Top News:
T.R. Sullivan / MLB.com:
Sosa wins spot on Rangers roster — GM says slugger will be with Texas on Opening Day — TUCSON, Ariz. — First, Sammy Sosa smiled mischieviously as he started to get dressed in the visiting clubhouse at Tucson Electric Park. — Then he put his hands together and looked angelically toward heaven.
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Random Thoughts
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Geoff Grammer / MLB.com:
Laird, Sosa lumber up in slugfest — Rupe battered in 2 1/3 innings; Byrd leaves game with injury — DIAMONDBACKS 15, RANGERS 12 — Rangers at the plate: Sammy Sosa launched his third home run of the spring in the fourth inning off Edgar Gonzalez, a blast that cleared the lawn beyond the left-field wall.
Marty Noble / MLB.com:
Beckett effective in loss to Mets — Righty fans six, walks none, but offense held to one run — METS, 4, RED SOX 1 — Red Sox at the plate: Boston had two singles and a double and struck out nine times in five innings against Oliver Perez. Manny Ramirez, David Ortiz and Josh Beckett struck out twice each.
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Fenway Blogger
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John Tomase / Boston Herald:
Beckett on his mark — PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. - Josh Beckett [stats] likes where he is two weeks into spring training. — Last night in a 4-1 loss to the Mets, he went five innings, allowing six hits and three runs (two earned). He struck out six and walked none while feeling he had pretty good command of his entire repertoire.
Associated Press:
Former MLB commissioner Kuhn dies at 80 — PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. — Former commissioner Bowie Kuhn, who lorded over baseball during 15 tumultuous years that saw players gain free agency and start the spiral of multimillion-dollar salaries, died Thursday. He was 80.
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Nick Cafardo / Boston Globe:
Epstein not in a hurry — GM feels Red Sox have time to assess — GM Theo Epstein likes what he sees from the Sox this spring. (CHARLES KRUPA/ASSOCIATED PRESS) — FORT MYERS, Fla. — Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein figures that sometime next week teams will begin to assess …
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Joe Capozzi / Palm Beach Post:
Marlins still in market for closer — KISSIMMEE — Manager Fredi Gonzalez wouldn't mind finding out if the Marlins can produce the next Jonathan Papelbon, who emerged as a rookie last season to be Boston's bullpen ace. But with two weeks left in camp, Florida's front office still is trying …
Discussion:
FishStripes
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Items from around Florida and Arizona ... Around the horn at spring training: — The Cardinals' starting pitching has been a pleasant surprise; right-handers Kip Wells, Braden Looper and Adam Wainwright have combined to allow three runs in 352/3 innings.
Joe Capozzi / Palm Beach Post:
60 seconds with Marlins catcher Miguel Olivo — Staff writer Joe Capozzi spoke with Marlins catcher Miguel Olivo, who finger-fishes. — Tell me about finger-fishing. — In the Dominican, we fish like that, with the line tied around your finger. — Just go to Wal-Mart and buy a fishing rod.
Discussion:
FishStripes
Sports Illustrated:
Another setback — Cubs' Wood strained triceps in previous appearance — MESA, Ariz. — First, it was Mark Prior and his problems. Now it's Kerry Wood again. — Stop us if you've heard this one before. — The Cubs announced Thursday — reluctantly — that one-time ace Wood …
Discussion:
The Cub Reporter
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MLB.com:
CUBS 9, MARINERS (ss) 3 — Mariners at the plate: Wladimir Balentien hit an RBI single in the second. Michael Garciaparra also singled and scored on a throwing error by shortstop Cesar Izturis that inning. — Cubs at the plate: Cliff Floyd and Aramis Ramirez both homered.
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue
Bryan Hoch / MLB.com:
Talented Tabata a work in progress — Sky is the limit for gifted 18-year-old Yankees outfield prospect — TAMPA, Fla. — At first glance, Jose Tabata blended in with the roughly 11 dozen Minor Leaguers roaming the back fields on Himes Avenue, jogging across diamonds carrying their gloves, bats and big-league dreams.
Discussion:
Bronx Banter
Jerry Crasnick / ESPN:
Finley showing Rockies he still can play … PEORIA, Ariz. — Steve Finley's upper right arm bears a small tattoo of an infinity symbol — an adornment he shares with his wife, Amy, as a sign of mutual commitment. The Finleys have stayed together through 15 years of marriage and five children, so something must be working.
Discussion:
Purple Row
Will Young / Hardball Times:
Five Questions: Minnesota Twins — 1. What's the deal with the obsessive way you track Ron Gardenhire's bullpen usage? — Honestly, I have no idea why I pay so much attention to the way Gardenhire manages his relievers. I suppose the simple answer is that it is one of the very few elements …
Troy E. Renck / Denver Post:
Halfway to opener, Herges makes move — Surprise, Ariz. - As the Rockies reached the halfway point of their Cactus League schedule Wednesday, they are a long way toward finalizing their roster. — While 15 games remain, this mile marker represents a legitimate point of evaluation.
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Jack Etkin / Rocky Mountain News:How low can Lopez go? — Colorado's goal for new starter is to keep ball down
Discussion:
Purple Row
