A wild rumor sweeps across the Grapefruit League, carried by ESPN: the Cardinals and Phillies are talking about swapping their marquee sluggers, Albert Pujols and Ryan Howard, before they become free agents at the end of 2011. Both teams dismiss the rumor as groundless and nothing will come of it.

ByTom

A wild rumor sweeps across the Grapefruit League, carried by ESPN: the Cardinals and Phillies are talking about swapping their marquee sluggers, Albert Pujols and Ryan Howard, before they become free agents at the end of 2011. Both teams dismiss the rumor as groundless and nothing will come of it.

For the second time this spring, the Rangers’ Josh Hamilton has to leave work early because of injury. This time, he’s hit on the left arm by a pitch from the Giants’ Madison Bumgarner in the 3rd inning of an exhibition game. His bosses are concerned, since he missed half of 2009 with various ailments.

ByTom

For the second time this spring, the Rangers’ Josh Hamilton has to leave work early because of injury. This time, he’s hit on the left arm by a pitch from the Giants’ Madison Bumgarner in the 3rd inning of an exhibition game. His bosses are concerned, since he missed half of 2009 with various ailments.

It’s a short outing for the Mariners’ prize winter acquisition, Cliff Lee, in his second start of the Cactus League season. He is ejected in the bottom of the 3rd inning by umpire Brian Knight for throwing at the Diamondbacks’ Chris Snyder. He gets the rest of his scheduled work in by throwing on a back field in the spring training complex. He will receive a five-game suspension, to be served at the beginning of the regular season, for his actions.

ByTom

It’s a short outing for the Mariners’ prize winter acquisition, Cliff Lee, in his second start of the Cactus League season. He is ejected in the bottom of the 3rd inning by umpire Brian Knight for throwing at the Diamondbacks’ Chris Snyder. He gets the rest of his scheduled work in by throwing on a back field in the spring training complex. He will receive a five-game suspension, to be served at the beginning of the regular season, for his actions.

The Major League Baseball Players Association circulates an expanded list of “dangerous contaminated supplements”, which now contains 104 products. These nutritional supplements are legal but potentially contaminated, and could cause false positives under Major League Baseball’s policy on performance-enhancing drugs.

ByTom

The Major League Baseball Players Association circulates an expanded list of “dangerous contaminated supplements”, which now contains 104 products. These nutritional supplements are legal but potentially contaminated, and could cause false positives under Major League Baseball’s policy on performance-enhancing drugs.

2010 – The Dodgers crush an All-Star team from the Chinese Professional Baseball League, 11 – 1, at Kaohsiung Stadium to complete their three-game tour in Taiwan. Josh Towers, Josh Lindblom and Jon Link, who are fighting for spots on the Dodgers’ pitching staff, all impress manager Joe Torre.

ByTom

2010 – The Dodgers crush an All-Star team from the Chinese Professional Baseball League, 11 – 1, at Kaohsiung Stadium to complete their three-game tour in Taiwan. Josh Towers, Josh Lindblom and Jon Link, who are fighting for spots on the Dodgers’ pitching staff, all impress manager Joe Torre.

The Minnesota Twins sign outfielder Denard Span to a five-year contract worth $16.5 million, with an option for a sixth year. Span hit .311 as the Twins’ leadoff hitter in 2009 while playing in all three outfield spots; he’ll be the regular centerfielder this season.

ByTom

The Minnesota Twins sign outfielder Denard Span to a five-year contract worth $16.5 million, with an option for a sixth year. Span hit .311 as the Twins’ leadoff hitter in 2009 while playing in all three outfield spots; he’ll be the regular centerfielder this season.

The Astros’ Lance Berkman undergoes surgery to remove loose cartilage in his left knee. He will miss Opening Day and only make his season debut on April 20th.

ByTom

The Astros’ Lance Berkman undergoes surgery to remove loose cartilage in his left knee. He will miss Opening Day and only make his season debut on April 20th.

the Dodgers are defeated by an All-Star squad from the Chinese Professional League (CPBL) at Taipei’s Tienmu Baseball Stadium, 5-3

the Dodgers are defeated by an All-Star squad from the Chinese Professional League (CPBL) at Taipei’s Tienmu Baseball Stadium, 5-3

ByThis Day in Baseball

In the opener of a scheduled three-game exhibition series in Taiwan, the Dodgers are defeated by an All-Star squad from the Chinese Professional League (CPBL) at Taipei’s Tienmu Baseball Stadium, 5-3. The road trip is the team’s second journey to the Chinese island, having finished with one win and two losses during a trio of spring training games in 1993.

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.