Top News:
Alex Speier / Full Count:
Ben Cherington on D&C: In-season contract talks with Jacoby Ellsbury unlikely — Center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury is is hitting .249/.318/.340. (AP) — Red Sox GM Ben Cherington, in an appearance on the Dennis & Callahan show, said that the Red Sox have talked at various points …
Discussion:
MLB Rumors, HardballTalk and Over the Monster
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Associated Press:
Terry Francona set for Fenway return — CLEVELAND — Indians manager Terry Francona is bracing for a lump in his throat and maybe a tear or two. — He's going back to Boston. — For the first time as an opposing manager, Francona will walk into famed Fenway Park to face the Red Sox …
Discussion:
Over the Monster and Red Sox Monster
Rob Bradford / Full Count:
Source: Jacoby Ellsbury, Red Sox haven't talked contract extension
Discussion:
MLB Rumors and NESN.com
Ryan Divish / Mariners Insider:
Change is coming: Mariners to send down Jesus Montero to Tacoma, bring up Jesus Sucre — On the heels of a six-game losing streak and a 2-7 road trip, the Seattle Mariners will make an expected and needed roster move sometime today. — Catcher Jesus Montero will be sent to Triple-A Tacoma …
Kevin Baxter / Los Angeles Times:
Rehab start goes well for Angels' Jered Weaver — Right-hander gives up one run and six hits over 5 2/3 innings in an extended spring-training game in Arizona. He could return to Angels' rotation next week. — Jered Weaver on Wednesday moved a big step closer to returning from the disabled list …
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William Boor / MLB.com:
On comeback trail, Madson dealing with setback — ANAHEIM — Just as it has done so many times before, Ryan Madson's comeback attempt has taken another unexpected twist. — “Hopefully it's just a little glitch,” manager Mike Scioscia said. “I don't think it's anything major, but he needs to get over this.
Discussion:
HardballTalk
Mark Sheldon / MLB.com:
Choo's stock rising with play for Reds in contract year — Veteran outfielder, pending free agent, likely to attract plenty of attention — CINCINNATI — A revelation who has already exceeded high expectations, center fielder Shin-Soo Choo has been everything and more than the win-now Reds …
Discussion:
MLB Rumors and Red Reporter
Fox Sports:
Don Mattingly vents about Dodgers — Don Mattingly expresses his frustrations with the Dodgers and having his ‘hands tied.’ — Shocker: The Los Angeles Dodgers are disintegrating into a dysfunctional mess. — Manager Don Mattingly benched right fielder Andre Ethier …
Discussion:
True Blue LA and Los Angeles Times
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Dylan Hernandez / Los Angeles Times:
Don Mattingly, wanting Dodgers to be tougher, benches Andre Ethier
Discussion:
Los Angeles Times, FanGraphs Baseball, Purple Row and ESPN
Fox Sports:
Setbacks can't keep Neal Cotts down — Joe Bick rattles off the date — Feb. 10, 2012. It was the day Bick, an agent, broke difficult news to his client, left-hander Neal Cotts. — “Neal, it's heartbreaking for me to tell you this, but I think we've run out of chances,” Bick recalls saying.
Discussion:
Baseball Prospectus and Lone Star Ball
Teddy Cahill / MLB.com:
Mets showing confidence in Plawecki — Catching prospect ‘ready to move’ to next challenge in club's eyes — Even though catcher Kevin Plawecki struggled offensively last summer after the Mets selected him in the supplemental round of the 2012 First-Year Player Draft …
Discussion:
Metsblog and Amazin' Avenue
Tim Dierkes / MLB Rumors:
Indians Designate David Huff For Assignment — The Indians designated lefty David Huff for assignment to open a spot for another southpaw, Scott Barnes, tweeted the team. — Huff, 28, was designated for assignment when the team could not find a spot for him as the season began …
Discussion:
Let's Go Tribe and MLB Daily Dish
MLB.com:
Stanton takes BP on field, feels no discomfort — MIAMI — Progress is being made on Giancarlo Stanton's road to recovery. — The Marlins slugger on Wednesday afternoon took batting practice on the field. He estimated about 50 swings, and felt no discomfort.
Discussion:
Fish Stripes
Click2Houston.com:
Local 2 Investigates: Ball park food on bathroom floor — Snow cone vendor uses toilet, takes food with him … HOUSTON - — The Houston Astros are winning, the hot dogs are selling, and all is right with the world at Minute Maid Park. But not inside a men's restroom.
Discussion:
HardballTalk, Big Lead Sports and Business Insider
Evan Burgos / Capital New York:
The making of a T-shirt mogul and leader of Mets fans — Darren Meenan's obsession with the Mets began with a security guard at the Shea Stadium press entrance: his grandfather, Bill. — Sometimes his grandfather would walk Meenan and his mother up the ramp from the press entrance to the seats behind home plate.
Jorge L. Ortiz / USA Today:
Soriano disses Harper as Nationals' woes continue — SAN FRANCISCO - Misplaced pitches. Punishing walls. Unyielding lockers. All sorts of factors are conspiring against the Washington Nationals, who are finding new ways to turn big preseason expectations into sheer mediocrity.
Discussion:
Nationals Journal, The Strike Zone, Federal Baseball and HardballTalk
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