Top News:
Adam Rubin / ESPN:
Johan Santana to start Mets' opener — PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — After throwing an intensive bullpen session Saturday, New York Mets left-hander Johan Santana walked by manager Terry Collins and proclaimed: “You've got your pitcher for Thursday.” — A day later, after Santana met …
Discussion:
ESPN, Baseball Nation and Deadspin
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Anthony DiComo / MLB.com:
Prince's shot, McCann's slam lead split Tigers — PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Most veterans grumble when asked to make a long Grapefruit League road trip, especially with a split squad in action at home. Prince Fielder instead made the most of his assignment, launching a booming home run Sunday …
Discussion:
Amazin' Avenue
Associated Press:
Red Sox closer Bailey to have right thumb examined — FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) — Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine said closer Andrew Bailey will travel to Boston on Monday to have his right thumb examined. — Valentine made the announcement after Sunday's 5-1 win over Minnesota Twins.
Discussion:
Associated Press and baseballmusings.com
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Peter Abraham / Boston Globe:
Doubront, Bard in rotation; concern for Bailey — FORT MYERS, Fla. — Lefthander Felix Doubront was named the No. 4 starter of the Red Sox and righthander Daniel Bard the No. 5 this morning. — Doubront will start the first game in Toronto and Bard the second. Alfredo Aceves will pitch out of the bullpen.
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports and the joy of sox
Peter Abraham / Boston Globe:
Final: Red Sox 5, Twins 1 — FORT MYERS, Fla. — It's another sunny day in paradise as the Daniels Parkway Showdown between the Red Sox and Twins gets ready to start. — This will be the sixth (and final) time the teams will play this season. I think I've seen Denard Span play more than Adrian Gonzalez.
Discussion:
Twinkie Town
Troy E. Renck / Denver Post:
Ubaldo Jimenez drills Troy Tulowitzki, benches clear, Tulo leaves with elbow injury — SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — A war of words turned ugly today as the Indians' Ubaldo Jimenez hit Rockies' shortstop Troy Tulowitzki in the left elbow with a fastball on the first pitch of his at-bat.
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports, Purple Row, baseballmusings.com, BBTF's Baseball Primer … and The Big Lead
Jason Beck / MLB.com:
Peralta's homer backs up Fister's solid start — LAKELAND, Fla. — Jhonny Peralta went all of Spring Training last year without driving in a run. He's finishing Spring Training with a bang this year, slugging a two-run homer in the third inning to power the Tigers ahead for good in a 4-2 win …
Discussion:
Bless You Boys
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Brian McTaggart / MLB.com:
Castro eager for Astros' season to begin — LAKELAND, Fla. — In many ways, Jason Castro's return to Joker Marchant Stadium on Sunday signified just how far he has come since the previous time he set foot in the ballpark. That was on March 2, 2011, when Castro stepped awkwardly on first base …
Discussion:
The Crawfish Boxes
Comcast SportsNet:
Sources: Cain-Giants contract talks heat up — SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — The Giants did more than pack their lockers as they broke camp Sunday. The front office also tried to wrap up right-hander Matt Cain. — Sources tell me that the volume of dialogue has increased between the Giants …
Discussion:
MLB Rumors and MLB Daily Dish
Rhett Bollinger / MLB.com:
Butera optioned to Minors in latest round of cuts — FORT MYERS, Fla. — The Twins made another round of roster moves Saturday morning, optioning catcher Drew Butera to Triple-A Rochester, sending right-hander Kyle Waldrop to the 15-day disabled list and reassigning infielder Michael Hollimon to Minor League camp.
Discussion:
AaronGleeman.com and Bollinger Beat
AJ Cassavell / MLB.com:
Weaver endures rough ending to spring slate — TEMPE, Ariz. — David DeJesus and Starlin Castro each had two hits, Minor Leaguer Chris Rusin hurled 5 1/3 scoreless innings and the Cubs beat the Angels, 8-1, at Tempe Diablo Stadium on Sunday. — Angels right-hander Jered Weaver …
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue
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Carrie Muskat / MLB.com:
Pujols' homer backs strong start from Richards
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue, 6-4-2 and Yahoo! Sports
Mark Sheldon / Mark My Word:
Francisco traded to Braves — The Reds have traded 3B Juan Francisco to the Braves for J.J. Hoover, a Minor League right-handed pitcher. — Francisco, who batted .196 with four home runs this spring, was out of options and did not endear himself to the Reds for among other things …
Discussion:
Talking Chop, MLB Daily Dish, Red Reporter, Baseball America, Redleg Nation, Yahoo! Sports and MLB Rumors
Nick Cafardo / Boston Globe:
Ranking the major league managers — Maddon, Leyland, and Scioscia push the right buttons in our annual rankings — With top-tier guys such as Tony La Russa and Terry Francona out of the picture this year, our annual managerial rankings present a challenge.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors and MetsBlog.com
