March 13

2011 – Marlins P Ricky Nolasco, usually known for his outstanding control, goes wild in a spring training start against the Nationals in his first outing since August 28th, when his season ended with a knee injury. He gives up 4 runs on 4 hits, a walk, a wild pitch and two hit batsmen in 1 2/3 innings of work. After he is plucked, the game’s leadoff batter, Nyjer Morgan, claims Nolasco is throwing at him, but the Marlin hurler’s further performance is proof that he is simply out of form.

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 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.

Major League Baseball agrees to a five-year contract with the North American Sports Network to televise about 275 games live each season. NASN, which gained rights to the All-Star Game, the playoffs and the World Series, is televising the World Baseball Classic. The subscription network, based in Dublin, Ireland, broadcasts in Britain, Ireland, Germany, Switzerland, Belgium, Iceland and the Netherlands. The deal is valued at $18 to $20 million, according to Sports Business Journal.

2001 – At spring training, St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Rick Ankiel makes his first appearance since the 2000 playoffs in which he lost his control throwing seven wild pitches in three postseason appearances. Ankiel throws 22 strikes out of 29 pitches over two innings of shutout ball in his surprise start against the Mets, but his control problems will reappear within a short while.