Top News:
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
RELATED:
Adam Rubin / ESPN:
Johan Santana to start Mets' opener
Discussion:
Baseball Nation, ESPN and Deadspin
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.
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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
Peter Abraham / Boston Globe:
Doubront, Bard in rotation; concern for Bailey
Discussion:
Over the Monster, the joy of sox and Yahoo! Sports
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:
Purple Row, BBTF's Baseball Primer …, Yahoo! Sports, The Big Lead and baseballmusings.com
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
RELATED:
Patrick Saunders / Denver Post:
Rockies growing old: Aging in a young man's game — Mind is a significant part of the battle … SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Hall of Fame pitcher Satchel Paige once said: “Age is a question of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter.” — New Rockies right fielder Michael Cuddyer wraps his arms around that philosophy.
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
Marc Topkin / Tampa Bay Times:
Tampa Bay Rays giving catcher Jose Lobaton opportunity to prove himself in majors — Jose Lobaton, 27, might wind up catching the bulk of the games this season for the Rays. — Times] — PORT CHARLOTTE — Jose Lobaton has done a lot — with his bat, with his arm, with his glove …
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
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 Daily Dish and MLB Rumors
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
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
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, Red Reporter, MLB Daily Dish, 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
