Top News:
MLB.com:
Melvin back to work after scorpion sting — PHOENIX — At this rate, general managers will need their own disabled list. — Brewers GM Doug Melvin was back in his office by 8 a.m. MT on Thursday after being stung by a scorpion Wednesday night. Just three days earlier …
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Tom Haudricourt / JSOnline:
Scorpion sting sends Brewers GM Doug Melvin to hospital
Scorpion sting sends Brewers GM Doug Melvin to hospital
Discussion:
HardballTalk, The Big Lead and CBSSports.com
Bruce Levine / ESPN:
Source: Chris Sale agrees to deal — GLENDALE, Ariz. — The Chicago White Sox and left-handed pitcher Chris Sale have agreed in principle on a five-year contract extension worth as much as $60 million, according to a league source. — Sale will receive $35 million guaranteed …
Discussion:
South Side Sox, Getting Blanked and MLB Rumors
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Andrew Marchand / ESPN:
Mariano Rivera to retire after season — JUPITER, Fla. — New York Yankees closer Mariano Rivera is expected to announce Saturday that he will retire after the coming season, according to sources. — The announcement will come at 10 a.m. ET from the Yankees' spring training camp in Tampa.
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Zach Links / MLB Rumors:
Rivera To Retire After 2013 Season — 12:03pm: The Yankees have a 10am EDT press conference scheduled Saturday at which Rivera is set to announce that he'll retire following the 2013 season, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports (Twitter links). — 11:03am: Yankees closer Mariano Rivera …
Discussion:
HardballTalk, Pinstriped Bible, SportsGrid, Over the Monster and Boston Globe
Danny Knobler / CBSSports.com Sports News …:
Happy Crawford says of Boston: 'They love it when you're miserable' — GLENDALE, Ariz. — The Dodgers are telling Carl Crawford to be patient. He's saying that playing on opening day remains his goal. — “I want to be there bad,” Crawford said Thursday morning, after a workday that was limited to 50 swings off a tee.
Discussion:
Full Count, Red Sox Monster, HardballTalk, Over the Monster, Boston Globe and Boston Sports Media Watch
Associated Press:
Cards SS Furcal to have Tommy John surgery — JUPITER, Fla. — St. Louis Cardinals shortstop Rafael Furcal will have major surgery on his right elbow next week. — The team did not say in its statement Thursday how long the three-time All-Star will be out.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors and MLB Daily Dish
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Lee Enterprises / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Furcal elects to have elbow surgery
Furcal elects to have elbow surgery
Discussion:
Viva El Birdos
John Marshall / Globe and Mail:
Italy scores two in ninth to stun Mexico at World Baseball Classic — Anthony Rizzo hit a two-run double off San Francisco Giants closer Sergio Romo in the ninth inning and Jason Grilli escaped a bases-loaded jam in the bottom half to help Italy rally to beat Mexico 6-5 in the opening game …
Discussion:
MLB and baseballmusings.com
Evan Grant / Texas Rangers Blog:
Jon Daniels says Texas Rangers never offered him Nolan Ryan's CEO position — SURPRISE, Ariz. - Rangers GM and president of baseball operations Jon Daniels said Thursday morning he was never offered the opportunity to be the team's Chief Executive Officer, a title Nolan Ryan currently holds.
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
Associated Press:
King Felix makes spring debut, solves Royals — Final — Recap — Box Score — Conversation — Mariners' Felix Hernandez helps hand Royals 1st spring loss — SURPRISE, Ariz. — Felix Hernandez waited almost two weeks to get in a game for the Seattle Mariners.
Discussion:
MLB.com and Lookout Landing
Tom Maloney / Globe and Mail:
Youth is not wasted on the rebuilding Miami Marlins — During spring training, major-league teams ordinarily arrange players' lockers in the clubhouse according to a variety of factors, including friendships, seniority, position and, sometimes, mentorship. In Port St. Lucie, Fla. …
Discussion:
Red Reporter
Ben Nicholson-Smith / MLB Rumors:
Orioles Eyeing Dodgers Starters — The Orioles are among the teams eyeing Aaron Harang, and he's not the only Dodgers starter who has captured the attention of Baltimore's decision makers. The Orioles are also scouting trade candidates Ted Lilly and Chris Capuano, according to Roch Kubatko of MASNsports.com (on Twitter).
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish
Andy Martino / NY Daily News:
NY Mets could have moved Jon Niese instead of R.A. Dickey; Yankees' Hal Steinbrenner speaks — Here's a good New York baseball debate for you: Would you have rather traded Jon Niese, instead of R.A. Dickey, to Toronto for Travis d'Arnaud and Noah Syndergaard? — Turns out that the Mets had that choice.
Discussion:
Faith and Fear in Flushing, MLB Daily Dish, Metsblog and MLB Rumors
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
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Jason Beck / MLB.com:
Leyland clarifies statement on Porcello
Leyland clarifies statement on Porcello
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish and MLB Rumors