Albert Pujols gives the Cardinals a scare as he is scratched from the line-up for today’s Grapefruit League game against the Red Sox, suffering from tightness in his lower back. The 2009 National League MVP has already missed a week of work this spring; he undergoes a MRI and receives an anti-inflammatory injection as a precaution. On the positive side of the ledger for the Cards, OF Matt Holliday is back in the line-up after missing two weeks with a strained chest muscle.

ByTom

Albert Pujols gives the Cardinals a scare as he is scratched from the line-up for today’s Grapefruit League game against the Red Sox, suffering from tightness in his lower back. The 2009 National League MVP has already missed a week of work this spring; he undergoes a MRI and receives an anti-inflammatory injection as a precaution. On the positive side of the ledger for the Cards, OF Matt Holliday is back in the line-up after missing two weeks with a strained chest muscle.

With the same pen he used to sign his rookie contract in 2001, Twins catcher Joe Mauer (.365, 28, 96) signs a $184 million, eight-year contract extension, keeping him with the small market team through 2018. Last year, the 26 year-old backstop, after starting the season on the DL as result of back surgery the previous year, captured his third batting crown and was named the American League’s Most Valuable Player.

ByThis Day in Baseball

With the same pen he used to sign his rookie contract in 2001, Twins catcher Joe Mauer (.365, 28, 96) signs a $184 million, eight-year contract extension, keeping him with the small market team through 2018. Last year, the 26 year-old backstop, after starting the season on the DL as result of back surgery the previous year, captured his third batting crown and was named the American League’s Most Valuable Player.