Top News:
Kat O'Brien / Dallas Star-Telegram:
Matthews, Laird help boost offense — ANAHEIM, Calif. — Gary Matthews Jr. and Gerald Laird went into Wednesday's game with a combined one start this season for the Rangers. Matthews had been on the disabled list until that afternoon, and Laird mainly had been on the bench as the backup catcher to Rod Barajas.
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Kat O'Brien / Dallas Star-Telegram:
Kinsler hopes to return in 3 weeks — ANAHEIM, Calif. — The Rangers went to spring training hoping Ian Kinsler would do enough to win the starting second-base job. — But they also had a contingency plan. They brought back Mark DeRosa, who was a utility player last year but is capable of starting daily.
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
Evan Grant / Dallas Morning News:
For Kinsler, it's time to heal — ANAHEIM, Calif. - As rookies are prone to do, Ian Kinsler chatted up veteran Mark Teixeira for some advice Wednesday afternoon. — It wasn't about Los Angeles Angels starter Kelvim Escobar, but rather how to idle away time on the disabled list.
Jim Reeves / Dallas Star-Telegram:
Daniels remains calm amid Rangers' wreck — ANAHEIM, Calif. - Ten days into the season and I'm happy to report that Jon Daniels hasn't slit his own throat. — Yet. — Then again, the Rangers general manager may figure there'll be plenty of folks willing to do that for him if his team's …
Tom Krasovic / San Diego Union-Tribune:
Greene could have been a Cardinal — MIAMI - Back in 1998, when the Padres were destined to go to a World Series, Khalil Greene was choosing shortstop over a big payoff from the St. Louis Cardinals. — "The Cardinals told me that if Khalil would have agreed to switch to catcher …
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Associated Press:
Padres-Marlins Preview — Adrian Gonzalez insists he takes no extra pleasure in playing well against the team that drafted him. — Yet, the first overall pick from 2000 is one of the reasons the San Diego Padres can complete a three-game sweep of the Florida Marlins on Thursday.
Charlie Nobles / MLB.com:
Brazelton, Padres shoot for .500 record — San Diego (3-4) at Florida (1-6), 10:05 a.m. PT — It all seems to be coming together for the Padres, now. Vinny Castilla and Khalil Greene have shown power. Adrian Gonzalez is becoming an offensive asset and Josh Barfield is looking more like a Rookie of the Year candidate.
Discussion:
Ducksnorts
Barry Svrluga / Washington Post:
Cool Heads, but Cold Bats — Nationals Fail to Hit Back at New York's Martinez: Mets 3, Nationals 1 — Here it was, the moment Jose Guillen expected, the one when he finally would show Pedro Martinez what was right, what was wrong and how things should be done.
Discussion:
Nasty Nats, District of Baseball, Church of Baseball, The Nationals Interest and William F. Yurasko's …
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Marty Noble / MLB.com:Pedro leads Mets to fifth straight win
Discussion:
The Musings and Prophecies …
Tyler Kepner / New York Times:
Sheffield Jolts Bowa, Then Stings the Ball — With a runner on second base, the best place for Larry Bowa to stand is in front of the third-base coach's box, about 75 feet from home plate. That is where the runner can see him, so that is where Bowa was stationed with Gary Sheffield batting in the first inning yesterday.
Discussion:
Bronx Banter
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NY Daily News:
Zambrano finally takes the mound — WASHINGTON - A persistent fever, hamstring strain and rain kept Victor Zambrano confined to the dugout for the season's first seven games. Today, nearly two weeks after he last pitched in a game, he takes the mound as the Mets conclude a series against the Nationals.
Tom Krasovic / San Diego Union-Tribune:
Dealing winning hand — Padres reap huge rewards from trade with Texas in beating Marlins — MIAMI - The Padres easily defeated the Marlins yesterday - but the bigger win came Jan. 4, when General Manager Kevin Towers did one of the things he does best. — Towers sold high on a pitcher …
David Lennon / Newsday:
An early slump slowly gnaws at Floyd — WASHINGTON — Think Cliff Floyd obsesses over a batting slump? When asked, "What's up?" yesterday at his locker, Floyd quickly replied, "Not my average." — Even Floyd realizes there's no sugar coating his early-season doldrums at the plate.
USA Today:
WBC issues linger during early season — Baseball teams have expressed concern about injury or performance issues for pitchers who participated in the World Baseball Classic, but so far, some teams are concerned key pitchers didn't get enough work because of the WBC.
Mark Sheldon / MLB.com:
Griffey exits early with stiffness in knee — Slugger leaves in fourth inning, listed as day-to-day — CHICAGO — Reds center fielder Ken Griffey Jr. exited in the fourth inning of Wednesday's game against the Cubs, complaining of stiffness in the back of his right knee.
Discussion:
We Heart The Reds
Chris Haft / Contra Costa Times:
Giants, Astros refrain from swinging in rain — Consecutive rainouts force teams to squeeze in a makeup game on May 8 — SAN FRANCISCO - Playing ballgames, which everybody takes for granted in a 162-game season, has become an issue for the rain-soaked Giants.
