Top News:
Ken Davidoff / New York Post:
This patchwork Bombers squad may get bad reviews — TAMPA — Here is all you need to know about the state of these 2013 Yankees: — Remember the team captain? The guy who turns 39 in June and faces over a century of data that players his age shouldn't be patrolling shortstop anymore?
Discussion:
MLB Rumors and MLB Daily Dish
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Fox Sports:
Age finally catching up to Yankees? — The Bleacher Creatures, those boisterous fans at Yankee Stadium who chant each starter's name in the top of the first inning, may need to think up some new roll calls for Opening Day. — For the missing ... “Cur-tis Gran-der-son!” — “Mark Tei-xeira!”
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
Bryan Hoch / MLB.com:
Teixeira out eight to 10 weeks with wrist strain — TAMPA, Fla. — The Yankees' injury-riddled spring took another serious hit on Wednesday, as the team announced Gold Glove first baseman Mark Teixeira will miss eight to 10 weeks with a strained tendon in his right wrist.
Discussion:
FanGraphs Baseball
Ben Nicholson-Smith / MLB Rumors:
Yankees To Consider Corner Infielders
Yankees To Consider Corner Infielders
Discussion:
Pinstriped Bible, MLB Daily Dish and HardballTalk
T.R. Sullivan / Postcards From Elysian Fields:
Last Call from the Desert...Kyle Lohse, Derek Lowe, Lance Berkman — Wrapping up after the Rangers 3-2 win over the Cubs: … David Murphy on the uncertainty surrounding CEO Nolan Ryan. — A Rangers source on free agent pitcher Kyle Lohse: “We are not going to sign Kyle Lohse.
Discussion:
Baseball Prospectus, HardballTalk, MLB Daily Dish, CBSSports.com, MLB Rumors and Lone Star Ball
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Evan Grant / Texas Rangers Blog:
Source: Texas Rangers close to deal with Derek Lowe
Source: Texas Rangers close to deal with Derek Lowe
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
Brian MacPherson / blogs.providencejournal.com:
Ryan Westmoreland announces retirement from baseball — FORT MYERS, Fla. — Ryan Westmoreland announced his retirement from professional baseball in an email to several members of the media on Wednesday. — “With a clear mind and heart, as well as the unwavering support and friendship of my family …
Discussion:
Boston Globe, CBSSports.com, Over the Monster, HardballTalk and MLB Rumors
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Jason Beck / MLB.com:
Leyland clarifies statement on Porcello — LAKELAND, Fla. — From the moment Jim Leyland said Monday that Rick Porcello as a closer was not necessarily a “wild thought,” one figured the Tigers manager would clarify his remarks to slow the speculation. That clarification came Wednesday.
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish and MLB Rumors
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Jason Beck / MLB.com:
In any inning, or weather, Coke focuses on own game — LAKELAND, Fla. — If there was ever a good day for Phil Coke to say he will focus only on what he can control, Wednesday was it. — On a day with gusty winds and a cloudless sky, where every fly ball at Joker Marchant Stadium became an adventure …
Discussion:
HardballTalk
David Murphy / Philly.com:
Roy Halladay's velocity — Lost in the hoopla about Roy Halladay's pitch that got away against the Nationals yesterday was his actual performance. The veteran righty struck out two, walked one and allowed two hits in four scoreless innings against the Phillies' National League East Rivals.
Discussion:
HardballTalk
Tracy Ringolsby / MLB.com:
Williams misses being GM, but not toll it took on him — GLENDALE, Ariz. — By Thanksgiving last year, Kenny Williams was bouncing off walls. — He had ceded the title of general manager of the White Sox to Rick Hahn in late October, slipping into the role of executive vice president.
Discussion:
Halos Heaven and MLB Rumors
Troy Renck / On the Rox:
Rockies Recap: Rockies 8, Team USA 7 — Rockies 8, Team USA 7 — At Salt River Fields — Hits: Given the lineup and his recent illness, Drew Pomeranz delivered his best performance of the spring. Pomeranz has been sick for four days with a cold that left him weak.
Discussion:
Purple Row
Christina De Nicola / MLB.com:
For Rodriguez, a Mets reunion would be ‘great’ — PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Less than an hour before Team Venezuela played an exhibition game against the Mets at Tradition Field, right-hander Francisco Rodriguez sat in the visiting dugout, ready to catch up with former teammates in the home clubhouse.
Discussion:
NY Daily News, Newsday, Metsblog, CBSSports.com and HardballTalk
Brian McTaggart / MLB.com:
Porter hopes Bedard returns to action soon — VIERA, Fla. — Left-hander Erik Bedard has been limited to only two innings this spring because of a strained gluteal muscle. Astros manager Bo Porter said Bedard had been scheduled to pitch Saturday's game against the Braves, but he didn't pitch.
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish