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6:55 PM ET, April 2, 2012

Ballbug

 Top News: 
Ben Nicholson-Smith / MLB Rumors:
Reds, Joey Votto Nearing Extension  —  4:49pm: Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com hears that it's a ten-year deal and suggests that would mean ten years including the two already in place (Twitter link).  —  12:14pm: Votto confirmed to John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer that an extension is close.
RELATED:
Jfay / Cincinnati Reds:
Votto, Reds close to extension  —  Joey Votto and the Reds are close to a long-term contract extension.  Votto confirmed a report by mlbtraderumors.com  —  “I can't comment till it's done,” he said.  “You'll have to ask Walt (Jocketty).  It's a gray area.  I'll be much more forthcoming later.”
Discussion: Red Hot Mama
Mark Sheldon / Mark My Word:
Francis headed to AAA
Discussion: HardballTalk and SI Tracking Blog
Gerry Spratt / San Francisco Giants:
Details of Matt Cain's new contract  —  UPDATE FROM HENRY SCHULMAN, REPORTING FROM INTERSTATE 5: As we reported, this is a five-year, $112.5 million extension with club option for 2018 that vests automatically for $21 million if Cain hits an innings target in 2017.
RELATED:
Janie Mccauley / Associated Press:
Cain agrees to $127.5M, 6-year deal with Giants
Discussion: baseballmusings.com
Comcast SportsNet:
Sources: Cain-Giants contract talks heat up
Peter Abraham / Boston Globe:
Josh Beckett getting exam but is expected to make his first start  —  FORT MYERS, Fla. — Josh Beckett has a thumb injury that is being checked out today in San Antonio, Texas.  But manager Bobby Valentine said he “totally” expects Beckett to start against the Detroit Tigers on Friday.
RELATED:
Associated Press:
Red Sox closer Bailey to have right thumb examined
Carroll Rogers / Atlanta Braves:
Braves reliever Martinez arrested for DUI - updated  —  Braves reliever Cristhian Martinez was arrested early Monday morning in Gwinnett County on charges of DUI, after allegedly weaving in and out of a lane and traveling at a low speed on I-85, confirmed Gwinnett County police spokesman Corporal Jake Smith.
Discussion: Yahoo! Sports and SI Tracking Blog
Associated Press:
Hudson has first outing of spring for Braves  —  KISSIMMEE, Fla.—Tim Hudson made his first appearance of the spring, allowing an infield single over two innings for the Atlanta Braves in an 8-2 loss to the New York Mets.  —  Ruben Tejada hit a three-run homer and Bobby Parnell allowed two hits over three innings for New York.
Discussion: Yahoo! Sports and Amazin' Avenue
Associated Press:
Reds LH Chapman moved back to bullpen  —  GOODYEAR, Ariz. (AP) — Left-hander Aroldis Chapman is headed back to the Cincinnati Reds' injury-depleted bullpen after spending spring training getting ready to be a starter.  —  Chapman, entering his third season with Cincinnati …
Marc Topkin / The Heater Feed:
Upton targeting return by mid-April  —  CF B.J. Upton said he is making good progress in his recovery from back soreness and is targeting a rerturn during the April 10-19 roadtrip to Detroit, Boston and Toronto.  —  “That's what we're shooting for,” Upton said this morning.
Adam McCalvy / MLB.com:
Miss America to throw out ceremonial first pitch  —  GLENDALE, Ariz. — The reigning Miss America will throw a ceremonial first pitch before the Brewers' Opening Day game, part of festivities announced by the club on Monday.  —  Milwaukee's season opener is Friday against the Cardinals at Miller Park.
Discussion: Brew Crew Ball and Brew Beat
Mike Puma / New York Post:
Bay may start to lose grip on regular LF job  —  Mets on Twitter  —  PORT ST. LUCIE — Jason Bay won't lose his starting job this week or likely even this month, but it doesn't mean the Mets left fielder is untouchable.  —  Though the idea has not yet reached the discussion stage among team executives …
ESPN:
Power Rankings: Yankees in top spot to start year  —  ESPN.com  —  A new season awaits.  Could a new champion be crowned once it's all said and done?  We shall see.  —  The New York Yankees sit atop of our first MLB Power Rankings of the season.  —  The Texas Rangers …
John Romano / Tampa Bay Times:
The powerful piece of paper that is the Tampa Bay Rays lease  —  The threat begins on page 32 of the document.  It doesn't sound scary at all.  —  And, yet, it is the reason politicians, business leaders and maybe even the commissioner of baseball are careful what they say about a new stadium for the Tampa Bay Rays.
Discussion: baseballmusings.com
 
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 More News: 
Michael Baron / MetsBlog.com:
Mets and Jon Niese closing in on five-year deal
Washington Post:
For Nationals' Jayson Werth, comforts of home make all the difference
Discussion: HardballTalk
Patrick Saunders / Denver Post:
Rockies growing old: Aging in a young man's game
Discussion: baseballmusings.com
Marc Topkin / Tampa Bay Times:
Tampa Bay Rays giving catcher Jose Lobaton opportunity to prove himself in majors
Discussion: baseballmusings.com
 Earlier Picks: 
Rhett Bollinger / MLB.com:
Butera optioned to Minors in latest round of cuts
AJ Cassavell / MLB.com:
Weaver endures rough ending to spring slate
Discussion: Bleed Cubbie Blue
Anthony DiComo / MLB.com:
Prince's shot, McCann's slam lead split Tigers
 

 
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Josh and Heather Altman Leaving ‘Million Dollar Listing Los Angeles’

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Sean Combs Is a Chance to Remake the Music Industry

 
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