Top News:
Scott Miller / CBSSports.com:
Pujols unhappy Angels coach Hatcher reveals hitters' meeting details — ANAHEIM, Calif. — Before the first game of each series, clubs routinely hold hitters' meetings to review scouting reports on the pitchers they'll be facing, and pitchers' meetings to go over the opposing team's lineup.
Discussion:
Getting Blanked, Call to the Pen, HardballTalk and 6-4-2
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Adam McCalvy / MLB.com:
Braun looking to settle into a rhythm — SAN DIEGO — At some point, Brewers manager Ron Roenicke expects left fielder Ryan Braun to settle into a rhythm. So far, Braun's season has been a collection of streaks. — After an 0-for-5 Opening Day, the first hitless opener of Braun's career …
Discussion:
Gaslamp Ball, Brew Crew Ball and Yahoo! Sports
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Associated Press:
Milwaukee's Ryan Braun Has 1st Career 3-Homer Game — SAN DIEGO (AP) — Ryan Braun hit three home runs in a game for the first time in his career, connecting in consecutive at-bats against the Padres at spacious Petco Park on Monday night. — The Milwaukee Brewers' slugger hit a solo homer …
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports, baseballmusings.com and Brew Crew Ball
Michael Vega / Boston Globe:
Decision day here on sinkerballer Cook — The Red Sox face a decision Tuesday regarding Aaron Cook. — The 33-year-old righthander can opt out of his contract if the team does not make room for him on the major league roster. — But with the starting rotation set for now …
Discussion:
Hardball Times
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Associated Press:
Rangers handle Jays as Darvish dazzles again … TORONTO — Yu Darvish won his third straight start, Mitch Moreland and Craig Gentry homered and the Texas Rangers beat the Toronto Blue Jays 4-1 Monday night. — Darvish (4-0) allowed his first home run but remained unbeaten in five major league starts.
Discussion:
Associated Press, Bluebird Banter, ESPN, Yahoo! Sports and Boston Herald
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Fox Sports:
Rangers are majors' most balanced team — TORONTO — Statistically speaking, Josh Hamilton is Matt Kemp. — Entering Monday, here were Hamilton's Triple Crown numbers and rank in the American League: .395 average (second), nine home runs (first) and 25 RBI (first).
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
Adam Rubin / ESPN:
Sources: MLB eyeing end to annual rival series — HOUSTON — Major League Baseball is working on a scheduling reconfiguration for the 2013 season and beyond that likely will eliminate the Mets and Yankees as well as other “natural rivals” playing home-and-home, six-game series annually, baseball sources told ESPNNewYork.com.
Discussion:
HardballTalk, WasWatching.com, Baseball Nation, BBTF's Baseball Primer …, Tedquarters and Pinstripe Alley
Associated Press:
Juan Nicasio Pitches Rockies Past Dodgers 6-2 — DENVER (AP) — Juan Nicasio pitched six solid innings, Troy Tulowitzki hit a two-run double and the Colorado Rockies overcame Matt Kemp's latest homer, beating the Los Angeles Dodgers 6-2 Monday night in the first of 18 meetings this season between the NL West rivals.
Discussion:
True Blue LA, Purple Row and Associated Press
Fred Goodall / Associated Press:
Johnson has RBI single in 12th, gives Ray win — ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.—Elliot Johnson hit an RBI single with one out in the 12th inning, giving the Tampa Bay Rays a 3-2, comeback victory over the Seattle Mariners on Monday night. — Playing before a crowd of just 9,458 …
Discussion:
ESPN, Lookout Landing, DRaysBay, Yahoo! Sports, Associated Press and ESPN
Associated Press:
Kuroda and the Yankees Block Off the Orioles — NEW YORK (AP) — Hiroki Kuroda pitched seven neat innings and teamed with catcher Russell Martin to nab Nick Markakis at the plate in the key play of the game, lifting the New York Yankees over the Baltimore Orioles 2-1 Monday night.
Discussion:
Boston Herald, Camden Chat, Pinstripe Alley and Yahoo! Sports
MiamiHerald.com:
Juan Carlos Oviedo's MLB ban will be eight weeks, not six — The news keeps getting worse for Marlins reliever Juan Carlos Oviedo, who continues to deal with the consequences of using a false identity. — Major League Baseball, which privately informed involved parties last month …
Discussion:
Fish Stripes, Baseball Nation, MLB Rumors and Call to the Pen
Associated Press:
NL roundup: Minor has rough game, Braves fall to Pirates, 9-3 — ATLANTA — Pedro Alvarez and Yamaico Navarro each hit two-run homers, and the Pittsburgh Pirates enjoyed a long-awaited offensive breakthrough as they beat the Atlanta Braves 9-3 on Monday night.
Discussion:
Talking Chop and Bucs Dugout
Joey Nowak / MLB.com:
Matsui signs with Rays, to begin workouts — ST. PETERSBURG — The Rays signed outfielder/designated hitter Hideki Matsui to a Minor League contract on Monday. The left-handed hitter will report to extended Spring Training in Charlotte County, Fla., on Wednesday.
Discussion:
DRaysBay
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