Top News:
Kevin Baxter / Los Angeles Times:
Concern mounting about Hank Conger's throwing — The Angels like Hank Conger's bat, but his four errors and failure to throw out base stealers are red flags, and the team could look to acquire a backup catcher. — Angels catcher Hank Conger hits a two-run single during the sixth inning …
Discussion:
MLB Rumors, Halos Heaven and HardballTalk
Fox Sports:
Free-agent Lohse itchin' for job — The latest word on free-agent right-hander Kyle Lohse is that he's getting “antsy.” — “Why wouldn't he be?” one friend of Lohse's said. — Opening Day is two weeks from Monday. Lohse, 34, still is not in a major league camp.
Discussion:
Baseball Prospectus and MLB Rumors
Patrick Saunders / On the Rox:
Rockies Recap: Giants 9, Rockies 7; Chacin hit hard, Cuddyer drives in 3 — At Scottsdale Stadium — SCOTTSDALE, ARIZ. — Good thing this game didn't count. — The Rockies lost 9-7, giving up four runs in the bottom of the ninth. The killer blow was Cole Gillespie's walk-off three run homer off lefty reliever Danny Rosenbaum.
Discussion:
Purple Row
RELATED:
Patrick Saunders / On the Rox:
Rockies Recap: Mariners 5, Rockies 2; Pomeranz pitches uneven 5 innings
Rockies Recap: Mariners 5, Rockies 2; Pomeranz pitches uneven 5 innings
Discussion:
Purple Row
Ben Badler / Baseball America:
Cubs Sign Armando Rivero For $3.1 Million Bonus — The Cubs have signed Cuban righthander Armando Rivero to a contract with a $3.1 million bonus. — International sources last year in July said the Cubs were going to sign Rivero for the same terms, so it appears the agreement may have been in place for several months.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
Nick Cafardo / The Boston Globe:
Ranking the major league managers — Over the past few spring trainings, we've dabbled in ranking the managers as they are about to enter the season. We take into consideration past performances, plus struggles, rosters, communication, tactical ability, longevity etc. It's all subjective.
Discussion:
Full Count, HardballTalk, Viva El Birdos and Over the Monster
John Manuel / Baseball America:
Puerto Rico Goes On Without Vazquez — SAN FRANCISCO—Javier Vazquez accompanied Puerto Rico manager Edwin Rodriguez to AT&T Park's interview room before Sunday's World Baseball Classic semifinal. — Had Puerto Rico added the veteran righthander as an injury replacement/reinforcement?
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue, McCovey Chronicles, Viva El Birdos and baseballmusings.com
RELATED:
Alden Gonzalez / MLB.com:
Headley jams left thumb, awaits X-ray results — TEMPE, Ariz. — Padres third baseman Chase Headley jammed his thumb while trying to break up a double play against the Angels on Sunday, prompting him to leave the game after just one inning to undergo an X-ray.
Discussion:
HardballTalk and Gaslamp Ball
Mike Puma / New York Post:
Tells Collins he'll play on Opening Day — PORT ST. LUCIE — David Wright is refusing to make a public decree about Opening Day, but his words to his manager yesterday upon returning to the Mets revealed the third baseman's mindset. — “He reassured me he'll be ready,” …
Discussion:
Amazin' Avenue and Metsblog
Ben Nicholson-Smith / MLB Rumors:
MLB, MLBPA Talking Worldwide Draft — Major League Baseball could have a worldwide draft in place sooner, rather than later. MLB and the MLB Players Association are pushing to strike a deal for a worldwide draft by June 1st, Eric Fisher of the Sports Business Journal reports (Twitter links).
Discussion:
HardballTalk and Bucs Dugout
Mike Bauman / MLB.com:
Blue-collar Colletti at helm of new-look Dodgers — GLENDALE, Ariz. — Life has changed dramatically for the Los Angeles Dodgers franchise. You could also amend that statement to “improved dramatically” with no risk of inaccuracy. — And yes, the money available to be spent on player payroll is also new and improved.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
Wallace Matthews / ESPN:
Mark Teixeira's injury more serious — TAMPA, Fla. — The injury that will keep New York Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira out of the lineup until May at the earliest is not a wrist strain, as originally reported, but a partially torn tendon sheath that could potentially require season-ending surgery.
Discussion:
NESN.com
Tom Haudricourt / JSOnline:
Brewers could still land pitcher Kyle Lohse — Free agent unsigned after 16-3 season — Phoenix - I have been asked many times in recent weeks if I think the Milwaukee Brewers will sign right-hander Kyle Lohse, and my response has been the same each time.
Discussion:
HardballTalk