| Mets SS Reyes told to rest 2-to-8 weeks (AP) |
| March 11, 10:56 AM : mlb |
All-Star shortstop Jose Reyes has been told to rest and refrain from athletic activity for 2-to-8 weeks until his thyroid levels normalize, another blow to the New York Mets before opening day. Center fielder Carlos Beltran already is expected to miss the first month of the season following right knee surgery Jan.
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| Rockies extend Helton for 2 years, $9.9M (AP) |
| March 11, 16:58 PM : mlb |
First baseman Todd Helton and the Colorado Rockies agreed Thursday to a $9.9 million. two-year contract extension through the 2013 season. The first baseman is earning $16.6 million this year, and he agreed to defer $13 million of his $19.1 million salary in 2011 over a 10-year period beginning in 2014.
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| Arizona's Webb may start season on DL (AP) |
| March 11, 11:46 AM : mlb |
Arizona manager A.J. Hinch says there's an increasing chance that Brandon Webb will start the season on the disabled list. Webb reached what Hinch called a "plateau" in his comeback from surgery on his right shoulder. He has not thrown a bullpen session for a week after saying he felt "stagnant" and was not making the progress he expected.
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| Knee pain forces OF Giles to retire (AP) |
| March 11, 13:1 PM : mlb |
Brian Giles says the pain in his arthritic right knee is getting worse, and the 39-year-old outfielder informed the Los Angeles Dodgers on Thursday that he will retire. Giles is a career .291 hitter with 287 home runs and 1,078 RBI in 1,847 games. The two-time All-Star also played for the San Diego Padres, Pittsburgh Pirates and Cleveland, calling his trip to the World Series with the Indians in...
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| Lincecum struggles through another start (AP) |
| March 11, 17:10 PM : mlb |
Tim Lincecum's 19-pitch first inning was an adventure. A leadoff double to Ichiro Suzuki followed by a walk. A flyout, then a strikeout on a double steal. And a two-run single by -- surprise -- old San Francisco teammate Ryan Garko. Eric Byrnes eventually grounded out. Lincecum, the two-time reigning NL Cy Young Award winner, doesn't quite look like himself yet at spring training and struggled...
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| Rays select Shields to start opening day (AP) |
| March 12, 11:54 AM : mlb |
The Tampa Bay Rays have selected right-hander James Shields as their opening-day starting pitcher. The 28-year-old also got the assignment the past two seasons and would become the first pitcher in franchise history to get the call three consecutive years. Shields went 11-12 with a 4.14 ERA last season, pitching much better than his record indicated.
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| Brewers giving closer Hoffman extra rest (AP) |
| March 12, 11:3 AM : mlb |
Brewers manager Ken Macha says Trevor Hoffman is on track to make a few spring training appearances before the season begins. Hoffman has yet to appear in an exhibition so far, and the Brewers have been giving the 42-year-old career saves leader extra rest. Hoffman started last season on the disabled list with a strained right oblique muscle and missed the first month.
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| Dodgers lose to Taiwan All-Stars (AP) |
| March 12, 11:36 AM : mlb |
Manny Ramirez and the rest of the Los Angeles Dodgers had a quiet opening in Taiwan. Ramirez went 0 for 3 as the designated hitter, and a Dodgers' split squad heavy on minor leaguers was held to three hits Friday night in a 5-2 loss to a team of Taiwanese All-Stars that opened a three-game exhibition series.
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| BoSox's Lackey throws 3 shutout innings (AP) |
| March 11, 16:16 PM : mlb |
John Lackey is off to a nice start with the Red Sox. The right-hander threw three shutout innings in Boston's 8-2 victory over Jason Bay and the New York Mets on Thursday. Lackey allowed three hits and has yet to allow a run in five innings over two outings this spring. The former Angels star joined the Red Sox in December when he finalized an $82.5 million, five-year contract.
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| A's Duchscherer throws simulated game (AP) |
| March 12, 11:51 AM : mlb |
With all his injuries over the past few years, Oakland right-hander Justin Duchscherer wasn't about to let a line drive off his left thumb keep him off the mound. Duchscherer threw 30 pitches in a simulated game Friday, his first outing against hitters this spring training. Max Stassi's line drive caught Duchscherer on his left thumb, which then ricocheted off his right shoulder.
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