MLB

03/24/2008 -- The New York Yankees announced today that they will officially rename Legends Field in Tampa, their spring training facility and home of the Single-A Tampa Yankees, to "George M. Steinbrenner Field" during a pre-game ceremony on Thursday, March 27, prior to their 1:15 p.m. game vs. the Pittsburgh Pirates.    » read more »

03/24/2008, TUCSON, Ariz. -- The Arizona Diamondbacks announced today that they have optioned right-handed pitchers Billy Buckner and Leo Rosales to Tucson (AAA).

The Arizona D-backs now have 35 players in camp. The breakdown includes 17 pitchers (16 roster/1 non-roster); 3 catchers (3 roster/0 non-roster); 9 infielders (7 roster/2 non-roster) and 6 outfielders (5 roster/1 non-roster).

Source: MLB

03/24/2008 -- The Washington Nationals will honor Washington DC officials and ballpark workers on Saturday March 29 at a special "sneak peek" season ticker holder and invitation-only exhibition between the Nationals and the Baltimore Orioles in the first-ever Major League Baseball game played at Nationals Park.    » read more »

2008 Baseball season gets underway with pre-game ceremony at 3pm Monday, March 31

03/24/2008 -- Dave Niehaus, who will be inducted into the broadcaster's wing of the National Baseball Hall of Fame this summer, will throw out the ceremonial first pitch to help get the 2008 Seattle Mariners season underway on Monday, March 31, vs. the Texas Rangers. Game time is 3:40pm. Gates open to the public at 1:40pm. Pre-game ceremonies start at 3pm. All fans through the gates will receive a 2008 Mariners schedule magnet. Fewer than 1,000 tickets remain available.

Opening Day Festivities    » read more »

One player reassigned to Minor League camp

Ft. Myers, FL, 03/24/2008 -- The Minnesota Twins announced today that they have optioned right-handed pitcher Philip Humber, infielder Brian Buscher and outfielders Jason Pridie and Denard Span to Triple-A Rochester.

In addition, the Minnesota Twins reassigned right-handed pitcher Casey Daigle to Minor League camp.

The Minnesota Twins now have 29 (3 non-roster) players in camp: 13 pitchers, four catchers (two non-roster), six infielders, six outfielders (one non-roster).

Source: MLB

03/24/2008 -- Righthander Brad Lidge was placed on the 15-day disabled list today, retroactive to March 21, the Philadelphia Phillies announced today. Brad Lidge is still recovering from right knee surgery performed on February 25 and is eligible to be activated on April 5.

Brad Lidge, 31, had not appeared in any major league spring training games, but made two appearances in minor league intrasquad games, pitching a scoreless inning in each.

In other news, lefthander Matt Smith was re-assigned to minor league camp. Matt Smith is still rehabbing from reconstructive surgery on his left elbow, performed in July of 2007.

Source: MLB

Native of Orange, Texas added to Minor League camp

03/24/2008, SURPRISE, Ariz. -- The Texas Rangers formally announced today that the club has signed right-handed pitcher John Patterson to a Minor League contract.

Patterson, 30, established career highs in several categories in 2005 before being hampered the last two seasons by nerve damage in his right forearm. He was 9-7 with a 3.13 ERA in 31 games/starts for Washington in 2005, ranking among National League leaders in strikeouts per 9 innings (T7th, 8.4), average against (8th, .233), and ERA (9th). He compiled 9 wins that season despite enduring the 7th-lowest run support in the N.L.    » read more »

Marks record pace in final season at current Yankee Stadium

03/24/2008 -- The New York Yankees announced today they have exceeded 3.8 million tickets sold for the 2008 season, marking the earliest the club has ever reached that level. With one week until Opening Day, the current tally is 400,000 tickets ahead of the Yankees' total on the same date last year.

"Even with historic advance sales, tickets remain available for most games," said Yankees Chief Operating Officer Lonn Trost. "I encourage fans to join us at Yankee Stadium throughout 2008 to celebrate the 84th and final season of Baseball at The House That Ruth Built."    » read more »

Rounds one and two to feature double-elimination format

03/23/2008 -- The entire opening round of the 2009 World Baseball Classic will be hosted outside the 50 United States, it was announced today at a World Baseball Classic, Inc. (WBCI) press conference in Tokyo. The second edition of the World Baseball Classic will be staged next March in Tokyo, Japan; Mexico City, Mexico; Toronto, Canada; and San Juan, Puerto Rico. The host venues for Round Two, as well as the Semi-Finals and Final, will be announced in the coming weeks.    » read more »

03/23/2008, TUCSON - The Colorado Rockies announced today that the following three players have been optioned to minor league camp: infielders Jonathan Herrera and Joe Koshansky and left-handed pitcher Josh Newman. Additionally, the following five players have been re-assigned to minor league camp: right-handed pitchers Darren Clarke and Victor Zambrano, left-handed pitcher Chris George, infielder Matt Kata, and catcher Mike Rose.

Clarke, 27, went 1-0 with a 16.20 ERA (3.1 ip, 6 er), picking up the win on March 1 vs. Milwaukee.

The 23-year-old Herrera went 7-for-17 (.412) with seven singles and two stolen bases in 17 Cactus League games. He spent time at shortstop and second base.    » read more »

Deal includes club option for 2012 season

FORT MYERS, FL, 03/24/2008 -- The Minnesota Twins announced today that they have agreed to terms with closer Joe Nathan on a contract extension through the 2011 season, with a club option for 2012.

Nathan, 33, was 4-2, 1.88 (71.2 ip, 15 er) with 37 saves, allowing 54 hits with 19 walks and 77 strikeouts in 68 appearances last season. He converted 37 of 41 (90%) save opportunities and ranked sixth in the American League in saves.

Nathan's 160 saves over the last four seasons (2004-07) are tied with Mariano Rivera for the most in the American League during that span. In addition, he became the first pitcher in club history to record 36-or-more saves in four consecutive seasons.    » read more »

03/24/2008 -- Statement from Randy Levine, New York Yankees president on buying Yankee Stadium from the City of New York:

"The New York Yankees are not in discussions to buy the current Yankee Stadium from the City of New York.

We have been in talks with city officials to determine the best way for the City to realize value in the assets of the current Yankee Stadium. The goal is to find the best and most efficient way to make memorabilia items available to the public and our fans.

There is no agreement as of yet as to the best method of making these items available but our discussions with the City are continuing. When there is an agreement we will let everyone know."

Source: MLB

38 players remain in Major League camp

03/23/2008, PEORIA, Ariz. -- The San Diego Padres announced today that they have optioned right-handed pitcher Jared Wells and outfielder Chase Headley to Triple-A Portland. Executive Vice President/General Manager Kevin Towers made the announcement.

Jared Wells made five appearances this spring, going 1-0 with a 5.06 ERA (3 ER/5.1 IP). Chase Headley hit .333 (14-for-42) with three doubles, one triple, four home runs, 14 RBI and eight runs scored in 21 games.

With today's moves, the San Diego Padres now have 38 players in Major League camp, including 33 players from the 40-man roster and five non-roster invitees.

Source: MLB

Auditions held Wednesday, March 26 at 11 a.m. at SNY studios in midtown; Five Winners Will Have Opportunity to Sing Anthem

03/23/2008, FLUSHING, N.Y. -- The New York Mets today announced they will hold the 2008 Mets Anthem Search Wednesday, March 26 at 11:00 a.m. at the SNY Studios at Sixth Avenue and 51st Street. Registration begins at 10:00 a.m. for the opportunity to audition to sing the National Anthem prior to a Mets home game during the final season at Shea Stadium.    » read more »

03/24/2008 -- The San Francisco Giants have named Greg Elliott as their new head groundskeeper at AT&T Park. Greg Elliott hails as the four-time South Atlantic League Groundskeeper of the Year for his maintenance of Classic Park, home of the Lake County Captains in Eastlake, Ohio.

Greg Elliott has more than a decade of experience in field maintenance and management. In addition to his service at Classic Park, he has served as turf manager for the Cedar Rapids Kernels, stadium operations manager for the Toledo Mud Hens and assistant groundskeeper for the Indianapolis Indians. He has also spent time working with USA Baseball and the Arizona Fall League in both Tucson and Phoenix. He is a graduate of the Sports and Commercial Turfgrass Management Program at Michigan State University.    » read more »