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4:15 AM ET, March 15, 2007

Ballbug

 Top News: 
Tyler Kepner / New York Times:
Rodriguez Tells Fans to Embrace Him, or Else  —  Alex Rodriguez tries to insist that he wants to remain in New York.  But an option in his contract allows him to become a free agent after this season, and in a radio interview Tuesday, he threatened to invoke the option if the fans did not embrace him.
RELATED:
ESPN:
A-Rod pins future with Yankees on fans
Discussion: Oriole Post
Matthew Leach / MLB.com:
Notes: Encarnacion headed for DL  —  Schumaker progressing well; Reyes works his sinker  —  JUPITER, Fla. — Days after Juan Encarnacion acknowledged that he won't rush anything in order to be ready for Opening Day, his manager put it more forcefully.  Encarnacion is likely to be on the disabled list …
Discussion: Get Up, Baby! and Fungoes
RELATED:
Matthew Leach / MLB.com:
Simontacchi solid vs. Cardinals  —  Nationals starter allows two runs in four innings with no walks  —  CARDINALS 2, NATIONALS 2 in 10 innings  —  Nationals at the plate: Brian Schneider singled and scored, and Ryan Zimmerman beat out an infield single.  Michael Restovich's groundout scored a run …
Associated Press:
Dodgers release Tatis, make Billingsley reliever  —  VERO BEACH, Fla. — The Los Angeles Dodgers released third baseman Fernando Tatis on Wednesday — three days after he failed to report to their minor league camp.  —  The Dodgers reassigned Tatis on Sunday in the club's first round of roster cuts.
Discussion: Knuckle Curve and MLB.com
Chris De Luca / Chicago Sun Times:
Prior's number appears to be up  —  Miller, Guzman likely battling for last spot in Cubs' rotation  —  TUCSON, Ariz. — A wide-open derby for the fifth spot in the Cubs' rotation now appears to be a two-man race between veteran Wade Miller and youngster Angel Guzman after two key decisions …
RELATED:
Chris De Luca / Chicago Sun Times:
Zambrano takes pride in his battle scars
Discussion: GROTA
Carrie Muskat / MLB.com:
Prior to pitch in Minors game Friday
MLB.com:
Statement from Gary Matthews Jr.  —  TEMPE, Ariz. — Gary Matthews Jr. released the following statement Wednesday morning:  —  At the outset of spring training, my name was linked in the press with reports involving an investigation of unlawful trafficking in Human Growth hormone dating back to 2004.
Discussion: 6-4-2
RELATED:
Associated Press:   Amid persistent flap, Matthews Jr. denies taking HGH
Jim Street / MLB.com:
Mariners show off their acting chops  —  Club to unveil new ad campaign during first televised game  —  PEORIA, Ariz. — Reserve catcher Rene Rivera has been a Spring Training fixture in the Mariners clubhouse since 2003 and never had a chance to show off his acting skills.  —  But that all changed a few weeks ago.
Jim Street / MLB.com:
Clement playing with more confidence  —  Mariners catching prospect has had to overcome injuries  —  PEORIA, Ariz. — Jeff Clement experienced adversity last year for the first time since putting on a mask and chest protector as a kid, and came away from it with a lot more confidence.  —  Say what?
Scott Merkin / MLB.com:
Podsednik makes triumphant return  —  Recovering speedster goes 3-for-4, steals a base in 'B' game  —  TUCSON, Ariz. — A small ovation began behind the backstop at one of the Kino Sports Complex Minor League fields early Wednesday morning as Scott Podsednik stepped to the plate for his first at-bat this spring.
John Hickey / seattlepi.com Mariners blog:
Benitez draws Mariners' interest  —  Reliever Armando Benitez, who is reportedly available in a trade from San Francisco. drew a huge crowd of scouts when he pitched for the Giants Tuesday night against Oakland.  —  Two of the estimated 40 scouts on hand — night games always draw lots of scouts …
Discussion: MLB Trade Rumors
RELATED:
Chris Haft / MLB.com:
Notes: Benitez remains unscathed
Discussion: El Lefty Malo and Random Thoughts
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Ayala likely headed to disabled list  —  Reliever not 100 percent; team doesn't want to rush him back  —  JUPITER, Fla. — The Nationals are leaning toward putting reliever Luis Ayala on the disabled list when the 2007 season starts.  The team feels the right-hander is not 100 percent and doesn't want to rush him on the field.
Discussion: Nats320 and Capitol Punishment
TR Sullivan / Postcards from Elysian Fields:
Bull[pen review  —  This Rangers bullpen situation is getting interesting.  Remember, the Rangers think that, in the words of general manager Jon Daniels, their bullpen could be a "competitive advantage."  —  Scott Feldman: Throwing well right now.  Overlooked by many but pushing hard for a job in the bullpen.
Jason Grey / MLB.com:
Owings overcomes average stuff  —  Righty's intangibles, perseverance leads him to success  —  TUCSON, Ariz. — 10-0.  —  It doesn't matter whether you're pitching in Little League, college or at the highest level of baseball, 10-0 is an impressive record no matter how you look at it.
Discussion: AZ Snakepit
Thomas Harding / MLB.com:
Rockies move Buchholz into bullpen  —  A starter with Astros, right-hander ready to adjust to new role  —  TUCSON, Ariz. — All along, Rockies right-hander Taylor Buchholz craved certainty more than a spot in the starting rotation.  Buchholz pitched the final two innings of Tuesday afternoon's 5-5 …
Discussion: Rocky Mountain News and Purple Row
RELATED:
Tracy Ringolsby / Rocky Mountain News:
Helton's bat springing to life
Pat Andriola / Shea Faithful:
Interview with Mets Prospect Ritchie Price  —  Ritchie Price was drafted by the 18th round for the New York Mets in 2006 out of the University of Kansas.  Ritchie, who played with his brother on the team which was coached by his father, led the Jayhawks to the Big XII tournament win last season.
Discussion: Mike's Mets and MetsBlog.com
 
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 More News: 
Ed Price / Ledger on the Yankees:
K-K-K-Karstens  —  One reason Jeff Karstens has impressed …
Nick Cafardo / Extra Bases:
Timlin pushed back  —  Dr. Thomas Gill examined Mike Timlin today …
Nate Silver / Baseball Prospectus:
PECOTAing Josh Hamilton
Alex Carnevale / Baseball Prospectus:
Fantasy Focus
Karen Guregian / Boston Herald:
Return of the slider  —  DUNEDIN, Fla. - He's been moved across the pitching rubber.
Adam Morris / Hardball Times:
Five Questions: Texas Rangers
Bill Madden / NY Daily News:
No common cents  —  Penny-pinching Rays a lost cause
 Earlier Picks: 
Jack O'Connell / MLB.com:
No swift changes to Veterans' balloting
Curt Schilling / 38 Pitches:
B Game? Q&A IV
Chris Jaffe / Hardball Times:
Managerial Aging Patterns
Discussion: Purple Row
Jon Paul Morosi / Detroit Free Press:
Rodriguez leaves his mark as leadoff hitter
Discussion: Baseball Musings
Brooklyn Met Fan:
Let Milledge Play!
Discussion: Newsday
Barry Svrluga / Washington Post:
Nationals Stay the Course With Logan
 

 
From WeSmirch:

TMZ.com:
Rob Reiner & Son Nick in Heated Argument at Conan O'Brien's Christmas Party

Stephanie Sloane / TV Insider:
Anthony Geary Dies: ‘General Hospital’ Icon & 8-Time Daytime Emmy Winner Was 78

Just Jared:
‘Boots’ Season 2 Update Revealed, Netflix Cancels Military Drama After 1 Season

 
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