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.
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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, Yahoo! Sports, ESPN, MetsBlog.com, The Fightins and My Summer Family
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 …
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 …
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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.
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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 …
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Pete Caldera / Pinstripe Posts:
Mariano at 40 — “How old do I feel? I feel 40,” Mariano Rivera said with a broad smile. The way he feels right now, 40 really is just another number - like 526 (saves), 917 (games) and 1 (years left on his contract). — As we await the first workout for Yankees pitchers and catchers this morning …
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
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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.]
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.
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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 »
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.
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.
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 …
Alex Speier / Full Count:
The Fort Report: Wednesday's developments — FORT MYERS, Fla. — Technically, the reporting date for Red Sox pitchers and catchers to spring training is on Thursday, but by Wednesday, virtually all of the pitchers who are competing for major league spots this spring had arrived.
Discussion:
Boston Globe, Over the Monster, The House That Dewey Built, sox1fan.com, MLB Rumors and The Bottom Line
Weei / Full Count:
Keith Law on D&H: The 2010 Sox, the farm system, and ‘useless’ statistics — ESPN's Keith Law touched base with the Dale & Holley show on Wednesday afternoon to offer analysis on a diverse array of topics. Law examined the state of the Red Sox' farm system, headed by top prospects Casey Kelly …
