Top News:
MLB:
New York Mets' Johan Santana to return to NY for tests on elbow — PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — The Mets postponed plans to have Johan Santana return to New York for tests on his elbow due to an impending winter storm that is expected to hit the Northeast and the encouraging performance by their ace in a throwing session Sunday.
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Adam Rubin / NY Daily News:
Santana throws off mound, says he feels ‘fine’ — Mets ace Johan Santana throws 35 pitches Sunday - and later says, ‘I felt fine.’ … Johan Santana reported no difficulties after throwing 35 pitches off a mound on Sunday morning at Port St. Lucie. — “I felt fine,” Santana said.
David Lennon / On the Mets beat:
Santana's elbow linked to WBC? — After this morning's bullpen session, Johan Santana suggested that his elbow tightness may have resulted from his push to get ready for the World Baseball Classic. Santana admitted that he had to hurry coming off knee surgery and it wasn't until he was dropped …
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Nats general manager Bowden resigns — VIERA, Fla. — Jim Bowden resigned as general manager of the Nationals on Sunday morning. His replacement has not been named. — Though he was under fire for his possible, though denied, connection to the alleged skimming of bonuses of Latin American players, he has maintained his innocence.
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Chico Harlan / Washington Post:
Bowden Resigns as General Manager of Nationals — Washington Nationals General Manager Jim Bowden resigned this morning, saying he felt he had become a distraction to the club. — The Nationals did not immediately name a successor or an interim GM. — “It is an emotional decision that saddens me …
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Baseball America, MLB FanHouse, Deadspin, DC Pro Sports Report, SPORTSbyBROOKS and Mariners Blog
MLB:
Washington Nationals' Jim Bowden resigns amid ‘false allegations’ — VIERA, Fla. — Jim Bowden resigned Sunday after four seasons as the Washington Nationals general manager, leaving under the cloud of a federal investigation into the skimming of signing bonuses given to Latin American prospects.
Tracee Hamilton / Nationals Journal:Bowden Statement — Jim Bowden's statement, released this morning by the Nats:
Roch Kubatko / MASNsports.com:
Orioles sign Eaton (updated) — The Orioles have signed pitcher Adam Eaton to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training. — I guess they actually do have plans to add another starting pitcher. — The Phillies released Eaton, 31, two days ago.
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Bryan Hoch / MLB.com:
Albaladejo, Montero leave with injuries — Batted ball hits righty in left calf; right groin hobbles catcher — SARASOTA, Fla. — Yankees catching prospect Jesus Montero left Sunday's Grapefruit League exhibition against the Reds after suffering a strained right groin.
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A DIE HARD YANKEES FAN
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Kat O'Brien / Newsday:
Yankees high on lefthander Coke — TAMPA, Fla. - The Yankees gave out their top minor-league awards for 2008 yesterday, with outfielder Brett Gardner being named the Kevin Lawn player of the year and lefthander Phil Coke the pitcher of the year. — Gardner has been in the headlines plenty …
Mark Sheldon / MLB.com:
Yanks' offense runs on all cylinders — Bombers post more hits than Reds, but pitching has tough day — REDS 13, YANKEES 11 — Yankees at the plate: New York had 14 hits through the first five innings. Alex Rodriguez was 2-for-3 with two doubles and two RBIs.
Dylan Hernandez / Los Angeles Times:
Manny Ramirez's agent issues a new counteroffer to Dodgers — Scott Boras' latest proposal — two years and $45 million, with some of the money deferred, and an opt-out clause — comes after team owner Frank McCourt declares that negotiations should restart from scratch.
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Dick Kaegel / MLB.com:
Royals secure another veteran arm — Day after Cruz comes aboard, KC lands left-hander Chen with Minors deal — TEMPE, Ariz. — The Royals didn't stop when they signed Juan Cruz. On Sunday, they announced they signed veteran left-hander Bruce Chen to a Minor League contract.
Peter Abraham / The LoHud Yankees Blog:
Spring Game 5: Yankees at Reds (now with in-game Alex Rodriguez audio) — YANKEES (2-2) — Pitching today: Alfredo Aceves followed by Damaso Marte, Brian Bruney, Jon Albaladejo, Christian Garcia, Mark Melancon and J.B. Cox. — REDS (3-1) — McDonald CF — Rosales SS — Votto 1B
Alyson Footer / MLB.com:
Wandy to miss at least two starts — Astros to exercise caution with lefty's strained back muscle — PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Wandy Rodriguez will miss at least two starts while nursing a strained intercostal muscle on his left side, manager Cecil Cooper said Sunday morning.
Jeff Blair / Globe and Mail:
Sign-and-trade coming to baseball? — Could this be the year that the sign-and-trade comes to fruition in Major League Baseball? Possibly. That's one way a team like the Toronto Blue Jays that doesn't want to give up a draft pick to land a free agent can still do business in this market.
