2013 – The Brewers sign pitcher Kyle Lohse to a three-year contract worth $33 million. Coming off a great season for the Cardinals, Lohse was the last remaining unsigned free agent of the spring, as agent Scott Boras decided to take his client to the brink in the hope that a team desperate for pitching would make him an offer.

ByTom

2013 – The Brewers sign pitcher Kyle Lohse to a three-year contract worth $33 million. Coming off a great season for the Cardinals, Lohse was the last remaining unsigned free agent of the spring, as agent Scott Boras decided to take his client to the brink in the hope that a team desperate for pitching would make him an offer.

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.

ByTom

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.

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.

ByTom

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.

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.

ByTom

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.

2010 – The Yankees release P Chad Gaudin, who was competing for the team’s fifth starter position, and, failing that, was expected to make the staff as a long reliever. Philip Hughes, who shined as a set-up man in 2009, is announced as the winner of the fifth starter competition, while Joba Chamberlain returns to the bullpen. Gaudin will sign a minor league deal with Oakland on March 28th but will be back with the Yanks before the end of the year.

ByTom

2010 – The Yankees release P Chad Gaudin, who was competing for the team’s fifth starter position, and, failing that, was expected to make the staff as a long reliever. Philip Hughes, who shined as a set-up man in 2009, is announced as the winner of the fifth starter competition, while Joba Chamberlain returns to the bullpen. Gaudin will sign a minor league deal with Oakland on March 28th but will be back with the Yanks before the end of the year.

2008 – Opening Day in Major League Baseball is held in the Tokyo Dome. The game was put in doubt earlier in the month when the Red Sox planned to “strike” due to disagreements with MLB over payment for coaches who make the trip. Daisuke Matsuzaka battles control problems, walking five, and allows two runs in five innings in a homecoming of sorts. In the 6th inning, Manny Ramirez hits a two-run double off Joe Blanton to tie the score and Brandon Moss singles him in for the lead. Oakland retakes the lead, 4 – 3, entering the 9th. Moss then delivers more heroics with one out in the 9th, homering off A’s closer Huston Street to tie the score. Hideki Okajima tosses a scoreless bottom of the inning for the win. In the 10th, Ramirez hits a two-run, two-out double off Street for a 6 – 4 lead. Oakland scores once off Jonathan Papelbon in the 10th, but he hangs on for the save.

ByTom

2008 – Opening Day in Major League Baseball is held in the Tokyo Dome. The game was put in doubt earlier in the month when the Red Sox planned to “strike” due to disagreements with MLB over payment for coaches who make the trip. Daisuke Matsuzaka battles control problems, walking five, and allows two runs in five innings in a homecoming of sorts. In the 6th inning, Manny Ramirez hits a two-run double off Joe Blanton to tie the score and Brandon Moss singles him in for the lead. Oakland retakes the lead, 4 – 3, entering the 9th. Moss then delivers more heroics with one out in the 9th, homering off A’s closer Huston Street to tie the score. Hideki Okajima tosses a scoreless bottom of the inning for the win. In the 10th, Ramirez hits a two-run, two-out double off Street for a 6 – 4 lead. Oakland scores once off Jonathan Papelbon in the 10th, but he hangs on for the save.

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2006 – Jeff Bagwell announces he may undergo “last resort” surgery to remove bone spurs in his aching right shoulder in a final attempt to resume his playing career. Bagwell, the subject of much off-season speculation and a $15.6 million dollar insurance claim, will go on the disabled list. Two days later, the insurance claim is denied but the Astros say litigation is likely. 

ByTom

2006 – Jeff Bagwell announces he may undergo “last resort” surgery to remove bone spurs in his aching right shoulder in a final attempt to resume his playing career. Bagwell, the subject of much off-season speculation and a $15.6 million dollar insurance claim, will go on the disabled list. Two days later, the insurance claim is denied but the Astros say litigation is likely. 

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2004 – Houston acquires utilityman Mike Lamb from the New York Yankees in return for a minor league pitcher. Lamb bats .281 with 49 homers and 196 RBIs over four campaigns, adding five more homers in postseason play. 

ByTom

2004 – Houston acquires utilityman Mike Lamb from the New York Yankees in return for a minor league pitcher. Lamb bats .281 with 49 homers and 196 RBIs over four campaigns, adding five more homers in postseason play. 

2001 – Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Randy Johnson accidentally kills a dove with a pitch during the Diamondbacks’ 10 – 6 exhibition win over the San Francisco Giants. The dove makes the mistake of darting in front of a 95 mph fastball.

ByTom

2001 – Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Randy Johnson accidentally kills a dove with a pitch during the Diamondbacks’ 10 – 6 exhibition win over the San Francisco Giants. The dove makes the mistake of darting in front of a 95 mph fastball.