Top News:
Ken Gurnick / MLB.com:
Notes: Abreu injures shoulder vs. Astros — Promising prospect out 2-4 weeks with moderate bone bruise — VERO BEACH, Fla. — Promising Dodgers infielder Tony Abreu will be out two to four weeks with a moderate bone bruise to his left shoulder suffered when he dived headfirst into second base …
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Ken Gurnick / MLB.com:
McCourt says new spring home on track — Team chairman says move to Arizona likely for 2009 — VERO BEACH, Fla. — The Dodgers are "on track" for their anticipated 2009 move into new Spring Training facilities in Arizona, club chairman Frank McCourt said Saturday.
T.R. Sullivan / MLB.com:
Notes: Wright still 'excellent' — Young shooting to return Wednesday; Teixeira doing better — SURPRISE, Ariz. — As far as Jamey Wright is concerned, this spring has gone as well as he possibly could have expected. — "I'm going out there and pounding the strike zone," Wright said.
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Richard Durrett / Dallas Morning News:
Friday's spring training report — rdurrett@dallasnews.com — Rangers 4, Padres 3 — The Rangers scored two runs in the bottom of the sixth to take a one-run lead and held on to beat San Diego in Surprise. Joaquin Benoit, Scott Feldman and Ron Mahay each pitched a scoreless inning after the Rangers got the lead.
Discussion:
MVN
Fox Sports:
Stats mean little in Spring Training — If you take a gander at the Spring Training statistics from any year, you'll find some interesting things. — As of Wednesday, for instance, we find that Mets shortstop Jose Reyes is batting only .125, while the Nationals' Shawn Hill has a 2.00 ERA after three starts.
Discussion:
It's Mets For Me
Maureen Mullen / MLB.com:
Dice-K delayed by downpour — Righty throws just 34 pitches vs. Dodgers before rainout — VERO BEACH, Fla. — With a torrential downpour — rare at this time of year in Florida — inundating Vero Beach on Friday afternoon, submerging the dugouts, flooding the press box and soaking virtually every person …
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Ken Gurnick / MLB.com:
Notes: Kuo needs to step up — Southpaw looking to earn spot on Opening Day roster — VERO BEACH, Fla. — Because he has a remarkably electric left arm, but because that arm has an elbow twice reconstructed and not fond of relieving, the unspoken assumption around Dodgertown this spring …
Associated Press:
Rockies' Francis, manager suspended — NEW YORK (AP) — Colorado Rockies pitcher Jeff Francis and manager Clint Hurdle were suspended by the commissioner's office Friday for their roles in a dustup with the San Diego Padres this week. — Francis was suspended for five regular-season games …
Discussion:
Bad Altitude
Dave van Dyck / Chicago Tribune:
Piniella alters Cubs' game plan — Manager unlikely to play for 1 run in early innings — TUCSON, Ariz. — On the cold days, with the wind blowing in at Wrigley Field the last few years, you could count on Dusty Baker playing for one run in the first inning.
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T.R. Sullivan / MLB.com:
Lofton brings winning attitude to Texas — Veteran outfielder seeks that elusive world championship — SURPRISE, Ariz. — Kenny Lofton belongs in another era, one where bunting, basestealing and getting on base were far more important and a higher priority was placed on manufacturing runs.
Adam McCalvy / MLB.com:
Vargas taking nothing for granted — Not guaranteed No. 5 spot, Brewers righty out to impress club — PHOENIX — Brewers manager Ned Yost has spent parts of the last week insisting that his starting rotation is not set in stone. — But Claudio Vargas, the frontrunner for the only spot remotely …
Mychael Urban / MLB.com:
Piazza's three RBIs not enough for A's — A's catcher hits first homer of spring; Kennedy allows five runs — BREWERS 11, A'S 4 — Brewers at the plate: Leadoff man Rickie Weeks singled to open the game and started a string of six consecutive hits for Milwaukee, including an RBI single …
Discussion:
Catfish Stew
Bob Dutton / Kansas City Star:
Duckworth looks worthy — Royals pitcher throwing effectively and appears to have spot on roster. — PEORIA, Ariz. | Veteran right-hander Brandon Duckworth has just about got the Royals convinced to include him on their 25-man roster when the club heads home two weeks from tonight.
Roch Kubatko / Baltimore Sun:
Hernandez gets in work at first base … FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA. // Orioles catcher Ramon Hernandez glanced at the lineup card yesterday morning, walked to Aubrey Huff's locker and borrowed his mitt. He knew exactly where to go. — Hernandez made his spring debut at first base …
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