Top News:
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 …
RELATED:
Maureen Mullen / MLB.com:
Delay shifts Dice-K to Minors game — Right-hander remains on track to pitch Opening Day vs. A's — FORT MYERS, Fla. — With the Red Sox's Wednesday afternoon game against the Blue Jays at City of Palms Park delayed because of a dispute over stipends to Boston's coaches and staff …
Discussion:
Red Sox Monster
Peter Abraham / The LoHud Yankees Blog:
Breaking news: Joba to the bullpen — Joe Girardi said just a few minutes ago that RHP Joba Chamberlain would open the season in the bullpen. — He left open the possibility that Chamberlain will move into the rotation later this season. “His future will be as a starter,” Girardi said.
RELATED:
Bryan Hoch / MLB.com:
Joba knows his role — Yankees inform righty that he'll start season in bullpen — TAMPA, Fla. — The argument of whether Joba Chamberlain can best serve the Yankees out of their starting rotation or bullpen isn't settled — not by a long shot. But for the purposes of Opening Day, the right-hander finally has his answer.
Bryan Hoch / MLB.com:
Hughes ‘close’ despite struggles — Righty fine-tuning pitches in final weeks of Spring Training — BRADENTON, Fla. — Phil Hughes has never hung around a big league camp this long, but those who know his career path would recognize this as the point when the spring results always get a little wobbly.
Discussion:
Sliding Into Home
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:
Joe Capozzi / Palm Beach Post:
Marlins catcher Treanor likely to start on opening day — JUPITER- — The Marlins aren't ready to announce their starting pitcher for opening day yet, but indications are the starting catcher will be Matt Treanor. — Mike Rabelo will share the catching duties this season with Treanor …
Discussion:
FishStripes
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:
Joe Cowley / Chicago Sun Times:
Uribe waived? That's news to him — TUCSON, Ariz. - Reports continued to circulate around the White Sox camp that the club placed former starting shortstop Juan Uribe on waivers prior to today's game with Colorado. — The first news of this move came on WSCR-AM (670).
Discussion:
vorosmccracken.com
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
Associated Press:
Dodgers' Garciaparra has broken bone in hand, may miss opening day — CBSSports.com wire reports — PHOENIX — Nomar Garciaparra has a broken bone in his right hand, and the Los Angeles Dodgers' third baseman might not be ready for opening day. — Garciaparra had an MRI on Wednesday in Los Angeles that revealed a microfracture.
Nick Cafardo / Boston Globe:
Coaches and staff will be compensated — FORT MYERS, Fla. - Here's what we know about the deal to compensate players. — A major league source said moments ago that all staff associated with the trip will be compensated. Not sure whether it's $40,000 or even more because the receipts from the trip will be split at the end.
RELATED:
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 …
Discussion:
Friar Forecast
Jenifer Langosch / MLB.com:
Homers sour Hughes' night vs. Bucs — Right-hander surrenders three long balls in four-plus innings — YANKEES 12, PIRATES 9 — Yankees at the plate: With 13 hits through the fourth inning, the Yankees had five starters with a multihit game by the end of the night.
