2014 – P Mark Appel, the top pick in last year’s amateur draft and one of the top prospects in the game, undergoes an emergency appendectomy. The Astros are confident he will have recovered in time for the start of spring training in two weeks, but he’ll struggle in the first half of the season.

ByTom

2014 – P Mark Appel, the top pick in last year’s amateur draft and one of the top prospects in the game, undergoes an emergency appendectomy. The Astros are confident he will have recovered in time for the start of spring training in two weeks, but he’ll struggle in the first half of the season.

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2014 – Lance Berkman announces his retirement after 15 big league seasons, 11 of those (1999-2010) with the Astros, where he became one of the top hitters in club history. 

ByTom

2014 – Lance Berkman announces his retirement after 15 big league seasons, 11 of those (1999-2010) with the Astros, where he became one of the top hitters in club history. 

Major League Baseball announces it has approved the use of a new pitcher’s cap with extra padding to try to cut back on injuries from liners to the mound. The headgear, which is a half-inch thicker in the front than a standard cap and an inch thicker on the sides, will be optional for players in the majors and minor leagues, although it is expected to find more users in youth leagues.

ByTom

Major League Baseball announces it has approved the use of a new pitcher’s cap with extra padding to try to cut back on injuries from liners to the mound. The headgear, which is a half-inch thicker in the front than a standard cap and an inch thicker on the sides, will be optional for players in the majors and minor leagues, although it is expected to find more users in youth leagues.

The Brewers make their signing of P Matt Garza to a four-year contract official, four days after taking the unusual step of denying a deal had been reached. Garza will get $50 million over the four years, with an option for a fifth season at $13 million.

ByTom

The Brewers make their signing of P Matt Garza to a four-year contract official, four days after taking the unusual step of denying a deal had been reached. Garza will get $50 million over the four years, with an option for a fifth season at $13 million.

Dodger Stadium becomes the latest ballpark to host an outdoor National Hockey League game. The Anaheim Ducks shut out the Los Angeles Kings, 3-0, in a local derby.

ByTom

Dodger Stadium becomes the latest ballpark to host an outdoor National Hockey League game. The Anaheim Ducks shut out the Los Angeles Kings, 3-0, in a local derby.

2014 – The Rays sign closer Grant Balfour for two years at $12 million. He had signed as a free agent with the Orioles earlier this off-season, but the Birds backed out of the deal after a physical exam.

ByThis Day in Baseball

2014 – The Rays sign closer Grant Balfour for two years at $12 million. He had signed as a free agent with the Orioles earlier this off-season, but the Birds backed out of the deal after a physical exam.

Masahiro Tanaka reaches a seven-year, $155 million deal with the New York Yankees. Tanaka is fresh off one of the best seasons in Pacific League history (24-0, 1.27).

ByTom

Masahiro Tanaka reaches a seven-year, $155 million deal with the New York Yankees. Tanaka is fresh off one of the best seasons in Pacific League history (24-0, 1.27).

The Rays and Padres make a seven-player trade, with Tampa Bay sending Ps Alex Torres and Jesse Hahn to San Diego for IF Logan Forsythe, Ps Brad Boxberger, Matt Lollis and Matt Andriese, and IF Maxx Tissenbaum.

ByTom

The Rays and Padres make a seven-player trade, with Tampa Bay sending Ps Alex Torres and Jesse Hahn to San Diego for IF Logan Forsythe, Ps Brad Boxberger, Matt Lollis and Matt Andriese, and IF Maxx Tissenbaum.

St. Louis officials reveal details about the team’s new Hall of Fame

St. Louis officials reveal details about the team’s new Hall of Fame

ByTom

St. Louis officials reveal details about the team’s new Hall of Fame that will be established this spring when their new museum is dedicated at the Cardinals Nation in the Ballpark Village. The team’s initiative will immortalize the greatest players and other key figures in franchise history, starting with the inaugural class of twenty-two individuals, who have been selected due to their induction into the National Baseball Hall of Fame, or by virtue of having had their number retired by the team.

The Dodgers confirm Clayton Kershaw’s record-breaking $215 million seven-year contract, the largest deal ever given to a pitcher. The two-time National League Cy Young Award, who will earn $30.7 million annually, requested and received an opt-out clause after five years, making the right-hander eligible to become a free agent at the of age 30.

ByTom

The Dodgers confirm Clayton Kershaw’s record-breaking $215 million seven-year contract, the largest deal ever given to a pitcher. The two-time National League Cy Young Award, who will earn $30.7 million annually, requested and received an opt-out clause after five years, making the right-hander eligible to become a free agent at the of age 30.