Top News:
Barry Svrluga / Nationals Journal:
John Patterson Released [With Update] — Dave Sheinin reports from Viera that the Nationals have released right-hander John Patterson. — Patterson, the Nationals' Opening Day starter in 2007, was limited to 15 starts in 2006 and '07 because of a series of nerve problems in his right arm and elbow.
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Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Patterson released by Nationals — Right-hander cut from team due to ‘lack of performance’ — VIERA, Fla. — Right-hander John Patterson was released by the Nationals on Thursday based on the pitcher's lack of performance. The team would rather give a younger pitcher …
ESPN.com:
Nats release 2007 starter Patterson — VIERA, Fla. — The Washington Nationals' Opening Day starter in 2007 is no longer a part of the rotation — or the team, for that matter. — The Nationals released right-hander John Patterson, who was 0-2 with a 7.00 ERA this spring, on Thursday.
Dave Sheinin / Nationals Journal:
Management's side — GM Jim Bowden and manager Manny Acta both characterized the release of veteran John Patterson as a strictly baseball-related move, which came down to a simple equation: Whom would you rather have taking the mound every five days, Patterson or (choose one) Matt Chico/John Lannan?
Bryan Hoch / MLB.com:
Minor League Report: Cody Ransom — Infielder building momentum toward securing roster spot — DUNEDIN, Fla. — He was Billy Crystal's locker neighbor for a day, enduring a persistent media crush and even yielding his uniform number to help the actor feel like more of a big leaguer.
Discussion:
New York Post
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Bryan Hoch / MLB.com:
Joba dominates in 'pen debut — Right-hander strikes out side on 11 pitches against Jays — DUNEDIN, Fla. — Finally, after a spring of trying to budget himself for the long haul, Joba Chamberlain was allowed to just let it all go. — There were no rules to constrain him, no second time around the order to save himself for.
Paul Hoynes / Plain Dealer:
Cleveland Indians' David Dellucci has sore left forearm — Port St. Lucie, Fla. — David Dellucci's surgically repaired left hamstring hasn't given him any problems in spring straining. A sore left forearm has. — Dellucci used Tuesday's off day and Wednesday to rest the forearm.
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Tim Dierkes / MLB Rumors:
Shapiro, Minaya Met Yesterday — Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer writes that phone buddies Mark Shapiro and Omar Minaya met in person yesterday evening. Any chance the Indians and Mets could match up for a trade? — We know the Mets may be looking to move Jorge Sosa and/or Scott Schoeneweis.
Discussion:
Mets Today
Amalie Benjamin / Boston Globe:
Welcome to Tokyo — TOKYO — Good morning. — Well, at least it's morning here in Tokyo, where the team arrived around midnight and two of your intrepid reporters arrived yesterday at about 8 p.m., after an epic journey that took us from Boston to Shreveport, La. (diverted from Dallas) …
Discussion:
Who Made You Mirabelli?
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Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Ramirez can call himself a White Sox — Guillen says Cuban has made the team — PHOENIX - Juan Uribe remained on the White Sox roster Thursday, but Alexei Ramirez's status appears more secure. — “Is he on the roster? Yes,” manager Ozzie Guillen said of Ramirez, 26 …
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Scott Miller / CBS SportsLine.com:
With no Barry by the Bay, Giants look to put ‘fun’ in fundamentals — Giants: Five things to know — SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Oh yes, Barry Bonds has been heard from around here this spring. Outfielder Dave Roberts has spoken with him over the telephone. So has outfielder Randy Winn, and infielder Rich Aurilia.
Bill Chastain / MLB.com:
Management undecided on Longoria — Financial aspects might matter in prospect's future in Majors — ST. PETERSBURG — A decision must be made on Evan Longoria in the near future. And all the Rays' top prospect has done this spring is play like a top prospect.
Discussion:
Rays of Light
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Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Loretta could be answer to Dodgers' problems — Ken Rosenthal has been the senior baseball writer for FOXSports.com since Aug. 2005. He appears weekly on the FSN Baseball Report and MLB on FOX. — add this — ORLANDO, Fla. - Emptying the spring-training notebook:
Discussion:
Sliding Into Home
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Time running out on Lofton's '08 hopes — Ken Rosenthal has been the senior baseball writer for FOXSports.com since Aug. 2005. He appears weekly on the FSN Baseball Report and MLB on FOX. — add this — Kenny Lofton is frustrated. Four times since 2002, a contender has wanted him badly enough to trade for him.
Discussion:
The Heater
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Michael S. Schmidt / New York Times:
Investigators to Put Focus on Canseco's Link to Clemens — For years, José Canseco has been a frequent guest on WEEI, the sports radio station in Boston. So it was predictable that the station would reach out to him Dec. 13, when George J. Mitchell issued his report on the links between baseball …
Dan Turkenkopf / Stealing First:
Historical Catcher Block Percentage — Ok, so not so much historical, but at least I can share 2005 and 2006. Joe Arthur clued me into the fact that the GameDay information was still available starting from 2005, so I dutifully went and grabbed the data, so now we have three years to look at.
Discussion:
Beyond the Box Score
Mark Sheldon / MLB.com:
Reds reassign Bruce to Minors camp — Top-ranked outfield prospect will begin season in Triple-A — FORT MYERS, Fla. — Reds outfield prospect Jay Bruce got the news on Thursday he hoped he wouldn't get this spring. — Manager Dusty Baker and general manager Wayne Krivsky informed …
