The Phillies are thin on the mound going into the season, as they place starter Joe Blanton on the disabled list, where he joins teammates and bullpen mainstays Brad Lidge and J.C. Romero.

ByBaseball

The Phillies are thin on the mound going into the season, as they place starter Joe Blanton on the disabled list, where he joins teammates and bullpen mainstays Brad Lidge and J.C. Romero.

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

ByTom

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.

Free-swinging slugger Mark Reynolds (.260, 44, 102) and the Diamondbacks agree to a new three-year, $14.5 million contract. The deal covers the 26 year-old third baseman’s first two arbitration years.

ByTom

Free-swinging slugger Mark Reynolds (.260, 44, 102) and the Diamondbacks agree to a new three-year, $14.5 million contract. The deal covers the 26 year-old third baseman’s first two arbitration years.

Justin Upton (.300, 26, 86) and the Diamondbacks come to terms on a $51.25 million, six-year contract, the second-largest deal in franchise history being slightly less than Randy Johnson’s $52.4 million pact in 1999. The 22 year-old outfielder, who was the team’s No. 1 pick in the 2005 draft, was selected to last season’s National League All-Star squad.

ByTom

Justin Upton (.300, 26, 86) and the Diamondbacks come to terms on a $51.25 million, six-year contract, the second-largest deal in franchise history being slightly less than Randy Johnson’s $52.4 million pact in 1999. The 22 year-old outfielder, who was the team’s No. 1 pick in the 2005 draft, was selected to last season’s National League All-Star squad.

Amidst much hoopla, Stephen Strasburg throws two scoreless innings against Detroit in his much anticipated first exhibition start for the Nationals this spring. The former San Diego State right-hander, the recipient of the Golden Spikes award as best amateur baseball player in the nation, was selected as the number one overall pick in last year’s draft, signing a record $15.1 million, four-year deal with Washington.

ByTom

Amidst much hoopla, Stephen Strasburg throws two scoreless innings against Detroit in his much anticipated first exhibition start for the Nationals this spring. The former San Diego State right-hander, the recipient of the Golden Spikes award as best amateur baseball player in the nation, was selected as the number one overall pick in last year’s draft, signing a record $15.1 million, four-year deal with Washington.

The Cardinals sign free agent infielder Felipe Lopez to a one-year deal. He had played for the Cards in 2008 before splitting 2009 between Arizona and Milwaukee.

ByTom

The Cardinals sign free agent infielder Felipe Lopez to a one-year deal. He had played for the Cards in 2008 before splitting 2009 between Arizona and Milwaukee.

The Rangers void Khalil Greene’s contract, announcing the reason for the action is a private matter, and is being done in the best interest of the ballplayer. The 30 year-old utility infielder, who missed 49 games with the Cardinals last season because of social anxiety, was unable to report to spring training last week as a result of his unidentified problem.

ByTom

The Rangers void Khalil Greene’s contract, announcing the reason for the action is a private matter, and is being done in the best interest of the ballplayer. The 30 year-old utility infielder, who missed 49 games with the Cardinals last season because of social anxiety, was unable to report to spring training last week as a result of his unidentified problem.

The Atlanta Braves sign 18-year-old Dominican shortstop Edward Salcedo to a contract. Considered as one of the top talents available on the international market, the youngster receives a signing bonus of $1.6 million. Although expected to begin his professional career with the Class-A Rome Braves, he will be assigned to the Rookie-level DSL Braves instead. Salcedo first signed with the Cleveland Indians in 2007, but the contract was voided when it was discovered that he was underage. He will fail to develop as a star, however.

ByTom

The Atlanta Braves sign 18-year-old Dominican shortstop Edward Salcedo to a contract. Considered as one of the top talents available on the international market, the youngster receives a signing bonus of $1.6 million. Although expected to begin his professional career with the Class-A Rome Braves, he will be assigned to the Rookie-level DSL Braves instead. Salcedo first signed with the Cleveland Indians in 2007, but the contract was voided when it was discovered that he was underage. He will fail to develop as a star, however.

Major League Baseball announces that it will begin testing minor leaguers for human growth hormone this season. The illegal performance-enhancing substance has long been considered undetectable by conventional doping tests, but its presence has recently been isolated through a blood test, which will be used for this purpose.

ByTom

Major League Baseball announces that it will begin testing minor leaguers for human growth hormone this season. The illegal performance-enhancing substance has long been considered undetectable by conventional doping tests, but its presence has recently been isolated through a blood test, which will be used for this purpose.