Hanley Ramirez won his first National League batting titled in 2009, compiling a career-high .342 batting average over 652 plate appearances.  He finished second in NL MVP voting behind Albert Pujols and just ahead of Phillies slugger Ryan Howard, but on Saturday got his own little piece of hardware. According to Joe Capozzi of the…

Gordon Edes of ESPN Boston heard from an insider source Saturday that the Red Sox will not give more than a four-year deal to right-handed starter Josh Beckett. It’s not shocking news.  The Red Sox dolled out a five-year, $82.5 million contract to John Lackey this offseason and a six-year, $52 million deal to Daisuke…

The Twins opened brand new Target Field Saturday with a college game between the University of Minnesota and Louisiana Tech. More than 37,757 showed up to take in the new ballpark, which features a massive fire pit in left field and several in-stadium bars and restaurants.  Stuart Groskreutz wrote a review of the place for…

Joba Chamberlain made his first relief appearance since being named a member of the Yankees’ bullpen — and not their starting rotation — during Saturday’s spring game against the Tigers.  He threw a scoreless inning, allowing two hits but also racking up a strikeout.  The 24-year-old had a 14.09 ERA and a 2.48 WHIP over…

According to Gregg Bell of the Associated Press, Mariners left-hander Cliff Lee underwent platelet-rich plasma injection therapy on his injured abdomen in Seattle this weekend. The procedure has been successful in helping athletes recover from ailments like tennis elbow and hamstring strains, but using it to help heal abdominal strains is mostly unheard of.  Lee…

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…

Cliff Lee’s abdomen strain is not responding well to rest and a little throwing, so the team has decided to shut him down completely for five days.  It looks increasingly likely, then, that he will begin the season on the disabled list. According to the team, he would need a couple of bullpen sessions before…