Top News:
John Tomase / Boston Herald:
Bobby Jenks details surgery nightmare — + Recent Articles + Recent Blog Entries + Email + Bio — FORT MYERS — Now we know why Bobby Jenks isn't going to pitch anytime soon, if at all this year: He's been living a nightmare. — This morning at JetBlue [JBLU] Park …
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Peter Abraham / Boston Globe:
The harrowing tale of Bobby Jenks — FORT MYERS, Fla. — Red Sox reliever Bobby Jenks filled in some details about his medical issues this morning and it's quite a tale. — After recovering from a pulmonary embolism, Jenks traveled to Boston and had surgery on his spine on Dec. 12 at Massachusetts General Hospital.
Discussion:
HardballTalk
Fox Sports:
Marlins' salary plan may anger union — The minimum salary in the new collective-bargaining agreement increased from $414,000 to $480,000, giving even the lowest-paid players a handsome wage. — Baseball's economic system, however, allows clubs to otherwise determine the salaries of players …
Discussion:
NESN.com, Miami Marlins and HardballTalk
Andy Martino / NY Daily News:
Ruben Tejada remains in Panama despite Terry Collins' desire to have Jose Reyes' replacement in NY Mets camp — Tejada is delayed in Panama while trying to obtain visa — Terry Collins understands the process Ruben Tejada (l.) is going through to obtain his visa, but the manager wants the shortstop in camp.
Discussion:
New Jersey Online and MetsBlog.com
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Mike Kerwick / NorthJersey.com:
Mets' sluggers can see the writing on the wall — PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. - A group of fans tried to stop Daniel Murphy on his way out to Field No. 7. Earlier in the morning, he had signed every bat, glove and piece of paper handed his way. — But now he had an appointment.
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com and Bats
Dejan Kovacevic / PittsburghLIVE.com:
Pirates president Coonelly charged with DUI — Pirates president Frank Coonelly has been charged with four counts related to drunken driving in Ross, the Tribune-Review has learned. — Ross Township police arrested Coonelly, 51, of Sewickley on Dec. 22 and charged him with drunken driving …
Discussion:
HardballTalk and Bucs Dugout
Danny Valentine / St. Petersburg Times:
Drug charges send former Rays outfielder Elijah Dukes to jail again — TAMPA — Former Rays outfielder Elijah Dukes was arrested early Thursday after he tried to eat a plastic bag of marijuana and had marijuana blunt tucked behind his ear, police said. — The 27-year-old Tampa man was pulled …
Discussion:
HardballTalk and NESN.com
Keith Law / ESPN:
Future 50: Buxton No. 1 — The prep center fielder tops Insider's first MLB draft board for 2012 — The college baseball season kicked off last Friday and high schools are underway across the southern U.S., making this a good time for my first ranking of the top 50 prospects for the 2012 Rule 4 draft.
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish
Troy Renck / On the Rox:
Rockies' Joe Torres apologizes following MLB suspension — SCOTTSDALE — After becoming the latest Rockies' player to be suspended, minor-league pitcher Joe Torres offered an explanation and apology following his positive test for amphetamines. — Torres reached out to The Denver Post today, providing the following statement.
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MLB.com:
Angels agree to terms on Minor League contract with veteran pitcher Jason Isringhausen — TEMPE, AZ - The Angels today agreed to terms on a minor league contract with RHP Jason Isringhausen (iz-ring-how-zin). — Today's announcement was made by General Manager Jerry Dipoto.
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports and 6-4-2
Troy E. Renck / Denver Post:
Rockies' Dexter Fowler gains power in offseason but not at expense of speed — SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Don't look. Just listen. The ball sounds louder coming off Dexter Fowler's bat. It goes farther too. — The Rockies center fielder — and arguably the most important player to their lineup …
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
Boston Globe:
Who owns JetBluePark.com? Not the Red Sox. — If you go to JetBluePark.com, you won't get information about the new home of Red Sox spring training. Instead you'll be redirected to the New York Yankees website. That's because Eric Engelman, a Cubs fan from Fort Myers, Fla. …
Tim Brown / Yahoo! Sports:
Kemp calls his shot: 50 homers, 50 steals in 2012 — GLENDALE, Ariz. - Fifty-fifty, is what Matt Kemp said. — Fifty-fifty. — Like Broadway Joe calling Super Bowl III. — Like Newt Gingrich calling for a moon colony. — You know, somewhere between unlikely and if the moon were a planet, that's the planet he'd be from.
Discussion:
HardballTalk
Kuiperfan / Joe Posnanski:
The First Argument of Spring — This is a story about spring, baseball and the first wonderful and crazy argument of the new year. Baseball, I think, is the best argument game we have going. Sure, in other sports you can argue Tiger vs. Jack, or Sampras vs. Federer, or Montana vs. Unitas, or whatever.
Discussion:
THE BOOK
Ken Gurnick / MLB.com:
Tight back delays Kershaw's first bullpen — GLENDALE, Ariz. — Dodgers Cy Young winner Clayton Kershaw missed his first bullpen session of Spring Training on Wednesday as a precautionary measure due to mild back tightness. — Kershaw, who signed a two-year, $19 million contract earlier this month …
Discussion:
True Blue LA and HardballTalk
Mark Saxon / ESPN:
Albert Pujols objects to Angels' ads — TEMPE, Ariz. — To the surprise of no one, the Los Angeles Angels have built their marketing efforts around newly acquired slugger Albert Pujols. — But one segment of that campaign has run afoul of the player's wishes.
Discussion:
St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Viva El Birdos, HardballTalk, NESN.com, BBTF's Baseball Primer … and Deadspin
Associated Press:
Jay Bruce reports 16 pounds slimmer — GOODYEAR, Ariz. — Cincinnati Reds fans will see less of Jay Bruce this season. — The outfielder has reported to camp weighing 16 pounds less than at the end of last season. It's a noticeable change for the All-Star, who thinks the slimmer body …
Ian Browne / MLB.com:
Valentine keeping close tabs on Iglesias — FORT MYERS, Fla. — One of the most interesting Red Sox players to watch this spring will be Jose Iglesias, the highly touted shortstop prospect. Now that Marco Scutaro and Jed Lowrie are both gone, Iglesias might be able to play his way into the mix at some point this season.
Discussion:
Baseball Prospectus and Boston Globe
Adam McCalvy / MLB.com:
Brewers made run at veteran Renteria — PHOENIX — Veteran infielder Edgar Renteria is considering retirement after spurning a pair of Minor League offers, his agent told FoxSports.com on Wednesday. Brewers GM Doug Melvin said one of those offers came from Milwaukee.
Discussion:
Al's Ramblings and Brew Beat
Bob Brookover / Philly.com:
Howard impressive in BP — CLEARWATER, Fla. — You will read more about Ryan Howard later Wednesday after he talks to the media extensively for the first time since collapsing along the first-base line after grounding out to end the Phillies' 2011 season. — Howard, of course …
Discussion:
Phillies Nation
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Todd Zolecki / MLB.com:
Contreras fine following bullpen session
Contreras fine following bullpen session
Discussion:
The Good Phight and HardballTalk