MLB News Blog

While the Philadelphia Phillies could be without injured closer Brad Lidge on opening day, the Boston Red Sox plan to keep manager Terry Francona around for years to come. Lidge, Philadelphia’s biggest offseason addition, is scheduled for arthroscopic surgery on his right knee Monday that will sideline him for three to six weeks.
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Johan Santana is expected to make his first spring training start for the New York Mets on Friday against St. Louis. Before that, the team will get a good look at reliever Duaner Sanchez. The right-hander is scheduled to pitch in an intrasquad game Monday, a big step in his recovery from shoulder surgery last [...]

Arizona Diamondbacks third baseman Chad Tracy took a big step in his rehabilitation Sunday. Make that several big steps. Tracy, recovering from microfracture surgery on his right knee, went through agility drills on a side field at Tucson Electric Park. The workout was viewed as a milestone in Tracy’s long road back.
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Chicago Cubs second baseman Mark DeRosa was released from the hospital Sunday evening, the team said, one day after complaining of a rapid heartbeat during fielding drills. Cubs spokesman Peter Chase announced DeRosa’s release shortly after 5 p.m. Sunday. The team initially said DeRosa was released Saturday evening, but later said he was kept overnight [...]

Scott Olsen will start the Florida Marlins’ spring training opener against the Washington Nationals on Wednesday, and he hopes to get the nod for opening day too. Dontrelle Willis, traded to the Detroit Tigers in December, started Florida’s past two spring training openers and wound up starting on opening day both years.
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Derek Jeter would like to play in the World Baseball Classic again next year. The 2009 WBC will have the same 16-team field that competed in the inaugural tournament in March 2006. “I’d like to. I enjoyed it,” Jeter said Sunday after the New York Yankees’ workout. The tournament, organized by Major League Baseball and [...]

If one remembers, just a few years back Rocco Baldelli was drawing comparisons to another center fielder who wore number five, Joe DiMaggio. Although that analogy seems laughable now due to numerous injuries, Baldelli is still a key to the Rays’ future success, perhaps the team’s X-factor in 2008, says Ted Fleming of Rays Digest.
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It seems Seth Smith has been watching and waiting his whole life. The 25-year-old rookie who helped fuel the Colorado Rockies’ remarkable run to the World Series with his clutch bat off the bench is among four outfielders competing for two backup jobs with the NL champions. Being an understudy is nothing new to Smith, [...]

Roger Clemens might show up at Houston Astros spring training this week for a minor league minicamp that includes his son, Koby. The minicamp begins Monday in Kissimmee and Koby Clemens, a catcher in the Astros’ minor league system, is expected to participate. Minor leaguers could check in for the camp on Sunday, but neither [...]

Jim Hendry moves from field to field, cracking jokes and chatting with coaches while watching the team he assembled get ready for a milestone season. This year marks the 100th anniversary of the Chicago Cubs’ last World Series winner. “I’m just going by the last five. That’s all I’ve been the GM for,” Hendry said.
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