Alex Rodriguez may soon be talking to federal authorities, and he hopes it will happen close to spring training. Lawyers for the Yankees slugger are setting up an interview as part of an investigation into a Canadian doctor who is the focus of a cross-border drug smuggling case involving human growth hormone.
Intertwined throughout the Hot Stove months, John Lackey and Jason Bay meet on the diamond today when the Red Sox visit the Mets. It's Bay's first meeting against his former team.
LAKELAND, Fla. (AP) -- Curtis Granderson, playing against Detroit for the first time since being traded to New York, had two hits and made a spectacular one-handed catch against the center-field wall to help the Yankees beat the Tigers 9-8 on Wednesday.
Four Dominican Summer League players have been suspended for 50 games following positive tests for steroids under baseball's minor league drug program.
GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) -- On his first day as Dodgers interim manager, hitting coach Don Mattingly confirmed Wednesday that the team has made overtures about him eventually becoming Joe Torre's permanent replacement.
Sure, there have been some happy exceptions, says Joe Posnanski, but Jose Reyes' thyroid issue is just more proof that if something can go wrong for the Mets it almost certainly will.
Wednesday's MLB news briefs: Four Dominican Summer League players, including a pair of New York Yankees prospects, have been suspended for the first 50 games of the season following positive tests for steroids under baseball's minor league drug program.
Six years after he was traded away for the final pieces of Boston's World Series puzzle, Nomar Garciaparra finally got a friendly farewell from the Red Sox. The rookie of the year, batting champion and All-Star whose trade began a bitter back-and-forth in Boston and, for Garciaparra, an inglorious slide into irrelevance, signed a ceremonial one-day contract with the Red Sox on Wednesday for...
Miguel Olivo was charged with 10 passed balls last season in 103 games behind the plate. In 2007 with the Marlins, he was charged with 16 passed balls in 119 games. So Olivo is rising early to correct the issue.
On his first day as Dodgers interim manager, hitting coach Don Mattingly said Wednesday that the team has made overtures about him eventually becoming Joe Torre's permanent replacement. With Torre en route to Taiwan to manage a Dodgers split squad for three exhibition games, Mattingly is in charge of the team in Arizona and will work at least five games as manager.
Ben Sheets' first two starts with the A's haven't exactly been cause for celebration, but the right-hander wants to stress that they also haven't been cause for concern.
Major League Baseball's leading executive in Latin America, Ronaldo Peralta has been ousted, according to an e-mail sent to baseball executives and obtained by SI.com.
Carlos Zambrano gave up his at-bats Wednesday so Xavier Nady could hit. Zambrano, who doesn't like to miss a chance to swing the bat, volunteered them to Nady, who made his spring debut as the Cubs' designated hitter.
Angels center fielder Torii Hunter reacted with dismay on Wednesday when he heard about a newspaper story focusing on race in baseball that contained a quote casting him in an unfavorable light.
PHOENIX (AP) -- Los Angeles Angels center fielder Torii Hunter insists he meant no harm toward Latino players when he referred to them as "impostors" while discussing the number of African-Americans in the major leagues.
Cliff Lee accomplished his primary objective in his delayed spring debut, then began to work on the rest of his repertoire. The Seattle Mariners' prized offseason acquisition threw 36 of 46 pitches for strikes over three solid innings in a 6-3 victory over the Texas Rangers on Wednesday. "I want to locate fastballs, that's the No.
MESA, Ariz. (AP) -- Cubs general manager Jim Hendry says Milton Bradley should stop blaming the team, manager and fans for his failure to produce during his tumultuous season in Chicago.
The competition between Joba Chamberlain and Phil Hughes for the fifth spot in the Yankees' starting rotation could have taken a turn for the worse for Chamberlain after his performance in Wednesday's 9-8 win over the Tigers, but manager Joe Girardi clearly has a plan in place for the two pitchers.
Wednesday's spring training roundup: Zack Greinke, the reigning American League Cy Young Award winner, extended his scoreless streak this spring to six consecutive innings to help the Royals to a 5-0 victory.
Don Mattingly's first day as Spring Training manager of the Dodgers ended in a 4-4 tie against the D-backs, but he'll probably remember it more for a baseball rarity after his team batted out of order as a result of its own lineup-card snafu.
Tampa Bay Rays prized left-hander David Price, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2007 draft, left Wednesday's 8-6 win over the Boston Red Sox in the bottom of the second inning after being hit on the right hand by the barrel of a shattered bat. According to Rays team spokesman Rick Vaughn, Price had an abrasion on his right thumb and will not need stitches.
Four Minor League players were suspended for 50 games on Wednesday after each tested positive for substances that violate the Minor League Drug Prevention and Treatment Program.
Give this to Tigers manager Jim Leyland -- when it comes to picking a starting rotation, he at least has some options. So do all of the people trying to suggest to him what to do.
Nomar Garciaparra, a two-time batting champion and six-time All-Star, announced his retirement on Wednesday at a press conference held by his original team.
The Cards will be without the heart of their order for at least a few days, with Matt Holliday coming down with a right intercostal injury and Albert Pujols still dealing with a sore lower back.
After tossing just one inning Wendesday, Derek Lowe hopes that the reappearance of a familiar blister doesn't further delay the preparations he needs before making his Opening Day start.
Another day, another three shutout innings for Zack Greinke. Even so, Greinke's second start wasn't nearly an impressive as his 2010 Cactus League debut.
Johnny Damon didn't get to play Wednesday, but Curtis Granderson made the play of the day in the first meeting between the New York Yankees and Detroit Tigers since their winter exchange of outfielders and pitchers. Granderson's catch against the center-field wall robbed Miguel Cabrera of at least an RBI double in the fourth inning, keeping the Yankees in the game before Greg Golson hit a...
Albert Pujols was expected to rejoin the St. Louis Cardinals' lineup on Wednesday, but his return has been pushed back at least one more day. Pujols was originally slated to play first base, then was moved to designated hitter before becoming a late scratch against the Washington Nationals because of a sore back.
For almost each hit the Giants' Pablo Sandoval has stroked this spring, he has made an eye-opening play afield. Kung Fu Panda, Gold Glove winner? Why not?
Curtis Granderson walked by the home clubhouse at Joker Marchant Stadium and ran into plenty of old teammates. He also ran into at least one old friend he never had the chance to play with: Johnny Damon.
Los Angeles Angels center fielder Torii Hunter insists he meant no harm toward Latino players when he referred to them as "impostors" while discussing the number of African-Americans in the major leagues. Hunter's original comments were made two weeks ago in one of a series of USA Today roundtables about baseball and published in Wednesday's editions.
While the Twins and Joe Nathan are hoping that rest and rehab will allow his injured right elbow to heal in the near future, the closer does have other treatment options, if needed.
Kyle Drabek has been talking to his dad a lot these days. And why not? Drabek has a former Cy Young Award winner as a resource and the youngster has faced many new challenges since the Blue Jays acquired him from the Phillies over the winter.
Advances in technology haven't only changed how Matt DeMargel markets the Durham Bulls since he joined the team in 2001. They have changed how he does his job since the end of last season.
While Curtis Granderson performed well against his former team on Wednesday, Johnny Damon was relegated to the sidelines because of an injury, though he had time to discuss his departure from the Yankees.
Cubs general manager Jim Hendry says Milton Bradley should stop blaming the team, manager and fans for his failure to produce during his tumultuous season in Chicago. "I think it's time maybe Milton looked himself in the mirror," an agitated Hendry said Wednesday in response to Bradley's latest charges that he was mistreated by the Cubs.
Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo said Wednesday that he was impressed with Stephen Strasburg's performance in Tuesday's loss to the Tigers. However, the young phenom's performance didn't do anything to change Rizzo's plans for him.
All you need to know about the "awe factor" of Marlins prospect Mike Stanton's mammoth home run to left field on Wednesday afternoon was the reaction of the Astros' Carlos Lee in left field.
Rays left-hander David Price exited Wednesday's 8-6 win over the Red Sox after being struck on his glove hand with a broken bat, but he appears to be fine, having suffered only an abrasion to his right palm that did not require stitches.
Los Angeles Angels center fielder Torii Hunter insists he meant no harm toward
Latino players when he recently referred to them as 'impostors' while discussing
the number of African-Americans in the major leagues.
Right-hander Jake Peavy, acquired at last July's non-waiver Trade Deadline, is spending his first Spring Training with the White Sox, and he clearly looks like a formidable force with the South Siders.
Alex Rodriguez says his lawyers are setting up an interview with federal authorities as part of an investigation into a Canadian doctor who is the focus of a cross-border drug smuggling case involving human growth hormone.
Baltimore Orioles second baseman Brian Roberts said Wednesday he is better, two days after feeling ill. He said he wasn't sure if the illness was due to a medication given during his rehabilitation for a back injury. Roberts, who led the American League with 56 doubles last season, has yet to play this spring.
Chuck Greenberg visited the Texas Rangers spring training complex for the first time Wednesday, and expressed confidence that the complex deal for his investment group's purchase of the team will be completed before the season opens next month.
Hitting coach Don Mattingly looked comfortable on his first semi-official morning as Dodgers manager, and in a few years, he might seem even more at home if he becomes the successor to Joe Torre.
Matt LaPorta is not just one of the more promising young players on a developing Indians ballclub, he's a fountain of what Tribe players have begun to refer to as "LaPortaisms."
Wearing red Rangers jackets, prospective owner Chuck Greenberg and Ray Davis, one of his key investors, visited camp Wednesday to see the club and reiterate their message that the transfer of the team from Hicks Sports Group to their ownership group is on track to be finalized by the beginning of next month.
From 1997 till 2003 Nomar Garciaparra was a Boston icon, equal parts superstar and cult hero. So it was only fitting that he retired Wednesday in a Red Sox jersey, says Joe Lemire.
Brad Lidge stretched with his Phillies teammates on Wednesday. When he was done, he walked over to a nearby field to throw batting practice for the first time this spring.
Cubs general manager Jim Hendry says Milton Bradley should stop blaming the team, manager and fans for his failure to produce during his tumultuous season in Chicago.
The Rays were the biggest story in baseball in 2008, but lost their edge in 2009. Now, they hope to get it back with a better bullpen, clutch hitting and mental muscle, says Joe Lemire.
After another Mets medical scenario had taken an odd twist, a morning conversation among the Mets' hierarchy, the club's primary physician and an agent representing Jose Reyes put the club and Reyes on the same page.
By now, Daniel Bibona has been amazingly consistent for UC Irvine, but even after turning in an All-America junior season last year, Bibona is finding ways to improve his game.
General manager Jim Hendry said Milton Bradley's implication that someone inside the Cubs organization sent him hate mail last year was "absolutely ridiculous" and the outfielder needs to "look in the mirror."
Nomar Garciaparra rejoined the Red Sox for one day and then retired, ending a 14-year career in which he won two batting titles with Boston and was once a beloved player in the city.
Jason Heyward arrived at ESPN's Wide World of Sports complex on Wednesday prepared to play. But the Braves opted to take the precautionary route by providing him a day to rest his sore upper back.
Alex Rodriguez says his lawyers are setting up an interview with federal authorities as part of an investigation into a Canadian doctor who is the focus of a cross-border drug smuggling case involving human growth hormone.
Instead of signing a power bat, Seattle gave Chone Figgins $36 million, asked him to play second and hit behind Ichiro. Figgins and the M's say they're ready to handle the increased expectations, Danny Knobler says.
Do chicks dig glove work? The Red Sox will find out this year. Known for hitting homers over the Green Monster, Boston is switching gears a bit. Flashing the leather is in vogue now, Scott Miller says.
Longtime Land of Enchantment resident Ray Birmingham believes he can make New Mexico into a college baseball winner. He seems to have his players believing, too, as the Lobos won early-season series at top-ranked Texas and Southern California.
Which prospects will make the biggest moves up the Top 100 list a year from now? Which prospects received votes but didn't crack the Top 100? Is there a better way to handle draft-pick compensation?
Winter ball isn't what it used to be. Between the increasing number of prospects who shut it down after the Arizona Fall League and winter ball teams who are looking to win now, the winter ball rosters don't have as many prospects as they may have years ago. But here are four prospects who did stand out.
In 2008-2009, Wilson Ramos helped Venezuela win the Caribbean Series, batting .317/.331/.475 in the regular season and .385 in the first four games of the Caribbean Series. In 2009-10, Ramos took his play up significantly, batting .332/.397/.582 and ranking among the league leaders in RBIs and total bases (first, 49 and 119); slugging percentage (second) and home runs (third, 12). For his performance, Ramos has earned Baseball America's Winter Player of the Year Award.
Will Startup could be nothing more than lefthanded bullpen depth in the Orioles farm system. Or maybe he'll turn out to be a whole lot more. There's plenty of time to find out.
Dan Turpen doesn't have an identical twin, but he has an idea what the bond must feel like. The sturdy-framed righthander reported to major league camp at Scottsdale Stadium this spring. Barely a mile away, lifelong teammate and lefthanded reliever Joe Paterson had a locker waiting for him at the Giants' minor league complex.
It's a make-or-break spring for righthanders Tim Stauffer and Sean Gallagher. Both have shown flashes of brilliance over their careers. Both have had their struggles. Both are out of options and must make the club or find another employer.
The Cardinals' top prospect, righthander Shelby Miller, knew he would be making an appearance in big league camp sometime this spring. He just didn't expect it to be this soon, nor in this role.
