The Reds optioned 1B Joey Votto to Class AAA Louisville today and reassigned P Homer Bailey to their minor league camp. Bailey struggled a bit this spring, but don't read too much into that. He's still one of the top 5-10 prospects in the game today.

(Joe Mauer leads the Twins into battle against the tough A.L. Central - Bill Richardson, Baseball Digest Daily)

If anyone is an expert on the American League Central, it's Craig Brown. Not only does Craig write for us here at BDD, but he also runs the well-known Kansas City Royals blog, Royals Authority. Craig will also be covering the Royals this season as a credentialed member of the media, bringing his readers even closer to the action.

Today, Mr. Brown provides his analysis of the A.L. Central and gives us insight into players to buy, players to avoid, and players who he thinks will make an impact in 2007.

You can read all about baseball's toughest division right now in BDD's A.L. Central Fantasy Analysis.

• Former commissioner Bowie Kuhn died Thursday at the age of 80. 
• The Brewers made the following roster moves today: Added LHP Joe Thatcher (#60) to Major League camp, returned RHP Tim Dillard, RHP Chris Oxspring, RHP Alec Zumwalt and C Lou Palmisano to minor-league camp, and optioned LHP Manny Parra to Double-A Huntsville.
• Pirates manager Jim Tracy announced that Zach Duke would start the season opener in Houston on April 2.
• Today the Indians optioned INF Michael Aubrey & RHP JD Martin to AA Akron and RHP Edward Mujica & LHP Rafael Perez to AAA Buffalo. The Indians also re-assigned the following three (3) players to minor league camp: INF Asdrubal Cabrera, CA Max Ramirez & LHP Jason Stanford.
• Dodger infielder Tony Abreu is making the most of his stint in big league camp this spring. Abreu is hitting .407 (11-for-27) with a team-leading three homers, two doubles and nine RBI in 13 games. The Dominican Republic native has logged 52.0 innings at second base and 18.0 innings at shortstop while making just one error and turning in several defensive gems. In his last seven games, Abreu is hitting .474 (9-for-19) with three homers, a double, and nine RBI.
• The Minnesota Twins announced today that they have optioned righthanded pitcher Julio DePaula to Triple-A Rochester, and reassigned righthanded pitcher Tristan Crawford to Minor League camp.
• The San Diego Padres optioned left-handed pitcher Ryan Ketchner and infielders Luis Cruz and Craig Stansberry to Triple-A Portland. The club also reassigned right-handed pitcher Steve Watkins and infielder Brian Myrow to minor league camp. Additionally, the Padres have requested waivers on right-handed pitcher Mike Adams for the purpose of giving him his unconditional release.
• Prior to Wednesday’s spring training game vs. Milwaukee, the Chicago White Sox made the following 14 roster moves: C Cole Armstrong, RHP Lance Broadway, C Donny Lucy, LHP Corwin Malone, INF Junior Spivey and LHP Wes Whisler were reassigned to minor-league camp; INF Andy Gonzalez, INF Pedro Lopez, LHP Heath Phillips, LHP Paulino Reynoso and INF Casey Rogowski were optioned to Class AAA Charlotte; RHP Dewon Day, RHP Oneli Perez and LHP Carlos Vasquez were optioned to Class AA Birmingham.
• Kris Benson will have surgery on his ailing right shoulder, and the Baltimore Orioles right-hander likely will be sidelined for the entire 2007 season.
• The Dodgers announced Wednesday that 22-year-old right-hander Chad Billingsley, a candidate for the team's fifth starting spot, will instead be used as a middle reliever to begin the season.
• Jason Isringhausen made his first game appearance since hip surgery last year, pitching a scoreless inning Thursday for the Cardinals against the Dodgers.
• The Cubs announced Thursday that Kerry Wood won't throw for the next several days because of soreness in his triceps.
• Brandon Webb will miss his next scheduled start on Saturday because of a sore neck.
• Sammy Sosa was added to the Texas Rangers 40 man roster on Thursday.
• The New York Mets optioned pitching prospect Philip Humber and left-hander Jason Vargas to their minor league camp Thursday
• Gary Sheffield has left the Detroit Tigers to deal with a personal matter and likely will return on Friday.
• Pittsburgh’s Ronny Paulino has 10 hits in his last 14 at bats and is hitting .455 (10-for-22) this spring.

Things are heating up in college baseball, and Dean, of course, has it covered! March Madness doesn't end on the court as Miami and North Carolina square off on the diamond in the series of the week.

So don't forget to check out...the NCAA Weekend in Review