Top News:
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Defense helps veteran Lieber pitch 4 shutout innings — MESA, Ariz. - Jon Lieber's four shutout innings Saturday against Arizona put him in good position for the Cubs' fifth starter's spot. — But Ryan Dempster and Jason Marquis also have pitched well, making it a tough call for manager Lou Piniella.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
RELATED:
Gordon Wittenmeyer / Chicago Sun Times:
Marmol will close, OF will be acquired — SPRING TRAINING: CUBS — MESA, Ariz. — For all the position battles in camp, the most important one might be playing out in the general manager's office, where Jim Hendry is trying to put the Cubs in position to acquire an outfielder and a certain infielder from Baltimore.
David Pinto / Baseball Musings:
Crisp Morning — The latest rumor sends Coco Crisp to the Cubs for Jason Marquis and a low level prospect. … Watching the Red Sox pitching moves this spring, signing Colon, looking at Freddy Garcia, and now a rumor about Marquis, I get the feeling they were woefully unprepared for adversity in the starting rotation.
T.R. Sullivan / MLB.com:
Rangers sign right-hander Ponson — Veteran will challenge for spot in Texas' starting rotation — SURPRISE, Ariz. — The Rangers have signed veteran right-handed pitcher Sidney Ponson to a Minor League contract and added him to their Spring Training roster.
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Richard Durrett / Dallas Morning News:
Ponson signed — The Rangers signed Sidney Ponson to a minor league deal. He will be in major league camp on Monday. GM Jon Daniels said Ponson is in good shape and should be ready to pitch in games fairly soon. — Ponson gives the Rangers some more depth.
Mark Feinsand / NY Daily News:
Joe not cool with collision at plate — Elliot Johnson (r.) runs over Yankees minor-league catcher Francisco Cervelli in ninth inning of Saturday's exhibition game ... TAMPA - Joe Girardi was furious after Saturday's game against the Rays, and it had nothing to do with the final score.
RELATED:
Bryan Hoch / MLB.com:Broken wrist polarizes Yanks, Rays
Discussion:
Associated Press, Bugs & Cranks, Rays of Light, My Pinstripes, Bronx Banter and WasWatching.com
Amalie Benjamin / Boston Globe:
Beckett tweaks his back — As a precaution, he's scratched from start — FORT MYERS, Fla. - Red Sox ace Josh Beckett walked to the mound at City of Palms Park yesterday, threw one warm-up pitch, and put his hand to his lower back. He tried five more tosses before alerting catcher Jason Varitek …
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Tony Massarotti / Boston Herald:
Beckett iffy for Japan opener … While expressing optimism about the back injury that forced Josh Beckett [stats] to be scratched from his scheduled spring start yesterday, Red Sox [team stats] manager Terry Francona acknowledged today that the Red Sox will be cautious in determining whether to send Beckett to Japan later this month.
Bill Plunkett / Orange County Register:
Matthews looking to take a new road — TEMPE, Ariz. — Gary Matthews Jr. could have found something hard to swallow at Thanksgiving. — A night earlier, the Angels finalized a contract agreement with seven-time Gold Glove center fielder Torii Hunter. The year before, it had been Matthews …
Tom Haudricourt / JSOnline:
Braun making strides — Yost likes his quick progress — Phoenix - Ned Yost was asked Saturday morning if Ryan Braun's play in left field met his expectations this spring. — “No,” replied the Milwaukee Brewers manager. — What's this? Are red flags going up?
Discussion:
Brew Crew Ball
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Nick Cafardo / Boston Globe:
Just paper Tigers - for now — Team appears loaded, but Leyland still wary — He hasn't quite reached the over-the-top passion of Jim Mora's infamous “playoffs?” rant, but Jim Leyland has heard just about enough of the “favorites” adulation regarding his team.
Troy E. Renck / Denver Post:
Cook slated for side session Sunday — TUCSON — Precaution turned to optimism Saturday regarding the health of key reliever Luis Vizcaino and starter Aaron Cook, while Jason Hirsh's shoulder remains sore, creating the possibility he won't be ready for the regular season.
