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There was a possibility that a certain pitcher would skip the minor leagues to win a spot in the Reds rotation this spring, just nobody — or nearly nobody — expected it to be 2009 first-round pick Mike Leake. But he will. Leake will become the first drafted pitcher to skip the minor leagues altogether…

The Rangers have signed right-hander Scott Feldman to a three-year, $13.325 million contract extension, reports Tim MacMahon of ESPNDallas.com. The contract includes a $9.25 million club option for 2013, or a $600,000 buyout. Feldman and the Rangers avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $2,425,000 contract in January, however it was overwritten by the new…

It’s been a tough day at the office for Orioles manager Dave Trembley. He already made one tough decision, picking David Hernandez over Chris Tillman for the final spot in his rotation, but he made another notable one later in the afternoon, naming Felix Pie as his Opening Day left fielder over Nolan Reimold. Reimold…

Lance Berkman, who underwent arthroscopic surgery to clean out loose cartilage in his left knee on March 13, was already iffy for the start of the season. Now he’s almost surely headed for the disabled list. According to Brian McTaggart of MLB.com, Berkman’s knee “swelled up a good bit” after he took some ground balls…

It’s only 10am, but hang with me here. Jeff Francoeur just appeared on the “Boomer & Carton Show” on WFAN in New York and he unveiled an interesting strategy to get Mike Pelfrey to step up his intensity this season: “I think what I’m going to do before each start is just go up and…

UPDATE: Tazawa tells Scott Lauber of the Boston Herald that there appears to be ligament damage in his elbow. He’s not sure about surgery, according to Lauber, but it “will be part of the discussion.” Doesn’t sound too promising. Monday, 7:14 pm: Uh-oh. The Red Sox announced on Monday that Junichi Tazawa was in Birmingham,…

UPDATE: Teixeria was diagnosed with a right elbow contusion, reports Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News. After being looked at by doctors, it was determined that he did not need X-rays. He’ll be re-evaluated on Tuesday. Scary moment, but could have been a lot worse. 8:00 pm: Fingers are crossed in the Bronx…

Koji Uehara, currently grounded by a left hamstring strain suffered on March 18, told Brittany Ghiroli of MLB.com (though his interpreter) that he expects to begin the season on the disabled list:  “If it happens, there’s nothing I can do about it,” Koji said through interpreter Jiwon Bang. “Obviously we don’t have many days before…

It could happen, at least according to what Brittany Ghiroli of MLB.com has heard: According to some Orioles sources, Tillman is not the front runner for the teams 5th job. Hernandez and Berken would come first right now. Tillman, who turns 22 in April, was 2-5 with a 5.40 ERA in 12 starts last season.…

Here’s a minor transaction, as the Rangers have acquired infielder Andres Blanco from the Cubs for a player to be named later or cash considerations. Blanco, who turns 26 in April, batted .252/.303/.341 with one home run and 12 RBI in 123 at-bats for the Cubs last season. He was out of options and from…

Alberto Callaspo was scratched from Friday’s lineup against the Dodgers after he tweaked his right side on a swing during batting practice. He was out of the lineup again on Saturday and manager Trey Hillman told Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star that he isn’t sure when Callaspo will be able to return to…

Russell Branyan, who has been sidelined for the entire exhibition schedule because of a herniated disk in his back, hopes to play in a minor league game as soon as Monday. “If you look at Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday, that’s only three days, but, in the scheme of things, that’s a lot of time,” Branyan…

One of the spring’s great dramas has finally reached its resolution, reports Bob Elliott of the Toronto Sun. Drumroll, everyone: “Jason Frasor was my closer last year and he hasn’t done anything to lose the job,” manager Cito Gaston said Friday afternoon. So, that’s that. Frasor was duking it out with Scott Downs and Kevin…

Another fifth-starter battle was all but settled on Friday night, as Jamie Moyer tossed 6 2/3 scoreless innings against a Yankees lineup that included all regulars with the exception of Nick Johnson and Jorge Posada. Moyer struck out six and retired the final 15 batters he faced. Quite a statement. Just one week ago, it…

Mike Lowell told Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe that his left knee “felt great compared to yesterday.” Lowell was forced to leave Friday’s game after fouling a ball off his leg in his first at-bat. “The swelling under the knee cap is annoying and I can’t flex my quad (all the way), but it’s…

Tim Wakefield spoke for many of us the other day when he said he was “very curious” about the team’s plans for their starting rotation. Well, manager Terry Francona finally revealed on Friday that Josh Beckett, John Lackey, Jon Lester, Clay Buchholz and Wakefield will all start the season in the rotation, according to Amalie…

Brian Roberts was 0-for-3 with three strikeouts in his Grapefruit League debut against the Twins on Friday night. The 32-year-old second baseman had been slowed since the beginning of camp due to a slight herniated disk in his lower back. Roberts told Brittany Ghiroli of MLB.com that his performance at the plate was “obviously, not…

Tim Lincecum left Friday’s start against the Angels after four innings and 84 pitches because of a cut on the middle finger on his right hand, reports Chris Haft of MLB.com. Giants manager Bruce Bochy admitted that there “a little concern” that Lincecum will not be able to make his next scheduled start, however he’s…

The Dodgers have shut down reliever Hong-Chih Kuo for the second time in the past week after he felt continued discomfort in his left elbow on Friday, reports Tony Jackson of ESPNLosAngeles.com. “Nothing felt really bad, but it wasn’t real good as far as how it felt,” Dodgers manager Joe Torre said. “I don’t think…

Here’s a little update to a story Aaron covered on Tuesday. The Red Sox have signed veteran left-handed reliever Scott Schoeneweis to a minor league contract, reports NESN.com. Schoeneweis was released by the Brewers earlier this week and wasn’t too happy about it, saying “I wasted a month of my time” and “It’s just ironic…

UPDATE: General manager Bill Smith says that Nathan’s reported “significant” UCL tear ended up being a complete tear, reports Kelsie Smith of the St. Paul Pioneer Press. 7:31 pm: The Twins have announced that Joe Nathan’s Tommy John surgery was a success, reports Joe Christensen of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune. Mets (gasp!) team physician Dr. David…

Alex Rodriguez and I have something in common: Neither of us met with federal investigators in regards to Canadian doctor Anthony Galea on Friday. “We’re going to continue to work together and cooperate,” he said. “I’m going to talk to the Feds and Major League Baseball shortly.”. Rodriguez wouldn’t say why he didn’t go, or…

Update: Sounds like Pedroia will get an X-ray on the wrist as a precaution, per Benjamin. 9:00 pm: Amalie Benjamin reports that Pedroia did not receive X-rays on the wrist, though he did leave the park. He’ll be re-evaluated on Wednesday. 8:20 pm: Dustin Pedroia exited Tuesday night’s game against the Twins with a mild…

Before the exhibition schedule began, Jerry Manuel had discussed the idea of using Jose Reyes as his No. 3 hitter while Carlos Beltran worked his way back from knee surgery. Of course, the whole plan took a backseat once Reyes was sidelined for two and a half weeks due to a thyroid condition. But now…

The Rockies are close to an agreement to bring back Joe Beimel on a minor league contract, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com. The new deal should be confirmed by the morning, according to the report. Beimel, who turns 33 in April, posted a 4.02 ERA in 26 relief appearances down the stretch for the…