My, how the mighty have fallen…

As expected, right-handed pitchers Mark Prior and Rocky Cherry, and outfielder Angel Pagan have been optioned to Triple-A Iowa. Prior, 26, went 0-2 with a 6.97 ERA (8 ER/10.1 IP) in four spring training contests (three starts).

Matt Garza by Bill Richardson, Baseball Digest Daily

I hate to question moves by Terry Ryan, but I really don’t like this one…

The Minnesota Twins announced prior to tonight’s game that they have optioned righthanded pitcher Matt Garza to Triple-A Rochester.

Garza was 0-0, 1.50 (12.0 ip, 2 er), allowing nine hits with five walks and seven strikeouts in six appearances (one start) this spring.

Zach Minor was one of three surprise demotions made by the Tigers (Photo by Bill Richardson, Baseball Digest Daily)

• The Tigers optioned the contracts of RHP Zach Miner, INF Ramon Santiago and INF Chris Shelton to Triple-A Toledo.
• The Minnesota Twins announced that they have reassigned the following players to Minor League camp: lefthanded pitcher Mike Venafro, catchers Brad King and Matthew LeCroy and infielders Tommy Watkins and Glenn Williams.
• The Milwaukee Brewers acquired C Maxim St. Pierre from the Kansas City Royals in exchange for RHP Ben Hendrickson. The announcement was made by Executive Vice President and General Manager Doug Melvin.
• Pittsburgh’s Masumi Kuwata underwent an MRI this morning in Bradenton and there is no change in the original diagnosis of a Grade 3 sprain to his right ankle…He is expected to remain on crutches for another seven to 10 days and based on his progress, it will be approximately four to six weeks until he can resume throwing.
• The Orioles announced that they have acquired veteran CA Alberto Castillo from the Boston Red Sox in exchange for minor league OF Cory Keylor.
• The Boston Red Sox announced that righthanded pitchers Manny Delcarmen and Craig Hansen were optioned to Triple-A Pawtucket of the International League. Non-roster righthanded pitcher Bryan Corey was assigned to the minor league camp.
• The Washington Nationals purchased the contract of first baseman Dmitri Young and left-handed pitcher Ray King.
• The San Diego Padres will request unconditional release waivers tomorrow on right-handed pitcher Scott Strickland. Executive Vice President/General Manager Kevin Towers made the announcement.
• Arizona’s Scott Hairston found out this morning that he had made the club and responded by hitting three homeruns in his first three at-bats.
• Cubs manager Lou Piniella announced Tuesday that Wade Miller will be the Chicago Cubs' fifth starter.
• The Reds announced Tuesday that Aaron Harang will be their Opening Day starter for a second consecutive year.
• Diamondbacks manager Bob Melvin on Tuesday named Edgar Gonzalez his fourth starter.

• The San Diego Padres today reassigned infielders Manny Alexander and Royce Huffman, and catcher Luke Carlin to minor league camp.
• The Washington Nationals today announced that first baseman Travis Lee requested and received his unconditional release after informing Nationals Vice President and General Manager Jim Bowden that he did not have the passion to play any longer.The Nationals also optioned right-handed pitcher Joel Hanrahan to Columbus of the Triple-A International League, outrighted right-handed pitcher Tim Redding to Columbus, and reassigned second baseman Joe Thurston to minor-league camp.
• LHP Kurt Birkins, IF Brandon Fahey and RHP Hayden Penn were optioned to AAA Norfolk by the Orioles. Two non-roster invitees – RHP Rob Bell and RHP Jon Leicester – were reassigned to the minor league camp in Sarasota, FL.
• The Pirates reassigned the following three players to minor league camp; outfielder Andrew McCutchen (AA), pitcher Jim Brower (AAA) and infielder Yurendell DeCaster (AAA)…Manager Jim Tracy also announced today that his five starting pitchers to begin the regular season will be Zach Duke, Ian Snell, Tom Gorzelanny, Paul Maholm and Tony Armas; Shawn Chacon will begin the season in the bullpen.
• Buddy Bell announced that Zack Greinke will open the season as the Royals #3 starter.
• With Nick Johnson possibly out until June, the Nationals named Dmitri Young their starting first baseman.
• The Giants reassigned Tim Lincecum to Minor League camp, where he'll prepare to begin the season with Triple-A Fresno. With Lincecum jumping up to AAA, you can expect to see him in San Francisco sooner than later.
• The Mets officially made Mike Pelfrey a member of the starting rotation.
• Pirates infielder and National League batting champion may begin the season on the disabled list with a sprained ligament in his right knee.
• The Cardinals announced their starting rotation of Chris Carpenter, Kip Wells, Braden Looper, Adam Wainwright, and Anthony Reyes.  
• Grady Little named Brett Tomko the 5th starter for the Dodgers to start the season.

At a Spring Training game on Thursday, March 22 against the Kansas City Royals, Baseball Digest Daily writer Scott Edelman caught up with Oakland A’s designated hitter/catcher Mike Piazza in the visiting clubhouse at Surprise Stadium in Arizona.

After a 2006 rebound season with San Diego, in which he batted .283 with 22 home runs and 68 rbi in 126 games, Piazza signed a one-year, $8.5 million contract with the Oakland A’s. Early results appear to be promising – as of March 25, Piazza has a spring batting average of .395 with 3 home runs and 15 rbi in 16 games.

Be sure to read Scott's entire interview with Mike Piazza by clicking on the link.

Lots of news today as we prepare for the season next week…

The Minnesota Twins announced prior to today’s game that they have placed outfielder Lew Ford and infielder Alejandro Machado on the 15-day disabled list, and lefthanded pitcher Francisco Liriano on the 60-day disabled list. The club was also informed that lefthanded pitcher Randy Choate elected free agency, after he was reassigned to Minor League camp on March 21. After today’s game, they have optioned lefthanded pitcher Glen Perkins to Triple-A Rochester.

This morning the Indians optioned INF Hector Luna to AAA Buffalo and reassigned the following three (3) players to minor league camp: CA Armando Camacaro, INF Keith Ginter & RHP Brian Sikorski.

The Florida Marlins today named Andy Fox their new first base / infield coach.

The Pirates Brad Eldred hit his major league leading sixth home run while collecting three RBI.

The Blue Jays reassigned RHP Blaine Neal and RHP Brian Wolfe to minor league camp.

The Royals reassigned outfielder Billy Butler to minor league camp.

John Patterson "kind of passed out" Saturday after shagging flies during batting practice, manager Manny Acta said. According to Rotoworld, it appears as though he was dehydrated.

Nook Logan injured his right groin in the ninth inning of Saturday's game and seems to be questionable for Opening Day.

(Joe Mauer by Bill Richardson - Baseball Digest Daily)

The Kansas City Royals officially announced on Wednesday that Alex Gordon will start the season as the team's third baseman. Three cheers for the new phenom, and congratulations to Dayton Moore and the Royals on another great decision!