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5:15 PM ET, February 21, 2009

Ballbug

 Top News: 
Chris Forsberg / Boston Globe:
Ortiz on Dominican trainer, shoulder  —  FORT MYERS, Fla. — David Ortiz spent five minutes answering questions this morning about his relationship with Angel Presinal, amid reports that Major League Baseball investigators want to talk with Alex Rodriguez about his work with the Dominican trainer.
Discussion: Newsday and River Avenue Blues
RELATED:
John Harper / NY Daily News:
Harper: A-Rod's body of lies overshadows his body of work
La Velle / Twins Insider:
Crede: Twins announce one-year deal, Neshek to 60-day DL  —  The Twins have announced that they have reached agreement with third baseman Joe Crede's on a year=year contract  —  Another source with knowledge of negotiations called Joe Christensen with even more details.
RELATED:
La Velle / Twins Insider:
Movement on Crede
Jenifer Langosch / MLB.com:
Bucs exercise Russell's option for 2010  —  Skipper entering his second season at helm in Pittsburgh  —  BRADENTON, Fla. — The Pirates announced on Saturday that manager John Russell's contract option for 2010 has been exercised.  —  Russell, 48, is coming off his first season at the helm in Pittsburgh …
Discussion: Yahoo! Sports
RELATED:
Chuck Finder / PBC Blog:
Day 8: John Russell extended, Andy LaRoche returns, and more  —  BRADENTON, Fla. — Maybe it was the way the players were stretching today, but Pirates management — with President Frank Coonelly back in Pittsburgh — at 10:25 this morning announced they had decided to exercise the option …
Discussion: We Should Be GM's and Bucs Dugout
Bryan Hoch / MLB.com:
Players affected by Stanford scandal  —  Situation impacting investments of Damon, Nady and Pelfrey  —  TAMPA, Fla. — Yankees outfielders Johnny Damon and Xavier Nady and Mets pitcher Mike Pelfrey are reportedly among those affected by the continuing Stanford Financial Group scandal.
RELATED:
Peter Abraham / The Journal News:
Swisher should offer Yankees flexibility  —  TAMPA, Fla. - For nearly six weeks, Nick Swisher was the first baseman of the Yankees.  Unfortunately for him, those six weeks fell in November and December.  —  When the Yankees signed Mark Teixeira on Dec. 23, Swisher became an outfielder competing …
George A. King III / New York Post:
JASON JOHNSON DIAGNOSED WITH CANCER OF THE RETINA  —  TAMPA - Pitcher Jason Johnson has been limited to indoor work due to being diagnosed with cancer of the retina in the right eye shortly before reporting to camp with the Yankees.  —  “I went to the eye doctor to get a new pair of contacts …
Discussion: River Avenue Blues
Buster Olney / MLB:
Source: Nomar Garciaparra may have suitor in Oakland Athletics  —  The Philadelphia Phillies had talked with Nomar Garciaparra early in the offseason about joining them as a part-time player to balance their lineup and Garciaparra, not completely sure what he wants to do, didn't jump at the idea.
Discussion: MLB Rumors
Bart Hubbuch / Mets Blog:
Redding out indefinitely  —  PORT ST. LUCIE — Fifth-starter hopeful Tim Redding is being kept off the mound indefinitely while the former National recovers from a previously undisclosed surgery on his foot in November, Jerry Manuel said today.  —  Redding said the surgery was to repair …
Discussion: Surfing the Mets and Mets Fever
Joe Smith / St. Petersburg Times:
Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Justin Ruggiano can see clearly now  —  PORT CHARLOTTE — Justin Ruggiano's offseason had a storybook feel to it.  —  The Rays outfielder got married in Mexico in January and vacationed for 10 days in the Bahamas.  Soon after, Ruggiano and his wife, Shelly, found out they would be having their first child.
Discussion: MVN
David Lennon / Newsday:
Mets rising star Parnell's got stuff to make team  —  PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. - Jose Reyes had never seen one of his bats split from the top of the barrel almost down to the knob.  When the shattered half flipped in the air toward the mound, Reyes looked at the piece in his hand, shook his head and walked to retrieve the fragment.
Marc Topkin / St. Petersburg Times:
Tampa Bay Rays news and notes  —  The sideshow to Thursday's pig roast was the hazing of players in their first major-league camp.  They had to dress as hula girls and serve drinks.  A rundown from emcee Fernando Perez:  —  RHP Neal Frontz: “Most ladylike.  He probably throws 95, but he has the body of a middle school girl.”
Discussion: Rays Index and ESPN
Keith Law / ESPN:
Hudson signing a great deal for Dodgers  —  The Dodgers' signing of Orlando Hudson is easily one of the biggest bargains of the offseason.  He's a very good offensive second baseman who in the past was also a plus fielder.  Hudson's defense has slipped in the past two years, particularly in 2008 …
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 More News: 
David Lennon / On the Mets beat:
Redding or Martin?  —  We're not talking about spots on the Opening Day roster here.
Discussion: NY Sports Dog
Chone Smith / Anaheim Angels all the way:
Projected Standings: NL West
Discussion: Friar Forecast
Sports Illustrated:
AL East  —  Where: Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (Grapefruit League)
Discussion: Pinstripe Alley
Neil Best / Watchdog:
ESPN's Rick Reilly generally is not a big fan of blogs
Discussion: The Big Lead, MOUTHPIECE and Deadspin
Mark Zwolinski / Toronto Star:
Maroth's knee worries Jays
Discussion: Bluebird Banter
 Earlier Picks: 
Newsday:
Son of Yankees VP trafficked steroids in 2002
Marty Noble / MLB.com:
Church back to normal after trying 2008
Discussion: Mets Fever
Pablo S. Torre / Sports Illustrated:
Why Griffey chose Seattle over Atlanta
 

 
From WeSmirch:

TMZ.com:
Original ‘Wheel of Fortune’ & ‘Love Connection’ Host Chuck Woolery Dead at 83

People:
Sabrina Carpenter Was Turned Down for a Role on The Conners, Whitney Cummings Says: ‘Thank God We Said No’ (Exclusive)

Miranda Siwak / Us Weekly:
Meghan Trainor Confirms She's ‘Getting a Boob Job’ After Breast-Feeding and ‘Losing Some Weight’

 
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