Top News:
New York Post:
Pitching hard to gauge based just on spring training — TAMPA — Let's go back exactly a year so we can appreciate just what an inexact science it is to predict baseball, in general, and what a rotation will do, in particular. — We just knew in the aftermath of Cliff Lee's spurning …
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish, Pinstripe Alley, Lone Star Ball and MLB Rumors
RELATED:
Mike Axisa / MLB Rumors:
Yankees Sign Andy Pettitte
Yankees Sign Andy Pettitte
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports and It's About The Money
Andrew Marchand / ESPN:
Derek Jeter out with calf injury
Derek Jeter out with calf injury
Discussion:
Baseball Nation and Yahoo! Sports
Andy Martino / NY Daily News:
NY Mets manager Terry Collins claims he never said Johan Santana would be his Opening Day starter — Claims it was only a hunch but now says lefty might not be ready — Terry Collins points out that John Santana was never his official candidate for Opening Day and righty then allows 4 runs over 2.2 innings.
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com, Mets Merized Online, New York Times, New Jersey Online and ESPN
NorthJersey.com:
Mets notes: Collins OK with 3-9-1 spring record — On the lowest rung of his pressing concerns, this does not even register. — Not even a blip. — For Terry Collins to worry about his team's spring training record - 3-9-1 over the team's first 13 games - would be ridiculous.
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com
Gordon Wittenmyer / Chicago Sun Times:
Matt Garza sees ‘special stuff’ in Cubs — Matt Garza, pitching Friday against the Giants, retired nine of the first 10 batters he faced. Chris Carlson~AP — MESA, Ariz. — Don't believe the Cubs have much of a season waiting for them in less than three weeks? Join the not-very-exclusive club.
St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
ST. LOUIS • All-Star outfielder Carlos Beltran finalized a two-year deal with the Cardinals on Thursday evening, a source familiar with the negotiations confirmed to the Post-Dispatch. — The switch-hitting outfielder brings some desired depth to the Cardinals outfield while also restoring …
Discussion:
Over the Monster
RELATED:
Brian MacPherson / blogs.providencejournal.com:
Carlos Beltran on Red Sox interest: “I wasn't going to wait”
Carlos Beltran on Red Sox interest: “I wasn't going to wait”
Discussion:
HardballTalk
Barry M. Bloom / MLB.com:
Arroyo channels Vedder at Woodjock fest — Pitcher, band perform four-song set of Pearl Jam classics — MESA, Ariz. — In the fine tradition of most musicians, Bronson Arroyo arrived stylishly late on Thursday night, 10 minutes before his scheduled 10 p.m. set.
Mark Bowman / MLB.com:
Heyward hits grand slam to back Hanson — LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Jason Heyward's first-inning grand slam off Wandy Rodriguez propelled the Braves to a 9-5 win over the Astros at Champion Stadium on Friday night. — Rodriguez retired the first two batters he faced before allowing five two-out hits in a five-run first inning.
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports
Associated Press:
Mauer Plays First for Twins in Win Over Red Sox — FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) — Jon Lester worked on something he hopes he doesn't have to spend much time doing during the regular season: pitching out of jams. — Joe Mauer made his first spring training start at first base for a Minnesota Twins split squad …
Discussion:
Boston Herald
Steve Gilbert / MLB.com:
Danks pitches four innings, drives in two runs — SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Daniel Hudson turned in a solid outing for the D-backs as they beat the White Sox, 4-2, on Friday afternoon in front of a sellout crowd at Salt River Fields. — The D-backs took a 2-0 lead in the first thanks to Geoff Blum's two-out …
Discussion:
AZ Snake Pit
Ken Gurnick / MLB.com:
Loney goes deep, Lilly goes four scoreless — GLENDALE, Ariz. — James Loney slugged a three-run homer and Ted Lilly tossed four scoreless innings as the Dodgers beat the Rangers on Friday, 5-2. — Loney followed a second-inning leadoff double by Andre Ethier and a walk to Juan Rivera …
Discussion:
True Blue LA
Carrie Muskat / MLB.com:
Rizzo, Lalli club homers against Giants — MESA, Ariz. — Aubrey Huff hit a tiebreaking RBI single in a two-run fourth to spark the Giants to a 3-2 victory Friday over the Cubs in front of 13,245, the largest crowd this spring at HoHoKam Park. — Chicago's Matt Garza, making his third start, had his longest outing this spring.
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue
Chad Jennings / The LoHud Yankees Blog:
Banuelos among first cuts — Its minor news on such a busy day, but the Yankees made their first round of cuts today. — LHP Manny Banuelos — RHP Dan Burawa — RHP Adam Miller — RHP Brett Marshall — RHP Ryan Pope — RHP Graham Stoneburner — RHP Chase Whitley — 2B Corban Joseph
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley, It's About The Money and River Avenue Blues
Aaron Gleeman / HardballTalk:
Salvador Perez out 3-4 months after knee surgery; Royals interested in Ivan Rodriguez? — So much for Salvador Perez only missing a few weeks. — Perez underwent his scheduled knee surgery today and the Royals announced afterward that he's expected to be out for 12-14 weeks, which would mean a mid-June return at the earliest.
Discussion:
Kansas City Star and MLB Rumors