Top News:
Bryan Hoch / MLB.com:
Yankees to sign comedian Crystal — Commissioner Selig approves lifelong fan's one-day contract — TAMPA, Fla. — The Yankees are ready to add a touch of Hollywood to their roster, announcing their plans to sign actor and comedian Billy Crystal to a one-day contract during Spring Training.
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Peter Abraham / The LoHud Yankees Blog:
Reds-Yankees: The Live Blog — Good evening and here we are at Legends Field. It'll be the Reds vs. the Yankees. — Great pitching matchup as Homer Bailey faces Joba Chamberlain. — FIRST INNING — Joba (2 2 2 2 1 1 ) and IPK (2 2 1 1 ) both had rough outings the last time out and need …
ESPN.com:
Yanks ‘sign’ 59-year-old comedian Crystal to play — TAMPA, Fla. — Billy Crystal will get to “look mahvelous” in pinstripes. — The actor will sign a one-day, minor league contract with the New York Yankees and play in Thursday's exhibition game against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Chicagosports / Hardball:
Cubs' Pie out 3-5 days — MARYVALE, Ariz. — Centerfielder Felix Pie will undergo surgery on Monday to correct a personal problem and miss 3-5 days, manager Lou Piniella announced before the Cubs-Brewers game. — Pie is suffering from what's called testicular torsion, or, in layman's terms, a twisted testicle.
Discussion:
Bronx Liaison
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Carrie Muskat / MLB.com:
Pie to undergo testicular surgery — Outfielder will miss three to five days; Fuld will play more — PHOENIX — Sam Fuld is going to get a good look the next few days in center field. — The Cubs announced Monday that outfielder Felix Pie will undergo a procedure to correct testicular torsion …
Gordon Wittenmyer / Chicago Sun Times:
Felix Pie could miss five days
Felix Pie could miss five days
Discussion:
El Guapo's Ghost Rambles …
David Lennon / On the Mets beat:
Santana solid; Beltran really can't run — That about sums it up, Mets fans, after today's 1-1 tie with the visiting Red Sox at Tradition Field. Rejoice in the fact that Johan Santana gets better with each start and today was a perfect example: four scoreless innings, two hits, four strikeouts, zero walks.
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Sports Illustrated:
Year One A.B. — Giants will have more fun, fewer runs without Bonds — Also in this column: — SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Things are quiet around the Giants now. It's the quiet after Barry Bonds. — The clubhouse is more spacious and relaxed without the security detail …
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Sports Illustrated:
Year one A.B. (cont.) — When is Mr. Roberts going to Chicago? — Most baseball people still think Brian Roberts will go to the Cubs before spring is over. What may be delaying a trade is for the Orioles to complete their scouting of the Cubs' minor leaguers.
Associated Press:
Big Unit tosses pain-free outing, but roughed up by Rockies — CBSSports.com wire reports — TUCSON, Ariz. — Randy Johnson was happy to pitch without pain. Still, he was disappointed with the results of his first outing since back surgery. — The Big Unit gave up three runs and four hits …
Bryan Hoch / MLB.com:
Joba, Rivera lead Yanks over Reds — Starter lasts into third inning; closer retires all three batters — YANKEES 4, REDS 0 — Reds at the plate: Jay Bruce reached base in his first three plate appearances, getting aboard on a throwing error in the first inning before singling in each of his next two at-bats.
Discussion:
Bronx Banter
Tyler Kepner / Bats:
Joba Meets His Idols ... and Learns His Teammate's Sinker — Joba Chamberlain used 14 of his 49 pitches on Monday against Cincinnati's Edwin Encarnacion in the second inning, striking him out on a curveball. But the at-bat Chamberlain may remember the longest came in the first inning …
Kat O'Brien / Newsday:
Upbeat A-Rod to WFAN: NY is where I want to be — TAMPA, Fla. - Alex Rodriguez didn't create any controversy in his interview with Mike and the Mad Dog on WFAN Monday — unlike a year ago, when he made it sound as if staying in New York would depend on whether the fans made him feel wanted.
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Nats have ‘Animal’ visit clubhouse — Legendary pro wrestler meets players at Space Coast Stadium — VIERA, Fla. — The Nationals acted as if they were at Wrestlemania late Monday morning. They couldn't believe their eyes when they saw wrestling great George “The Animal” Steele in their locker room.
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Mailbag: Will Kearns be right fielder? — Beat reporter Bill Ladson answers Nationals fans' questions … I'm a huge Austin Kearns fan and noticed that he hasn't been hitting in Spring Training. Is he still considered the starting right fielder? — As long as general manager Jim Bowden …