Top News:
Amy K. Nelson / MLB:
Hurt Kevin Youkilis leaves Team USA, to undergo MRI — MIAMI — When it seemed as though the injury news could not get any worse for Team USA, manager Davey Johnson announced that Kevin Youkilis has left the team because of a sore left ankle on Wednesday. — Youkilis has returned to Fort Myers …
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Chad Finn / Boston Globe:
Sox release Josh Bard — Josh Bard's second stint with the Red Sox was even briefer than his first. — The Red Sox announced this morning that they have placed the 30-year old catcher on unconditional release waivers. General manager Theo Epstein indicated that Bard's departure means …
Mike McDermott / Projo Sox Blog:
Sox cut Josh Bard; Kottaras is in as backup catcher — The team has announced that they have cut catcher Josh Bard, who came into camp as the leader in the battle to back up Jason Varitek at catcher. — General Manager Theo Epstein says that the backup job “is George Kottaras's to lose.”
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 …
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Jose De Jesus Ortiz / Houston Chronicle:
Boone leaves Astros for heart surgery — Infielder's career in doubt, but condition ‘not an emergency’ — KISSIMMEE, Fla. - Astros infielder Aaron Boone announced this morning that he will leave the Astros to have a bicuspid aortic valve eventually repaired.
Jonathan Mayo / MLB.com:
Pirates send Gorzelanny to Minors — Former staff ace optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis — BRADENTON, Fla. — The Pirates announced two cuts from big league camp early on Wednesday morning, then three more after the game against the Twins, and one comes as a bit of a surprise.
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Dejan Kovacevic / PBC Blog:
Pirates option Gorzelanny, Tabata to minors (updated) — BRADENTON, Fla. — In a move that narrows the starting-rotation candidates to six and with Ian Snell set to return to their exhibition rotation soon, the Pirates this morning sent down three-year starter Tom Gorzelanny two days …
MLB:
New York Yankees slugger Hideki Matsui won't play in field until at least June — TAMPA, Fla. — Hideki Matsui won't play in the outfield for the New York Yankees until at least interleague road games in June and will be restricted to designated hitter and pinch-hitting appearances until then.
Jose de Jesus Ortiz / blogs.chron.com:
Astros take call about trade (w/more notes) — • Photos from Boone news conference and Astros-Yankees game — Not long after Aaron Boone announced he would leave the team to have open-heart surgery, Astros general manager Ed Wade received a call from another team informing him they had a third baseman available.
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Alyson Footer / MLB.com:
With Boone out, Johnson may get look — Touted prospect may become candidate as Astros keep options open — KISSIMMEE, Fla. — Chris Johnson is considerably closer to the big leagues than he was on Tuesday night, but the young third baseman was hardly rejoicing before Wednesday's game between the Astros and Yankees.
Discussion:
The Crawfish Boxes
Joe Frisaro / MLB.com:
You can Wright it down, USA is in semis — Americans put up dramatic three-run rally in ninth to beat Puerto Rico — MIAMI — Chants of “USA! USA! USA!” rang through Dolphin Stadium as Team USA players piled on David Wright near second base. — The calendar may say March …
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Chico Harlan / Nationals Journal:
Nats Release Hill, Sign Beimel To One-Year, $2 Million Deal — The Nationals today released starting pitcher Shawn Hill and signed free agent left-handed relief pitcher Joe Beimel to a one-year, $2.0 million deal. Both moves can be attributed to uncertainty.
New York Post:
JOBA IS PLAN B FOR CLOSE CALL — TAMPA - If Mariano Rivera's health falters and he is unable to close, the likelihood is Joba Chamberlain would be switched into the role, multiple Yankees officials told The Post. — Rivera took a convincing step toward demonstrating full health …
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Kat O'Brien / Newsday:
A-Rod magazine photos make teammates wonder — In the latest issue of Details, Alex Rodriguez appears to kiss himself in a photo shoot for the magazine. (Details Magazine) — TAMPA, Fla. - Even when Alex Rodriguez is in Colorado recovering from hip surgery, he manages to grab headlines.
Joe Capozzi / Palm Beach Post:
60 seconds with Marlins pitcher Logan Kensing — Do you have a duck fetish? — I have no fetish with ducks. My mom always said that ducks in some cultures are considered really good luck. So once a month I get a new one (from her) - rubber duck, stuffed duck, a duck. — Every month?
Discussion:
Bottom9 Baseball
Bart Hubbuch / Mets Blog:
Say goodnight, Freddy — PORT ST. LUCIE — We haven't spoken to Jerry Manuel yet, but it's probably safe to say Freddy Garcia won't be long for the Mets' camp. The veteran right-hander's already slim odds of winning the No. 5 starter job appeared to fly out the window here today with his disaster …
Kevin Goldstein / Baseball Prospectus:
Organizational Rankings, Part 2 — Last Year's Ranking: 2 — Why They Might Be Better Than This: Their Triple-A rotation, led by Trevor Cahill and Brett Anderson, could be better than some big-league rotations; Michael Ynoa is the best Latin American prospect of the decade …
