One of last season’s concussion victims, Mets OF Jason Bay, is sidelined again, but for a different reason. He suffers a strained muscle in his rib cage and will likely start the season on the disabled list. Other prominent players who will miss the start of the season with injuries include Phillies closer Brad Lidge, Mariners CF Franklin Gutierrez, Astros P J.A. Happ and Giants closer Brian Wilson.

The Red Sox round out their bullpen by sending veterans Hideki Okajima and Alfredo Aceves to AAA Pawtucket in order to clear spots for Matt Albers and Dennys Reyes, who have outpitched the two this spring.

With starting C Jason Kendall unavailable for the first month of the season, the Royals acquire Matt Treanor from the Rangers for future considerations. In other moves, the Rockies acquire IF Josh Fields from the White Sox, also for future considerations, and the Padres land IF Alberto Gonzalez from Washington in return for minor league P Erik Davis.

A thief breaks into the spring training home rented by Tampa Bay players Evan Longoria, David Price and Reid Brignac in Port Charlotte, FL and makes off with $50,000 worth of jewelry and electronics. Among the items pilfered is an AK-47 automatic rifle belonging to Longoria.

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.

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.

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.

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.