Top News:
Roch Kubatko / Baltimore Sun:
Overcoming hype, O's top Matsuzaka, Red Sox … FORT MYERS, FLA. // Melvin Mora stumbled across home plate, stood in the opposite side of the batter's box and collected his thoughts, rather than a hit. Jay Gibbons took two bad swings and flung his bat and helmet toward the visiting dugout.
RELATED:
Gordon Edes / Boston Globe:
Pitcher the picture of calm — Outing doesn't faze Matsuzaka — "The fact that they hit a couple of home runs off me is not something I'm . . . worked up about," said Daisuke Matsuzaka. (STAN GROSSFELD/GLOBE STAFF) — FORT MYERS, Fla. — Daisuke Matsuzaka had been so impressive …
Jeff Goldberg / Hartford Courant:
Mixed Reviews As Dice-K Gets First Taste Of AL East — FORT MYERS, Fla. — In case you were wondering, home run in Japanese is "hon rui da." The Baltimore Orioles do not require an interpreter. — Daisuke Matsuzaka got his first taste of life against the American League Sunday, and discovered he is not in Seibu anymore.
Discussion:
Peter's Red Sox Forever
John Tomase / Boston Herald:They like what they hit: Dice-K draws praise in tough outing
Discussion:
The Joy of Sox
John Tomase / Boston Herald:Hottest ticket in town: Yanks invade Fort tonight
Discussion:
Boston Sports Media Watch
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Piniella changes Prior 'game plan' — Once-promising righty to get start Thursday vs. minor-leaguers — MESA, Ariz. — Mark Prior says he's taking baby steps this spring in his attempt to return to his old form. — But the next steps Prior takes will be down the street at the Cubs' minor-league camp.
Discussion:
The Cub Reporter
RELATED:
Gordon Wittenmyer / Chicago Sun Times:
Guzman in mix for No. 5 spot — MESA, Ariz. — A fifth-starter field that was supposed to be narrowed in the next week or so might have picked up more candidates in the wake of Mark Prior's second consecutive poor showing Saturday. — Cubs manager Lou Piniella said Sunday that right-hander Angel Guzman …
MLB.com:
Nationals trim Spring Training roster to 52 — The Washington Nationals today optioned right-handed pitchers Jermaine Van Buren and Brett Campbell to Columbus of the Triple-A International League. The club also reassigned outfielder Darnell McDonald and left-handed pitcher Chris Michalak to minor-league camp.
RELATED:
Barry Svrluga / Washington Post:
Three Hoping To Bag a Spot At First for Nats — Only a few puffy clouds dotted the otherwise perfectly blue sky Sunday afternoon over Holman Stadium. The sun beat down on the dugouts, which have no roofs to hide the players. There, Washington Nationals first baseman Larry Broadway sat, watched and wondered.
Discussion:
William World News
Anthony Rieber / Newsday:
Sanchez makes amends — PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. - Duaner Sanchez returned and resumed working out with the Mets yesterday. He also kept his word and apologized to his teammates for the repeated lateness that prompted his dismissal from camp Thursday. — "I think he owes every one of us an apology …
RELATED:
Anthony Rieber / Newsday:SPRING TRAINING: Sanchez-less pen creates competition
Discussion:
New York Post
Joe Strauss / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Edmonds a question mark for opening day — JUPITER, FLA. — The Cardinals outfield entered camp as a difficult lesson in long division: too many candidates for likely no more than five openings. — The equation may have become more vague Sunday. — After his first round …
Discussion:
Viva El Birdos
Ben Shpigel / New York Times:
For a Roster Spot, a Met Is Prepared to Get Dirty — In passing up a chance to play football in the Southeastern Conference, Mets outfielder Ben Johnson traded one helmet for another. The decision was not difficult: Either way, he would wear a helmet. — "I'll put it like this …
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com
Joe Cowley / Chicago Sun Times:
Wild pitch hits Jenks in neck — TUCSON, Ariz. — White Sox minor-league pitcher Clayton Richard hasn't been sacked since he was a Michigan quarterback in 2005. — That almost changed Sunday. — An errant Richard throw struck Sox closer Bobby Jenks in the neck as he was warming …
Pat Lackey / The FanHouse:
John Kruk Is With Leather — When the famous phrase "You're with me, leather" entered the lexicon, I didn't think anyone had John Kruk in mind. I was wrong; ESPN most certainly did. If you haven't seen the WWL's new fantasy baseball commercial and you don't want to see Krukie doing …
Discussion:
FishStripes
John Shea / San Francisco Chronicle:
Benitez has scoreless inning in spring debut — (03-12) 04:00 PDT Scottsdale , Ariz. — If the Giants' purpose is to trade Armando Benitez before Opening Day, they need him to keep taking the mound. It's tough to deal a guy out of the trainer's room. — Benitez, dogged by injuries …
Chris Constancio / Hardball Times:
The Best Young Center Fielders of 2007 — This week, I will continue my position-by-position review of the game's best players by examining young center fielders. The following list differs from traditional prospect lists in two ways. First, anyone under 25 is eligible.
Discussion:
Amazin' Avenue
