Top News:
Peter Abraham / Boston Globe:
DL stint could cost Ortiz $4 million — FORT MYERS, Fla. — As the Red Sox prepare to start the season without David Ortiz, it is worth reviewing what was said in October when he was signed to a two-year deal and what protection the Red Sox built into that contract.
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Ian Browne / MLB.com:
Morales looking more likely to start season on DL — PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. — It is becoming less likely that lefty reliever Franklin Morales can get healthy in time to start the season on the active roster. Morales has been bothered by a lower back issue and has pitched just once during Spring Training.
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish, Over the Monster and HardballTalk
Rob Bradford / Full Count:
David Ortiz shut down at least 5-7 days; Opening Day in doubt
Discussion:
Over the Monster, Boston Globe, MLB Daily Dish, Red Sox Monster, Let's Go Tribe and Getting Blanked
Joel Sherman / New York Post:
Odd offers recall George, but team flaws don't — TAMPA — George Steinbrenner would have loved the Yankees' pursuit of Chipper Jones, including calling whatever the organization did yesterday a “pursuit.” — The Boss adored chasing superstars and assuring the Yankees dominated news cycles.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors and HardballTalk
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David Waldstein / Bats:
Yankees Tell Reporters to Reach Out to Jones — Chipper Jones and girlfriend Taylor Higgins at the state capitol building in Atlanta on Tuesday. He received accolades from legislators. — TAMPA, Fla. - With his sagging ship of a team listing in uncertain waters, General Manager Brian Cashman sent …
Discussion:
CBSSports.com
Adam Berry / MLB.com:
Mariano announces '13 will be his final season
Discussion:
The Big Lead and Baseball Prospectus
Evan Grant / Texas Rangers Blog:
Texas Rangers Jurickson Profar could be headed to World Baseball Classic after all — SURPRISE, Ariz. After facing a crisis over his career vs. his country early in the spring, Rangers INF Jurickson Profar might just get the best of both worlds this weekend.
Discussion:
CBSSports.com, Getting Blanked and Baseball America
RELATED:
Brett Bull / New York Times:
The Netherlands Eliminates Cuba at World Baseball Classic — TOKYO — Kalian Sams hit a ninth-inning sacrifice fly to cap a come-from-behind, 7-6 win over Cuba on Monday night at Tokyo Dome that sends the Netherlands to the World Baseball Classic semifinals in San Francisco next week.
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue
Barry M. Bloom / MLB.com:
US controls its Classic destiny thanks to Wright
Discussion:
AZ Snake Pit and CBSSports.com
Philly.com:
Touch 'Em All: Jelly Joe Blanton no more — When Joe Blanton takes the mound for the first time in Angel Stadium with his new team, fans who have been oblivious to his career since he left the Phils may be a little surprised. — Blanton, who signed with the Halos as a free agent in December …
Discussion:
HardballTalk and baseballmusings.com
Steve Gilbert / MLB.com:
Miley scratched from start with biceps discomfort — Lefty calls it ‘dead arm’ issue; club confident he'll be ready for next turn — SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — The D-backs scratched left-hander Wade Miley from his scheduled start Tuesday with some discomfort in his left biceps muscle.
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish, Hardball Times and HardballTalk
David Waldstein / Bats:
Yankees Are Said to Pursue Derrek Lee as Replacement for Mark Teixeira — DUNEDIN, Fla. — With few obvious options available to replace the injured Mark Teixeira at first base, the Yankees are becoming creative in their search. They have asked the retired first baseman Derrek Lee whether …
Discussion:
The LoHud Yankees Blog, River Avenue Blues, HardballTalk, CBSSports.com, MLB Daily Dish and MLB Rumors
Associated Press:
Samardzija Homers in Cubs' 7-5 Win Over D-Backs — SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Jeff Samardzija homered and allowed four runs over 4 2-3 innings Monday in the Chicago Cubs' 7-5 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks 7-5. — Samardzija, prepping for an opening-day start at Pittsburgh on April 1 …
Discussion:
MLB.com, Bleed Cubbie Blue and AZ Snake Pit
Alex Speier / Full Count:
Alfredo Aceves: 'You're just trying to defend and knock them out' — FORT MYERS, Fla. — Red Sox right-hander Alfredo Aceves returned to Fort Myers to rejoin his team following Team Mexico's elimination from the World Baseball Classic, armed with a duffel bag adorned in the green, white and red of his home country.
Discussion:
Over the Monster, Boston Globe and HardballTalk
Matthew Cerrone / Metsblog:
Why did the Mets send Zack Wheeler to minor league camp? — Matthew Cerrone, MetsBlog.com: — The Mets sent Zack Wheeler down to minor-league camp yesterday, more or less guaranteeing he will not be on the Opening Day roster, a) because he has been working back from an oblique injury …
Discussion:
Amazin' Avenue
