Top News:
Joe McDonald / ESPN:
Still testing the limits? — Alfredo Aceves gets a refresher on what's expected of him — FORT MYERS, Fla. — If Boston Red Sox pitcher Alfredo Aceves was testing how far he could push the limits with new manager John Farrell, the right-handed reliever quickly found out during a live batting practice session Sunday.
Discussion:
Boston Globe, Surviving Grady and The Soxaholix
RELATED:
Peter Abraham / Boston Globe:
Farrell addresses an issue with Aceves — FORT MYERS, Fla. — Alfredo Aceves took the mound on Field 4 on Sunday afternoon to throw live batting practice to teammate Jarrod Saltalamacchia. The drill is designed to simulate game conditions for the pitcher and hitter.
Discussion:
Over the Monster and New York Times
Dan Shaughnessy / The Boston Globe:
No chance Jacoby Ellsbury is staying with Red Sox
No chance Jacoby Ellsbury is staying with Red Sox
Discussion:
Dan Shaughnessy Watch
Nick Cafardo / Boston Globe:
Alfredo being Alfredo — FORT MYERS, Fla. - The problem …
Alfredo being Alfredo — FORT MYERS, Fla. - The problem …
Discussion:
Boston Globe and HardballTalk
Dan Shaughnessy / The Boston Globe:
Downsized expectations for Red Sox' Mike Napoli
Adam McCalvy / Brew Beat:
Gamel to miss another season — May Gamel, who missed the final five months of 2012 with a torn ACL, will miss all of 2013, manager Ron Roenicke said. An MRI scan revealed bad news on the same knee. — Much more to come. The Brewers were already thin at first base because Corey Hart is recovering from his own knee injury.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors, HardballTalk, Brew Crew Ball and Al's Ramblings
Zach Links / MLB Rumors:
Diamondbacks Acquire Tony Campana — The Cubs announced that they have traded outfielder Tony Campana to the Diamondbacks in exchange for minor league right-handed pitchers Erick Leal and Jesus Castillo. The Cubs designated Campana for assignment last week to clear a spot on the 40-man roster for Scott Hairston.
Discussion:
Baseball America and Beyond the Box Score
Fox Sports:
Showalter balks at new pickoff rule — Every baseball fan has seen the move . . . and heard the groans when it doesn't work. — With runners on first and third, a right-handed pitcher fakes a pickoff to third base, spins and throws to first. The move itself almost never results in an out.
Discussion:
South Side Sox and Baseball Nation
Andrew Stoeten / Drunk Jays Fans:
Guest Post: Blue Jays Comic Book Giveaway Days: What Might Have Been — Enjoying spring training? I can't help but feel like Alex Anthopoulos has rewarded my penance for watching 19 years of mediocre baseball. He heard my prayers! And by prayers I mean the sound of my remote hitting the wall.
Discussion:
Bluebird Banter
Mark Bowman / MLB.com:
Chipper comfortable as ‘rookie coach’ — LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Chipper Jones had no trouble looking the part while spending his first day as a guest instructor for the Braves on Sunday afternoon. About an hour before the team workout began, Jones strolled through the home clubhouse wearing …
Discussion:
HardballTalk
Carrie Muskat / MLB.com:
Ricketts awaits next step in Wrigley renovation — A conceptual illustration of proposed renovations to Wrigley Field. (Chicago Cubs) — MESA, Ariz. — Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts said on Sunday that he hopes the team can finalize some matters with the City of Chicago in the next few weeks …
Discussion:
HardballTalk
Michael Baron / Metsblog:
Rubin: John Buck could get moved when the Mets promote Travis d'Arnaud — Adam Rubin of ESPN New York says it's possible the Mets could deal John Buck when the Mets decide to promote Travis d'Arnaud during the season. — “The summer David Wright succeeded Ty Wigginton at third base for the Mets …
Discussion:
ESPN and Amazin' Avenue
Bill Chastain / MLB.com:
Peralta won't play in Classic — PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. — Joel Peralta confirmed on Sunday morning that he would not be participating for the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic, and noted he was disappointed about that fact. — “The main thing is, this is probably the only chance …
Discussion:
HardballTalk
Michael Baron / Metsblog:
Daniel Murphy has an injured intercostal muscle — According to SNY's Matt Dunn, Sandy Alderson said Daniel Murphy has discomfort in his intercostal muscle, and will go to New York for an evaluation. — Alderson expects Murphy to miss a week. — Meanwhile, Murphy described the feeling as …
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish
John Lott / National Post:
Blue Jays' second-base job ‘up for grabs,’ manager says — DUNEDIN, Fla. - Leading up to spring training, Maicer Izturis was officially the front-runner for the Toronto Blue Jays' second-base job. — On Sunday, manager John Gibbons seemed to backtrack a tad from that position.
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish, HardballTalk and Bluebird Banter