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Jeter, hitting coach to do extra work

February 28, 2011

LAKELAND, Fla. (AP)—Derek Jeter(notes) will be doing extra work with hittingcoach Kevin Long as the New York Yankees captain adjusts to a change in hisstride at the plate.

The pair are set for an additional session Tuesday at the Yankees’ complex.Jeter was not scheduled to make the road trip for a spring training game againstPittsburgh.

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“We’re going to work even a little bit more than we’ve been working,” Longsaid after the Yankees were beaten 6-2 by Detroit on Monday. “His timing isjust a little bit off on the outside pitch. He’s got to wait a little longer onthose pitches. And the ones inside, he’s a little late on.”

Jeter is no longer striding with his left foot. He made a smaller adjustmentlate last season, shortening his stride after a session with Long.

Derek Jeter(AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

Jeter batted .270 last year, 44 points below his career average. Early onthis year, he’s acknowledged that he doesn’t feel comfortable at the plate, andhe asked Long for the additional workout.

“We can’t go crazy here,” Long said. “He’s just starting out springtraining. He’s just like anybody else. He’s still got to get his timing, whetherhe was doing what he did before or what he’s doing now. You’ve got to bepatient.”

Jeter has one hit in his first two spring training games, a ground single toleft.

“I’ve got to get used to it,” Jeter said. “I’m trying to get comfortablewith it.”

Long is hopeful that Jeter will be at ease with the change about a weekbefore the regular-season opener on March 31.

“That would be ideal,” Long said. “This is going to be a process. Itisn’t going to happen overnight. It’s something that’s new to him.”

It’s likely Jeter will play in extra games, and possibly take part insimulated situations, to get more at-bats this spring.

“I could see that coming into the picture,” Long said. “He doesn’t feelreal comfortable up there yet. I’m not discouraged. I’m looking forward togetting it right, and we will.”

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Written by chris · Filed Under MLB Baseball | Comments Off 

Crawford 0 for 3 in Red Sox spring debut

February 28, 2011

FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP)—Not much to remember from Carl Crawford’s(notes) springtraining debut for the Boston Red Sox.

The $142 million man was 0 for 3 in Monday’s 7-6 win over the MinnesotaTwins. David Ortiz(notes) hit a three-run homer, and Josh Reddick(notes) hit a two-run drive.

“First time I’ve ever seen Carl in a Boston uniform, so that was good,”Red Sox manager Terry Francona said. “It’s just two games into springtraining.”

Boston Boston Red Sox player Ryan Kal… AP – Feb 28, 3:39 pm EST Minnesota Twins Manager Ron Ga… AP – Feb 28, 3:24 pm EST Boston Red Sox players give th… AP – Feb 28, 3:24 pm EST Boston Red Sox pitcher Clay Bu… AP – Feb 28, 3:21 pm EST Boston Red Sox pitcher Daisuke… AP – Feb 28, 2:46 pm EST Minnesota Twins pitcher Nick B… AP – Feb 28, 2:43 pm EST YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_last_index = 5; YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_lazy_images = [http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/ap/ae/fullj.7a0fb20aece03723caed0bf083e32128/ap-a115be92213c4ab8b37fe08b41ae7764.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=403&hc=447&q=70&sig=fRS5gy7r4vZS.TRqMfRKPQ--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/ap/1b/fullj.7b5019603b3f40f8d5c724dc287a6e9e/ap-9fdc2b4fb7e04c29b252a9d03efdbeaa.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=104&yc=1&wc=233&hc=259&q=70&sig=hOMr8vtO7H.MewmT7FmaYw--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/ap/7a/fullj.385466511fc3093bef11eab7824dad70/ap-36a2e1380ddf44c7a1f9bcb44725f186.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=100&yc=1&wc=241&hc=268&q=70&sig=gT1RiBTVkUzxDAvLeftbdg--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/ap/01/fullj.8a8233e5b4ffb4e00e2e892d83a6c3e8/ap-844e23adbd6e48a2995b11d85723670a.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=120&yc=1&wc=202&hc=225&q=70&sig=Nrf0wi6mrQl6WFvdc.nLgw--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/ap/2a/fullj.525048c030124d5c3aef13a3da932d8e/ap-4c9f1b1f3d8446498cc0888649a10cbd.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=104&yc=1&wc=234&hc=260&q=70&sig=bwWg1XNtnXa2gZf0HVYgIw--]; YAHOO.util.Event.addListener(window,load,YAHOO.Sports.articleLazyLoadCarousel.init); 1 of 6 Min-Bos Gallery function prev_photo() { if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index > 0) { goto_photo(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index – 1); } else { goto_photo(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_last_index); }}function next_photo() { if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index 0) { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_prev, prev); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_prev, prev_disabled); } else { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_prev, prev_disabled); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_prev, prev); } if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index < YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_last_index) { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_next, next); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_next, next_disabled); } else { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_next, next_disabled); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_next, next); }*/}function goto_photo(p) { if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos) { for(i = 0; i < YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos.length; i++) { if (i == p) { YAHOO.util.Dom.setStyle(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos[i], display, ); } else { YAHOO.util.Dom.setStyle(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos[i], display, none); } } if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_page) { YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_page.innerHTML =(p + 1); YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index = p; } } update_buttons();}YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_init = function () { YAHOO.util.Event.addListener(article_carousel_prev, click, prev_photo); YAHOO.util.Event.addListener(article_carousel_next, click, next_photo); YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index = 0; YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_page = YAHOO.util.Dom.get(carousel_page); YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos = YAHOO.util.Dom.getElementsByClassName(item, div, leadphoto); if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos) { goto_photo(0); }}YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_init();

Daisuke Matsuzaka(notes) allowed one run in two innings—on a Jason Kubel(notes) homer inthe first. He struck out one and walked one, throwing 14 of 25 pitches forstrikes.

“Very good velocity. That was exciting to see that, especially early on,”Francona said. “Very aggressive with his fastball. Had some good life to it. Iwas excited about that.”

Matsuzaka, who has battled control issues, was satisfied with hisappearance.

“As it’s the first outing of the spring season, the fastball is runningpretty well,” he said through interpreter Kenta Yamada. “That’s something I’mvery confident with. Overall, I think I did a very good job as a first outing.”

Twins starter Nick Blackburn(notes) gave up two hits in two scoreless innings,throwing 18 of 28 pitches for strikes.

“He went right at the hitters,” Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said. “Goodvelocity and good movement.”

Blackburn is adding a slider back to his repertoire following a 10-12 recordlast year.

“Last year, I didn’t have a great season,” he said. “But I learned how topitch without my slider, which is something that I haven’t been able to do formy entire career. Hopefully adding that slider will make it a little easier,won’t have to rely on the sinker as much, kind of mix it up, give me an extrapitch.”

Loser James Hoey gave up Reddick’s seventh-inning homer.

“Good arm, great arm,” Gardenhire said. “The ball really came out of hishand. I mean the ball was flying out there today. But even the pitch the guywent deep on was not a bad pitch. It was down, with an angle and good velocity.I like to see that velocity.”

Luke Hughes(notes) hit a two-run homer in the third against knuckleballer TimWakefield(notes).

Ortiz’s homer to right field came with Jacoby Ellsbury(notes) and Dustin Pedroia(notes) onbase. Ortiz has gotten off to slow starts the past two years.

Although, it’s spring training, Francona was happy with the swing Ortiztook.

“I think it counts,” Francona said. “I’d much rather see guys swing goodthan not good. The way they go through spring training, there’s no way, youdon’t see it very often where guys get hot, because they don’t play every day.They’re not supposed to. If we played David a week in a row, he would probablyfind his swing, but he’d find it in February. We need guys to grow into it orbuild into it. I was excited because he kept that ball fair. He kept his handsin and didn’t hook it foul. It was a pretty swing.”

Written by chris · Filed Under MLB Baseball | Comments Off 

Halladay blanks Blue Jays for 2 innings

February 28, 2011

DUNEDIN, Fla. (AP)—Roy Halladay(notes) pitched two shutout innings against hisformer team in his first start of spring training, leading the PhiladelphiaPhillies over the Toronto Blue Jays 6-3 Monday.

Halladay allowed two hits, struck out one and walked one. He pitched for theBlue Jays from 1998-09, then was traded to the Phillies.

Toronto Toronto Blue Jays left fielder… AP – Feb 28, 5:11 pm EST Toronto Blue Jays manager John… AP – Feb 28, 5:11 pm EST Toronto Blue Jays third basema… AP – Feb 28, 4:55 pm EST Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Yu… AP – Feb 28, 4:51 pm EST Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Yu… AP – Feb 28, 4:37 pm EST Toronto Blue Jays starting pit… AP – Feb 28, 3:55 pm EST Philadelphia Phillies starting… AP – Feb 28, 3:40 pm EST Philadelphia Phillies starting… AP – Feb 28, 3:33 pm EST Philadelphia Phillies starting… AP – Feb 28, 3:32 pm EST Philadelphia Phillies starting… AP – Feb 28, 3:32 pm EST Toronto Blue Jays starting pit… AP – Feb 28, 3:29 pm EST Toronto Blue Jays starting pit… AP – Feb 28, 3:29 pm EST Toronto Blue Jays starting pit… AP – Feb 28, 3:29 pm EST YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_last_index = 12; YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_lazy_images = [http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/ap/a8/fullj.7c686e9eae0c64389bdae16ee1e8da13/ap-44cc6351bab94a1693d2d14070a7e57c.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=74&yc=1&wc=294&hc=327&q=70&sig=8bYwbjRZtQ0RMlCJ7HE.Aw--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/ap/76/fullj.d78ffe59be928bd68e62ce17d2788732/ap-e0f5b19b71114d13bf8214d55a9dea14.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=73&yc=1&wc=295&hc=328&q=70&sig=cW0yOPl1xJXYydYshsieJw--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/ap/9e/fullj.fd672df03b2e2abd6a5fab18ab44bc8c/ap-41323c54245841799573f330b382f3f0.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=401&hc=445&q=70&sig=lRD7HIqBKP0J0D2D4SSl4Q--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/ap/18/fullj.1cb92bec05303eeec9766d000673970d/ap-cdd7b16d82f4493c83cd0c77d551da53.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=74&yc=1&wc=293&hc=326&q=70&sig=bbFDOSRh4olBv4laLEHduw--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/ap/a2/fullj.6026af672e7eb7b2411d9120ceac0ede/ap-ba8da01a8ba7470fb9f7bdd03782ddb0.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=398&hc=442&q=70&sig=mhBQR193GUyEE328ijJSxA--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/ap/05/fullj.2be770774ea1209ded94873ff947e842/ap-6d3ca8f7192844aaadc9b601f31309f4.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=79&yc=1&wc=284&hc=316&q=70&sig=mmYhsZefWf7ykgP_TXFdpg--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/ap/1d/fullj.2c95cb209446fc8593cc0fce00b76b05/ap-0e8d39ecbaf149378c0aefb92655683e.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=83&yc=1&wc=275&hc=306&q=70&sig=nD_KMrpNCjXq7C4F3PObzQ--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/ap/75/fullj.9faa54402cb03aadfd54c5d92ef57249/ap-b0794e2e861a4dccbae17b7a5c6fdb6d.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=73&yc=1&wc=295&hc=328&q=70&sig=Nzp7WZ7crGnlL0x7ogpp2Q--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/ap/ab/fullj.3fa0702146c9dd30b9811bd42f06b0b3/ap-56baf7744ebf4faa8047e09398f11a2a.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=389&hc=432&q=70&sig=6pxhRyjWE7SPQGhR0Sqpug--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/ap/4e/fullj.df904ffad0e2f88f45ae24229fd5efb7/ap-bde3be3cadce4ad18cb68879dbb08a03.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=82&yc=1&wc=278&hc=309&q=70&sig=OjW3VBQfo4d.j9WvKd_6jw--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/ap/0f/fullj.30f843cb9e1583ff41d295cf1d3ad46c/ap-fbdac12047194e1097d119ae8d5a742f.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=82&yc=1&wc=278&hc=309&q=70&sig=XTdQY0BvyLiPCtCNLEhUaw--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/ap/76/fullj.511eddc38ba9cad730c8dd3d65392d9c/ap-f82e356e937f47149738d03ac943e707.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=398&hc=442&q=70&sig=N2Un9_BKnN6ncnSyKlgAlA--]; 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“Just being in the game again is fun,” said Halladay, who led the NL with21 wins last season. “You can throw as many bullpens and you want but it’salways different once you get out there. It’s always fun getting back outthere.”

Halladay limited the Blue Jays to two singles, striking out one and issuingone walk.

“There’s a couple things I want to try,” Halladay said, “but for the mostpart, the biggest thing is just getting back comfortable. … There were timestoday where I felt good, felt good about the pitches I made, and there weretimes I felt a long way from where I need to be. Overall, it’s about what Iexpected.”

Carlos Ruiz(notes) had a two-run double in the second inning off Blue Jays starterJo-Jo Reyes(notes), and Placido Polanco(notes) had a two-run single off Carlos Villanueva(notes) in athree-run fourth.

Mike McCoy(notes) doubled in the seventh to end a 24-inning scoreless streak forthe Blue Jays. They added two more in the ninth off Scott Mathieson(notes) on JonDiaz’s double, Eric Thames’ triple and a sacrifice fly.

Toronto finished with eight hits, matching the combined total in two lossesto Detroit in the first two spring games, but the Blue Jays also committed fiveerrors.

NOTES: Toronto RHP Kyle Drabek(notes) was scratched from Monday’s start due to astiff neck. He is scheduled to start Saturday against Detroit. … LHP JesseCarlson(notes) will sit for several days with inflammation in his left shoulder. RHPAlan Farina replaced him in the Blue Jays’ bullpen. … Toronto OF TravisSnider(notes), who pulled an upper ribcage muscle playing golf before spring training,took batting practice Monday and likely will play next weekend. … MichaelWeiner, head of the players’ union, met with the Blue Jays before the game. Hesaid he expects there will be one or two formal bargaining meetings with theowners during spring training “and we’ll begin in earnest, I think, wheneverybody’s back and the season begins.” … Cliff Lee(notes) is scheduled to startfor the host Phillies against Detroit’s split squad and Andy Oliver(notes) atClearwater. Jacob Turner(notes) and the other half of the Tigers’ squad will facevisiting Toronto and Ricky Romero(notes) at Lakeland.

Written by chris · Filed Under MLB Baseball | Comments Off 

Cabrera plays first game since arrest

February 28, 2011

LAKELAND, Fla. (AP)—Miguel Cabrera(notes) played his first game following hisarrest, going 0-for-2 with a walk as the Detroit Tigers’ designated hitterMonday in a 6-2 win over the New York Yankees.

Cabrera batted cleanup, his first appearance since his arrest on Feb. 16 onsuspicion of driving under the influence and resisting an officer withoutviolence. He is to be arraigned on March 16.

New New York Yankees ' Derek J… AP – Feb 28, 5:58 pm EST Detroit Tigers third baseman B… AP – Feb 28, 5:37 pm EST Detroit Tigers ' Miguel Ca… AP – Feb 28, 5:28 pm EST New York Yankees ' Jorge V… AP – Feb 28, 5:21 pm EST New York Yankees third baseman… AP – Feb 28, 4:10 pm EST Detroit Tigers starting pitche… AP – Feb 28, 3:49 pm EST New York Yankees starting pitc… AP – Feb 28, 3:42 pm EST New York Yankees left fielder … AP – Feb 28, 3:38 pm EST Detroit Tigers ' Miguel Ca… AP – Feb 28, 3:27 pm EST YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_last_index = 8; YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_lazy_images = [http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/ap/e5/fullj.7bd3b2fa65434af41a2469997d5e375a/ap-ba9555b3c7bf4a338de4dc696a86e900.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=395&hc=438&q=70&sig=SLuil5T9Ii90utRKY4fdVw--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/ap/dd/fullj.9412ca45b8ba7b1203e09a7f557df20c/ap-525331b022374585938b8e080288a0e6.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=96&yc=1&wc=250&hc=278&q=70&sig=SjOSxa7M2Vj8w3Rlh3ATBA--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/ap/1d/fullj.2c8bab0ca7cc54d285f9d7cb3f66763e/ap-5ea0e9b0d7b44dccb429304d28e3aaa6.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=92&yc=1&wc=258&hc=287&q=70&sig=KeWu5dspkP.GgQm3lChtgg--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/ap/22/fullj.064730bacc170ac721cb5b20a122f533/ap-143980ae88754944b62c162a285e27dd.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=354&hc=393&q=70&sig=bimL9luiE3ss3uAaTibleQ--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/ap/02/fullj.6386863e598b198579bdb7d87149f40f/ap-7b1474e66a134c5a84a972775c0f8b82.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=360&hc=400&q=70&sig=TIRHJTAWKLzlHFJuH0XxQA--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/ap/51/fullj.663c25760988a9e80d92b18703a41fda/ap-8d86f95d84c742a486b49a093c60a340.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=334&hc=371&q=70&sig=sZn7Gk0Ya6EMgkMpcOukWw--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/ap/ae/fullj.396b46af359b574eab1f67c64b8c492d/ap-7d2a364b96834c8098512a32c736bf18.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=93&yc=1&wc=255&hc=284&q=70&sig=ZjwusXJgxvPfVJq5fXGaYA--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/ap/27/fullj.cfe1ef52f9d19dc0d1a74b1cb7e3c2d4/ap-91d544842ff946e3b125d655707293aa.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=79&yc=1&wc=284&hc=316&q=70&sig=hKCmHdlu2dvq5RtljB_dug--]; YAHOO.util.Event.addListener(window,load,YAHOO.Sports.articleLazyLoadCarousel.init); 1 of 9 NYY-Det Gallery function prev_photo() { if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index > 0) { goto_photo(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index – 1); } else { goto_photo(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_last_index); }}function next_photo() { if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index 0) { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_prev, prev); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_prev, prev_disabled); } else { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_prev, prev_disabled); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_prev, prev); } if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index < YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_last_index) { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_next, next); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_next, next_disabled); } else { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_next, next_disabled); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_next, next); }*/}function goto_photo(p) { if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos) { for(i = 0; i < YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos.length; i++) { if (i == p) { YAHOO.util.Dom.setStyle(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos[i], display, ); } else { YAHOO.util.Dom.setStyle(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos[i], display, none); } } if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_page) { YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_page.innerHTML =(p + 1); YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index = p; } } update_buttons();}YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_init = function () { YAHOO.util.Event.addListener(article_carousel_prev, click, prev_photo); YAHOO.util.Event.addListener(article_carousel_next, click, next_photo); YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index = 0; YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_page = YAHOO.util.Dom.get(carousel_page); YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos = YAHOO.util.Dom.getElementsByClassName(item, div, leadphoto); if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos) { goto_photo(0); }}YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_init();

Cabrera said he is looking forward to playing the field, but manager JimLeyland said he will DH again Tuesday against Toronto.

Justin Verlander(notes) and Rick Porcello(notes) each pitched two scoreless innings forthe Tigers.

CC Sabathia(notes) allowed two hits and struck out two for the Yankees. The Tigersscored two runs each in the sixth, seventh and eighth innings.

New York took a 2-0 lead in the fifth, ending Detroit’s 22-inning scorelessstreak.

Written by chris · Filed Under MLB Baseball | Comments Off 

Harper strikes out twice in Nats debut

February 28, 2011

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (AP)—Bryce Harper(notes) made his much-anticipated springtraining debut with the Washington Nationals on Monday, striking out twice in agame against the New York Mets.

The 18-year-old phenom didn’t see any action in the field during theNationals’ exhibition opener, but the top pick in last year’s amateur draft gothis first two at-bats against big league competition.

He entered the game as a pinch runner for Matt Stairs(notes) in the fifth inningand finally got a plate appearance in the seventh. Harper fouled off the firstpitch from Taylor Tankersley(notes), then swung and missed on the next two.

In the top of the ninth, Harper struck out on four pitches against RyotaIgarashi(notes).

Harper was a catcher in amateur ball, but the Nationals are putting him inthe outfield. The left-handed hitting slugger is slated to start the season inlow Class-A Hagerstown but is looking for a quick rise through the farm system.

He skipped his final year of high school, obtained his GED and played juniorcollege ball at the College of Southern Nevada for one season in order to becomeeligible for the 2010 draft and jump-start his professional career.

Harper signed a five-year, $9.9 million contract, including $6.5 million insigning bonuses, with the Nationals last August, too late for the regular minorleague season. He did play in the Florida Instructional League, hitting .319with four homers, four doubles, a triple and 12 RBIs before going on to theArizona Fall League, where he batted .343.

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Untraded Young ‘comfortable’ with Texas

February 28, 2011

SURPRISE, Ariz. (AP)—Michael Young(notes) says he’s “completely comfortable” inthe Texas Rangers clubhouse after asking for an offseason trade that his teamunsuccessfully tried to pull off.

A new first baseman’s mitt is in Young’s locker. There are smiles on hisface when he jokes around with his teammates.

He is the longest-tenured Ranger going into his 11th season. He says whathappened in the offseason has no affect on his relationship with his teammatesor preparing for the season.

Now the primary designated hitter and utility infielder, Young played firstbase in a game for the first time ever Monday, when he took only one throw infour innings. He also had a double and triple.

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Brewers RF Hart likely to miss 2 weeks

February 28, 2011

PHOENIX (AP)—Milwaukee Brewers All-Star right fielder Corey Hart(notes) isexpected to be sidelined for two weeks with a strained lower abdominal muscle onhis left side.

The 29-year-old Hart was examined by a doctor Monday after getting hurtduring spring training throwing drills on Saturday.

An NL All-Star in 2008 and 2010, Hart batted .283 with 31 home runs and 102RBIs last season.

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Marlins OF Stanton to miss about 2 weeks

February 28, 2011

JUPITER, Fla. (AP)—Marlins outfielder Mike Stanton(notes) says he expects to missabout two weeks because of a strained right quadriceps.

Stanton was hurt Sunday in Florida’s exhibition opener, pulling up whilerunning out a ground ball. The Marlins said they plan to reevaluate him byThursday.

Stanton is Florida’s projected opening-day cleanup hitter. Stanton hit atwo-run homer Sunday in his first appearance of spring training, then strainedthe muscle in his second at-bat.

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Reds honor former manager Anderson

February 28, 2011

GOODYEAR, Ariz. (AP)—The Cincinnati Reds have honored former Hall of Famemanager Sparky Anderson, who died in November.

Anderson guided Cincinnati’s vaunted “Big Red Machine” to consecutiveWorld Series titles in 1975 and 1976. The team played a video tribute honoringAnderson before its spring exhibition home opener on Monday against theCleveland Indians and observed a moment of silence for him and Hall of FamerDuke Snider, who passed away on Sunday.

The Reds are wearing “Sparky” patches on the right sleeve of theirjerseys.

Anderson’s No. 10 has been spray painted on the grass along the third-baseline of Goodyear Ballpark, opposite from where the Indians are honoringlegendary pitcher Bob Feller, who died in December. The teams share the ballparkfor spring training games.

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Cards’ Wainwright has Tommy John surgery

February 28, 2011

JUPITER, Fla. (AP)—St. Louis Cardinals ace Adam Wainwright(notes) had Tommy Johnsurgery on his right arm Monday and the team said he would be out 12-15 months.

General manager John Mozeliak said the surgery went “very well” and thatWainwright is expected to return to the Cardinals spring training facility in acouple of weeks. The surgery was performed team physician, George Paletta.

Wainwright, the 2010 National League Cy Young award runner-up, feltstiffness after throwing his first live batting practice session a week ago. Asecond opinion confirmed the need for tendon reconstruction surgery.

Wainwright was 20-11 with a 2.42 ERA last season while making his firstAll-Star team. In 2009, Wainwright led the NL in wins (19), innings (233) andstarts (34).

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