Top News:
Ian Browne / MLB.com:
Chilling in Charm City — Red Sox ace dominates Birds to notch second victory — BALTIMORE — Frigid air filled Camden Yards on Saturday afternoon, with one exception. It came in the form of the heat that emanated from Curt Schilling's right arm. — With two on and two outs in the bottom …
Discussion:
Boston Red Sox
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Spencer Fordin / MLB.com:
Notes: Lopez looks to catch on — Reserve backstop to get first start behind dish on Saturday — BALTIMORE — Ready or not, Javy Lopez is going back behind the plate on Saturday. Lopez has worked at designated hitter for most of the last two weeks and hasn't practiced his catching skills …
Discussion:
The Baltimore Chop
Ian Browne / MLB.com:
Notes: Defense leaving its mark — With new blueprint in place, Red Sox winning close games — BALTIMORE — Run prevention. It was a buzz phrase around the offices of Yawkey Way all winter, as the front office reconstructed a team that was successful last year, but flawed.
Carrie Muskat / MLB.com:
Notes: Lee relaxes deal deadline — Young Cedeno opens season on a hot streak — CHICAGO — Chicago Cubs first baseman Derrek Lee softened his call for a Saturday deadline to resolve his possible contract extension, but he did reiterate that he wants the matter resolved soon so he can focus on baseball.
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue
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Carrie Muskat / MLB.com:
Cubs give Hendry two-year extension — GM plans to negotiate deal with Baker at 'appropriate time' — CHICAGO — Chicago Cubs general manager Jim Hendry received a two-year contract extension through the 2008 season on Saturday, and one of his first orders of business will be to keep manager Dusty Baker beyond the 2006 season.
Discussion:
Cubbiepalooza
Mike Kiley / Chicago Sun Times:With or without deal, Lee ending talks today
Discussion:
Goat Riders of the Apocalypse
Tom D'Angelo / Palm Beach Post:
Mets get Vargas turned around — NEW YORK — When starting pitcher Jason Vargas left the Marlins' team hotel Friday for Shea Stadium, he got on a train and went in the wrong direction, ended up in Brooklyn and frantically doubled his way back to Manhattan before catching the right train.
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Tom D'Angelo / Palm Beach Post:
Marlins shift for Delgado — NEW YORK — Marlins coach Perry Hill is not a big proponent of over-shifting his infielders. But Hill had a different scouting report on Mets first baseman Carlos Delgado. — One that included 521 at-bats. — "I don't like to shift,'' said Hill, who coaches the infielders. "
Discussion:
FishStripes
Associated Press:
Wells gives up seven runs in rehab start — PAWTUCKET, R.I. — David Wells was hit hard in a rehab start for Triple-A Pawtucket, giving up seven runs and six hits in five innings Friday night. — "It is what it is, it's a bad night," said Wells, placed on the disabled list last Saturday — retroactive to March 27.
Discussion:
Gaslamp Ball
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Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Notes: Robinson awaits suspension — Reliever Rodriguez will likely sit for three games — HOUSTON — Nationals manager Frank Robinson said that he and reliever Felix Rodriguez face automatic suspensions after both were ejected by crew chief Rick Reed on Thursday against the Mets.
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Anthony Castrovince / MLB.com:
Notes: Belliard sits with odd injury — Tribe second baseman strains calf walking to the dugout — CLEVELAND — It's not often a player gets injured between innings. — But that's just what happened to Ronnie Belliard on Friday night. — The Indians' second baseman suffered a mild strain …
Discussion:
Let's Go Tribe
Amanda Branam / MLB.com:
Brazelton set to take the bump — Colorado (2-2) at San Diego (1-2), 7:05 p.m. PT — Pitcher Dewon Brazelton's Padres debut on Saturday against the Rockies is arguably one of the more anticipated debuts for San Diego this season. — The 25-year-old came to San Diego in December in a trade …
Thomas Harding / MLB.com:
Notes: Barmes finding his stroke — Colorado shortstop trying to settle in early in the season — SAN DIEGO — Colorado shortstop Clint Barmes did not begin this year with the thunder he took into 2005, but it's not too late to make early-season noise. — Last year, Barmes homered off …
Discussion:
Bad Altitude
Bill Center / San Diego Union-Tribune:
Estes put on DL with elbow injury — Towers: No. 2 starter out four to six weeks — Shawn Estes knows the difference between pain and hurt. — "Every pitcher experiences pain and discomfort," Estes said. "I feel discomfort almost every day. Usually it comes and goes."
Bernie Miklasz / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
As a 'core guy,' Encarnacion must improve — CHICAGO — Four games are hardly a fair or indicative trial, but Cardinals right fielder Juan Encarnacion is struggling to get out of the gate in the early days of the season. — In Friday's 5-1 loss to the Cubs at a chilled, windswept Wrigley Field …
Susan Slusser / San Francisco Chronicle:
Is personal character A's latest way to find value? — Seattle — As readers of "Moneyball" know, the A's front office is always trying to find an undervalued commodity and take advantage of it. First, it was on-base percentage, college pitchers, players who didn't fit prescribed physical modes.
