Top News:
Sean McAdam / Boston Herald:
U.S. rallies into semis — No P.R. nightmare — MIAMI - It wasn't quite “Do you believe in miracles?” but for another Team USA on the international stage, it will do. — As David Wright's ninth-inning, bases-loaded, opposite-field single landed softly inside the foul line in right field …
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Jack Curry / New York Times:
9th-Inning Hit by Wright Lets U.S. Advance — MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — David Wright was three outs away from taking a 108-mile trip back to Port St. Lucie on Tuesday night because the United States was three outs away from losing to Puerto Rico. But Wright made sure that he would not need the gas money after all.
Jeff Passan / Yahoo! Sports:
Red, white and blue, through and through — Buzz up! — MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. - The flag traveled around the world and through the deserts of Afghanistan and Iraq. Sgt. Felix Perez brought it from home as a reminder and an amulet. The flag never left his Army backpack.
Ken Davidoff / Ken Davidoff's baseball insider:
Technically, the WBC doesn't count. Therefore, David Wright is still a choking dog. — Kidding. Kidding! — Well, that was pretty damn entertaining. — Now the WBC should really take a leap this weekend, in terms of awareness. With Team USA in the mix, not to mention …
Sean McAdam / Boston Herald:
For Davey Johnson, win resembles '86 — MIAMI - On Saturday night, Team USA was embarrassed by Puerto Rico, 11-1, in a game called in the seventh inning because of a 10-run mercy rule. So the fact that the U.S. qualified for the semifinals with a win against the Puerto Ricans was especially sweet for manager Davey Johnson.
Discussion:
Full Count
John Perrotto / Unfiltered:
A mea culpa — Let's get this straight right off the top: I was wrong, way wrong about Pedro Martinez being on the verge of signing as a free agent with the Astros. — You come to this site expecting to be informed, entertainined and sometimes amused. Most of all, you want accurate information …
Discussion:
The Crawfish Boxes
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Tim Dierkes / MLB Rumors:Astros Not Close To Signing Pedro Martinez
Discussion:
Alyson's Footnotes, Hardball Times, Seven Train to Shea Mets Blog, Wrigleyville23 and Mets Fever
Jeff Wilson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
Andruw Jones could opt out of minor-league deal with Texas Rangers — SURPRISE, Ariz. — Center fielder Andruw Jones had a message from agent Scott Boras on his cellphone when he headed to the clubhouse Tuesday, and the five-time All-Star assumed it was to talk about his future with the Rangers.
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ESPN.com:
Aaron Boone of Houston Astros to undergo open heart surgery for valve replacement — KISSIMMEE, Fla. — Aaron Boone of the Houston Astros says he will have open heart surgery to replace an aortic valve. — Boone made the announcement Wednesday, saying he has known about his heart condition since college …
Chico Harlan / Nationals Journal:
Your Opening Day Starter... John Lannan — John Lannan is 24 years old. In 2008, he was a rookie. In fact, he spent the first days of that season in the minors. But given how Lannan has performed since — how the team views him as an anchor in its rotation — his latest step is no surprise.
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Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Nats tap Lannan for Opening Day start — Left-hander will square off against host Marlins on April 6 — VIERA, Fla. — The Nationals have decided that left-hander John Lannan will be their Opening Day starter against the Marlins on April 6 at Dolphin Stadium.
Discussion:
Oleanders and Morning Glories
Clubhouse Insider:
Bard cut — FORT MYERS — The Red Sox have just cut backup catcher Josh Bard. Bard's fate is the same met by catcher Doug Mirabelli a year ago. We'll have plenty of details later on.
Bob Dutton / Kansas City Star:
Royals sign veteran Ponson to minor-league deal — The Royals want to see if veteran right-hander Sidney Ponson has anything left. Ponson, 32, reached agreement Tuesday with the Royals on a minor-league contract that includes an invitation to big-league camp.
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MLB:
Tom Gorzelanny of Pittsburgh Pirates demoted to Triple-A — BRADENTON, Fla. — Left-hander Tom Gorzelanny, one of the Pittsburgh Pirates' top two starters at the beginning of last season, was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis in a surprising move Wednesday.
Jim Peltz / Los Angeles Times:
James Loney looks to make a bigger contribution — First baseman is drawing from the experience of a full season in the major leagues and says his goal this season is to ‘improve on everything.’ — Reporting from Phoenix — One day recently, the Dodgers' James Loney saw his name circled …
Discussion:
True Blue LA
