Top News:
Nick Cafardo / The Boston Globe:
Was there a better way for Red Sox to spend? — There are different ways to construct a baseball team, and the Red Sox chose their own interesting path for 2013. So far they have succeeded in protecting their second pick by not going after a free agent requiring compensation, instead using older …
Discussion:
NESN.com and Boston Globe
RELATED:
Ron Matejko / MLB:
Bud Selig calls for tougher penalties — SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Baseball commissioner Bud Selig announced Saturday that he is making a push for stricter punishments in the joint drug testing program between MLB and the player's association. — Selig — Selig cited last season's suspension …
Discussion:
NESN.com, HardballTalk and baseballmusings.com
Lee Enterprises / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Furcal is ‘not getting better’ — • By Rick Hummel rhummel@post-dispatch.com 314-340-8196 — JUPITER, Fla. • Not only was Cardinals shortstop Rafael Furcal unable to play Saturday, which had been his target date a few days before, he has no idea when he again will test his ailing right elbow.
Discussion:
CBSSports.com, Viva El Birdos and HardballTalk
Marc Carig / Newsday:
Lucas Duda's bat is waking up — PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — After enduring massive struggles with his swing at the start of spring training, leftfielder Lucas Duda has given the Mets some encouraging signs. — In Saturday's 8-8 tie with the Marlins, Duda went 2-for-3 with a double …
Discussion:
Metsblog
George A. King III / New York Post:
Yankees' Ichiro in car crash, not hurt — TAMPA — Ichiro Suzuki avoided injury last night when his car collided with another vehicle. — “He is fine,” Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said. “His interpreter called to let us know.” — Ichiro was headed south in his Land Rover …
Discussion:
HardballTalk and NESN.com
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Castro hamstring MRI shows ‘minor’ inflammation — SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — An MRI on Starlin Castro's left hamstring showed some “minor” inflammation, Chicago Cubs manager Dale Sveum said Saturday. — Castro hurt his hamstring running down the first base line Wednesday.
Discussion:
Brew Crew Ball and HardballTalk
Jeff Wilson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
Kyle Lohse not completely off Rangers' radar — SCOTTSDALE, ARIZ. — Cactus League games have been played for nine days so far this year, which isn't even a quarter of the Texas Rangers' schedule in the longest spring in club history. — No one knows better than club personnel, and the media …
Discussion:
MLB Rumors, HardballTalk, Texas Rangers Blog and Lone Star Ball
Mark Sheldon / MLB.com:
Reds give Prior another shot at big league return — Baker helps his former phenom join Cincinnati, sign Minor League deal — Mark Prior signed a Minor League deal with the Reds as he attempts to return to the Majors. (Jon Polmar/Special to MLB.com) — SURPRISE, Ariz. …
Discussion:
Redleg Nation
RELATED:
John Fay / Cincinnati Reds:
Mark Prior in camp with the Reds
Mark Prior in camp with the Reds
Discussion:
CBSSports.com, Hit and Run, Minor League Ball, Red Reporter, HardballTalk and MLB Rumors
Tom Haudricourt / JSOnline:
Yovani Gallardo dealing with groin tightness — By Tom Haudricourt of the Journal Sentinel — Phoenix - Manager Ron Roenicke just told us that right-hander Yovani Gallardo has been scratched from his scheduled starting assignment Sunday due to groin tightness that resulted from his last outing.
Discussion:
HardballTalk, Brew Crew Ball and CBSSports.com
Alden Gonzalez / MLB.com:
Reliever Cassevah elects free agency — TEMPE, Ariz. — Reliever Bobby Cassevah elected free agency on Friday. — Cassevah, who was out of options, cleared waivers on Thursday and had 72 hours to decide whether to accept an assignment to the Minor Leagues.
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish
RELATED:
Anthony Castrovince / MLB.com:
Trout a bargain for Halos now, but not for long
Trout a bargain for Halos now, but not for long
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
Chad Jennings / The LoHud Yankees Blog:
Saturday morning notes: Mesa backs out of WBC — Melky Mesa has told the Yankees and Team Dominican Republic that he no longer plans to play in the World Baseball Classic. — I was told that the Yankees did not encourage Mesa to back out — the team actually thinks Mesa would get a chance …
Discussion:
River Avenue Blues
MLB.com:
Root Sports announces 2013 Rockies telecast schedule — Network to televise 150 games; debut new show “Rockies: Real Time” — ROOT SPORTS™ announced today its 2013 Colorado Rockies telecast schedule. The network will air 150 Rockies regular season games, in addition to six spring training games.
Discussion:
Purple Row