With spring training coming to an end, the disabled list is getting crowded. Among those who will miss the beginning of the season are Mets SS Jose Reyes, who missed most of 2009 with injuries and joins teammates Daniel Murphy, Carlos Beltran and Kelvim Escobar on the list; Rangers 2B Ian Kinsler, suffering from a sprained ankle; Astros 1B Lance Berkman, recovering from knee surgery, and two Houston pitchers, Alberto Arias and Yorman Bazardo; Rockies closer Huston Street, shelved by shoulder stiffness; and Toronto P Mark Rzepczynski, out with a broken finger, the result of being struck on his pitching hand by a ball batted by the Yankees’ Ramiro Pena a day earlier.

ByThis Day in Baseball

With spring training coming to an end, the disabled list is getting crowded. Among those who will miss the beginning of the season are Mets SS Jose Reyes, who missed most of 2009 with injuries and joins teammates Daniel Murphy, Carlos Beltran and Kelvim Escobar on the list; Rangers 2B Ian Kinsler, suffering from a sprained ankle; Astros 1B Lance Berkman, recovering from knee surgery, and two Houston pitchers, Alberto Arias and Yorman Bazardo; Rockies closer Huston Street, shelved by shoulder stiffness; and Toronto P Mark Rzepczynski, out with a broken finger, the result of being struck on his pitching hand by a ball batted by the Yankees’ Ramiro Pena a day earlier.

In a Grapefruit League game in Tampa, FL, Twins OF Denard Span proves to be a bad son, fouling a pitch straight at his mother, sitting in the third base stands, in the 1st inning against the Yankees. Span rushes to the stands to his mom’s aid, but Wanda Wilson is all right after being checked over by medical staff. Span, playing in his hometown, leaves the game two innings later to be at his mother’s side for the rest of the contest.

ByTom

In a Grapefruit League game in Tampa, FL, Twins OF Denard Span proves to be a bad son, fouling a pitch straight at his mother, sitting in the third base stands, in the 1st inning against the Yankees. Span rushes to the stands to his mom’s aid, but Wanda Wilson is all right after being checked over by medical staff. Span, playing in his hometown, leaves the game two innings later to be at his mother’s side for the rest of the contest.

The Industriales win their record 12th Cuban Serie Nacional title, topping Villa Clara, 7 – 5, in 10 innings in Game 7 of the 2009-2010 Serie Nacional finals. It is their second straight back-to-the-wall win on the road in the series. Raiko Olivares drives in the winner, Rudy Reyes gets 3 hits (including a homer) and youngster Joan Socarrás fans 5 in 2 1/3 hitless relief innings for the win. In a losing cause, Yandy Canto hits a 3-run homer.

ByTom

The Industriales win their record 12th Cuban Serie Nacional title, topping Villa Clara, 7 – 5, in 10 innings in Game 7 of the 2009-2010 Serie Nacional finals. It is their second straight back-to-the-wall win on the road in the series. Raiko Olivares drives in the winner, Rudy Reyes gets 3 hits (including a homer) and youngster Joan Socarrás fans 5 in 2 1/3 hitless relief innings for the win. In a losing cause, Yandy Canto hits a 3-run homer.

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

ByTom

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.

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

ByTom

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.

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.

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.

ByTom

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.

2010 – The Nationals announce that President Barack Obama will throw the ceremonial first pitch on opening day, April 5th, against the Phillies at Nationals Park. It will mark the 100th anniversary of the first presidential first pitch, by William Howard Taft, at the Washington Senators’ home opener on April 14, 1910.

ByTom

2010 – The Nationals announce that President Barack Obama will throw the ceremonial first pitch on opening day, April 5th, against the Phillies at Nationals Park. It will mark the 100th anniversary of the first presidential first pitch, by William Howard Taft, at the Washington Senators’ home opener on April 14, 1910.

The Blue Jays release OF Joey Gathright, brought in during the off-season for his speed and defense, after he hits .167 in 42 spring training at-bats.

ByTom

The Blue Jays release OF Joey Gathright, brought in during the off-season for his speed and defense, after he hits .167 in 42 spring training at-bats.

The Indians place starting 1B Russell Branyan on the 15-day disabled list with a herniated disk in his lower back. Matt LaPorta will fill in for him in the interim.

ByTom

The Indians place starting 1B Russell Branyan on the 15-day disabled list with a herniated disk in his lower back. Matt LaPorta will fill in for him in the interim.