Top News:
Chad Jennings / The LoHud Yankees Blog:
Vazquez asks for early work — This winter, Joe Girardi and Dave Eiland came up with a plan to slightly cut back on the spring training workload of their starting pitchers. But that plan was subject to change. Javier Vazquez was scheduled to begin his throwing schedule on Wednesday …
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Bryan Hoch / MLB.com:
Vazquez gets jump on second Bronx tenure — New Yanks righty throws first 'pen session three days early — TAMPA, Fla. — There was a sense of excitement back home in Puerto Rico that Javier Vazquez was having a second chance with the Yankees, something he punctuated by throwing off a mound …
Ben Goessling / MASNsports.com:
Riggleman says Strasburg likely to start in minors — The first bullpen session Stephen Strasburg threw in major-league spring training was as much of a media event as it was a rudimentary early-season exercise. More than 100 fans strained to get a look at the right-hander …
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Chico Harlan / Nationals Journal:
So, Strasburg, how was your first day of high school? — Commencing their first formal day of spring training, a morning of basic drills for pitchers and catchers, the Washington Nationals divided their players into workout groups, such that Group 2A included right-hander Joel Peralta …
Dylan Hernandez / Los Angeles Times:
Dodgers' Vicente Padilla comes through with truth about shooting incident — Contrary to his agent's initial claim that a bullet only ‘grazed’ Padilla when he was accidentally shot in Nicaragua last fall, the Dodgers pitcher says it actually went through his leg, and he lost 1
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Mark Sheldon / MLB.com:
Reds counting on Hernandez's clutch bat — Veteran catcher opens camp healthy, eager to contribute — GOODYEAR, Ariz. — Even though the Reds had an exceptional defensive catcher in Ryan Hanigan, the budget-conscious Reds still allocated $3 million to bring back veteran Ramon Hernandez in November.
Anthony McCarron / NY Daily News:
Through hard work and lots of listening, Yankees' Derek Jeter is turning back the clock at short — TAMPA - At a recent workout here, Derek Jeter, clad in a dark blue sweatshirt, ranges nimbly to his left to scoop up ground balls. He glides right, leans down and backhands bouncers.
Steve Silva / Boston Globe:
Beckett's not talking contract — FORT MYERS, Fla. — Josh Beckett addressed the media after today's workout in Fort Myers and said he won't be talking about the final year of his contract with the Red Sox during spring training and it won't be a distraction for him once the season starts.
David Waldstein / New York Times:
For Job as Mets' Starting Catcher, Caracas Will Have Been Worth It — PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Josh Thole bought his fiancée a box of frosted flakes, a jar of peanut butter and a loaf of bread, kissed her and walked out of the Best Western hotel in Caracas, Venezuela, for a three-day trip.
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David O'Brien / Atlanta Braves with David O'Brien:
Deep 'pen and Hudson impress Cox — A few thoughts while making my way around the stack of boxes in front of Jason Heyward's locker, from shoe and equipment manufacturers who have either signed him up to wear their stuff, or would probably like to. — This really stands out because Heyward …
Matthew Leach / Obviously, You're Not a Golfer:
Pujols: I have ‘95 percent’ chance of avoiding TJ — JUPITER, Fla. — Albert Pujols said on Sunday that there is now a very good chance he will never have to undergo ‘Tommy John’ reconstructive surgery on his persistently troublesome right elbow. — Pujols first injured his elbow back in 2003 …
Steve Gilbert / MLB.com:
Upton keeping focus on the field — D-backs outfielder isn't concerned with extension talks — TUCSON, Ariz. — Justin Upton acknowledged on Sunday that his representative has had discussions with the D-backs on a contract extension, but the outfielder said his focus is on getting ready for the season.
