Top News:
Michael Silverman / Boston Herald:
Gyroball makes 'debut': Matsuzaka dazzles Marlins hitters — JUPITER, Fla. - The gyroball exists and Daisuke Matsuzaka throws it, at least that's what a couple of major league hitters were left thinking yesterday. — Red Sox forum: — In Matsuzaka's Red Sox [team stats] …
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Dan Shaughnessy / Boston Globe:
Matsuzaka a major attraction — Fans, media swarm to see first outing vs. big leaguers — JUPITER, Fla. — We've had the first Daisuke Matsuzaka press conference, the first Dice-K bullpen session, the first live batting practice, and the first time he faced college hitters in a spring training game.
Dan Shaughnessy / Boston Globe:Driven to frustration — JUPITER, Fla. — At quarter past 11 …
Discussion:
Dan Shaughnessy Watch
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
Pirates Notebook: Eldred would welcome outfield try — By Dejan Kovacevic, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette — BRADENTON, Fla. — Brad Eldred in the outfield? — Sounds fine by him. — "Yeah, I can play there," he replied yesterday after hitting his fourth home run in as many games played …
Discussion:
Bucs Trade Winds
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Dejan Kovacevic / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
Spring Training: Should Sanchez be playing second? — Minor injury highlights perils of moving batting champ — Freddy Sanchez is helped up by assistant trainer Mike Sandoval after getting injured in a collision with the Phillies' Rod Barajas yesterday in Bradenton, Fla.
Baltimore Sun:
O's open window for three years — FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA. // From The Cover — If you, like the Orioles, are looking for a fresh start, it might be psychologically beneficial to view the next three years as the baseball equivalent of one of those windows of opportunity that open up for NFL teams …
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
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Roch Kubatko / Baltimore Sun:In second outing, Trachsel raises some eyebrows
Discussion:
Oriole Post
Thomas Boswell / Washington Post:
Nats' Starting Pitching Could Be a Real Problem — How do you establish a culture of leadership in a season of embarrassment? That's the challenge the Nationals face as they realize, less than a week into the exhibition season, that their starting rotation will probably ensure them a summer of biblical drubbings.
Tom D'Angelo / Palm Beach Post:
Marlins' Josh Johnson out for at least two months — JUPITER — Marlins right-hander Josh Johnson was diagnosed with an irritated ulna nerve that will keep him out for at least the first two months of the season. — Johnson, 23, was relieved with the news.
Discussion:
FishStripes
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Joe Frisaro / MLB.com:Johnson out two months — Marlins' potential No. 2 starter sidelined by nerve irritation
Discussion:
Marlins Journal
Jeff Sackmann / Hardball Times:
The Best Benches in the American League — Of the four parts of every baseball team—starting lineup, bench, rotation, and bullpen—the bench is the least important. It probably isn't even close. — However, the difference between a good bench and a bad one is huge, especially as soon as injuries strike.
Gordon Wittenmyer / Chicago Sun Times:
Rotation hopefuls in spotlight — MESA, Ariz. — Things should start to heat up this week in the battle for the lone opening in the Cubs' starting rotation as the three candidates pitch in succession Thursday, Friday and Saturday. — And don't be surprised to see left-hander Neal Cotts …
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue
Ted Miller / Seattle Post-Intelligencer:
Mariners bullish on Putz for good reason — PEORIA, Ariz. — How's that stock portfolio performing these days? Boy, that market volatility is a peach, eh? — But wonder if, even during these uncertain times, there was a sure-thing investment. Would that be of interest to you?
Discussion:
U.S.S. Mariner
Tyler Kepner / New York Times:
At 88, a Hall of Famer Who's Still in There Pitching — The driver's door of the white Buick LaCrosse opened, and one of the senior members of the Baseball Hall of Fame stepped out briskly Tuesday morning. He was wearing the official Cleveland Indians uniform, buttoned to the top …
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
White Sox GM Williams won't sit still — Perhaps no general manager is trying harder than the White Sox's Ken Williams to stay ahead of the escalating market for starting pitching. — If, at first glance, Williams' logic appears elusive, so be it. After a moment's reflection — OK …
Tom Krasovic / San Diego Union-Tribune:
Hotter days forecast — Giles believes improved stance is good ice breaker — PEORIA, Ariz. - The San Diego Kid felt like he was in Iceland. — Maybe Siberia. — Definitely a latitude several degrees north of his native El Cajon. — "I never got hot," Brian Giles was saying yesterday.
Discussion:
Ducksnorts
CBS SportsLine.com:
Padres report: Notes, quotes — The Sports Xchange —SS Khalil Greene is still troubled by the sprained ligament in the middle finger of his left hand he suffered last Aug. 3. "It is a concern," Padres CEO Sandy Alderson admitted. Greene is requiring extra time to get the finger loose each day.
Discussion:
The Cub Reporter
Kat O'Brien / Newsday:
Mr. Laid-back can relax now — Damon says he felt pressure in first year after leaving Red Sox — WINTER HAVEN, Fla. — Johnny Damon might be the last player one would expect to feel tense or put undue pressure on himself. — Damon is known as Mr. Laid-back, the guy who chills out everyone else.
Bob Klapisch / NorthJersey.com:
Willie tinkers with hitting Wright after Reyes — PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. - This was a few minutes before noon in Willie Randolph's office, long before his Mets would take the field on a perfectly sunny, perfectly nondescript spring training day. But the Mets' lineup against the Indians …
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com
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