Top News:
Bryan Hoch / MLB.com:
Pettitte pushed back to third or fourth — Lefty sidelined with back spasms; Mussina to follow Wang — TAMPA, Fla. — The Yankees have reshuffled their starting rotation to accommodate left-hander Andy Pettitte, who has been pushed back to the third or fourth game of the season because of back spasms.
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WasWatching.com
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Bryan Hoch / MLB.com:
Hughes, Yanks happy with latest effort — Young right-hander rebounds from rocky spring outings — TAMPA, Fla. — Phil Hughes thought his latest outing was “one thousand times better,” and Yankees manager Joe Girardi wasn't about to question those mathematics.
Bryan Hoch / MLB.com:
Yanks belt three homers, pound Phils — Cano, Giambi, Cabrera go deep in support of Hughes — YANKEES 13, PHILLIES 4 — Phillies at the plate: Philadelphia manufactured its first run in the second inning when Eric Bruntlett singled, stole second, moved up on a flyout and scored on Shane Victorino's sacrifice fly.
Discussion:
Phillies Nation
George A. King III / New York Post:
HUGHES PHIL-ING FANTASTIC — When talking about Generation Trey there are several voices who believe Phil Hughes is better than Joba Chamberlain and Ian Kennedy. Last night Hughes delivered a performance to fuel that debate when he went five innings against the Phillies at Legends Field, gave up three runs and fanned six.
Discussion:
Highlander Origins
Joe Lavin / Joe Lavin's Humor Column:
Jose Canseco Reviewed: With Spoilers — There I was, wandering through a quaint Cambridge bookstore on Monday, when I noticed a copy of Jose Canseco's new book “Vindicated: Big Names, Big Liars, and The Battle to Save Baseball” in their tiny sports section. That's odd, I thought.
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Leitch / Deadspin:
Source: Canseco Accuses A-Rod Of Steroid Abuse, Wife Coveting, In New Book — In the next week, you're going to see more of Jose Canseco that you likely have much desire to see. But Canseco has a new book coming out April 1, Vindicated: Big Names, Big Liars, and the Battle to Save Baseball …
Michael Silverman / Boston Herald:
Manny, Moss make it grand opening — Red Sox beat A's 6-5 … TOKYO - Red Sox [team stats] fans around the world - as well as local guy Daisuke Matsuzaka - owe Brandon Moss and Manny Ramirez [stats] a major-league arrigato. — Moss, a surprise starter in place of J.D. Drew [stats] …
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Associated Press
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Jim Baumbach / Newsday:
Maine continues to pitch well for Mets — FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - One week from now, every player's spring training statistics will be irrelevant, and that's a shame for John Maine. — The righthander has dominated the Grapefruit League this month, and that continued yesterday in the Mets' 1-0 win over the Orioles.
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NY Daily News:
Harper: A-Rod regrets saying no to Mets — During spring training, Alex Rodriguez has mostly avoided discussion of his messy contract opt-out and offseason return to the Yankees, but apparently only because he didn't want to say something that might prove controversial, as is often his habit.
Jay Mariotti / Chicago Sun Times:
What does Cubdom want, mush or truth? — Sorry, Cubs fans, but it's about time someone gives you dose of reality — As the most tortured and masochistic fans in sports, you demand love and tenderness in Cubdom. You want hope, optimism, faith. You want 100-year amnesia.
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Amalie Benjamin / Boston Globe:
DirecTV, out? — I've been getting emails from DirecTV customers, who've said that their packages (ESPN2 and NESN) are out. Not sure if this is affecting all customers, or just some, but apparently there are some very unhappy early risers. — Sorry about that.
Ben Shpigel / New York Times:
Mets Commit to 5-Man Rotation, No Matter What — FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — The Mets will not need a fifth starter until April 12. The two candidates for that role, Orlando Hernández and Mike Pelfrey, imploded during their outings Sunday. So, common sense says the Mets …
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John Hickey / Seattle Post-Intelligencer:
Balentien out of mix in Mariners' outfield puzzle — Reed drawing interest from Padres, Rays — PEORIA, Ariz. — One piece was taken out of the Mariners' outfield puzzle Monday morning when rookie Wladimir Balentien was sent down to Triple-A Tacoma. — Although maybe it shouldn't have, the news came as a major blow to Balentien.
Jeff Schultz / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Baseball's sold its soul — Good morning. You just missed Opening Day. — The Boston Red Sox and the Oakland Athletics played the first game of the major league season Tuesday morning (normal baseball earth time) in Tokyo. I imagine Japan will reciprocate this breach of tradition by opening the sumo season at Fenway Park.
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Blue Jays close to locking up OF Rios — 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 — Just over a year ago, the Blue Jays signed center fielder Vernon Wells through 2014.
Discussion:
Baseball Musings, Batter's Box Interactive …, MLB Rumors, MLB Rumors and MLB Fleece Factor
Sports Illustrated:
When he's not taking care of Nationals' NCAA pool, Lo Duca can't wait for opener — VIERA, Fla. (AP) -Paul Lo Duca spent a good chunk of his Monday meticulously updating the NCAA tournament pool charts hanging in the home clubhouse at Space Coast Stadium. — There he was in the morning …
Discussion:
ShysterBall
David Andriesen / Seattle Post-Intelligencer:
Will Edgar Martinez head to Hall of Fame? — PEORIA, Ariz. — Seattle's love for Edgar Martinez is unquestioned. — The former Mariners designated hitter brought the city some of its most cherished sports memories, including the 1995 double that might have saved baseball in Seattle.