Top News:
J.J. Cooper / Baseball America:
WBC Day Four Roundup — We'll be keeping an eye on the World Baseball Classic from day one to the championship game. Today, South Korea joined Japan in the second round. — What happened: South Korea became the second team to advance to the second round with a 14-0 win over China.
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John Tomase / Boston Herald:
Kevin Youkilis, Dustin Pedroia key decisive rout — U.S. pools effort — + Recent Articles + Recent Blog Entries + Email + Bio — TORONTO - Thanks to the smallest state in the union - with an assist from Red Sox [team stats] Nation - the U.S. is one step closer to world domination.
Associated Press:
US routs Venezuela to reach 2nd round of WBC — TORONTO (AP) — The World Baseball Classic has been a blast so far for the United States. — Kevin Youkilis hit a two-run homer, Adam Dunn and Ryan Braun added solo shots and the United States powered its way into the second round of the WBC by beating Venezuela 15-6 on Sunday night.
Dick Kaegel / MLB.com:
Royals not talking Teahen with Yanks — Club official denies rumor of discussions about infielder — SURPRISE, Ariz. — There seems to be no credence at this point to a rumor that the New York Yankees might be interested in obtaining Mark Teahen from the Royals.
Discussion:
iYankees
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Bob Dutton / Kansas City Star:
Royals notebook: A-Rod's injury fuels rumors of Yankees' interest in Teahen — Alex Rodriguez's decision to undergo surgery on his hip is fueling rumors that the Yankees are interested in Mark Teahen as a temporary replacement at third base. — Royals officials, for now …
Discussion:
MLB FanHouse, Bottom9 Baseball, River Avenue Blues, My Pinstripes, MY BASEBALL BIAS and iYankees
Joe Lapointe / New York Times:
Surgery Will Keep Alex Rodriguez Out Until May — LAKELAND, Fla. — Alex Rodriguez ended the uncertainty over his injured right hip, at least temporarily, by choosing to have arthroscopic surgery Monday morning in Vail, Colo. The decision should have him out of action for six to nine weeks …
Stephania Bell / ESPN:
Yanks fast-tracking A-Rod rehab — Just when it seemed that Alex Rodriguez might be headed down the path of conservative management (aspiration of the cyst followed by rest and rehab), his treatment course took yet another turn. — The Yankees have now announced that Rodriguez will undergo …
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Peter Abraham / The LoHud Yankees Blog:Spring Game 12: Yankees at Tigers (with A-Rod surgery update and audio)
ESPN.com:New York Yankees' Alex Rodriguez opts for surgery
Discussion:
Associated Press, The Bronx Insider, Yahoo! Sports, The Big Lead and Scott Proctor's Arm
Amalie Benjamin / Boston Globe:
Report: Extension for Lester — FORT MYERS, Fla. — According a Yahoo! Sports report by Jeff Passan, the Red Sox and Jon Lester have agreed to a five-year contract extension (pending a physical) worth $30 million with a team option for $13 million in 2014. — While Lester declined to confirm …
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Amalie Benjamin / Boston Globe:
Lester poised to stay awhile — FORT MYERS, Fla. - The pitcher has overcome cancer, won the clinching game of the World Series, thrown a no-hitter, and now is reportedly close to signing a contract extension that will keep him under the control of the Red Sox through the 2014 season.
ESPN.com:
Report: Jon Lester, Boston Red Sox agree on $30M extension — Jon Lester's fairy-tale story appears to have reached new heights. — The left-hander has agreed to a 5-year, $30 million extension with the Red Sox, according to a Yahoo sports report on Sunday. Boston reportedly holds a $13 million option for 2014.
Discussion:
NY Super Blog
Mike DiGiovanna / LA Times Sports Blog:
Ervin Santana to open year on disabled list — TEMPE, Ariz. — Ervin Santana's elbow injury is worse than originally feared, and Manager Mike Scioscia acknowledged today that the right-hander probably won't be ready for the start of the season. — Santana, who signed a four-year …
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Mike DiGiovanna / Los Angeles Times:
Ervin Santana to open season on disabled list — An MRI exam shows the 26-year-old right-hander has a sprained medial collateral ligament in his elbow, depleting a pitching rotation that was already thin on depth. — Reporting from Tempe, Ariz. — Ervin Santana has a sprained medial collateral ligament …
Troy Renck / All Things Rockies:
Rockies recap: Rockies 4, Padres 2 — Rockies 4, Padres 2 — At the plate:Eric Young Jr., the pterodactyls in his stomach now butterflies, is playing much more relaxed. His electrifying speed showed up again Sunday, as he doubled and scored easily on a shallow sacrifice fly to center field.
Discussion:
Purple Row
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Troy Renck / All Things Rockies:Helton makes debut, Smith scratched with illness
Discussion:
Purple Row
Ian O'Connor / NorthJersey.com:
PINSTRIPE POSTS — From the clubhouse to the diamond, Pete Caldera tells you everything you want to know about the Yankees. — Read “Pinstripe Posts” — O'Connor: Yankee haunted by brush with death — TAMPA, Fla. - Bodies and blood were all over the desert freeway, and somehow Cody Ransom landed on his feet.
Dejan Kovacevic / PBC Blog:
Top prospect Cunningham to have knee surgery — BRADENTON, Fla. — Third baseman Jarek Cunningham, the Pirates' 18th-round draft pick last year and one of their top prospects, will miss the entire 2009 season because of reconstructive surgery on his left knee.
