| Garciaparra retires as member of Red Sox (AP) |
| Nomar Garciaparra has retired as a member of the Boston Red Sox. The 1997 American League MVP signed a one-day contract with his former team Wednesday, then announced he's ending his 14-year career. Garciaparra will become an analyst for ESPN. "From the first day I had the thrill of putting on a Red Sox uniform and playing in front of all the great fans at Fenway Park, I have felt at home... |
| Twins' Nathan has torn elbow ligament (AP) |
The Minnesota Twins suddenly have a glaring concern about closing games for the first time since Joe Nathan took over in 2004. Tests on Nathan's right throwing elbow have revealed a significant tear in the ulnar collateral ligament, an injury that could require season-ending Tommy John surgery. Nathan's 246 saves over six seasons are the most in the majors during that span.
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| A-Rod to interview with feds soon (AP) |
Alex Rodriguez's 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. The Yankee slugger said from the team's spring training complex Wednesday that the interview site is under discussion but he would like it to be in Tampa so his training is not...
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| Strasburg pitches 2 scoreless in debut (AP) |
| Stephen Strasburg battled some nerves and location issues during his spring training debut. Other than those minor hiccups, the top prospect was pretty impressive. Strasburg threw two scoreless innings in the Washington Nationals' 9-4 loss to the Detroit Tigers on Tuesday, responding well to the hoopla surrounding his first exhibition start. |
| Santana awful in first game since August (AP) |
Johan Santana struggled in his first game since August, allowing four runs on six hits in 1 2-3 innings, and the Houston Astros beat the New York Mets 8-4 on Tuesday. Kaz Matsui hit a solo homer for the first of four straight hits in the first inning off Santana, who struck out one and walked one. The left-hander made it through the short outing with no setbacks as he continues to build strength...
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| Former Dodgers CF Willie Davis dies (AP) |
Willie Davis, a speedy center fielder who collected two World Series rings, three Gold Gloves and was a two-time All-Star during his 14 seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers, has died. He was 69. "He was beloved by generations of Dodger fans and remains one of the most talented players ever to wear the Dodger uniform.
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| Street may be questioned in doctor probe (AP) |
| Colorado Rockies closer Huston Street says he has been notified that federal investigators might want to talk to him about a Canadian doctor being investigated in probes involving HGH and another drug. Street says he was told by his agents that he "might be interviewed by the U.S. attorney's office regarding the case or by the commissioner's office or both." Street says he visited... |
| Tests show Reyes has overactive thyroid (AP) |
Mets shortstop Jose Reyes has an overactive thyroid and is expected to remain in New York while the results of additional blood tests are used to determine his treatment. Doctors cleared Reyes to play Friday after he took a blood test to follow one conducted during his physical. But team doctors in New York wanted to take a closer look at the speedster and pulled him out of pregame stretching.
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| Johnson homers twice, Sabathia hit hard (AP) |
| Nick Johnson is working on a new hitting philosophy this spring. CC Sabathia is trying to refine his pitching motion. Their results couldn't have been more dissimilar Tuesday. Johnson pulled homers to right in each of his at-bats, while Sabathia was rocked for five runs in two-plus innings in the New York Yankees' 12-7 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates. |
| Rays, Blalock agree to minor league deal (AP) |
| Hank Blalock will get an opportunity to rekindle his career with the Tampa Bay Rays. The two-time All-Star agreed to a minor league contract and reported to spring training on Tuesday. Blalock hit .234 with 25 homers and 66 RBIs in 123 games for the Texas Rangers last year. He missed much of the previous two seasons with injuries and is a .269 career hitter with 152 homers and 535 RBIs. |
