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?
Twtsports / Washington Times:
Patterson speaks [Mark Zuckerman] — Just got back up to the press box following an informal, 7-minute session with John Patterson. I'll type out some full quotes as soon as I get a chance, but here's the gist of it... Patterson said he was informed this afternoon that he was being released.
Discussion:
Nationals Farm Authority
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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Spring Training / Associated Press:
Rays' Upton hit by pitch, leaves game — WINTER HAVEN, Fla. (AP)—Even though B.J. Upton left with an injury and Tampa Bay gave up a ninth-inning lead, Rays manager Joe Maddon was upbeat following a 4-4, 10-inning tie against the Cleveland Indians on Thursday.
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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.
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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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
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 …
Ben Shpigel / New York Times:
Patterson Cut by Nationals — PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — The Mets have a fairly good idea of what Johan Santana can do as a pitcher, and they are gradually learning how talented he is as a hitter. But they were unable to gauge how one affected the other until Thursday night.
Discussion:
New York Post
Richard Sandomir / New York Times:
Yankees' Top Seats Grow Pricier — If you're a Yankees fan with lots of spare cash, parts of the new Yankee Stadium will be for you. Consider two offerings sent to season-ticket holders in an e-mail message Thursday. — First up are the Legends Suite seats, the best in the $1.3 billion ballpark, which is to open in 2009.
Discussion:
WasWatching.com
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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