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 …

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.

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 …

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.

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 …

Former big leaguer, coach Page dead at 59  —  Mitchell Page, a former big league outfielder and hitting coach, passed away Saturday at the age of 59.  Page, who served as the Cardinals' hitting coach from 2001-04, died from unknown causes.  —  A California native, Page was a third-round draftee …

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.

Casey Blake's back still ‘pretty sore’  —  GLENDALE, Ariz. — Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Casey Blake isn't expected to miss much time after leaving in the middle of the first inning of Saturday's Cactus League game against the San Francisco Giants with what was thought to be lower-back tightness.

Gomez hits two-run homer in Brewers' 7-5 win  —  PHOENIX—Carlos Gomez hit a two-run homer to highlight a four-run second inning and the Milwaukee Brewers beat the Kansas City Royals 7-5 Sunday.  —  Gomez hit the first pitch he saw from Kyle Davies in the second for his second spring home run.