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Buster Olney / ESPN:
Yanks expect Pettitte to start spring behind in prep … Andy Pettitte no longer has to go to Washington, and instead, he is scheduled to report to the Yankees' training camp in Tampa, Fla., on Thursday. But staff members expect that Pettitte will be behind in his preparation for the 2008 season …
Discussion:
WasWatching.com, River Ave. Blues, iYankees, Scott Proctor's Arm, MY BASEBALL BIAS and YanksBlog.com
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Associated Press:
Pettitte told Congress Clemens admitted to using human growth hormone — CBSSports.com wire reports — WASHINGTON — Roger Clemens told Yankees teammate Andy Pettitte nearly 10 years ago that he used human growth hormone, Pettitte said in a sworn affidavit to Congress, the Associated Press learned Tuesday.
New York Times:
Damaging Information Said to Await Clemens — WASHINGTON — Roger Clemens will be confronted with a new and damaging affidavit from Andy Pettitte when he appears before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform on Wednesday, two lawyers familiar with the matter said late Tuesday …
Derek Jacques / Baseball Prospectus:Stupid Lawyer Tricks: Clemens and McNamee Go to Congress by Derek Jacques
Discussion:
The Futility Infielder
Evan Grant / Rangers:
Mench for the bench — Kevin Mench is coming back to the Rangers. Mench agreed to a minor league deal with the club on Tuesday afternoon. He'll fight for a backup outfielder's spot along with David Murphy, Nelson Cruz and Jason Botts. — Mench, 30, hit .267 for Milwaukee last year with a .746 OPS and eight homers in 101 games.
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MLB.com:
Rangers sign OF Kevin Mench to Minor League contract — SURPRISE, Ariz. — The Texas Rangers announced this afternoon that the club has signed outfielder Kevin Mench to a Minor League contract with an invitation to Major League Spring Training. He is expected to join the club in Surprise, Ariz., before the end of the week.
Discussion:
Bombers Beat
Marty Noble / MLB.com:
Mets ink Saenz to Minor League deal — Utilityman could fill role of backup first baseman — PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — In what could be identified as yet another “last move before we start Spring Training,” the Mets signed right-handed-hitting veteran pinch-hitter Olmedo Saenz …
Jack Curry / Bats:
Q & A with Joe Girardi — When I interviewed Yankees Manager Joe Girardi in Coral Springs, Fla., last Wednesday, we set 9 a.m. as the meeting time. I figured I would get to the coffee shop early to scout out a quiet place to sit. I arrived at 8:40 a.m., and Girardi was already there.
Discussion:
Eephus Pitch
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Associated Press:
Twins fill spot vacated by Santana with Hernandez — MINNEAPOLIS — Pitcher Livan Hernandez and the Minnesota Twins agreed to a $5 million, one-year contract. — Hernandez can earn an additional $2 million in performance bonuses. — The Twins are short on experience in their rotation …
Discussion:
Out in the Desert
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Ian Browne / MLB.com:
Refreshed Hansen bursting with energy — Young reliever feeling great following sleep apnea surgery — FORT MYERS, Fla. — One thing you always hear from players in the early days of Spring Training is that they feel refreshed. In the case of Red Sox reliever Craig Hansen, that is anything but a cliché.
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Scott Lauber / Phillies:
Feb. 12 — BENSON ON THE WAY? — CLEARWATER, Fla. — Just got off the phone with Kris Benson's agent, who says a deal between the free-agent right-hander and the Phillies may be struck within the next 24 to 36 hours. — Gregg Clifton told me he has been speaking with Phillies assistant GM Ruben Amaro Jr …
Amy K. Nelson / ESPN:
Revitalized Crawford sees hope for Rays … SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Adam Dunn leaned over the skybox at the raucous 16th hole during the recent FBR Open and yelled out to PGA golfer and friend Steve Elkington, rousing him into making his putt. Elkington playfully acknowledged Dunn's taunts …
Kobrien / On the Yankees beat:
Jeter, Wang talk — A number of players worked out today at the Yankees minor league complex, including a handful of big leaguers. Derek Jeter and Chien-Ming Wang each talked to reporters. — Here are a couple of Jeter comments. He only addressed the steroid saga, as he was hurrying off to catch a flight.
Alyson Footer / MLB.com:
Astros have veteran Chacon on radar — Club offers free-agent right-hander deal two days before camp — HOUSTON — The Houston Astros have made an offer to right-hander Shawn Chacon, one of a handful of free-agent pitchers still looking for work in the final stages of the 2007-08 offseason.
Maury Brown / The Biz of Baseball:
Rocker Claims Selig Knew of Steroid Use in 2000 — Word is coming into The Biz of Baseball that former MLB pitcher, and lighting rod, John Rocker made claims today that Bud Selig was aware of steroid use in MLB in 2000 after, as Rocker claims, he was made to test for them after his inflammatory comments in Sports Illustrated.
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