Top News:
Fox Sports:
Gonzalez's agent set for Boston visit — FT. MYERS, FLA. — The agent for new Boston Red Sox first baseman Adrian Gonzalez is due to visit the team's camp next week, at which point negotiations on a long-term contract could resume. — John Boggs stressed during a Monday interview …
Discussion:
MLB Rumors and FenwayNationWorld
RELATED:
Mark Feinsand / NY Daily News:
Manny Banuelos shows poise replacing New York Yankees scheduled starter Sergio Mitre vs. Red Sox — FORT MYERS, Fla. - When Manny Banuelos was told he would start Monday night's game against the Red Sox, he made a few calls to his family in Mexico. — “I told them, ‘Pay attention to ESPN2,’” Banuelos said.
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
Dan Shaughnessy / Boston Globe:
This one was a night for sore eyes — FORT MYERS, Fla. — It felt like Game 1 of the American League Championship Series. Except for the fact that there were only 7,859 fans and the starting pitchers were Alfredo Aceves and 20-year-old Manny Banuelos. — But this was not your typical spring training game.
Discussion:
IT IS HIGH!
Peter Abraham / Boston Globe:
Aceves solid against Yankees — He allows 1 run in three innings — Dustin Pedroia swings wildly at a pitch from promising Yankees lefthander Manny Banuelos during the first inning. (Steve Nesius/Reuters) — FORT MYERS, Fla. — Alfredo Aceves deviated from his usual pregame routine last night …
Discussion:
BronxBanterBlog.com, MLB.com and NESN.com
Ian Browne / MLB.com:
Francona keeping options open on batting order
Discussion:
Boston Globe, NESN.com and Projo Sox Blog
Marc Carig / New Jersey Online:
Yankees prospect Manny Banuelos gets chance to impress against Red Sox
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley and The Yankee Analysts
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Strasburg gradually regaining arm strength — VIERA, Fla. — Nationals right-hander Stephen Strasburg continues to make progress following Tommy John surgery last September. He is now throwing 90 feet on flat ground and his arm strength is slowly coming back.
Discussion:
The Nationals Enquirer
RELATED:
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Marrero improving on defensive side — VIERA, Fla. — Before this spring, Chris Marrero had a reputation of being an above-average hitter, but had problems on defense. During his Minor League career, Marrero had made 54 errors in 3,124 chances. — This spring has been a different story when it comes to Marrero's defense.
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Wang to throw another 'pen session this week — VIERA, Fla. — Nationals head athletic trainer Lee Kuntz said Chien-Ming Wang's ailing right shoulder is making progress. — Over a week ago, Wang pitched in an intrasquad Minor League game, throwing one inning before leaving with a sore right shoulder.
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Healthy Marquis feeling great this spring — VIERA, Fla. — Nationals right-hander Jason Marquis had another solid outing Monday afternoon in a 4-2 loss to the Tigers. — Marquis threw five innings and allowed one run on three hits. The run scored in the third, when Detroit's Cale Iorg scored on a double by Ryan Strieby.
John Romano / St. Petersburg Times:
Was 2009 or 2010 the real aberration for Tampa Bay Rays' Ben Zobrist? — DUNEDIN — You can believe in the glory, or you can put your faith in the fall. — You can trust that the season with an MVP gloss was the reality and the season with dead ball numbers was the fluke. — Really, the choice is yours.
Discussion:
Projo Sox Blog
RELATED:
Marc Topkin / St. Petersburg Times:
Tampa Bay Rays manager Joe Maddon encouraging hair growth
Discussion:
Rays Index and Yahoo! Sports
Barry M. Bloom / MLB.com:
Peavy's ties to Padres remain unbroken — GLENDALE, Ariz. — The uniform on his chest may say White Sox right now, but in some ways Jake Peavy will always be a Padre. — He still resides during the offseason in San Diego and this spring, he's staying in nearby Peoria where the San Diego club trains.
Discussion:
Baseball Prospectus
RELATED:
New York Post:
PROSPECTS COUNTDOWN — Though Castillo is having a solid spring offensively, the source said Castillo's limited defensive range is problematic for the new regime. The Mets still do not view Murphy as an everyday second baseman, and many in the organization are not convinced Emaus and Turner are major-league players.
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com, HardballTalk, Mets Merized Online and SBNation.com
Joseph Smith / St. Petersburg Times:
Catwalk ground rules changed back to pre-playoff rules — At the request of Major League Baseball, the 2011 regular season ground rules pertaining to the catwalks at Tropicana Field will revert back to the language that was used during 2010 regular season. Tropicana Field's ground rules …
Discussion:
HardballTalk and baseballmusings.com
Associated Press:
A's Closer Andrew Bailey Leaves With Sore Elbow — GOODYEAR, Ariz. (AP) — Oakland Athletics closer Andrew Bailey has left a spring training game against the Cleveland Indians with elbow discomfort. — Bailey, shut down at the end of last season with an elbow injury, faced three batters Monday.
Discussion:
Athletics Nation, Associated Press and Yahoo! Sports
Matthew Leach / MLB.com:
Theriot looks to recapture success of '08 — JUPITER, Fla. — Tony La Russa doesn't want Ryan Theriot to go up to bat this year looking to draw a walk. But as long as Theriot isn't being asked to hack away and hit for power, that's perfectly fine with the Cardinals' new shortstop.
Discussion:
Viva El Birdos
Andy Martino / NY Daily News:
Plenty in Mets organization are ready to give up on Oliver Perez, but Dan Warthen isn't in that camp — PORT ST. LUCIE - At 9 a.m. on a chillier-than-usual Florida Friday, the Mets are dispersed among backfields behind their spring training stadium. Some are taking batting practice, others fielding ground balls.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors, Mets Fever and MetsBlog.com
