Top News:
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Nationals make second round of cuts — VIERA, Fla. — The Nationals made their second round of roster cuts on Friday. — They optioned pitchers Adam Carr and Garrett Mock to Triple-A Syracuse and reassigned first basemen Michael Aubrey and Kevin Barker, outfielders Jeff Frazier and Jonathan Van Every …
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Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Ramos appears likely to back up Pudge — VIERA, Fla. — Nationals manager Jim Riggleman declined to say who is winning the battle between Jesus Flores and Wilson Ramos for the backup role behind the plate. But it's pretty clear it's Ramos. — Entering Friday's action against the Astros …
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Nix not concerned about leaving Nationals — VIERA, Fla. — It was reported on Thursday that the Astros are in a need of a left-handed bat off the bench and are eyeing Nationals outfielder Laynce Nix, who signed a Minor League deal with Washington last month. — Nix is considered to be one of the best bench players in baseball.
Jeff Wilson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
Rangers CEO Chuck Greenberg to resign — Chuck Greenberg, the Pittsburgh sports attorney who for more than a year headed an investment group that gained control of the Texas Rangers' ownership in August, could announce as soon as today that he is resigning to pursue other interests.
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Ben Shpigel / New York Times:
After Tsunami, Igawa Leaves Yankees' Camp — TAMPA, Fla. — The effects of the devastation in Japan were felt in Yankees camp Friday morning, when the minor league left-hander Kei Igawa left the team's complex so he could try to locate his family. — Igawa is from Oarai, Ibaraki prefecture …
Discussion:
BronxBanterBlog.com
T.R. Sullivan / MLB.com:
Greenberg leaves Rangers; Ryan named CEO — Hall of Famer will oversee both baseball, business operations — SURPRISE, Ariz. — The Rangers' ownership group, which was intended to bring stability to a franchise that had experienced a difficult period, is undergoing a major change.
Discussion:
The Captain's Blog
Chris Fedor / Sports Radio Interviews:
Cliff Lee Made One Thing Clear This Offseason: Winning is the Most Important Thing — This past offseason, Cliff Lee was the number one free agent on the market and many people around baseball felt like Lee was headed to the Big Apple. However, Cliff Lee threw one of his devastating curveballs …
Discussion:
MLB Rumors, HardballTalk and Mike Silva's …
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Paul Hagen / Philly.com:
Some steps Phillies could take to acquire Rangers' Michael Young
Discussion:
MLB.com and MLB Rumors
Paul Hagen / Philly.com:
Phillies GM Amaro might be in line for contract extension
Discussion:
Eye on Baseball, Phillies Nation and HardballTalk
Ben Nicholson-Smith / MLB Rumors:
Phillies Sign Ruben Amaro Jr. To Extension
Discussion:
We Should Be GMs
Gregor Chisholm / MLB.com:
Romero given Blue Jays' Opening Day nod — DUNEDIN, Fla. — Ricky Romero was forced to take a long road to the Major Leagues, but once he got there, the native of East Los Angeles found a quick path to success. — That was further validated on Friday, when the Blue Jays announced that Romero …
Discussion:
Bluebird Banter and Eye on Baseball
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Peter Abraham / Boston Globe:
Matsuzaka and Okajima react to disaster in Japan — FORT MYERS, Fla. — Red Sox pitchers Daisuke Matsuzaka and Hideki Okajima believe their immediate families survived the massive earthquake that struck off the northeast coast of Japan and triggered deadly tsunami waves.
Discussion:
NESN.com and Fenway West
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Adam McCalvy / MLB.com:
Saito leaves Brewers camp after Japan quake — PHOENIX, Ariz. — The massive earthquake that struck Japan on Friday devastated the hometown of Brewers reliever Takashi Saito, who left Spring Training camp to attempt to contact loved ones. — Saito has been in contact with his wife, Yukiko …
Discussion:
USA Today and HardballTalk
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Dave Sheinin / Washington Post:
For the love of Bryce Harper: Get ready, Washington. You're about to fall head over heels for the Nationals' newest star. — The first thing you do is, you go over and grab one of those iron rods - rebar, it's called - from the pile. It may weigh 50 pounds, maybe 80, maybe more.
Discussion:
The Nationals Enquirer and Nationals Journal
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Adam Kilgore / Nationals Journal:
Bryce Harper will survive cuts today
Discussion:
Eye on Baseball, MLB.com, The Goessling Game and The Nationals Enquirer
Lynn Henning / Detroit News:
Jim Leyland blasts media: 'I'm tired' of Miguel Cabrera questions — Jupiter, Fla.— Tigers manager Jim Leyland showed both his frustration with the Miguel Cabrera crisis and his resolve to get Cabrera “into baseball shape” during a pithy press briefing ahead of Friday's game against the Cardinals game at Roger Dean Stadium.
Discussion:
Bless You Boys and HardballTalk
Jeff Passan / Yahoo! Sports:
Ka'aihue is anointed, but it doesn't always translate — SURPRISE, Ariz. - Six springs ago, a first baseman named Calvin Pickering rolled into Kansas City Royals camp on the wave of a movement. Every year or two, the sabermetric community picks a new cause célèbre to champion …
Discussion:
ESPN and MLB Rumors
Associated Press:
Cueto leaves start early, Reds tie Rangers 5-5 — SURPRISE, Ariz.—Reds starter Johnny Cueto cut short his start because of tightness in his right forearm and the Cincinnati Reds tied the Texas Rangers 5-5 Friday. — “It wasn't near his elbow, which is a good sign,” Reds trainer Paul Lessard said.
Associated Press:
Dempster Goes 5 Shutout Innings, Cubs Beat Chisox — GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Ryan Dempster appears ready to take the mound on Opening Day. — The Chicago Cubs' No. 1 starter shut out the Chicago White Sox for five innings Friday as the Cubs hung on late to beat their crosstown rival 4-3.
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue
