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.
Twtsports / Washington Times:Patterson speaks [Mark Zuckerman]
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.
Mark Feinsand / NY Daily News:
Girardi: No lefty in pen would be all right — DUNEDIN, Fla. - Opening Day may be just 10 days away, but Joe Girardi doesn't appear to be close to any decisions on the last few roster spots. — While 20 of the 25 slots are pretty much set, the final three jobs in the bullpen remain an open competition …
Discussion:
iYankees
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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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.
Discussion:
ShysterBall
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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NY Daily News:
McNamee's grand slam — Roger Clemens' former trainer Brian McNamee smashed his Lexus into a city bus in Queens yesterday after blacking out behind the wheel, authorities said. — McNamee was heading westbound on Central Ave. near Beach 11th St. in Far Rockaway when he rear-ended another car …
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 …
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
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.
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
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:
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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