Ballbug: Aceves, Doubront both sparkle in starts (Ian Browne/MLB.com)

Andy Martino / NY Daily News:

NY Mets front office considered releasing Michael Pelfrey before Opening Day — Pelfrey follows news with strongest outing on Thursday, allowing one run in 6.1 innings — Michael Pelfrey's future with the Mets may not last past this season, as sources say the team considered cutting the righthander before Opening Day.

Discussion: MetsBlog.com, NorthJersey.com, Kranepool Society, Amazin' Avenue, HardballTalk and New Jersey Online

Andy Martino / NY Daily News:

NY Mets keep Mike Baxter and Mike Nickeas on official roster, send Adam Loewen and others down to the minors — Mets defeat Houston, 9-, on same day of cuts — Tim Byrdak may be set for the opener as Mets make cuts with the season in mind. — PORT ST. LUCIE — The Mets …

Discussion: New York Post, MetsBlog.com, MLB Rumors, New York Times, New Jersey Online, ESPN and Bats

Brian Erni / MetsBlog.com:

Final score: Mets 9 Astros 1 — The Mets (7-16-2) defeated the Astros (13-13) by the score of 9-1 tonight in Port St. Lucie. — For a full recap and box score, check out SNY.TV. — The Least You Should Know: — Mike Pelfrey threw 6 1/3 innings and allowed one run on three hits, while striking out three and walking nobody.

Discussion: The Crawfish Boxes and Amazin' Avenue

T.R. Sullivan / MLB.com:

Rangers set rotation; Darvish will debut April 9 — Lewis handed Opening Day assignment, followed by two lefties — SURPRISE, Ariz. — Two Japanese baseball icons will go head to head when the Rangers play the Mariners on April 9 at the Ballpark in Arlington.

Discussion: Postcards From Elysian Fields, Baseball Time in Arlington and Yahoo! Sports

Hawpe released by Rangers — SURPRISE, Ariz. — The Rangers have given Brad Hawpe his unconditional release in order for him to look for a Major League job elsewhere. They have also invited him back if he can't find one. — “We've talked to some other teams, hopefully there are some opportunities …

Discussion: Yahoo! Sports

T.R. Sullivan / MLB.com:
Ogando headed to Rangers' bullpen

Discussion: MLB Daily Dish, HardballTalk, Lone Star Ball and Rangers Blog

Ian Browne / MLB.com:

Aceves, Doubront both sparkle in starts — Pitchers make strong cases for job in Boston's 2012 rotation — FORT MYERS, Fla. — Pitching at the same time but on different fields, Alfredo Aceves and Felix Doubront both made strong cases Thursday afternoon that they could be productive members of the Red Sox's starting rotation.

Discussion: Boston Globe and Over the Monster

Discussion: Over the Monster, Bleed Cubbie Blue, Boston Globe and Boston Herald

Chad Jennings / The LoHud Yankees Blog:

Pregame notes: Yankees prepared for all rotation options — Yesterday Joe Girardi spoke in glowing terms about Freddy Garcia, and today he left very open the possibility of optioning either Ivan Nova or Michael Pineda to Triple-A to start the season. — “There's no gaurantee that the sixth starter goes to the bullpen,” Girardi said.

Discussion: River Avenue Blues and baseballmusings.com

Discussion: Pinstripe Alley

Game theory:

A long Los Angeles nightmare ends — THERE has never been a shortage of examples to illustrate the old adage that life isn't fair. But few can compete with the tale of Frank McCourt, the owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball team, now that he has agreed to sell the club for an eye-popping $2.15 billion.

Discussion: HardballTalk

Jon Heyman / CBSSports.com:

Montero looking for V-Mart deal; no chance to get it with D-Backs — SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Improving Diamondbacks catcher Miguel Montero is said to be looking for a deal similar to Victor Martinez's $52-million, four-year contract, and the chances for him to make a deal with Arizona appear slim under those conditions.

Discussion: MLB Daily Dish, MLB Rumors and HardballTalk

Associated Press:

Sanchez shows Marlins shoulder is OK — JUPITER, Fla.—JUPITER, Fla. — Anibal Sanchez put to rest any questions about the Miami Marlins' rotation. — Sanchez allowed a run in five innings, including Carlos Beltran's second homer, and the Miami Marlins beat the St. Louis Cardinals 3-1 Thursday.

Discussion: HardballTalk

Fox Sports:

Angels, Indians in Abreu trade talks — The Los Angeles Angels are discussing a trade that would send designated hitter/outfielder Bobby Abreu to the Cleveland Indians, according to major-league sources. — A deal is not certain to be completed, with one source describing the possibility as “50-50.”

Discussion: Baseball Nation, CBSSports.com, HardballTalk and MLB Rumors

Ken Gurnick / MLB.com:

Harang works six strong innings in defeat — Starter allows one run; Lindblom gives up decisive homer — GLENDALE, Ariz. — Trayce Thompson homered off Josh Lindblom in the seventh inning as the White Sox edged the Dodgers on Thursday, 3-1. — Starters Aaron Harang of the Dodgers …

Discussion: Bleed Cubbie Blue and True Blue LA