The Cubs round out their roster by releasing veteran 1B Kevin Millar and sending OF Micah Hoffpauir and Sam Fuld and C Chris Robinson to the minor leagues. When the dust settles, Chad Tracy has secured a spot on the Cubbies’ bench.

The Cubs round out their roster by releasing veteran 1B Kevin Millar and sending OF Micah Hoffpauir and Sam Fuld and C Chris Robinson to the minor leagues. When the dust settles, Chad Tracy has secured a spot on the Cubbies’ bench.

Pat Venditte, the first ambidextrous pitcher in organized baseball since Greg Harris retired in 1995, gets to show his stuff in an exhibition game 

Pat Venditte, the first ambidextrous pitcher in organized baseball since Greg Harris retired in 1995, gets to show his stuff in an exhibition game for the Yankees against the Braves. The 24-year-old ends the 5th inning by retiring Yunel Escobar on two pitches from the right side; he then moves from one arm to the other as he works his way through the Braves’ batting order in the 6th. When switch-hitter Brooks Conrad steps to the plate, home plate umpire Mike Reilly reminds Venditte of rule 8.01 that states that he must commit to one arm, in order to avoid the fiasco of his professional debut with the Staten Island Yankees in 2008, when he and switch-hitter Ralph Henriquez Jr. changed sides repeatedly in a cat-and-mouse game. Venditte choses to face Conrad right-handed, and retires him on a ground ball to end his turn on the mound, Venditte will start the year with the Class-A Tampa Yankees, where he was 2-0, 2.21 in 21 games last year.

After six years away from the dugout Jim Leyland is hired to manage the Detroit Tigers

Dontrelle Willis’ comeback is on the right track Jim Leyland has made the team as the fifth starter

Dontrelle Willis’ comeback is on the right track, as he is advised by Tigers manager Jim Leyland that he has made the team as the fifth starter. The Tigers also trade P Nate Robertson to Florida for left-handed pitching prospect Jay Voss.

Aroldis Chapman will not start the year in the Cincinnati Reds’ starting rotation

Because of back spasms, heralded Cuban signee Aroldis Chapman will not start the year in the Cincinnati Reds’ starting rotation. However, the 22-year-old impressed everyone in spring training with his velocity and command and is expected to make his major league debut sooner rather than later.