Top Items:
Barry Svrluga / Washington Post:
Soriano Says He'll Play Left All Season — JUPITER, Fla., March 22 — Washington Nationals Manager Frank Robinson said Wednesday morning that newly acquired slugger Alfonso Soriano has agreed to play the outfield not only in the afternoon's spring training game against the St. Louis Cardinals, but for the rest of the season.
RELATED ITEMS:
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Soriano goes to left field for Nationals — Slugger opts to change positions for game against Cards — JUPITER, Fla. — Alfonso Soriano led off the Nationals' Spring Training game Wednesday against the St. Louis Cardinals at Roger Dean Stadium and flied out to deep center field.
Barry Svrluga / Washington Post:
Soriano's Refusal Could Be 'Landmark Case' — VIERA, Fla., March 21 — There was no game for the Washington Nationals on Tuesday, no lineup card to fill out, no position to which their star player wouldn't report. But even in the quiet at Space Coast Stadium, where the Nationals hold spring training …
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Soriano mulling over left-field decision — Slugger to announce whether he'll play left on Wednesday — • Buy Nationals Spring Training tickets — • MLB.com's Bill Ladson on Soriano — • Slowes on Soriano, loss of Ayala — • Soriano's bio, career statistics
Dallas Morning News:
Soriano's position should have been known — We live in a dream world. We wish all major league baseball players could be Michael Young. — We wish even the best at their position would do what he did two years ago. That's go to management and say, in so many words, "Look …
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
Mike Kiley / Chicago Sun Times:
Speculation abounds, but deal for Soriano Nat too likely — MESA, Ariz. — With the Washington Nationals at an impasse with second baseman Alfonso Soriano, there's speculation the Cubs could solve the problem by swinging a deal that would significantly boost their offense.
Ben Shpigel / New York Times:
Other Clubs Await Fallout of Soriano Standoff — The Washington Nationals' bus will depart the team complex in Viera, Fla., this morning for a game against the St. Louis Cardinals with the expectations that Alfonso Soriano will be on it, ready and willing to play left field.
Discussion:
Newsday
Mark Zuckerman / Washington Times:What's next? — VIERA, Fla. — The Washington Nationals once again …
Discussion:
The Nationals Enquirer
Kevin Kelly / Cincinnati Enquirer:
Reds release West Hi's Rhodes — Reds notebook — SARASOTA, Fla. - A professional career that began 19 years ago and thrived overseas ended Saturday for Tuffy Rhodes. — The Reds released the 37-year-old outfielder, who was in major-league camp as a non-roster invitee, as part of six moves that left 42 players remaining.
RELATED ITEMS:
John Fay / Cincinnati Enquirer:A proven starter — Arroyo move also solidifies defense
Discussion:
Most Valuable Network
Associated Press:
Arroyo sad about leaving Red Sox — FORT MYERS, Fla. - Bronson Arroyo clutched his going-away gift, a black autographed bat from Manny Ramirez. A delivery containing a 3-wood golf club arrived as the pitcher stood in the clubhouse he would soon leave. — "Arroyo, here's your last package …
RELATED ITEMS:
Susan Slusser / San Francisco Chronicle:
Haren-Lowry face-offs produce comic relief — Scottsdale, Ariz. — Dan Haren frequently seems to start against his pal Noah Lowry when the A's play the Giants, and on Tuesday, Haren saved his best stuff for when the Giants' pitcher was at bat. — He began Lowry's first at-bat with a curveball at which Lowry swung and missed.
Carrie Muskat / MLB.com:
Wood targets return in late April — Cubs ace encouraged by recent throwing sessions — • Cubs notes: Lee will not be rushed — • Complete Spring Training coverage — MESA, Ariz. — Could Kerry Wood be ready by late April? — "He very well could be," …
Discussion:
Goat Riders of the Apocalypse
RELATED ITEMS:
Steve Henson / Los Angeles Times:
Little Wants Room for a Pinch-Hitter — VIERA, Fla. — Dodger decision-makers met to voice opinions on lingering roster questions, and barring an unforeseen circumstance, Manager Grady Little will get his wish and begin the season with 11 pitchers rather than 12.
RELATED ITEMS:
Paul Meyer / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
Spring Training: Perez starting in opener — Tracy puts Vogelsong in the bullpen — BRADENTON, Fla. — Left-hander Oliver Perez will start the Pirates' season opener April 3 in Milwaukee, manager Jim Tracy said yesterday. — Tracy also said Ian Snell will be in the rotation …
Discussion:
Bucs Dugout
Marty Noble / MLB.com:
When Rickey talks, players listen — Henderson embraces role of teacher this spring — • Mets temporarily shut down Wagner — FORT LAUDERDALE — The setting was different, the scenario almost identical. Then it was Al Leiter, John Franco and Dennis Cook gathered around Sandy Koufax.
David Lennon / Newsday:
A finger Wag — Closer has soreness on pitching hand and Mets shut him down — FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Tendon sheath stiffness may be a fancy term for nothing more serious than a swollen middle finger. But when that finger is on the left hand of Billy Wagner, it also sounds like trouble …
Mike DiGiovanna / Los Angeles Times:
McPherson Might Open the Season in the Minors — SURPRISE, Ariz.— The Angels acknowledged Tuesday that Dallas McPherson, who lost the third base job to leadoff batter Chone Figgins and does not appear to be in the designated hitter mix, could open the season at triple-A Salt Lake.
Joint Posting / The Baseball Analysts:
Two on Two: 2006 NL West Preview — Our 2006 season previews move West this week, following Two on Two divisional previews of the AL Central and NL Central. In the ring against Rich and Bryan today are two of the senior bloggers on the Internet: Geoff Young (Ducksnorts - Padres) and Jon Weisman (Dodger Thoughts).
Charlie Nobles / New York Times:
Henderson Makes His Debut and Steals the Show — FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., March 21 — On a day that Anna Benson and Bill Parcells were in the crowd for the Mets' exhibition game against the Baltimore Orioles, Rickey Henderson had a rapt audience of his own. — Tuesday was the debut of Henderson …
David O'Brien / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Smoltz: Finesse for a change — Jupiter, Fla. — Say hello to John Smoltz, change-up specialist. — The Braves' No. 2 starter continued his transformation with five scoreless innings of two-hit ball in an 8-1 rout of the Cardinals on Monday. He had one walk and four strikeouts.
Scott Merkin / MLB.com:
Notes: For Thornton, it's about control — TUCSON, Ariz. — Matt Thornton doesn't hide from the wild streak that has plagued him during the course of his two-year Major League career. — When the newly acquired left-hander was asked on Tuesday morning about his moderately high walk total allowed …
Derrick Goold / stltoday.com:
Keystone Quandary — JUPITER, Fla. - Late in Monday's game against Atlanta, the Cardinals infield consisted of four players who, ostensibly, could start at second base at any time this season. — Around the horn: … Given that Spiezio is going to see rare double-switch …
Brian Borawski / Hardball Times:
Five Questions: Detroit Tigers — On August 23, 2005, the Tigers beat the Oakland Athletics for their fifth straight win, improving their record to 61-62. The team was seven and a half games behind the Cleveland Indians for the American League Wild Card, and while no one really expected …
Discussion:
South Side Sox
