2011 – Veteran P Mike Hampton announces his retirement, ending an attempt to make the Arizona Diamondbacks’ staff. Once one of the most durable and consistent starters in the game, he began a string of injuries in 2005 that stunted the last six years of his career. He retires with a record of 148-115.

The Brewers send OF Chris Dickerson to the Yankees in return for P Sergio Mitre, who is expected to take the place of the injured Zack Greinke in the Brewers’ rotation when the season begins. Dickerson serves as insurance for the Yanks, who are concerned over a rib injury to starting CF Curtis Granderson, but unfortunately, he will pull a muscle in his first game for his new team. Mitre’s departure means that three pitchers are now competing for the last two spots in the Yanks’ starting rotation – rookie Ivan Nova and veterans Bartolo Colon and Freddy Garcia. They also sign veteran P Kevin Millwood to a minor league contract, as further insurance in case the trio fails to perform up to expectations, but his services will not be required as all three will pitch well.

Injuries are the story of the day as spring training nears its end. Phillies closer Brad Lidge is shut down with shoulder soreness and will begin the season on the disabled list, where his teammate, All-Star 2B Chase Utley has already claimed a spot. Blue Jays reliever Octavio Dotel has an injured hamstring and also appears headed for the DL, and young Padres ace Mat Latos has an inflamed bursa sack in his right shoulder and will miss his scheduled Opening Day start as a result.

Blue Jays OF Corey Patterson is sent to the hospital when he is hit in the head by a Daniel Bard fastball during a Grapefruit League game with the Boston Red Sox in Fort Myers, FL.

Rangers starting pitcher Tommy Hunter leaves today’s Cactus League game against the Reds in the 2nd inning. He is diagnosed with a groin injury and is expected to be out 6 weeks to allow the injury to heal properly.

Major League Baseball announces that it will organize “El Torneo Supremo” (the Great Tournament) in the Dominican Republic starting April 11th. The event will feature four teams of unsigned prospects who will get an opportunity to enhance their skills and showcase their talent in front of scouts, while also receiving in-classroom education and being taught some life skills. Moises Alou is named Tournament Director, while the managers are Juan Bell, Nelson Norman, Jorge Meran and Nelson Silverio. Mel Rojas and Ben Rivera will serve as pitching instructors.

Phillies P Roy Oswalt is hit behind the ear by a line drive off the bat of the Rays’ Manny Ramirez in a spring training game in Port Charlotte, FL. He is immediately removed from the game, but suffers no significant injury – only a bruise to his neck.

The perjury trial of Barry Bonds, officially named “USA vs. Bonds”, begins in San Francisco, CA with jury selection. The past few weeks have been spent arguing over what evidence would be admissible as the prosecution seeks to demonstrate that Bonds lied to a grand jury in 2003 during the BALCO investigation when he stated that he had never knowingly used steroids. Bonds also faces a charge of obstruction of justice.

The Mets get rid of a second highly-paid player in less than a week, handing P Oliver Perez his release a few days after doing the same to 2B Luis Castillo. Perez is still owed $12 million on a three-year contract that turned out to be a colossal bust. He will be immediately picked up by the Nationals, while the Mets continue to pay the bulk of his salary.