Top News:
Tyler Maun / MiLB News:
Mariners' Montero involved in altercation — Seattle farmhand restrained during confrontation with cross-checker — Seattle's Jesus Montero was involved in an altercation during short-season Everett's game at Boise on Thursday. The first baseman exchanged words with a Mariners cross-checker …
Discussion:
HardballTalk, SBNation.com, Lookout Landing, Bleacher Report, MLB, The Big Lead, Baseball America, Seattle Mariners blog, CBSSports.com and USA Today
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Geoff Baker / The Seattle Times:
Jesus Montero altercation: M's scout says it's wrongly portrayed — What really happened in the Thursday incident between Jesus Montero and Mariners scout Butch Baccala at a minor-league game in Boise? — A Mariners scout involved in a confrontation Thursday night with minor-leaguer Jesus Montero …
Discussion:
Mariners Insider, SBNation.com, U.S.S. Mariner and HardballTalk
Metsblog:
Backman named PCL Manager of the Year — Mets Triple-A manager Wally Backman has been named the 2014 Pacific Coast League Manager of the Year, the league office announced Friday. — Backman, 54, has guided the Las Vegas 51s (80-61) to their second-straight Pacific Southern Division title, spending the entire season in first place.
Discussion:
Amazin' Avenue
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Andy Martino / NY Daily News:
Travis d'Arnaud has turned himself into a keeper — now how do NY Mets save him from concussions?
Travis d'Arnaud has turned himself into a keeper — now how do NY Mets save him from concussions?
Discussion:
Amazin' Avenue and New Jersey Online
Associated Press:
Royals cut veteran Bruce Chen — KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas City Royals designated left-hander Bruce Chen for assignment Friday after six seasons with the team. — The move came one day after he gave up six runs in the 10th inning of an 11-5 loss to Minnesota.
Discussion:
Royals Review
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Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Royals Designate Bruce Chen For Assignment — The Royals have designated veteran lefty Bruce Chen for assignment, according to a tweet from Chris Cotillo of MLBDailyDish.com. Chen, a 37-year-old native of Panama, is playing on a one-year, $4.25MM deal that includes a $5.5MM option for next season ($1MM buyout).
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish
Metsblog:
Game recap — Mets 4, Phillies 1 — Result: The Mets benefited from a late error in Friday's 4-1 win over the Phillies at Citi Field and avoided a three-game losing streak. — Need to Know: Jacob deGrom was stellar over seven innings, not allowing a hit until the fifth and holding …
Discussion:
Amazin' Avenue
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Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
K R — The Astros need an intervention. Or maybe something stronger. — General manager Jeff Luhnow and manager Bo Porter are at odds, according to multiple major-league sources. — Porter expressed his frustration with Luhnow to owner Jim Crane in a conversation earlier this month, sources said.
Discussion:
HardballTalk, MLB Daily Dish, CBSSports.com and The Crawfish Boxes
Associated Press:
Mets Get Gift, Beat Phillies 4-1 Behind deGrom — NEW YORK — Jacob deGrom pitched seven crisp innings and the Mets scored the tiebreaking runs when left fielder Grady Sizemore dropped an easy pop fly, handing New York a 4-1 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies on Friday night.
Discussion:
The Good Phight
Jon Heyman / CBSSports.com:
(USATSI) — Slugger Nelson Cruz and the Orioles got together on a last-minute, one-year deal last spring, but the partnership has worked out so well that people close to the situation figure it could turn into a long-lasting relationship. — While there's no definitive immediate word …
Discussion:
HardballTalk, MLB Daily Dish, Camden Chat and MLB Trade Rumors
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Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Minor Moves: Wilking Rodriguez, Tommy Field — Here are the day's minor moves: — Not long after inking him to a minor league deal, the Yankees have released righty Wilking Rodriguez, Baseball America's Matt Eddy tweets. Rodriguez, 24, had solid minor league numbers with the Royals …
Discussion:
Bucs Dugout
Gerry Fraley / Texas Rangers Blog:
Texas Rangers tie ML record for players used — Texas Rangers players stretch before taking in a workout during spring training baseball practice, Sunday, Feb. 23, 2014, in Surprise, Ariz. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez) — HOUSTON — Ryan Rua will gain a place in Texas Rangers history on Friday night.
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball and baseballmusings.com
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Indians Sign Russell Branyan — The Indians announced (Twitter link) that they have signed veteran corner infielder Russell Branyan to a minor league contract and assigned him to Triple-A Columbus. — The former big league slugger has spent the 2014 season with los Toros de Tijuana …
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish and Let's Go Tribe
Patrick Saunders / Denver Post:
ROCKIES' TROY TULOWITZKI BENT ON PLAYING SHORTSTOP: “I WILL RETIRE BEFORE I MOVE” — The Denver Post — Troy Tulowitzki on playing the shortstop position: “It's all I know and it's all I've ever worked for. So I guess when you have a dream and you accomplish it and someone tries …
Discussion:
HardballTalk
Mark Bowman / MLB.com:
Venters has torn UCL, faces third Tommy John surgery — NEW YORK — After spending the past few months battling the frustration that came courtesy of his attempt to return from a second Tommy John elbow reconstruction surgery, Jonny Venters received some jarring news on Thursday …
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David O'Brien / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Venters will need 3rd TJ surgery if he hopes to pitch again
Venters will need 3rd TJ surgery if he hopes to pitch again
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish