Top News:
Adam Kilgore / Nationals Journal:
Elijah Dukes released (updated) — The Nationals this morning granted outfielder Elijah Dukes, a player brimming with potential yet haunted by a controversial past he had seemingly moved beyond, his unconditional release. — “Everyone in Elijah's camp is surprised,” said Dukes's attorney, Grady Irvin.
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Bill Ladson / All Nats All the Time:
Nats release Dukes; may have interest in Dye — The Nationals released right fielder Elijah Dukes and right-hander Logan Kensing on Wednesday morning. — Dukes' release is the most significant because he was slated to be the starting right fielder, but he was not producing during Spring Training …
Tim Dierkes / MLB Rumors:
Nationals Release Elijah Dukes — The Nationals released outfielder Elijah Dukes, according to a team press release. According to a tweet from MASN's Ben Goessling, the move had nothing to do with off-the-field issues. This is very surprising news, as Dukes projected as the team's starting right fielder …
Discussion:
Bronx Baseball Daily, River Avenue Blues, Capitol Punishment, FanGraphs Baseball and Federal Baseball
Rob Neyer / ESPN:
How history will consider Nats, Dukes — We have, via official tweets from the Nationals' PR office, this from president Stan Kasten: “I know of no ‘incident’ as it pertains to Elijah Dukes and his unconditional release today. People who are saying this don't know what they're talking about.”
Discussion:
NATS INSIDER, Nats Triple Play, FJB, Capitol Punishment, HardballTalk and Federal Baseball
Howard Megdal / Mike Silva's New York Baseball Digest:
The Case For Signing Elijah Dukes — So we all know the drill: anytime a reasonably well-known player is released, a slew of articles appear all over the Internet, calling for Team X to sign him. — But the case for the Mets to sign Elijah Dukes, released this morning by the Nationals, is an especially strong one, I believe.
Discussion:
HardballTalk
Mark Zuckerman / NATS INSIDER:
Elijah Dukes released
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Yahoo! Sports, FJB, Federal Baseball, William World News, The Nationals Enquirer and NationalsFanboyLooser
Jon Heyman / Sports Illustrated:
Rangers manager failed 2009 test for cocaine … Texas Rangers manager Ron Washington tested positive for cocaine during the 2009 season, SI.com has learned. — Washington, 57, has been subject to increased drug testing since his failed test, which was administered by Major League Baseball last July …
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MLB.com:
Mariners pitcher Lee disciplined — Pitcher Cliff Lee of the Seattle Mariners has received a five-game suspension and an undisclosed fine for intentionally throwing a pitch in the head area of Arizona Diamondbacks catcher Chris Snyder during the third inning of Seattle's Spring Training game on Monday …
Discussion:
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Geoff Baker / Seattle Times:
Cliff Lee suspended five regular season games — And they say spring training doesn't matter, huh? Well, somebody upstairs seems to care about it because Cliff Lee just got suspended five games from the start of the regular season. That takes care of his first scheduled start.
Thomas Harding / MLB.com:
Street likely to start season on DL — Rockies closer undergoes MRI on ailing right shoulder — TUCSON, Ariz. — Rockies closer Huston Street underwent an MRI exam on his ailing right shoulder on Wednesday, and he is likely to begin the regular season on the disabled list.
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Seth Livingstone / USA Today:
The shortstops: Nomar, Jeter, A-Rod were long on talent — Not so long ago virtually any discussion of the best shortstops in baseball included Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez and Nomar Garciaparra. — The late 1990s were arguably the golden era of American League shortstops …
Jeff Schultz:
Smoltz sets the odds on him pitching again: 50-1 — So I phoned John Smoltz — now professional broadcaster and media leech — Wednesday and still couldn't get him to utter the “r” word. Don't know why. When a guy tells you that his “desire” to pitch “is not where it was three months ago,” it seems to me the decision has been made.
Discussion:
HardballTalk
Chicago Sun Times:
Bradley cloud may have a Silva lining — MESA, Ariz. — Maybe if the Seattle Mariners could have done a little more for Carlos Silva's mom the last two years, they would have gotten more for their money. — Instead, that Silva-for-Milton Bradley deal might start looking even better …
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Globe and Mail:
Tallet shuts down Orioles — Jays starter allows a single run in four innings in 4-1 win — Left-hander Brian Tallet allowed one hit over four innings, a leadoff single by Cesar Izturis in the first, and retired the last 12 batters he faced to lead the Toronto Blue Jays to a 4-1 victory over the Baltimore Orioles on Wednesday.
