looks as if its working on a new attitude this spring. — Four days after Carl Crawford barreled over a catcher on a play at the plate …
Peter Abraham / The LoHud Yankees Blog:
Rays-Yankees: The Live Blog — It's windy and 62 here at Legends Field as the Yankees get set to face the Plain Old Rays. — It'll be Mike Mussina vs. Matt Garza. Today's game is on YES and WCBS so you shouldn't need me to provide many details. But I'll chime in from time to time.
Carter Gaddis / TBO.com:
Rays Exploring Contingency Plans For Rocco — ST. PETERSBURG - As OF Rocco Baldelli's uncertain availability continues to be an issue for the Rays, the contingency plans they've explored since before spring training began are coming more and more into play.
ESPN.com:
Beckett leaves game after back spasms flare up — FORT MYERS, Fla. — Josh Beckett's back went into spasm while warming up for Saturday's spring training game. The Boston Red Sox ace left without facing a Florida Marlins batter. — Beckett seemed to lose his footing on his last warmup pitch …
RELATED:
Associated Press:
Beckett suffers back spasm — FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) — Josh Beckett left Saturday's spring training game without facing a batter when he was bothered by back spasms as he warmed up. — The Boston Red Sox ace, preparing to face the Florida Marlins, seemed to lose his footing on his last pitch …
Amalie Benjamin / Boston Globe:Beckett update — Josh Beckett didn't come out to talk to the media …
Bill Shanks / Scout.com:
The Shanks Report - March 7 — Here's the latest from Braves Spring Training at Disney. — * Sources have told The Braves Show.com that a trade involving Scott Thorman this spring is very possible. The Braves are considering their other options for first base, including Mark Kotsay …
RELATED:
Spring Training / Yahoo! Sports:
Royals' Bannister unafraid to do the math — SURPRISE, Ariz. - The revolution is happening, of all places, in the Kansas City Royals dugout. — The sabermetric community, baseball's cottage industry of thinkers and rapscallions, has been waiting 30 years for a player like Brian Bannister to come along.
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Nats renew Zimmerman's contract — Washington hopes to sign third baseman to multiyear deal — KISSIMMEE, Fla. — The Nationals renewed the contract of third baseman Ryan Zimmerman on Saturday. He will make $465,000 for the 2008 season. — Zimmerman said he doesn't have any hard feelings toward the Nationals.
Discussion:
MLB Fleece Factor
Justice B. Hill / MLB.com:
Yost plans to bat Kendall ninth in order — Unconventional batting order could help Brewers score more — PHOENIX — The sound will start to become more familiar to Brewers fans: “Batting ninth, Jason Kendall.” — What? Kendall in the nine hole for a National League team? — Is manager Ned Yost joking?
Discussion:
Al's Ramblings
Tyler Kepner / New York Times:
Rivera's a Closer With an Open Heart — TAMPA, Fla. — The dollars were staggering, the richest deal for a closer, the reward for a decade of sterling service and the lightning still left in his right arm. — But the money was the least important part of Mariano Rivera's November.
Discussion:
iYankees
Anthony Rieber / On the Yankees beat:
Four down, 35 to go — The Yankees sent four pitchers to the minor-league camp before the game: — Daniel McCutchen (one scoreless inning in spring training) — Steven Jackson (one scoreless inning) — Steven White (six earned runs in three innings) — Scott Strickland (injured/didn't pitch)
