Top News:
Ken Davidoff / Newsday:
Joba works in 'pen, but should start at end — Yankees pitcher Joba Chamberlain throws live batting practice as pitching coordinator Nardi Contreras watches during spring training at Legends Field. (Newsday / Audrey C. Tiernan) — We all knew this day was coming.
RELATED:
Jordan Bastian / MLB.com:
Jays holding Ryan out of games — Toronto closer may not be ready to go by Opening Day — DUNEDIN, Fla. — B.J. Ryan's goal of returning to the Blue Jays' bullpen in time for Opening Day may have been a little too optimistic. With less than two weeks remaining in the spring slate …
RELATED:
Jackie MacMullan / Boston Globe:
It was a time for team unity — FORT MYERS, Fla. - One of the most bizarre days in spring training history begins yesterday at 8:45 a.m., when a somber Terry Francona plops himself down in the dugout at City of Palms Park and reveals he has just informed his coaches and staff that …
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
New deal is set for Wainwright — FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA. • The Cardinals' opening day starter and present-day ace Adam Wainwright is expected to sign a long-term contract today with the club that assures his place in its future. — The Cardinals plan to finalize and announce …
RELATED:
Matthew Leach / MLB.com:
Wainwright signs long-term deal — Cardinals right-hander agrees to four-year contract — JUPITER, Fla. — The Cardinals made a long-term commitment to another piece of their core on Thursday, agreeing to terms with right-hander Adam Wainwright on a new four-year deal with a two-year club option for 2012 and 2013.
Juan C. Rodriguez / Sun-Sentinel:
Marlins' Willingham out to improve against lefties — One of the National League's best and one of its worst hitters against left-handed pitching in 2007 are Marlins. — Beginning Opening Day, Hanley Ramirez and Josh Willingham, respectively, hope to prolong and reverse the trends.
Discussion:
BBTF's Baseball Primer …
RELATED:
Joe Capozzi / Palm Beach Post:
Castillo, Cantu both may stay with Marlins — JUPITER — One morning last month in the early days of camp, Jose Castillo looked over at Jorge Cantu in the Marlins clubhouse and said, “Can you believe we're competing for job?” — With 11 days left in camp, the competition may be over, with the winner being both veteran infielders.
USA Today:
Nationals hope Milledge and Dukes can overcome past — Lastings Milledge was making every effort to sound humble about a monstrous home run he hit in an exhibition against the Detroit Tigers on Tuesday, when Washington Nationals teammate Ray King interrupted the postgame interview to grant him a special dispensation.
RELATED:
Ken Gurnick / MLB.com:
Nomar could swing bat by weekend — Dodgers liken microfracture in right wrist to bad bruise — PHOENIX — Dodgers third baseman Nomar Garciaparra has a microfracture in his right wrist, which was struck by a pitch on March 7, but club officials liken it to a bad bruise and say he could be swinging …
RELATED:
Michael Silverman / Boston Herald:
Papelbon hopes long flight proves to be a flop … FORT MYERS - The Red Sox [team stats] are all in. — The approximately 19-hour trip to Japan that the Red Sox embarked upon last night was going to feature an array of time-killing devices but the No. 1 diversionary tactic is going to be poker, the Texas Hold 'Em variety.
Paul Meyer / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
Spring Training: Morgan/McLouth competition may not be either/or situation — Yankees pitcher Billy Traber misses the tag, allowing Ryan Doumit to score from third last night. The Yankees won the first night game at McKechnie Field, 12-9. — BRADENTON, Fla. — Pirates management …
Associated Press:
Valentine says timing of MLB Japan trip ‘ludicrous’ — Bobby Valentine has nothing against the Boston Red Sox and Oakland Athletics opening Major League Baseball's 2008 season in Japan. It's just the timing of it he can't understand. — The former Texas Rangers and New York Mets manager …
David O'Brien / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Blanco (finally) knocking at door — Kissimmee, Fla. — Every once in a while comes a player like Gregor Blanco, who has plenty of physical tools, puts up good numbers annually in competitive Latin American winter leagues, but has something that's keeping him stuck in the minor league system …
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
RELATED:
Spring Training / Yahoo! Sports:
Bigbie exiled after breaking code — YOKOSUKA, Japan - The Year of the Rat in the Japanese zodiac started Feb. 7, about a week after Larry Bigbie arrived. — He came here with some fanfare, more than he had seen in his six years playing in the major leagues.
Discussion:
It is about the money, stupid
Kevin Goldstein / Baseball Prospectus:
State of the Systems, AL East — 2008 Rookies: Luis Hernandez takes over at shortstop, and while the defensive upgrade from Miguel Tejada should not be ignored, the offensive dropoff draws comparisons to Niagara Falls. James Hoey and Rocky Cherry are both competing for Opening Day bullpen jobs, although Hoey has had arm troubles.
Discussion:
WasWatching.com
David Gassko / Hardball Times:
Batted balls and park effects — A few years ago, Dave Studeman and I exchanged a few dozen e-mails and a few hundred thoughts discussing park factors for batted balls. The result was an entertaining article by Dave in The Hardball Times Annual 2006 that pointed out some of his more interesting findings …
Chicagosports / Hardball:
Waiver move news to Uribe — TUCSON, Ariz. — The White Sox placed infielder Juan Uribe on waivers Wednesday, according to a major-league scout. — But Uribe, who didn't play against Colorado, and agent Martin Arburua were unaware of such a move. The Sox made no announcement …
RELATED:
