Matt Morris (left) and Zach Duke (right) warming up for Pitching Coach Jeff Andrews and Manager John Russell
- The Washington Nationals today agreed to terms on a non-guaranteed minor-league contract with left-handed pitcher Odalis Perez. Perez is 66-70 with a 4.47 ERA (584 ER/1175.1 IP) in 222 games (191 starts) spanning nine big league seasons with Kansas City (2006-07), Los Angeles-NL (2002-06) and Atlanta (1998-01). Last season, Perez finished 8-11 with a 5.57 ERA in 27 starts for the Royals.
- The Texas Rangers have signed second baseman Ian Kinsler to a five-year extension through 2012 with a club option for 2013. If the Rangers were to pick up the club option for 2013, the deal would cover the period through Kinsler's first two years of potential free agency.
- Dodger pitchers and catchers worked out for the sixth time this spring, and tomorrow will be joined by all position players for the first full-squad workout. Sandy Koufax was on the grounds for the third day in a row to offer advice to the pitching staff.
- The Detroit Tigers today announced the club has agreed to terms with the following six players on contracts for the 2008 season: righthanded pitchers Yorman Bazardo, Jordan Tata, Virgil Vasquez and Joel Zumaya and outfielders Brent Clevlen and Freddy Guzman.
QUOTES
Tampa Bay Rays Manager Joe Maddon
(On Rocco Baldelli):
JM: We just talked to him yesterday and we just tried to develop a plan in regard to optimizing his work and getting him involved in the games. We talked about some things yesterday, so as we advance into this we have specific ideas in what we are going to do in regard to getting him out there and keeping him healthy. As we get to the games he’ll do a little bit of both [DH and play in the field] as we get into the game situations. He’s going to do his work, outfield work here and obviously his batting practice. We are going to try to find the best way to keep him as fresh as we can and see how it works as we build into the month. Again, keeping an open mind but we have an idea of what we want to do.
- The Kansas City Royals have agreed to terms with seven players to 2008 one-year Major League contract...left-handed pitchers Tyler Lumsden and Neal Musser, right-handed pitcher Julio Pimentel, catcher Matt Tupman, infielders Justin Huber and Mario Lisson and outfielder Mitch Maier.
- Pittsburgh Pirates lefty Damaso Marte has been cleared to resume activities. However, he is still not 100% and will continue to be monitored.
- Miguel Tejada has arrived at his first Houston Astros camp, but declined to discuss steroid usage.
- The St. Louis Cardinals signed veteran left-hander Ron Villone to a minor league contract today.
- Speaking of the Cardinals, former MVP Juan Gonzalez arrived in camp today looking to make a major league roster for the first time since 2005.
- MLBTradeRumors.com is reporting that the Chicago White Sox have come to terms with righthander Bartolo Colon.
- New York Mets first baseman Carlos Delgado is in Port St. Lucie with the club and says the hand he broke on the last day of the 2007 season is fully healed.
- And to wrap up the round up, Houston Astros outfielder Hunter Pence, who fell through a sliding glass door on Monday and cut up his hands and knees, was in good spirits apparently when he labeled himself a "dumbass" on his Facebook profile. Besides the fact that Hunter is a huge Dallas Cowboys fan, I'm really starting to like this kid!