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.

The Minnesota Twins get some bad news as they learn that closer Joe Nathan will undergo Tommy John surgery to repair a tear in a ligament in his elbow. He will miss the entire season.

ByTom

The Minnesota Twins get some bad news as they learn that closer Joe Nathan will undergo Tommy John surgery to repair a tear in a ligament in his elbow. He will miss the entire season.

Eric Gagné’s return to the Dodgers is short-lived, as the team releases him. He had accepted an assignment to the minor leagues a few days ago, but reconsidered and asked for his release in order to find another opportunity to return to the major leagues. He will retire instead.

ByTom

Eric Gagné’s return to the Dodgers is short-lived, as the team releases him. He had accepted an assignment to the minor leagues a few days ago, but reconsidered and asked for his release in order to find another opportunity to return to the major leagues. He will retire instead.

2010 – Oney Guillen, the son of White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen, is asked to resign from his job as a member of the team’s minor league department because of uncomplimentary remarks about the organization which he made on his “Twitter” account. Says Ozzie about the incident: “It’s hard when you see your kids and tell them, ‘I just told the people you got to resign.’ I think that’s the hardest thing I ever did in my life.”

ByTom

2010 – Oney Guillen, the son of White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen, is asked to resign from his job as a member of the team’s minor league department because of uncomplimentary remarks about the organization which he made on his “Twitter” account. Says Ozzie about the incident: “It’s hard when you see your kids and tell them, ‘I just told the people you got to resign.’ I think that’s the hardest thing I ever did in my life.”

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.

2010 – The Marlins and Mets announce that they will play a three-game series in San Juan, Puerto Rico June 28-30, marking Major League Baseball’s return to Hiram Bithorn Stadium for the first time since the Montreal Expos used it as a part-time home in 2003 and 2004. The series was originally to be played in Miami, FL and is part of an effort by the Marlins to expand their Caribbean fan base.

ByTom

2010 – The Marlins and Mets announce that they will play a three-game series in San Juan, Puerto Rico June 28-30, marking Major League Baseball’s return to Hiram Bithorn Stadium for the first time since the Montreal Expos used it as a part-time home in 2003 and 2004. The series was originally to be played in Miami, FL and is part of an effort by the Marlins to expand their Caribbean fan base.

Two troubled outfielders are in trouble again. Seattle’s off-season acquisition, Milton Bradley, is ejected from an exhibition game for protesting a strikeout call from umpire Dan Bellino, while the Nationals’ Elijah Dukes, who has seen his career derailed by legal and behaviorial problems, is released because of poor hitting. He had been expected to be Washington’s starting right fielder this year.

ByTom

Two troubled outfielders are in trouble again. Seattle’s off-season acquisition, Milton Bradley, is ejected from an exhibition game for protesting a strikeout call from umpire Dan Bellino, while the Nationals’ Elijah Dukes, who has seen his career derailed by legal and behaviorial problems, is released because of poor hitting. He had been expected to be Washington’s starting right fielder this year.

Texas Rangers manager Ron Washington admits that he tested positive for cocaine last summer and apologizes. He submits his resignation, but top management rejects it.

ByTom

Texas Rangers manager Ron Washington admits that he tested positive for cocaine last summer and apologizes. He submits his resignation, but top management rejects it.

2010 – Former All-Star second baseman Chuck Knoblauch pleads guilty to a charge of domestic violence, stemming from an assault on his common-law wife in their Houston, TX home last September. He is given a $1000 fine and probation time. Retirement has not been easy for Knoblauch; in 2007 he was named in the Mitchell Report for his use of performance-enhancing drugs as a player.

ByTom

2010 – Former All-Star second baseman Chuck Knoblauch pleads guilty to a charge of domestic violence, stemming from an assault on his common-law wife in their Houston, TX home last September. He is given a $1000 fine and probation time. Retirement has not been easy for Knoblauch; in 2007 he was named in the Mitchell Report for his use of performance-enhancing drugs as a player.