Morgan feels Nolasco purposely plunked him  —  Nats outfielder involved in incident with Marlins last season  —  JUPITER, Fla. — Nationals center fielder Nyjer Morgan felt that Marlins right-hander Ricky Nolasco purposely hit him with a pitch during the Nationals' 5-1 victory over the Marlins …

Johan Santana, New York Mets dispute report that team is ready to shut down ace's rehab schedule  —  PORT ST. LUCIE - The weekend was a frenzied one for Johan Santana.  On Saturday, the injured ace joined Twitter and quickly collected nearly 5,000 followers, then hosted a nighttime fund-raising event for his foundation.

Investigating the “Best Shape” Phenomenon  —  Believe it or not, most of our writers didn't enter the world sporting an @baseballprospectus.com address; with a few exceptions, they started out somewhere else.  In an effort to up your reading pleasure while tipping our caps …

Casey Blake to have MRI on back  —  GLENDALE, Ariz. — Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Casey Blake is scheduled to undergo a precautionary MRI exam sometime on Monday to make sure the discomfort he is feeling in his back near his rib cage isn't something more serious than team medical officials believe it to be.

King Felix to Yanks works for everyone  —  SURPRISE, ARIZ.  —  If I'm Mariners general manager Jack Zduriencik, I'm calling my Yankees counterpart, Brian Cashman, and saying, “Sure, I'll talk about Felix Hernandez.”  —  Then I'm rattling off names:  — Jesus Montero …

Mitre scratched; Banuelos to start Monday  —  Top Yankees pitching prospect Manny Banuelos is to start on Monday night against the Red Sox in place of Sergio Mitre, who was scratched on Monday morning because of a bothersome left side.  —  Mitre's injury is believed to be to his oblique or rib cage.

Rivera's Art, as Always, Is Strictly Minimalist  —  TAMPA, Fla. — In the sixth inning Sunday, Jason Kubel of the Minnesota Twins struck out looking at a 92-mile-per-hour two-seam fastball that started along the inside corner before curling over the plate.  It is practically unhittable …

Young could play way onto Phillies' roster  —  CLEARWATER, Fla. — While Phillies right-hander Roy Oswalt made a Minor League start Sunday at Carpenter Complex, the Phillies played the Twins in Fort Myers, Fla.  —  Delwyn Young hit a three-run home run against Minnesota closer Joe Nathan in a 6-3 victory.

Reds, Hanigan agree to extension  —  The Reds and catcher Ryan Hanigan have agreed to a three-year, $4 million extension.  —  Reds general manager Walt Jocketty would only say that the sides are close.  Jocketty generally will not confirm a deal until it's official.

Patterson getting a look in leadoff spot  —  PEORIA, Ariz. — Will Venable figures to get the bulk of the time as the leadoff man for the Padres during the regular season, though manager Bud Black has been looking at several different options at the top of the order this spring.

Beckett struggles in 5th as Red Sox lose  —  BRADENTON, Fla.—Josh Beckett was happy with his outing — until the fifth inning.  —  Beckett failed to record an out in Pittsburgh's six-run fifth as the Boston Red Sox lost 9-4 to the Pirates on Sunday.  —  “It's a shame that a whole outing gets ruined …