Top News:
Danny Knobler / MLive.com blog:
Rogers out for 3 months after surgery to remove blood clot — LAKELAND, Fla. — Kenny Rogers will be out three months after surgery this morning to remove a blood clot and repair arteries in his left shoulder. — Dr. Greg Pearl performed the surgery at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas.
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John Lowe / Detroit Free Press:
Rogers to miss first half of season — LAKELAND, Fla. — Tigers left-handed starter Kenny Rogers is expected to miss the first half of the season after he underwent surgery on his pitching shoulder today to remove a blood clot and repair arteries. — Rogers underwent the surgery at Baylor Medical Center in Dallas.
Will Carroll / Baseball Prospectus:
Just Days Away — I spent half the day trying to figure out MLB options rules. I discovered Mark Prior did have to go on waivers, while learning that the rule confuses even those tasked with managing the process. I have no idea about Gary Majewski and I'm not even going to try and figure it out.
Discussion:
TigerBlog
Jeff Horrigan / Boston Herald:
Pap survives scare: Ankle twist turns out OK — FORT MYERS - The Red Sox [team stats] received a scare in the ninth inning of the final Grapefruit League game at City of Palms Park, when closer Jonathan Papelbon [stats] rolled his right ankle covering first base.
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Michael Silverman / Boston Herald:Buchholz gives sneak peek at future: Sox prospect shows stuff
Discussion:
The Joy of Sox
New York Post:
PAVANO GAL PAL DROPS BOMBER — SENDS YANK HURLER TO SHOWERS — Just days away from the most important game of his life, much-maligned Yankee pitcher Carl Pavano has been given the hook - by his gorgeous girlfriend. — Stunning model Gia Allemand said yesterday she put Pavano on waivers …
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Associated Press:
Pavano named Yankees' opening-day starter — TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Carl Pavano will be the New York Yankees' opening-day starter — his first time on the mound in the majors since June 2005. — Pavano will be followed in the rotation by Andy Pettitte, Mike Mussina and Kei Igawa.
Danny Knobler / MLive.com blog:
Guillen signed to extension — LAKELAND, Fla. — Maybe it offsets the news on Kenny Rogers, maybe it doesn't, but the Tigers have to be thrilled to get Carlos Guillen signed to a four-year, $48 million extension that keeps him with the team through 2011. — Oh, and Guillen's happy, too.
RELATED:
Billfer / The Detroit Tiger Weblog:
Tigers ink Guillen to 4 year extension — The Tigers will have Carlos Guillen through the 2011 season. Per Danny Knobler, the deal is for 4 years and $48 million. — This is great news, and the last item of the business that the Tigers needed to wrap up heading into the season. the deal …
Bob Raissman / NY Daily News:
It's bonus coverage — A-Rod follies will be ratings hit for YES Network all season long — Only three days left until the Yankees' season opener with Tampa Bay. Only three days until the Alex Rodriguez sideshow kicks into high gear. — The newspapers will cover it. So will Tapeheads and radio blowhards.
Marty Noble / MLB.com:
Mets scheduled for a challenging '07 — Defending NL East champs to face every other '06 playoff team — PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — The Mets will relive their final steps of the 2006 season on Opening Night 2007. — The schedulemaker has them in St. Louis on April 1, and there they will experience …
Bob Dutton / Kansas City Star:
Peralta a sure thing for Royals — Pitcher, whose career has been more suspect than prospect, has become what Bell calls a 'valuable guy.' — Royals reliever Joel Peralta has it figured out, he believes. It was a Dominican delicacy that knocked him for a loop last month and resulted …
Adam Rubin / Surfing the Mets:
MILLEDGE & BURGOS IN, PARK & ADKINS SENT DOWN — The Mets added Lastings Milledge and Ambiorix Burgos to the roster. — Chan Ho Park will accept going to Triple-A New Orleans. Jon Adkins cleared waivers and also was sent to the Zephyrs. — For minor-league followers, gone are Chase Lambin …
Marc Lancaster / TBO.com:
2B Or Not 2B? Upton May Be Choice — FORT MYERS - The more the Devil Rays have seen of B.J. Upton at second base this spring, the more they have warmed to the idea of him playing there regularly. — "Right now I'm comfortable with him at second base," Manager Joe Maddon said Thursday.
Evan Grant / Dallas Morning News:
Blalock making adjustments — egrant@dallasnews.com — SURPRISE, Ariz. - Hank Blalock finished up his extreme Arizona spring makeover Thursday with one fly ball out to left field and one to center to drop his average to .227. He did not have a home run in his 18 Arizona exhibitions.
