Top News:
Chris Haft / MLB.com:
Giants don't have to look far to find Draft talent — Picking 20th, club has many options located near Bay Area — SAN FRANCISCO — The Giants might be able to drive down the Peninsula or across the Bay Bridge to grab their next premier prospect or two. — The plethora of talented …
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Steve Gilbert / MLB.com:
Drew nearing heavier action in rehab — SAN FRANCISCO — Stephen Drew played in an extended spring game Wednesday and could step up his rehab efforts soon. — Drew will take Thursday as a recovery day and the plan is then for him to play nine innings in back-to-back games Friday and Saturday.
Discussion:
HardballTalk
Jonathan Mayo / MLB.com:
Mock Draft: Projecting the whole first round — Appel remains top choice for Astros over prep outfielder Buxton — It's time for the whole enchilada, the whole kit and caboodle, the whole ball of wax, the whole ... you get the point. — The First-Year Player Draft begins Monday night …
Discussion:
Federal Baseball, redsminorleagues.com and River Avenue Blues
Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
Fickle winds blow hard for Chicago baseball teams — The Chicago White Sox debated long this offseason and ultimately decided they didn't want to become the Chicago Cubs. — The Chicago Cubs, after hiring Theo Epstein as president in October, determined they no longer wanted to be the Chicago White Sox.
Discussion:
Baseball Nation, Getting Blanked, MLB Daily Dish, Diamond Hoggers, MLB Rumors and HardballTalk
RELATED:
ESPN:
Epstein: Cubs not considering trade of Castro — CHICAGO — Despite a published report Thursday that might have suggested otherwise, Chicago Cubs president of baseball operations Theo Epstein said star shortstop Starlin Castro isn't expected to be going anywhere in the near future.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors and HardballTalk
Thomas Harding / MLB.com:
CarGo sets Rox mark with four straight homers — DENVER — Rockies outfielder Carlos Gonzalez swatted a three-run homer off the Astros' Bud Norris in his first at-bat Thursday night at Coors Field to set a Rockies record by going deep in his fourth straight at-bat.
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
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Patrick Saunders / On the Rox:
Rockies' Cuddyer moves into cleanup spot, replacing Tulowitzki — Michael Cuddyer, who blasted his second grand slam of the season Wednesday night, is taking over as the Rockies' cleanup hitter as Troy Tulowitzki heads to the 15-day disabled list with a groin injury.
Alex Angert / MLB.com:
Dodgers lose Kemp for at least four weeks — LOS ANGELES — Dodgers outfielder Matt Kemp was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left hamstring on Thursday and team trainer Sue Falsone determined he'd need at least four weeks to recover. — Kemp injured his leg scoring …
Discussion:
ESPN and MLB Daily Dish
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Steve Dilbeck / Los Angeles Times:
Dodgers hold their breath: Matt Kemp re-injures hamstring in loss
Discussion:
True Blue LA, Getting Blanked, Yahoo! Sports and baseballmusings.com
Associated Press:
Clemens trial: Ex-manager said Clemens got better as he aged by getting smarter — WASHINGTON — Roger Clemens lost something off his fastball in his 40s but still succeeded by pitching smarter, his former manager testified today. — “He continued to have great success, but for different reasons …
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish and HardballTalk
RELATED:
MLB:
McNamee's wife wants clarification — WASHINGTON — Roger Clemens' defense says it will call McNamee's estranged wife, Eileen, to testify, but her lawyer said Thursday that he wanted to make sure that her previously granted immunity remains intact. — That's because McNamee, during his testimony …
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports
Jane Lee / MLB.com:
A's send right-hander Ross to Triple-A — MINNEAPOLIS — A's righty Tyson Ross was optioned to Triple-A Sacramento on Thursday. — No corresponding move was made at the time of his demotion, but it's likely outfielder Yoenis Cespedes will take Ross' roster spot when activated from the disabled list Friday in Kansas City.
Discussion:
Athletics Nation
Marc Carig / New Jersey Online:
Yankees catcher Russell Martin blasts umpire Laz Diaz — ANAHEIM, Calif. — Yankees catcher Russell Martin lashed out at home plate umpire Laz Diaz after last night's 6-5 victory over the Angels. After the two argued over balls and strikes, Martin said the umpire refused to let him throw …
Discussion:
HardballTalk, Deadspin, NESN.com, WasWatching.com, Baseball Nation and River Avenue Blues
