Top News:
Craig Calcaterra / HardballTalk:
Source: Kelvim Escobar may be seriously hurt — UPDATE: Adam Rubin of the Daily News tweets: … Santana's not a doctor of course and a playing catch grip is different than a pitching-at-full-speed grip, but this, at the very least, undercuts my earlier report. Obviously I'll update with anything new that comes out.
RELATED:
Brian Costa / New Jersey Online:
NY Mets ace Johan Santana says he is still the best pitcher in the NL East … PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Let the Phillies have Roy Halladay. Johan Santana said the Mets still have the best pitcher in the National League East. — When asked Thursday who the best pitcher in the division is this year …
Discussion:
Kranepool Society, CitiField of Dreams, MetsBlog.com, ESPN, The Fightins, My Summer Family and Yahoo! Sports
Matthew Cerrone / MetsBlog.com:
Kelvim Escobar Can't Grip a Baseball — According to Adam Rubin of the Daily News, Johan Santana said he recently played catch with Kelvim Escobar, and reports Escobar is unable to grip a baseball are not true. — Original Post at 11:35 am: — Yesterday, in a post to the New York Times …
Brian Costa / New Jersey Online:
NY Mets make changes to training program in effort to avoid further injuries … PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — When Mets players walked into the major-league clubhouse here for the first time Thursday, there were large signs posted in the clubhouse that read: “Prevention and recovery.”
Bryan Hoch / MLB.com:
As camp opens, lineup Girardi's top concern — Manager will use spring slate to find consistent batting order — TAMPA, Fla. — It was the first day back at the spring office, and Joe Girardi couldn't help but like what he saw. Players were showing up in shape and on time …
RELATED:
Jayson Stark / ESPN:Stark: Yankees' camp opens far differently that it did a year ago
Discussion:
River Avenue Blues
Paul Hoynes / Plain Dealer:
Chris Antonetti to replace Mark Shapiro as Cleveland Indians GM … CLEVELAND — There will be changes at the top of the Indians organization. — GM Mark Shapiro will assume the role of club president at the conclusion of the upcoming season, according to a team release issued this morning.
RELATED:
Anthony Castrovince / CastroTurf:
Shapiro to become Tribe prez, Antonetti to become GM following 2010 season — The Indians are making a big announcement today that is of little surprise. — In a front-office shakeup set to take place upon the conclusion of the 2010 season, GM Mark Shapiro will be promoted to team president …
Discussion:
WasWatching.com
George A. King III / NY Post:
Yankees' Rivera taking career ‘a year at a time’ — TAMPA — One year at a time. — That's how Mariano Rivera is looking at the rest of a career that will eventually lead to Coopertsown. — “A year at a time and see what happens,” Rivera said this morning prior to the first workout …
RELATED:
Thomas Harding / MLB.com:
Eager to lead Rox, Helton arrives early — Veteran will be cautious in spring to preserve his back — TUCSON, Ariz. — Spring Training hasn't changed for Todd Helton. He understands that the exhibition season is a grind, and anything that happens in games disappears once the regular season begins.
Discussion:
Inside the Colorado Rockies
RELATED:
Mark Zuckerman / NATS INSIDER:
Detwiler out 3 months with hip injury — [UPDATE AT 4:28 P.M. — The Nats have now confirmed Detwiler's surgery and say he is scheduled to begin a throwing program in six weeks and “should be able to return to competitive pitching in three months.” The procedure was performed Monday in Vail, Colo., by Marc J. Phillippon.]
Discussion:
Nats320, Nationals Journal, Fanhouse MLB Blog, The Nationals Enquirer and BBTF's Baseball Primer …
MiamiHerald.com:
Florida Marlins sign former Nationals closer Mike MacDougal — The Florida Marlins bolstered their bullpen Thursday by agreeing to a contract with former Washington Nationals closer Mike MacDougal. Agent Rex Gary said MacDougal, a right-hander, will sign a minor-league contract with an invitation to Marlins spring training.
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports, MLB Rumors, SBNation.com, HardballTalk, Fox Sports and Chicago Breaking Sports
Ed Chigliak / Federal Baseball:
Washington Nationals: Brian Bruney Talks Arbitration On Sirius/XM. — More photos » Reed Hoffmann - AP — Brian Bruney lost his arbitration case with the Washington Nationals and he was on the radio this afternoon to discuss the process. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann) — Browse more photos »
Mike DiGiovanna / LA Times Sports Blog:
Angels avoid arbitration with Erick Aybar — TEMPE, Ariz. — The Angels have avoided arbitration with Erick Aybar, signing the shortstop to a one-year, $2.05-million deal that includes an additional $100,000 in incentives if he reaches 625 plate appearances.
Andy Martino / Philly.com:
Inside the Phillies: Unlike health, faith never lets Lidge down — CLEARWATER, Fla. - Brad Lidge's defining characteristic is belief - in God, in himself, in the basic goodness of the world. He feels that all suffering happens for a reason, and will always lead to better days.
RELATED:
New York Post:
Reyes ready for big 2010 with Mets — PORT ST. LUCIE — The 70-win Mets have come to this camp with an attitude. Jose Reyes showed yesterday that he has David Wright's back. — Shortly after Wright told reporters in the dugout that he expected the 2010 Mets to win the World Series …
