Top News:
Guy Curtright / MLB.com:
Riggleman sees more playing time for Ramos — ATLANTA — Wilson Ramos and Pudge Rodriguez will continue splitting time behind the plate, but Nationals manager Jim Riggleman plans to give the rookie more and more playing time. — “Even though Pudge is playing very well …
Discussion:
AaronGleeman.com
RELATED:
Associated Press:
Desmond, Werth come up big in ninth, Nats beat Braves in 11 — ATLANTA — Ian Desmond hit a tiebreaking, two-run double in the 11th inning, Jayson Werth followed with a two-run homer and the Washington Nationals beat the Atlanta Braves 7-3 on Wednesday night.
Discussion:
Talking Chop
Guy Curtright / MLB.com:
Nix showing value with increased playing time
Guy Curtright / MLB.com:
Gaudin's return to bullpen uncertain
Guy Curtright / MLB.com:
Werth's big homer a sign of progress
Serge F. Kovaleski / New York Times:
Pitcher's Treatment Draws Scrutiny — BOCA RATON, Fla. — A year ago, Bartolo Colon, once one of major league baseball's more durable starting pitchers, looked close to the end of the line: he had struggled with injuries after 2005, and elbow surgery had kept him out of baseball for the entire 2010 season.
RELATED:
Fox Sports:
Hosmer sure looks like the real deal — NEW YORK — The warning signs are right there for Eric Hosmer in the Royals' clubhouse, living, breathing proof of how the game tortures even the most talented. — Alex Gordon, the second overall pick of the 2005 draft, was labeled the next George Brett …
Discussion:
Ultimate Astros
RELATED:
Dave Skretta / Associated Press:
Royals come back to beat Yankees, 4-3 in 11 — NEW YORK—Eric Hosmer hit his first career homer then delivered the go-ahead sacrifice fly in the 11th inning, sending the Kansas City Royals to a come-from-behind 4-3 victory over the New York Yankees on Wednesday night.
Discussion:
Baseball Prospectus and Associated Press
John Tomase / Boston Herald:
Everything messed up for John Lackey — Right-hander back in major rut — + Recent Articles + Recent Blog Entries + Email + Bio — TORONTO — This is not an easy time to be John Lackey. Last night against the Blue Jays, he submitted his fourth horrible start in seven tries, allowing nine runs on nine hits in 62⁄3 innings.
Discussion:
Over the Monster, Surviving Grady and Associated Press
RELATED:
Associated Press:
Angels' Morales Needs More Surgery, Out for Season — ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Angels first baseman Kendrys Morales won't play this season after deciding to undergo another surgery on his left ankle, leaving a huge hole in the middle of Los Angeles' lineup for the second straight season.
Discussion:
USA Today, baseballmusings.com and Halos Heaven
RELATED:
Mark Saxon / ESPN:
Angels' Morales needs surgery, out for season — ANAHEIM — The Los Angeles Angels announced Wednesday that first baseman Kendrys Morales will undergo season-ending surgery on his left ankle. — Morales met with an ankle specialist in Colorado Monday and, after consulting with Angels trainers and doctors …
Associated Press:
Torres, Huff help Giants rally past Diamondbacks again for win — SAN FRANCISCO — Andres Torres delivered the go-ahead RBI double, Aubrey Huff hit a tying home run and the San Francisco Giants rallied from three runs down for a 4-3 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Wednesday night.
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports
RELATED:
David Laurila / FanGraphs Baseball:
Q&A: Felix Hernandez — We are pleased to welcome David Laurila to the FanGraphs staff. He's an accomplished journalist who was accepted into the Baseball Writer's Association of America in December, and has become one of the premier interviewers of those in and around the game.
Associated Press:
Garza Goes 5 to Beat Cards — CHICAGO (AP) — Matt Garza got his first win at Wrigley Field as the Chicago Cubs delivered their biggest offensive output of the season Wednesday night to beat the St. Louis Cardinals 11-4. — Chicago scored six runs in the third after a 53-minute rain delay …
Discussion:
Associated Press
RELATED:
Ben Nicholson-Smith / MLB Rumors:
Padres 'Pen Continues To Thrive After Winter Trades — Bullpens don't get much better than the one the Padres had last year. Led by Heath Bell, Mike Adams and Luke Gregerson, Padres relievers combined for over 500 innings of 2.81 ERA ball, averaging more than one strikeout per inning …
Discussion:
Gaslamp Ball
RELATED:
Jim Bowden / ESPN:
Pirates should sign McCutchen to long deal — The Pittsburgh Pirates haven't finished over .500 in 18 years. The 1992 season was the year the Pirates won 96 games. Andy Van Slyke, their center fielder, won a Gold Glove, Silver Slugger and was in the All Star game.
Discussion:
Bucs Dugout
Dan Shaughnessy / Boston Globe:
End of the road — High times over as Celtics, aging Big 3 fall — MIAMI — It was fun while it lasted. — They made the NBA relevant in our town once again, bringing back the pride and mystique of the golden days of Russell and Red. They reintroduced NBA America to the Celtics-Lakers rivalry …
Discussion:
Red Sox Monster and Dan Shaughnessy Watch
Randall D. Eliason / LAW.com:
Did Barry Bonds really obstruct justice? — Baseball slugger Barry Bonds was recently found guilty of obstruction of justice, based on his immunized testimony before a federal grand jury investigating the use of illegal steroids in professional sports. — Bonds also was charged with three counts …
Discussion:
HardballTalk
Greg Beacham / Associated Press:
Dunn's 4 hits lead WSox's late rally past Angels — ANAHEIM, Calif.—Alexei Ramirez scored the tiebreaking run from third base when Angels reliever Kevin Jepsen threw a wild pitch during an intentional walk in the 10th inning, and the Chicago White Sox rallied from a late three-run deficit …
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports