Sports

03/28/2008 -- 1:15 p.m.: Gates open

Busch Magnet Schedule Day: All fans 21 and over will receive a magnet with the 2008 St. Louis Cardinals schedule, compliments of Busch Beer

2:30 p.m.: Pre-game ceremonies begin with an appearance by the famed Budweiser Clydesdales.

Cardinals Hall-of-Famers and the 2008 team will be introduced via a motorcade of Ford convertibles around the warning track.

The Mini Mizzou Marching Band will play the Star-Spangled Banner, commemorating the historic 12-win season and Big 12 North Division Title of the University of Missouri football team.

Gary Pinkel, head football coach of the Missouri Tigers and Big 12 Conference Coach of the Year, will throw out a ceremonial first pitch.    » read more »

03/30/2008, WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Tonight Atlanta Braves players and coaches will take to the field wearing new alternate navy blue jerseys and all-navy caps. The new uniform style, which is being seen for the first time publicly, will be used for periodic road games in 2008.

The jersey - the first change to the Atlanta Braves' road uniform since 1987 - is navy blue with a script "Atlanta" across the chest. The names on the back are white, while the uniform number is navy blue with white trim. The cap is reminiscent of that worn by the Braves in the 1960s and is navy with a simple white "A."    » read more »

Two players placed on disabled list

ATLANTA, 03/29/2008 -- The Atlanta Braves set their 25-man roster for opening day prior to Saturday afternoon's game at Turner Field. Atlanta purchased the contract of catcher Corky Miller, while four players were optioned and two players were reassigned. In addition, right-handed pitcher John Smoltz (right shoulder inflammation) and left-handed pitcher Chuck James (left shoulder rehabilitation) were placed on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to March 21.

The Atlanta Braves optioned outfielder Josh Anderson, catcher Clint Sammons, right-handed pitcher Buddy Carlyle and left-handed pitcher Jeff Ridgway to Richmond (AAA). Infielder Brent Lillibridge and outfielder Joe Borchard were reassigned to Richmond.    » read more »

First baseman Scott Thorman outrighted to Richmond

ATLANTA, 03/28/2008 -- The Atlanta Braves claimed switch-hitting infielder Ruben Gotay off waivers from the New York Mets today. He will be on the team's Opening Day 25-man roster. In an additional transaction, the Braves asked for waivers on first baseman Scott Thorman who then cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Richmond.

Ruben Gotay, 25, played in 98 games for the Mets in 2007 and had a .295 batting average with four home runs and 24 runs batted in. He excelled against right-handed pitching, batting .318 with four home runs and 22 RBI and hit .288 (15-for-52) as a pinch hitter. Gotay was also clutch in "Close & Late" situations, hitting .349 (15-for-43).    » read more »

03/31/2008 --
• With large crowds expected and on-going construction on the downtown connector, fans heading out to Turner Field this week for the Braves first homestand of the year are encouraged to arrive early or consider taking Marta.

• Turner Field parking maps can be found at braves.com/parking along with detailed directions, parking and traffic information.

• On Opening Night, the Green, Blue, Orange, and Gold lots will be PERMIT ONLY parking. If fans do not have a permit, please park in the official Braves (Grey, Brown, Red and Yellow) lots located west of the Interstate along Central Avenue.    » read more »

Houston Astros announce rotation for first five games of 2008 season

HOUSTON, 03/29/2008 -- The Houston Astros announced today that the club has asked for waivers on right-handed pitcher Woody Williams for the purpose of giving him his unconditional release. The announcement was made by general manager Ed Wade.

Woody Williams, 41, was 0-3 with an 11.32 ERA (26ER/20.2IP) in six appearances (five starts) this spring. He was signed by Houston as a free agent on Nov. 24, 2006, and in 33 games for Houston in 2007 (including 31 starts), he was 8-15 with a 5.27 ERA (110ER/188IP).    » read more »

- Houston Astros active Spring roster now stands at 28 players
- Right-hander has 72 hours to accept assignment or elect free agency

HOUSTON, ­03/28/2008 -- The Houston Astros announced today that outfielder Reggie Abercrombie cleared waivers and was assigned outright to Triple-A Round Rock. The club also outrighted right-handed pitcher Chad Paronto to Round Rock, and he has 72 hours to accept the assignment or elect free agency. The announcements were made by General Manager Ed Wade.

Reggie Abercrombie, 26, hit .217 (10x46) with five RBI and nine stolen bases in 26 games for the Astros this Spring. He has played in 146 career Major League games during two seasons with Florida (2006-07) and has hit .208 (69x331) with seven home runs and 29 RBI.    » read more »

Minnesota Twins establish new mark for average game attendance at Hammond Stadium

MINNEAPOLIS- ST. PAUL, 03/28/2008 -- The Minnesota Twins announced today that the club has established a new single-season Spring Training record for average attendance for games played at Hammond Stadium.

As the Minnesota Twins concluded their home schedule today (Friday, March 28) versus the Pittsburgh Pirates, the team's 2008 Grapefruit League attendance total reached 124,934 fans with 14 of 16 games sold out. Based on a total of 16 home dates, the Twins averaged 7,808 fans per home Spring Training game topping the previous average game attendance mark of 7,620 established in 2007.    » read more »

FORT MYERS, 03/28/2008 -- The Minnesota Twins announced today that they have optioned left-handed pitcher Francisco Liriano to Single-A Ft. Myers. Liriano is scheduled to start for the Miracle on Thursday night at Hammond Stadium. In five starts for the Minnesota Twins this spring, Liriano was 2-2, 4.02 ERA (15.2 ip, 7 er), allowing 14 hits with nine walks and 15 strikeouts.

The Minnesota Twins now have 27 (two non-roster) players in camp: 12 pitchers, three catchers (one non-roster), six infielders, six outfielders (one non-roster). Catcher Eli Whiteside and outfielder Jon Knott will be reassigned to minor league camp following tomorrow's game in Bradenton vs. the Pirates.

Source: MLB

RHP Terumasa Matsuo from Shikoku Island League in Japan

BOSTON, 03/30/2008 -- The Boston Red Sox have signed free agent righthanded pitcher Terumasa Matsuo from the Independent Shikoku Island League in Japan.

The announcement was made by Boston Red Sox Vice President of International Scouting Craig Shipley and Pacific Rim Coordinator Jon Deeble in Shikoku, Japan.    » read more »

LOS ANGELES, 03/28/2008 -- The Boston Red Sox tonight placed right-handed pitcher Mike Timlin on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to March 20, with a laceration on his right ring finger.

The announcement was made by Boston Red Sox Executive Vice President/General Manager Theo Epstein.

Mike Timlin sustained the injury when he was hit by a ground ball on March 19 versus Toronto in Fort Myers, Fla. He had a 5.63 ERA in seven relief appearances this spring. The right-hander, who ranks 10th on the all-time list with 1,011 career appearances, was 2-1 with a 3.42 ERA in 50 games with the Red Sox in 2007.

With the move, the Boston Red Sox reached the overall Major League opening day roster limit of 25 players.

Source: MLB

03/30/2008, SEATTLE -- The Texas Rangers announced several roster moves today in finalizing the club's 2008 MLB Opening Day 25-man roster. The Texas Rangers have made the following moves:

• Designated outfielder Nelson Cruz and right-handed pitcher Robinson Tejeda for assignment
• Selected the contracts of right-handed pitcher Franklyn German, Adam Melhuse, and Jamey Wright from Triple-A Oklahoma
• Optioned right-handed pitcher Wes Littleton to Triple-A Oklahoma
• Placed right-handed pitcher Brandon McCarthy on the 60-day disabled list...he can be reinstated on May 29.
• Placed right-handed pitcher Luis Mendoza (retroactive to March 24) and infielder Travis Metcalf (retroactive to March 21) on 15-day disabled list.    » read more »

03/29/2008, ARLINGTON, Texas -- The Texas Rangers will open the 2008 home season at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington on Tuesday, April 8 at 1:05 p.m. against the Baltimore Orioles. It is the first of eight games in the opening homestand, including series against Baltimore (April 8-10), Toronto Blue Jays (April 11-13) and the Los Angeles Angels (April 14-15.)    » read more »

03/29/2008, Oklahoma City, Okla. -- The Texas Rangers announced this afternoon that the club has acquired right-handed pitcher Dustin Nippert from Arizona Diamondbacks in exchange for Minor League right-handed pitcher Jose Marte.

Dustin Nippert, 26, has spent time in the Major Leagues in each of the last 3 seasons. The 6-foot-7, 200-pound Nippert was competing for a spot in the Arizona bullpen this spring. He made his Major League debut in 2005, when he was the Diamondbacks' Minor League Pitcher of the Year after going 8-3 with a 2.36 ERA in 18 games/starts for Double-A Tennessee.    » read more »

03/30/2008 -- The Baltimore Orioles today announced that they have released OF JAY GIBBONS. Selected from the Toronto Blue Jays in the Rule 5 Draft on December 11, 2000, Jay Gibbons hit .260 with 121 home runs and 405 RBIs in 779 games over seven seasons for the Baltimore Orioles.

Jay Gibbons hit .230 with 6 home runs and 28 RBI in 84 games last season before undergoing surgery on his left shoulder on August 14 and missing the remainder of the year. It was the 4th time in seven seasons injuries prevented him from appearing in 100 games.    » read more »