Top News:
Marty Noble / MLB.com:
Alou likely out until May — Outfielder will undergo surgery on Thursday to fix hernia — PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Each new malady to hit the Mets this spring has prompted a response of “It's better to get it out of the way early” — or some variation on that theme — from manager Willie Randolph …
Discussion:
Mets Fever
RELATED:
David Lennon / On the Mets beat:
Alou out 4-6 weeks — The Mets just announced that Moises Alou will have surgery tomorrow to repair a hernia and will miss the next four to six weeks. Alou was sent back to New York earlier today for further tests after complaining of discomfort in the groin area and the Mets got word of the results this evening.
Anthony DiComo / MLB.com:
Groin injury has Alou back in New York — Outfielder to undergo MRI, all of starting outfield sidelined — PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — The number of able bodies in the Mets' projected starting lineup has been reduced to two. Left fielder Moises Alou, already considered an injury risk …
ESPN:
Mets' Alou to have hernia surgery — PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — New York Mets left fielder Moises Alou will have surgery for a hernia and miss the start of the season. — The oft-injured Alou left spring training camp Wednesday and was sent back to New York for tests on his sore right groin.
Mike Fitzpatrick / Associated Press:
Mets lose Moises Alou to hernia surgery — PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla.—Moises Alou will have surgery for a hernia and miss the start of the season, the most serious in a string of recent setbacks for the depleted New York Mets. — After reporting discomfort in his right groin …
David Lennon / On the Mets beat:Alou (groin) sent back to New York; Vargas hurting too
Discussion:
Hot Foot
Ed Price / NJ.com:
Report: Murcer's biopsy negative — According to the YES Network's Michael Kay, tests undergone on Bobby Murcer's brain showed a form of necrosis, or scar tissue from radiation treatments and not another cancerous tumor. The Yankees broadcaster underwent a brain biopsy at a Houston hospital on Monday.
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Tyler Kepner / New York Times:
Taking Control of His Future — TAMPA, Fla. — Ian Kennedy was not the kind of kid who taped a strike zone to the side of a wall and threw at it all day long. He did not pester friends or family to catch him in the backyard. Kennedy loved to pitch, but there was no need to practice.
RELATED:
Bob McManaman / Arizona Republic:
Unit might get in game next week — Left-hander Randy Johnson threw 36 pitches during a simulated two-inning batting-practice session against hitters before Tuesday's game in Surprise, and he could make his first Cactus League appearance at some point next week.
Discussion:
AZ Snakepit
RELATED:
Chris Jenkins / San Diego Union-Tribune:Big Unit can't say how old is too old
Discussion:
Bronx Liaison
Associated Press:
NY congressman asks FBI to drop Clemens probe — WASHINGTON — A Democratic congressman asked the FBI on Wednesday to drop its investigation of Roger Clemens because the pitching great had suffered enough from the probe into steroid use. — Rep. Anthony Weiner, a candidate for New York mayor in 2009 …
RELATED:
Michael O'Keeffe / NY Daily News:Congressman Anthony Weiner asks FBI to end Roger Clemens investigation
MLB.com:
Chat wrap: Frank Coonelly — Bucs' new president answers fans' questions … scubevol: Do you really think you can compete for a championship against the big-market clubs? — Coonelly: Absolutely. The Pirates will not use economics, our financial resources or the economic system of baseball as a crutch.
USA Today:
Yankee Stadium set to begin its final season — Plans to raze Yankee Stadium and auction off some of its contents are being put in place by the team and New York City, but don't make any plans for a big haul of memorabilia. — Once the Yankees are settled into their new Yankee Stadium …
Associated Press:
Francona faces Torre without Red Sox-Yankees rivalry — FORT MYERS, Fla. - After four years as Boston's manager, Terry Francona can finally put his arm around Joe Torre behind the batting cage. — If Francona tried that when both led enemy squads in the intense Red Sox [team stats] …
RELATED:
Jason Beck / MLB.com:
Minor League Report: Wilkin Ramirez — Talented prospect looking to shake off past injury woes — LAKELAND, Fla. — Wilkin Ramirez likes to believe that if he works hard, everything will be fine for him one day. — Lately, these days are looking pretty good.
Bart Hubbuch / New York Post:
MAINE STREAM — PITCHER IS OK WITH MEAGER RAI$E — JUPITER, Fla. - John Maine couldn't agree on his salary with the Mets this year, so they decided it for him yesterday. — A 15-win season last season resulted in a mere $59,000 raise to $450,000 in 2008 for the young right-hander …
RELATED:
Matthew Cerrone / MetsBlog.com:amLinks: CT Scans, and Backups
Discussion:
Mets Fever, NorthJersey.com, On the Mets beat, Hot Stove New York, Mets Today, Kranepool Society and Hot Foot
Bryan Hoch / MLB.com:
Cano remains hot in Yankees' loss — Second baseman collects three hits; Chamberlain touched up — TWINS 7, YANKEES 5 — Twins at the plate: Delmon Young blasted a long solo homer in the second inning off the black batter's eye beyond the 408-foot mark in center field.
The Heater:
Rays welcome Wiggy (and Astros) — Carl Crawford plows into Astros catcher Humberto Quintero at home in the fourth on a B.J. Upton double. Quintero was charged with an error for not holding onto the ball and Upton scored from second. [James Borchuck, Times]
John-YF / Yanksfan vs Soxfan:
Are You Smarter Than a Tenth Grader? — At the beginning of each season I present my players with a general baseball knowledge quiz. With our season set to begin this Friday, I thought it would be fun to see how our readers match up with a bunch of high school kids.
Discussion:
Yankees
