Top News:
Adam Rubin / NY Daily News:
Pelfrey delivers — Phenom takes latest step to earning spot — PORT ST. LUCIE - Mike Pelfrey intended to spend Monday's off-day in Key Largo, but unimpressed with the view, he continued to Key West. "It didn't look very nice, so we just kept driving an extra 70, 80 miles, whatever," Pelfrey said.
RELATED:
David Lennon / Newsday:
Willie: It's time to get on the ball — PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Coming off Monday's off day, and with the number of exhibition games dwindling, manager Willie Randolph gathered his players in a conference room yesterday for a meeting designed to turn up the intensity for the remainder of the Grapefruit League schedule.
Bob Herzog / Newsday:
Newhan unlikely to ever tell writer: 'No comment' — PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Chances are you won't find David Newhan hiding out in the trainer's room after a night game in which he failed to deliver a big hit or made a critical error. If there is one major-league player who fully understands …
David Lennon / Newsday:Starting to belong — Pelfrey continues to show he's earned No. 5 spot in rotation
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com
Barry Svrluga / Washington Post:
Nats' Bullpen Could Be Working OT — Acta Formulating Plan to Spell His Starting Pitchers — John Patterson is unquestionably the Washington Nationals' top starting pitcher, and yet in 58 starts since arriving in a trade prior to the 2004 season, he has averaged less than six innings an outing.
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Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Playing time no idle chatter for White Sox — Guillen worries that Mackowiak will get rusty in early going — PHOENIX — Ozzie Guillen will face a tough task finding playing time for Rob Mackowiak during the first two weeks of the regular season. The White Sox have three off days ... and a crowded outfield.
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Karen Guregian / Boston Herald:
Manny being un-Manny: Opens up says he's 'going to be fine here' — FORT MYERS - Life must be pretty good in Manny World. Not only is he back to his goofy exploits, selling a gas grill on eBay, but he was so loose yesterday that he decided to chat on the record. — That's right, Manny talked.
RELATED:
Amalie Benjamin / Boston Globe:
Hot stove talk — Manny breaks silence, but it takes a grilling — FORT MYERS, Fla. — "Mirabelli, I'm a businessman," Manny Ramírez yelled across the clubhouse to Doug Mirabelli with a smile. "Got to make a little money." — Ramírez sat down at his locker …
Discussion:
Associated Press
Tracy Ringolsby / Rocky Mountain News:
Rotation insurance quite pleasing — Rookie Jimenez, Lawrence making good impressions — TUCSON - Brian Lawrence and Ubaldo Jimenez most likely will claim a spot in the Rockies rotation this season. It just isn't likely to happen for either by Opening Day.
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Sports Illustrated:
The Riddle — With an array of pitches as sublime and mesmerizing as haiku, $100 million import Daisuke Matsuzaka could tip the American League balance of power to the Red Sox — and explode the old myths about pampering pitchers — The cherubic face of Daisuke Matsuzaka bears a mysterious contentment …
Discussion:
Matsuzaka Watch
Baltimore Sun:
Reliever Shuey pushing on despite injury … PORT ST. LUCIE, FLA. // Though conceding that he probably has no shot at making the team out of spring training, Orioles reliever Paul Shuey will keep pitching in 2007 for as long as his body allows. — Shuey, who sprained the plantaris tendon …
Discussion:
Oriole Post
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Troy E. Renck / Denver Post:
Howard taking swing at producing powerful sequel — Clearwater, Fla. - The birthplace of Hooters remains overshadowed by homers. This is the spring home of the Philadelphia Phillies' Ryan Howard, the reigning National League MVP. Ice pack on his sore left quad, smile on his face …
Joe Frisaro / MLB.com:
Notes: Benitez, Julio eyed in deal — Marlins trying to land veteran reliver before Opening Day — JUPITER, Fla. — Pursuing trade options for a closer remains a real possibility for the Marlins. — Sources continue to say the team has interest in veterans Armando Benitez and Jorge Julio.
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs to start with Floyd on bench — While Achilles' heals, Murton will start year in left — TUCSON, Ariz. — Cliff Floyd will be coming off the bench to start the season, a move the Cubs hope will give him more time to heal his surgically repaired left Achilles'.
Discussion:
1060west.net
Rev Halofan / Halos Heaven:
Hot A-Rod to Angels Trade Info — The LA Times and Riverside Press Enterprise are both reporting that Jered Weaver will start the season on the disabled list, but it will be a short stay. — Weaver is penciled in for his turn in the rotation on April 12. His April 6th start will be taken by Dustin Moseley.
Jeff Horrigan / Boston Herald:
Sox' Timlin to start season on DL: Door opens for Tavarez — FORT MYERS - The Red Sox [team stats]' Opening Day closer picture became a little clearer yesterday when the decision was made to have Mike Timlin [stats] open the season on the disabled list. — Red Sox forum:
Richard Durrett / Dallas Morning News:
Credit Rangers' Tejeda with a save — rdurrett@dallasnews.com — SURPRISE, Ariz. - Right-handed starter Robinson Tejeda knew his Tuesday outing was important. — He surprised pitching coach Mark Connor by showing up for extra bullpen work between his last start and this one.
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
Patrick Saunders / Denver Post:
Rookie could be in position to become the Rockies' dream catcher — Tucson - Stripped of his armor, Chris Iannetta seems almost too nice to be a major-league catcher, let alone someone touted as the best home-grown prospect at that position in team history. — The 23-year-old rookie is polite, articulate and soft-spoken.
