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Rather than ban home plate collisions outright, Major League Baseball and its players adopted a rule limiting them this season.

In what both sides said was a one-year experiment, the rule allows collisions if the catcher has the ball and is blocking the runner's direct path to home plate, and if the catcher goes into the basepath to field a throw to the plate. The new rule, 7.13, states "a runner attempting to score may not deviate from his direct pathway to the plate in order to initiate contact with the catcher (or other player covering home plate)." A runner violating the rule shall be declared out, even if the fielder drops the ball.

Along with the rule, the sides agreed to a pair of comments that umpires use to interpret the rule. The first comment says, "the failure by the runner to make an effort to touch the plate, the runner's lowering of the shoulder, or the runner's pushing through with his hands, elbows or arms, would support a determination that the runner deviated from the pathway in order to initiate contact with the catcher in violation." The comment says players who slide appropriately are not in violation of the rule.

The second comment says that "unless the catcher is in possession of the ball, the catcher cannot block the pathway of the runner as he is attempting to score." The runner shall be declared safe if the catcher violates that provision. In addition, it is not a violation "if the catcher blocks the pathway of the runner in order to field a throw, and the umpire determines that the catcher could not have fielded the ball without blocking the pathway of the runner and that contact with the runner was unavoidable."

The rule serves as a compromise between the league and the player's union.

Sources told ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney that Major League Baseball's playing rules committee adopted a must-slide/no block rule which would have required the runners to slide and the catchers to give the runners part of the plate.

However, the MLBPA would not approve that rule for 2014 because they felt that there was insufficient time to train catchers and runners to adjust their behavior before the start of the season. The discussion over that particular distinction is why spring training opened without the rule fully defined.

The umpire crew chief can use the new video-review system to determine whether the rule was violated.

Debate over plate collisions has intensified since May 2011, when San Francisco's Buster Posey was injured as the Marlins' Scott Cousins crashed into him at the plate. Posey, an All-Star catcher, sustained a broken bone in his lower left leg and three torn ligaments in his ankle, injuries that ended his season.

"It stops guys just going out of their way just to try to dislodge the baseball when [catchers] have the plate," Texas Rangers manager Ron Washington said.

Rangers catcher J.P. Arencibia said the new rule "takes away the malicious intent behind the play at the plate."

Hall of Famer George Brett, the Kansas City Royals' vice president of baseball operations, said he doesn't like the rule even though he understands that the objective is to reduce injuries.

"I'm not a big fan of it," Brett told ESPN.com. "Catchers are taught to put their foot right in front of home plate, and the plays are bang-bang. I like the collision.

"I don't sit around at home at night and think about it. This is the first time I've thought about it since two months ago when somebody told me, 'They can't run into catchers anymore.' I said, 'That sucks. I love that play.'"

A runner who violates the rule will be declared out even if the catcher drops the ball. If a catcher blocks the plate without possession of the ball, the runner will be safe. However, a catcher may block the plate to field a throw if the umpire determines he could not have otherwise fielded it and thus contact with the runner could not have been avoided.

"We believe the new experimental rule allows for the play at the plate to retain its place as one of the most exciting plays in the game while providing an increased level of protection to both the runner and the catcher," new union head Tony Clark said. "We will monitor the rule closely this season before discussing with the commissioner's office whether the rule should become permanent."

Baltimore Orioles catcher Matt Wieters, who was steamrolled at the plate by Sean Rodriguez in 2012 and Ryan Kalish in 2011, is one of the biggest supporters of the rule change, although he'd like to get clarifications from Major League Baseball on exactly what is and isn't permitted.

"There are always going to be catchers who want to leave it on the field," he said. "You want to be strong for your team. And stopping runs is the most important part of this game. It's whoever scores the most runs. So you want to be able to stop those runs at any cost.

"But the bigger thing that I think really comes into play here is you look at the NFL and the effect that concussions have. You know, we're not just talking about a career. You're not just talking about missing a season with an injury. You're talking about a couple of head-to-head collisions, and you could have quite a bit of memory loss and quite a difficult time functioning later in life. And for me, I think that's the one issue I'm glad is hopefully going to be straightened out."

Orioles manager Buck Showalter attended a briefing on the rule by baseball officials Sunday. And as someone who still cringes when he thinks of some of the hits Wieters has taken, Showalter is grateful for a rule that aspires to all but eliminate "the cheap-shot collision."

"We're talking about where the [catcher] is completely exposed, doesn't have the ball and some guy hunts him," Showalter said. "We've had it happen with Matt a couple of times. And as you remember, we were real unhappy about it. I can still remember the players who did it. With no intent to score. Had the plate g

It was just a matter of days ago that four little words warmed chilly hearts across North America, words that arrive each February and remind everyone that summer isn't so far away: Pitchers and catchers report.

Now, two more words that bring those warmer days a little closer: Play ball.

Starting today and not stopping until there's a trophy being hoisted in the fall, Major League teams will be facing each other on a daily basis, first in exhibitions through March, then into the 162-game marathon and beyond.

From the first pitch forward, those games will be available to millions of baseball fans beyond the ballparks in Arizona and Florida, online and on mobile devices. All spring long, games will be streamed daily on MLB.TV and on the MLB-com At Bat mobile app, which also will bring the live updates and on-the-spot news coverage that have become staples of MLB-com's coverage of every team and every game.

The MLB.TV spring slate begins with three games today, starting at 1:05 p.m. ET with the Blue Jays at the Phillies in Grapefruit League action at Clearwater, Fla., then following with Reds-Indians from Goodyear, Ariz., in Cactus League action, and the Dodgers meeting the D-backs in Scottsdale, Ariz. -- a bookend matchup to those two teams meeting in the 2014 Opening Series in Sydney, Australia, on March 22.

Clayton Kershaw, the 2013 Cy Young Award winner who earned a record payday this winter, speaks for a lot of baseball fans with his feelings about moving from stretching and drills to balls and strikes.

"It's about time," said the lefty, who will make the start for the Dodgers in their spring opener.

Once the hardballs start flying on the first day of exhibitions, it won't take long to recognize that this 2014 season truly represents a new beginning, thanks to changes dotted all over the map.

That conversation begins with a Yankees club that underwent an extravagant makeover this winter. A pinstriped crew that will include newcomers in outfielders Jacoby Ellsbury and Carlos Beltran, and catcher Brian McCann will travel to Bradenton, Fla., to meet one of the postseason darlings of 2013 in the Pirates in the Grapefruit League opener for both clubs.

"[We'll] get to see them in our uniform, guys that have had success other places," said Yankees manager Joe Girardi. "I'm excited to see it."

Elsewhere in today's six-pack of openers between Major League foes, the Tigers will hit the field at the Braves' Lake Buena Vista, Fla., home, with new Detroit manager Brad Ausmus' first lineup to include a new arrival at the top in second baseman Ian Kinsler, acquired in a trade with Texas for Prince Fielder. Also, Bay Area rivals meet in the Cactus League opener for both the A's and the host Giants in Scottsdale, Ariz.

Come Thursday, more teams will be hitting the fields in Arizona and Florida, some showing off new arrivals. The Rangers will have Fielder and Shin-Soo Choo at their disposal against their neighbors the Royals in Surprise, Ariz., and the Mariners will have Robinson Cano available for duty while meeting their neighbors the Padres in Peoria, Ariz. That's just part of a schedule that will boast five games on MLB.TV, including another Pirates-Yankees matchup, this one in Tampa with Derek Jeter slated to make his spring debut as he begins his final campaign.

By Friday, the defending World Series champion Red Sox will make their Grapefruit League debut as part of the first full slate of exhibition games of the spring. Following a winter of celebration and a couple of Thursday games with UConn and Boston College, they'll be meeting the Twins, who are shifting All-Star catcher Joe Mauer to first base this spring. The defending National League champion Cardinals will be on the field for the first time that day as well, hosting the Marlins in Jupiter, Fla.

From there, it's on into March, starting with Masahiro Tanaka's debut for the Yankees on Saturday and heading through an exhibition schedule that will include more than 200 games available on MLB.TV and a wealth of information on the MLB-com At Bat app and online at MLB-com -- live radio broadcasts of available Spring Training games, batter-by-batter action for every exhibition, breaking news and everything else fans need to stay on top of the action.

It all begins on Wednesday, with baseballs pitched, hit and caught with something on the line for the first time in 2014, the beginning of a long journey of games headed for the ones that every team wants to play in the fall.

And, to get that journey started, two magic words will spread warmth around the baseball world: Play ball.




Two words every baseball fan wants to hear: play ball | MLB-com: News

With spring training officially underway, it's time to predict every MLB team's best and worst offseason move.

The following list consists of trades, free-agent signings and even a few contract extensions. Make sure that you keep in mind the fact that for select teams, their "best" move might not have actually been very good. Of course, for other clubs, their "worst" move might not have been that bad.

So here's a look around the league at every MLB team's best and worst offseason move.


Pictures: Predicting Every MLB Team's Best and Worst Offseason Move | Bleacher Report

With spring training games now underway in Arizona and Florida, Major League Baseball is stepping up its campagin to sign up subscribers to its live-game streaming service for the 2014 season. On Thursday, MLB dangled the biggest carrot of all to would-be MLB.TV subscribers—live access to World Series games.

Baseball’s season extends well into October for a few lucky teams, but that hasn’t been the case for MLB.TV subscribers since the live game-streaming service launched in 2002. That changes this fall: if you have an MLB.TV subscription, you’ll be able to watch any World Series game via MLB’s At Bat mobile app or on more than 400 connected devices. Baseball’s All-Star Game will be available to MLB.TV subscribers as well.

The World Series announcement comes amid a general loosening of Major League Baseball’s blackout rules for its MLB.TV offering. This year, for example, MLB.TV is doing away with the Fox Saturday national broadcast window—that hateful three-hour period when the only baseball game you’re able to watch is the one being broadcast by your local Fox Network affiliate. Now MLB.TV subscribers will be able to choose which Fox Network game they can watch live on their mobile device, computer, gaming console, or set-top box. If you live in St. Louis, say, and your local Fox station is airing the Cardinals-Reds game, but you’d much rather watch the Nationals-Pirates contest airing in other markets, you could opt for that game instead on MLB.TV. (In prior seasons, of course, you could stream none of those games—your local Fox channel was the only game in town.)

MLB.TV subscribers will still have to contend with some blackout restrictions, chiefly the rule that prevents any game involving your local team from being available through MLB.TV. In my case, for example, that means games involving either the Oakland Athletics or their lesser cross-bay counterparts [You mean the one with two World Series championships this decade? —Ed.] can’t be streamed, whether home or away. Considering that the Los Angeles Dodgers recently signed an $8.35 billion, 25-year deal for exclusive local broadcast rights in their home market, the local blackouts might be with us for a long time to come. Still, Thursday’s moves are a step in the right direction for baseball fans who want to watch any baseball games they can.

An MLB.TV Premium subscription costs $130 and includes a free version of the MLB-com At.Bat app for mobile streaming of live radio and TV broadcasts. The $110 subscription lacks the portability features, restricting you to streaming from a computer, gaming console, or other connected device. Games are already available through the service: MLB.TV is carrying 200 live spring training games between now and the start of the 2014 season.


Live World Series games coming to MLB.TV | TechHive

Ace Jered Weaver breezed through three scoreless innings and the Angels, with most of their everyday players in the lineup, tallied 13 runs in the first four innings of a 15-3 win over the Cubs at Tempe Diablo Stadium on Friday.

Mike Trout hit a grand slam and drove in five runs, Chris Iannetta fell three feet shy of a two-homer day, J.B. Shuck had a three-run triple and the Angels notched two crooked-number innings, scoring four runs off Chris Rusin in the second and nine runs against James McDonald and Jonathan Sanchez in the fourth. Jett Bandy added a two-run homer in the eighth off Frank Batista.

"We were pleasantly surprised this afternoon how many pitches we were on," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said, "and it could be a function of those guys hitting more live BP earlier. We were on pitches that you don't always expect in your first Spring Training game."

The Angels are pushing their players harder than ever this spring, after going a combined 15 games below .500 in their last two Aprils and posting the worst ERA in baseball last spring.

In tune with that, seven starting position players -- all except Josh Hamilton, who's out at least two weeks with a strained left calf -- were in the lineup and played defense for five innings. And Weaver went three full innings in a Cactus League opener for the first time in his career, giving up just one infield hit, striking out one, walking none and allowing only one hard-hit ball all afternoon.

Rusin, 27, is competing for the fifth spot of the Cubs' rotation after coming up from Triple-A and pitching well last season, with a 3.93 ERA in 66 1/3 innings. In his first Cactus League start, though, Rusin was charged with four runs on five hits and a walk, striking out two.

"I remember facing him last year, and he did well against us in San Diego," Cubs manager Rick Renteria said prior to the game, referencing an Aug. 25 game when Rusin threw 6 1/3 scoreless innings against the Padres. "He's a guy who is certainly in the mix."

The Cubs got on the board in the fourth, when light-hitting second baseman Darwin Barney -- one of only three everyday players in the lineup, along with Ryan Sweeney and Nate Schierholtz -- lofted a solo homer to left field off left-hander Brian Moran, a Rule 5 pick who's trying to lock down a bullpen spot. Top prospect Kris Bryant also homered for the Cubs, knocking a two-run shot in the seventh off Jarrett Grube.

Iannetta got the Angels on the board with a two-run double off the left-center-field wall in the second, with Erick Aybar and Trout following up with line-drive RBI singles. In the fourth, Iannetta led off with a homer and McDonald put the next three batters on for Trout, who struck out swinging in his first at-bat. The 22-year-old outfielder then got a 2-0, low-and-in fastball and laced it way out to left field, over the grassy picnic area that sits beyond the fence.

"Mike's got such a short swing," Scioscia said. "You wouldn't think it would take him that many at-bats to get him where he needs to be. It took him one, I guess."

Up next: C.J. Wilson is slated to start the Angels' second Cactus League game against the Mariners in Peoria, Ariz., on Saturday. The 33-year-old left-hander went 17-7 with a 3.39 ERA in 212 1/3 innings last year. He was hit in the left side of the head by a comebacker on Tuesday, but didn't suffer a concussion and felt fine during his bullpen session on Thursday. Saturday's game starts at 12:05 p.m. PT and can be seen on Prime Ticket or MLB.TV.



Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout starts spring in grand fashion | MLB-com: News

The Braves are finalizing a Minor League deal with Cuban catching prospect Yenier Bello, according to an industry source.

The agreement includes a signing bonus and an invitation to Spring Training. The Braves have not confirmed the deal.

Bello, 29, hit .274 with 13 home runs in Cuba's La Serie Nacional, the country's top baseball league, in 2011. He hit 75 home runs and drove in 297 runs in his last five seasons in Cuba, primarily with Sancti Spíritus.

The Braves intend to use Evan Gattis as their starting catcher for approximately 105 games this season, with Gerald Laird, who is day to day with a lower back strain, serving as his primary backup. Ryan Doumit can also catch, and Christian Bethancourt, 22, who spent the last two seasons at Double-A, appears to be the catcher of the future.

Bello will likely start the season in the Minor Leagues. It has already been quite a ride for the 5-foot-11, 225-pound backstop.

The right-handed hitter was suspended from baseball in Cuba and had his passport confiscated after he was caught attempting to leave the island in 2012. Last spring, he retired from baseball and traveled to Ecuador, and he reaquired his passport.

Bello never returned to Cuba and later established residency in Mexico, the first step to being declared a free agent by Major League Baseball. He was cleared by the U.S. Department of Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control last month. He is represented by Bryce Dixon of the Primo Sports Group.



Atlanta Braves close to deal with Cuban prospect Yenier Bello | MLB-com: News

Monday offers another full slate of Spring Training games in both the Cactus and Grapefruit Leagues, featuring a number of debuts, firsts and intriguing matchups.

The Brewers and Cubs make a bit of baseball history on Monday afternoon in their Cactus League game. According to Brewers manager Ron Roenicke, the contest will be one of several featuring the first use of Major League Baseball's expanded instant replay review system, which allows managers the right to challenge at least one call. The 2:05 p.m. CT game can be seen on MLB.TV and listened to via Gameday Audio.

Derek Jeter is likely to start at shortstop when the Yankees host the Nationals at 1:05 p.m. ET in a game that can be seen live on MLB.TV. Brett Gardner, Brian McCann and Brian Roberts are also expected to start for the Yankees behind starter Ivan Nova. Ross Detwiler will toe the rubber for the Nationals and pitch at least two innings. Tanner Roark, who is also competing for the fifth spot in Washington's rotation, is expected to pitch in the game.

Brett Lawrie and Edwin Encarnacion will likely be part of the Blue Jays' travel squad for a game against the Twins at 1:05 p.m. ET that can be seen live on MLB.TV. Toronto outfielder Colby Rasmus is expected to skip the trip because of a sore neck. J.A. Happ will start for the Blue Jays, with Dustin McGowan, Kyle Drabek, Sean Nolin and Mickey Storey also scheduled to pitch. Kevin Correia draws the start for the Twins, and he will be followed Kyle Gibson, Brian Duensing and Caleb Thielbar.

Reigning National League Cy Young Award winner Clayton Kershaw gets the ball for the Dodgers against the A's in a 12:05 p.m. PT contest that can be seen live on MLB.TV. Kershaw is scheduled to pitch three innings. Oakland right-hander A.J. Griffin, who worked 200 innings last season, gets the start in his Cactus League debut. A's outfield prospect Billy Burns, acquired from the Nationals this offseason, will be in the starting lineup, batting leadoff and playing center field.

The MLB.TV slate concludes with a Cactus League matchup between the Angels and D-backs at 3:10 p.m. ET. Garrett Richards, who has a spot in the rotation for the first time in his career, gets the start for the Angels in his first action of the spring. Closer Ernesto Frieri is slated to make his spring debut for the Halos. Right-hander Brandon McCarthy will get the start for Arizona.

Cardinals shortstop Jhonny Peralta returns to Lakeland, Fla., to face his former team, the Tigers, for the first time in a 12:05 p.m. CT game that can be heard on Gameday Audio. Peralta played the last four seasons with Detroit before signing with St. Louis during the offseason. Most of the Tigers' projected Opening Day lineup is scheduled to start, including Miguel Cabrera, Victor Martinez, Torii Hunter, Ian Kinsler, Alex Avila, Austin Jackson and Nick Castellanos.

Josh Johnson takes the mound for his Padres debut against the Giants at 12:05 p.m. PT in an exclusive audio webcast on MLB-com. Johnson signed a one-year, $8 million contract in the offseason and is expected to begin the season in the middle of the rotation. Tim Lincecum is scheduled to start for the Giants in his Cactus League debut.

Red Sox closer Koji Uehara and setup man Junichi Tazawa will both make their Grapefruit League debuts on the road against the Pirates at 1:05 p.m. ET. Jackie Bradley Jr., A.J. Pierzynski, Daniel Nava and Mike Carp all will be making the trip for Boston. Starling Marte, Russell Martin, Andrew McCutchen, Pedro Alvarez, Neil Walker and Travis Snider will start for the Pirates behind starter Francisco Liriano.


Spring Training debut of expanded replay review highlights today's slate | MLB-com: News

Arguing that an antitrust exemption for Major League Baseball is "the product of a bygone era," the city of San Jose asked a federal appeals court in San Francisco Thursday to reinstate its antitrust lawsuit against the league.

San Jose sued MLB and Commissioner Bud Selig last year in a bid to clear a possible path for the Oakland A's club to move to San Jose in a new stadium that would be built on city land.

It claims MLB has violated antitrust laws by interfering with a possible move through a territorial rights rule and a four-year delay by an MLB committee that is studying the potential relocation.

Under the territorial rule, the San Francisco Giants club has rights to the South Bay that can be overturned only by a three-fourths vote of all clubs.

The city made its arguments to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in the opening brief of its appeal of a decision in which U.S. District Judge Ronald Whyte of San Jose dismissed the antitrust claims last year.

Whyte based his ruling on a 1922 U.S. Supreme Court decision that specifically exempted baseball from federal antitrust laws.

The city's brief contends that exemption is "outdated" and a "highly questionable precedent."

But because only the Supreme Court can overrule itself, the appeals-court-level brief focuses on arguing that the exemption should be interpreted very narrowly to apply only to player-management labor disputes and not to relocation issues.

It asks the appeals court to allow a trial in San Jose to fill out the facts of its claims.

"There is no basis to conclude -- without any factual inquiry -- that MLB's ability to block the relocation of the Athletics to a lucrative market like San Jose is in any way essential to our national pastime," the city's lawyers wrote.

MLB's response is due by April 4, and then the city has the option of filing a final reply by April 18.

Last month, the appeals court granted San Jose an expedited fast-track schedule for the case and promised to hold a hearing on the first available calendar after the final brief is filed.

San Jose had told the court it is urgent to resolve the case quickly because an option held by the Oakland club to buy land for a stadium in San Jose will expire on Nov. 8.



San Jose asks court to reinstate MLB lawsuit | www-ktvu-com

At the same point last offseason, starting pitcher Kyle Lohse was still a free agent. In fact, it would take until March 25 for Lohse to finally sign a contract with the Milwaukee Brewers. But unlike Lohse, who too wore the rejected-qualifying offer Scarlet Letter, current free agent Ervin Santana has apparently waved the white flag in his pursuit of a multiyear deal.

According to Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal, the 31-year-old is eager to sign with a team and get to spring training—even at the cost of a lucrative, long-term contract. Aside from how most teams would forfeit an unprotected first-round pick to sign the right-hander, the sheer opportunity to sign a free-agent pitcher of Santana’s caliber to a one-year deal instantly makes him a bargain.

Santana enjoyed a productive season for the Kansas City Royals in 2013, posting a 3.24 ERA (versus a park-adjusted 127 ERA+), 1.14 WHIP and 3.16 K/BB. And compared to many of the offseason’s top earners, the Dominican Republic native’s past three seasons look rather similar.

But with two sub-90 ERA+ seasons—an 87 and 74 ERA+ in 2009 and 2012, respectively—it’s possible his career inconsistencies hurt his value.

Yet by that very logic, Ubaldo Jimenez, 30, should still be a free agent too. Instead, the Baltimore Orioles inked the power righty to a four-year, $50 million contract on February 19.

Like Santana, prospective suitors of Jimenez too would have pawned their unprotected first-round pick. The Orioles, however, like so many other MLB teams, seemed to prefer similar and outright inferior pitchers to Santana, regardless of qualifying offer status.

Teams’ apparent unwillingness to recognize Santana’s value, given the above long list of comparables, is a bit befuddling. Even though no mainstream system projects Santana to be an ace in 2014, the hurler would undoubtedly improve most rotations in baseball.

Despite initial rumors that the Santana agreed to terms with the Blue Jays on a one-year deal, per ESPN’s Dionisio Soldevila, the former Los Angeles Angels’ farmhand is actually still available, per ESPN’s Enrique Rojas.

Inking Santana on a one-year, $14 million contract would instantly propel a team’s playoffs chances—without the risk of any latter, contractual-year commitments. And while Santana’s late-offseason desperation might serve as a boilerplate for the argument against the current collective bargaining agreement, any team would be completely misguided to not pursue a bargain like Santana.


Ervin Santana: A Potential Bargain for Pitching-Starved MLB Teams | Bleacher Report

A replay challenge that was not overturned helped the Angels to a 3-1 victory Sunday over the Reds at Tempe Diablo Stadium.

With a runner at second and no outs in the fifth inning of a scoreless game, the Angels' Hank Conger singled to right and Roger Bernadina threw home to try to get Erick Aybar. Aybar scored easily but catcher Brayan Pena threw to second to try to get Conger advancing on the play. Shortstop Ramon Santiago tagged high on the sliding Conger, who was called safe by umpire Jim Reynolds.

Reds manager Bryan Price challenged, and after a review of 2 minutes, 15 seconds, the call was upheld by umpire Gerry Davis, viewing it on site in a truck. Under the new rule, Price lost his ability to challenge another play before the seventh inning, although the umpires can use their discretion to have any play reviewed.

Conger scored three batters later on a single from Kole Calhoun.

"It worked out really well, actually," Price said. "We didn't get the call overturned, but we got a chance to have more dialogue with the umpires. As far as the protocol goes, going out there and engaging and kind of understanding the dos and don'ts. One thing that was terrific was that they kind of conferred first so that we didn't have to unnecessarily use a challenge if maybe [another] umpire had a clearer vantage point and overturned that call before using a challenge. And that puts the onus on the other manager. Pretty interesting stuff."

During the regular season, all calls will be made by an umpiring crew stationed in a replay studio at Major League Baseball Advanced Media offices in New York.

"It's getting less confusing as we're absorbing it and trying it," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. "I think the whole logistics of seeing the replay and getting it to the umpire will be better during the season because of the ability to see the play from many angles, hopefully, in a timely fashion from New York."

Tyler Skaggs gave up just one hit and two walks in four innings to bolster his bid for the fifth spot in the Angels' rotation.

The Reds managed just five hits against seven pitchers, scoring their run on back-to-back doubles from Kristopher Negron and Rey Navarro in the eighth.

Up next: Jered Weaver will make his third Cactus League start when the Angels travel to Goodyear, Ariz., to face the Indians on Monday at 1:05 p.m. PT. Weaver has a 1.29 ERA this spring in seven innings. Cleveland will counter with former UCLA star and Southern California native Trevor Bauer. Watch the action live on MLB.TV.



LA Angels' pitching shines behind Tyler Skaggs' strong start | MLB-com: News

If all goes well, today's Spring Training action will feature Zack Greinke's return to the mound as the Dodgers take on the D-backs in Glendale, Ariz.

Greinke, who sustained a mild calf strain in his first Cactus League start on Feb. 27, participated in pitchers' fielding practice and other drills Tuesday, and he is penciled in to start Los Angeles' 4:05 p.m. ET contest, which streams live on MLB.TV. Should Greinke be held back, Zach Lee will start in his place. Los Angeles will face one of Arizona's Minor League pitchers, as the D-backs send Wade Miley to face the Rockies in the club's other Wednesday contest.

In Port St. Lucie, Fla., the battle for the Cardinals' fifth rotation spot continues as right-hander Carlos Martinez takes the mound at 1:10 p.m. ET on MLB.TV. He will face the Mets for the second time in six days, having limited New York to one hit in three scoreless frames last Friday. Opposite Martinez, Mets lefty John Lannan will make what could be one of his final spring starts as the club considers shifting him to a bullpen that currently features only one left-hander.

In one of their split-squad road matchups Wednesday, the Nationals head to Kissimee, where rookie manager Matt Williams will get his first taste of expanded instant replay in a 1:05 p.m. ET game against the Astros on MLB.TV. Tanner Roark will take the ball for the Nats, while Astros right-hander Jerome Williams will make his first Grapefruit League start. Williams surrendered a pair of runs on five hits through 4 2/3 innings of relief this spring.

The Tigers will also get their first experience of expanded replay as they travel to Tampa to face the Yankees in a 1:05 ET contest on MLB.TV. Detroit's Anibal Sanchez will toe the rubber at Steinbrenner Field for the second time in six days, starting opposite New York's Hiroki Kuroda, who inked a one-year, $16 million deal in the offseason. The 39-year-old right-hander will look to continue his strong Grapefruit League showing, as he has yet to allow a run through 4 2/3 innings this spring.

After their first of two off-days this spring, the Bucs will resume play Wednesday, meeting the Twins in Ft. Myers. Pittsburgh will send second-year hurler Gerrit Cole to the mound in the 1:05 p.m. ET game, and the righty could swing the bat for the first time this spring, as the Pirates tentatively plan to have its starters hit to begin simulating regular-season play. For Minnesota, Kevin Correia is scheduled to start in his second Grapefruit League appearance.

Also off Tuesday, the Brewers return to the diamond in Tempe, Ariz., sending offseason acquisition Matt Garza to the mound against the Angels at 4:05 ET. Garza passed on a four-year, $52 million deal from the Angels in December to sign a similar deal with Milwaukee. Hector Santiago will start for Los Angeles, as the club separates for split-squad games on Wednesday.

San Diego's Tyson Ross will look to continue his scoreless-innings streak as he gets the start against the Indians at 4:05 ET on MLB.TV. Ross, expected to throw four innings and around 60 pitches, has yet to allow a run in five frames of work this spring. For Cleveland, Corey Kluber will make his fourth Cactus League appearance. The right-hander has surrendered three runs (two earned) on four hits through six innings this spring.

Wednesday's MLB.TV slate concludes with the Cubs and Mariners in Peoria at 10:05 p.m. ET. featuring a pair of free-agent acquisitions on the mound. James McDonald, who signed with Chicago last month, is making his second spring start, while the Mariners will send another veteran non-roster invitee, Randy Wolf, to the hill. After missing most of last season following Tommy John surgery, Wolf has allowed four earned runs on four hits in two spring starts (five innings) with his new club.




Zack Greinke's return to hill highlights today's slate | MLB-com: News

For much of the 2013 season, veteran right-hander Hiroki Kuroda was the Yankees' best starting pitcher. For much of the 2014 Grapefruit League campaign, he might have been the most overlooked.

Now, it's natural that Masahiro Tanaka is getting a lot of attention after signing a seven-year, $155 million deal to leave Japan. And it makes sense that close attention is being paid to CC Sabathia, the erstwhile ace who slumped last season. But Kuroda is a compelling storyline as well.

After beating the Angels on Aug. 12 last season, Kuroda was 11-7 with a 2.33 ERA. In his last eight starts, he was 0-6, 6.56 ERA.

So it was also natural that manager Joe Girardi and Kuroda would be asked if what happened Wednesday -- six earned runs on 10 hits over 3 2/3 innings of what ended up as a 7-7 tie against the Tigers at George M. Steinbrenner Field -- might be a continuation of those problems.

"I think he's going to have another good year for us," Girardi said. "Because the arm speed is there and everything is there. And here's a guy who been around a long time, so I don't make too much of Spring Training.

"He was off with his offspeed stuff, which is not really that unusual this time of year. That's what they're trying to find. They're trying to find a feel. His offspeed stuff just wasn't sharp, and that's why he got hit."

The 39-year-old also appeared unconcerned.

"I had a hard time making good pitches, so that led to bad results. Mechanically, I was inconsistent. I was rushing a little bit, and the hitters took advantage," he said through an interpreter. "When the stuff is good, I get a lot of groundouts. But in this game, the location wasn't there. I think I was too much up in the zone, especially with my breaking balls.

"To prepare for my next outing, I have to make an adjustment -- especially with my slider, which is not sharp at this time. At this point of Spring Training, it's not easy to be 100 percent every time. When the season comes, there will be days like this. So I need to make sure I'm on top of everything."

Kuroda's next start will be Monday against the Pirates at McKechnie Field in Bradenton, Fla.

Asked specifically if he was worried that Wednesday's results might be a carryover from 2013, he shook his head. "I haven't thought about that. I think the velocity is pretty good. It's just a matter of small mechanical changes. That's what I'm trying to work on," he said.

Catcher Francisco Cervelli chalked it up as just one of those days.

"In the bullpen, he was a little uncomfortable," Cervelli said. "It was a game where anything he threw, they hit. It was like, 'What can we do?' Just make quality pitches. But if you get behind with those kind of hitters, they are professional. I think he has one of the best sliders in the Major Leagues. It's fun to catch. But in this game, it just wasn't there."

Some have suggested that fatigue can be a factor for Kuroda, because he had also tailed off down the stretch the in 2012, when he pitched a career-high 219 2/3 innings. Girardi isn't certain he buys that line of thinking.

"I guess you can say that," he said. "It's just a guy who went through a tremendous four months and then had a couple tougher months. If you have a tough month in May and a tough month in July and the other four months are good, people probably don't say much. But because of the way he finished, people are probably going to question what we're going to have this year.

"I do feel good about him. Maybe he ran out of gas a little, but I can't say that for sure."


Hiroki Kuroda focused more on process than results | MLB-com: News

This weekend brings another dose of Spring Training excitement in the Cactus and Grapefruit Leagues, especially on Saturday with 19 games on tap. Fans will be able to see 10 of those games on MLB.TV.

The Dodgers head to Glendale, Ariz., to face the White Sox in a contest that will showcase two of the game's best starters. Clayton Kershaw gets the call for the Dodgers, while Chris Sale takes the hill for the White Sox at 10:05 p.m. ET on MLB.TV.

Sale makes his fourth start of the spring, while Kershaw will get in his final Spring Training start before his Opening Day assignment in Australia.

Another intriguing pitching matchup can be seen at 7:05 p.m. ET on MLB.TV between two talented left-handers. Phillies veteran Cliff Lee will face Red Sox ace Jon Lester at JetBlue Park.

Lee's had an excellent spring, striking out 10 and walking just one in 8 2/3 innings. Meanwhile, Lester has eased into pitching this spring, making his first start on Monday. He allowed one hit and struck out four in three innings against the Rays.

"I felt good," Lester said after the start. "It felt good to get the first one out of the way. Kind of what we talked about last week as far as getting used to the surroundings and the fans and the whole routine of a normal work day. It was good. It was a step in the right direction going through spring."

In a split-squad game between the A's and the Giants at 6:05 p.m. ET on MLB.TV, Matt Cain looks to continue his unbelievable spring. He'll be up against Tommy Milone, who is trying to make the A's Opening Day roster.

In two Cactus League starts, Cain has allowed just one hit, zero walks and has nine strikeouts in eight innings. In his last start against the Cubs, Cain pitched five perfect innings.

"I threw good pitches when I was ahead on the count, which is always nice," Cain said after the start. "At times, you feel like you get in good counts and you're not able to finish guys, but today we were able to do that."

Reds right-hander Homer Bailey will make his fourth start of the spring in a 4:05 p.m. ET contest against the Brewers on MLB.TV. Bailey is 0-1 with a 4.00 ERA in nine innings. Milwaukee sends right-hander Tyler Thornburg to the hill.

Angels ace Jered Weaver gets the nod in a 4:10 p.m. ET contest against the Rockies and Juan Nicasio, which can be seen on MLB.TV. The right-hander struggled on Monday against the Indians in his third start of the spring, allowing three runs on five hits in 4 1/3 innings. However, he did end the outing by striking out three of the last five batters he faced.

In a matchup of National League East rivals, Nationals ace Stephen Strasburg will face Marlins superstar Jose Fernandez at 1:05 p.m. ET. Strasburg is still refining his new pitch, the slider, after throwing a decent amount of them against the Cardinals on Sunday.

Max Scherzer will look to continue his dominant spring when he faces childhood teammate and friend Lucas Harrell as the Tigers conclude a three-game homestead against the Astros at 1:05 p.m ET on Gameday Audio. Scherzer has tossed 7 2/3 shutout innings over his last two starts, while walking just one and striking out eight.

Royals Opening Day starter James Shields has been no stranger to success this spring. Shields is 2-0 with a 1.04 ERA with no walks and eight strikeouts in 8 2/3 innings. He makes his fourth Cactus League start against the Cubs at 4:05 p.m. ET on Gameday Audio.



Clayton Kershaw, Chris Sale lead star-studded spring slate | MLB-com: News

The grandstands of Rod Carew Stadium were packed with life on Saturday, a colorful and festive crowd savoring this once-in-a-lifetime treat of having big league baseball relocate for a weekend to this Central American nation.

They came to honor the career of Mariano Rivera, who said he had long dreamed of having his Yankees travel here, and commented that this experience had exceeded even those expectations. But they stood, chanted and cheered for the game as well, witnessing four pitchers combine to no-hit New York in a 5-0 Spring Training victory for Miami.

"You never want to be no-hit," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. "I don't care what game it is, what level. You never want to see that."

Miami starter Brad Hand got it all underway with five innings of perfect ball, striking out six. Steve Cishek handled the sixth inning, A.J. Ramos got the next six outs and Arquimedes Caminero polished off the final three in the ninth inning.

"It is a great celebration, but at the same time, we are preparing for the start of the season," Marlins manager Mike Redmond said. "We try to win these games. We still have guys fighting for spots and jobs in the starting lineup and the bullpen."

The Yankees' last serious threat for a hit came in the eighth, as Dean Anna led off the frame with a deep drive to right-center field that was tracked down by Matt Angle a few steps shy of the wall. Caminero struck out Adonis Garcia swinging for the last out, with Garcia losing his grip on the bat and flinging it toward the mound.

"It's a first no-hitter I've ever seen or been a part of in Spring Training," Redmond said. "Last year, we had Henderson Alvarez throw a no-hitter on the last day of the season and that was pretty cool. Tonight was just a testament to how the guys played. We made good plays on defense, too. All in all, it was a great day and one I'll remember for a long time."

The Yankees had three baserunners in the game. Brett Gardner and Zelous Wheeler worked walks, and Anna was hit by a pitch.

Miami touched Yankees starter Adam Warren for two hits in 4 1/3 innings, scratching out a run in the fourth to interrupt an otherwise strong start.

Jake Marisnick singled, stole second, advanced on a groundout and then came home on a wild pitch for the only run off Warren, who walked none and struck out six. Christian Yelich added an RBI single in the sixth inning off reliever Chase Whitley.

"It felt more like a real game," Warren said. "The atmosphere was great. I enjoyed pitching in that atmosphere; a really loud crowd, and it was a lot of fun. I enjoyed it."

The pregame ceremonies were memorable, as Rivera walked through the outfield wall to the strains of Metallica's "Enter Sandman," just as he did so many times over the course of a career that saw Rivera compile 652 regular-season saves, plus 42 more in the postseason -- both all-time records.

Rivera spoke to the crowd briefly in Spanish, thanking them for their support and stating how loved he felt, and then threw his ceremonial first pitch -- not quite a strike, though that dampened nothing -- to David Robertson, his successor as the Yankees' closer.

"It was a lot of fun. This is definitely a different experience," Robertson said. "You can tell the fans are excited to be here, excited to see Mo, and to be able to catch his first pitch was pretty awesome. Not too many people can say they did that."

If Rivera received the loudest cheers of the night, then the second-most were reserved for Yankees captain Derek Jeter, whom Rivera referred to as "my brother for so many years, and he will be until the day I die."

Jeter finished the game 0-for-3 with two strikeouts, and Girardi said that he plans to have Jeter serve as the designated hitter for Sunday's 1:05 p.m. ET series finale before both clubs head to Tocumen International Airport, returning to their regular Spring Training routines.

Girardi said that he loved the pregame ceremony for Rivera, and though he cracked that "it wasn't the historic night that I envisioned," Girardi said that the atmosphere of the ballpark was special.

"I think it's great for the game of baseball," Girardi said. "The Panamanian fans were tremendous tonight, the support that they showed for both teams, the excitement. Seeing little kids hanging over the walls; I think it's wonderful."

Up next: Masahiro Tanaka will make his third appearance and second start of the spring Sunday as the split-squad Yankees welcome the Braves to George M. Steinbrenner Field for a 1:05 p.m. ET game on MLB.TV. The Japanese right-hander gave up one run on two hits in three innings of work March 6 against the Phillies and threw a simulated game Tuesday. The plan is to have Tanaka throw 60 to 75 pitches against Atlanta. Also on Sunday, CC Sabathia starts for the Yankees at 2:05 as they wrap up the two-game "Legend Series" against the Marlins in Panama.




Yankees held hitless by four Marlins in Panama opener | MLB-com: News

The historic first pitch is yet to be thrown at the SCG, but organisers are hoping Major League Baseball in Sydney can become a four-yearly event.

Securing the rights to host official MLB matches has been a process nearly eight years in the making for promoter Jason Moore of Moore Sports.

However, director of the MLB's Australia and Oceania office, Tom Nicholson revealed the first moves towards bringing America's favourite pastime down under were made after the Sydney Olympics.

Now the dream has finally become a reality, with the LA Dodgers and Arizona Diamondbacks to lock horns this weekend, organisers are confident they have the infrastructure and know-how in place to host MLB matches at the SCG on a regular four-year cycle.

And it seems the desire to make baseball part of the Sydney sporting calendar isn't a one-way street.

MLB officials are interested in Australia for its talent resources and proximity to the huge Asian market.

Nicholson confirmed Sydney is being looked at to host the MLB opening series again in 2018.

"Absolutely. We want this to be a success. We want Sydney to support it and they are," Nicholson told AAP.

"This has never been done before especially in what we call a developing market.

"It's OK in Japan, you just turn the key - you've got a ready-made baseball stadium.

"But coming somewhere as iconic as Sydney and the SCG, we're trailblazing.

"Seeing all this hard work and the template we have now to replicate next time around, we'd love to host this every four years.

"There is a window for us on the international calendar so we're looking at 2018 as a possibility and have it every four years thereafter."

The MLB were initially concerned about Sydney for travel and logistical reasons, but came around to Moore's concept for two key reasons.

The potential of the Australian Baseball League, which is to begin its fourth season, and the fact that Sydney was a safe and easy way to bring the game to Asia.

"We're not going to get ahead of ourselves, let's just worry about getting past the 23rd of March," said Moore, who has negotiated the concept from the start.

"We would like to think we now have a playbook of how to do it and certainly we'll sit down after the dust settles and speak with NSW government, speak with the SCG, speak with Major League Baseball.

"People should be aware that baseball is a growing sport in this country ... there's some great opportunity for talent here. We're certainly over represented from Major League Baseball scouts, with 28 of 30 clubs represented by fulltime scouts in this country.

"We are the gateway to Asia and from a business to business standpoint, this is a business opportunity for them - 2.2 billion people live in our time zone."

Arizona and LA players will touch down on Tuesday, the Diamondbacks suffering a major blow with starting pitcher Patrick Corbin ruled out with an elbow injury, while the Dodgers will be missing all-star Carl Crawford, who is staying back for the birth of his child.




MLB in Sydney could be regular event

Attention, cricket-crazy and soon-to-be-baseball-loving fans who will pack the legendary Sydney Cricket Ground when the Major League season begins here Friday night with the Arizona Diamondbacks and Los Angeles Dodgers playing the first of two games in the Opening Series.

If a baseball flies into the stands and you're lucky enough to pick it up, keep it. Seriously. Please keep it.

"One of the things about cricket is that they use the same ball for 90 overs, which is almost a full day," said Scott Egelton of Moore Sports, who has been serving as stadium operation manager, working hand in hand with Major League Baseball's field and facilities coordinator, Murray Cook, to transform this iconic sporting venue into a big league field.

"If the fans here don't realize how it works in baseball, the field might be showered with the balls that they throw back onto the field," Egelton said.

Yes, there might be a bit of a learning curve as the baseball action begins in earnest on Thursday, when the Dodgers take on the Australian national team at 7 p.m. Sydney time (4 a.m. ET), but local fans are accustomed to sitting in the stands at the country's most famous oval to watch cricket and Australian rules football and rugby at the Allianz Stadium next door. Now they'll get to watch Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw pitch to D-backs slugger Paul Goldschmidt and Arizona southpaw Wade Miley up against Los Angeles' dynamic outfielder Yasiel Puig, and they'll have vendors bringing hot dogs to their seats.

No wonder both games are sold out. And no wonder Sydney Cricket Ground has already wowed early onlookers as quite a place to play America's national pastime.

"I think we're set to go," said Cook, who, along with SCG curator Tom Parker, has overseen the conversion of the monstrous oval "pitch" that has featured top-level Aussie cricket since the 1850s and actually hosted an exhibition with the Chicago White Sox in 1914. "We'll get the guys out here in the exhibitions, see how she plays, and we'll see if they want it a little softer or a little harder. We'll do what we've got to do to get it ready."

So far, they've done plenty.

Crews removed all the grass and put in clay for the basepaths and home plate. The clay, all 200 tons of it, came into Sydney Harbour from California on a cargo ship labeled "quarried material," and has the reddish hue of any storied big league park. New dugouts were built, outfield fencing, a batter's eye, a warning track, foul territory fencing, foul poles screwed into large wooden boxes, batting tunnels and a backstop were added. This took 16 days.

The players who filtered onto the field for the D-backs' early workout -- the Dodgers arrived later in the afternoon -- seemed blown away by what they saw.

One of them, pitcher Ryan Rowland-Smith, grew up in Australia and had been tracking the progress of Cook and Parker and crew online. He was all smiles when he finally witnessed the real thing.

"Stepping out here to see it firsthand is so much better than what I saw in the photos," Rowland-Smith said. "It looks unbelievable. I'd been here as a kid. I would walk out here and just admire how big it was. And the fact that they've kept the pavilion, the heritage side of the SCG, is awesome."

That pavilion is a green-roofed gem of Victorian architecture preserved as it originally appeared, with the more modern decks and sections of the stadium built around it. During cricket season, it's reserved for members, and inside, the gathering areas between the old locker rooms, which will house the big league umpires this week, its history rings out from every corner.

There are stately pressed-tin ceilings, arched stained-glass windows, elaborate wooden bars and photos and mementos from the various eras of Australian cricket.

But there are lifetimes of memories in every seating section at the SCG, with more to come courtesy of the first regular-season Major League games to be played Down Under.

Out beyond what is serving as the left-center-field wall this week, there's a bronze statue behind a front-row stall. It's the likeness of legendary SCG fan Stephen Harold Gascoigne, better known as "Yabba," who enjoyed heckling the British team. He's in full scream, with a bottle of beer to his right. The inscription on the plaque reads, "A tribute by the Sydney Cricket Ground Trust to every spectator who has ever come to these Grounds."

Upwards of 45,000 spectators per game are expected for each game of the Opening Series, and baseball will be showcased. It's been a long time coming for the small but passionate fraternity of big leaguers who grew up in this country, and D-backs special assistant Craig Shipley, who was the first native Aussie to make it to The Show in the modern era, could sense the excitement as soon as he arrived here a few days ahead of his club's traveling party.

"It's amazing," Shipley said. "It's a special, special venue for a baseball field, and it looks perfect."




Sydney Cricket Ground welcomes America's pastime | MLB-com: News

Australian of the Year Adam Goodes is tipped to have the honour of throwing out the opening pitch of the Major League Baseball season.

It is a ceremonial duty that has been carried out on MLB's opening day by numerous American presidents including Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Barack Obama, and Hollywood A-listers like Tom Hanks.

Organisers from Moore Sports and Destination NSW insist a final decision is yet to be made on who will officially launch the season-opening clash between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Arizona Diamondbacks on Saturday night at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

However, it is expected the honour will go to Goodes - one of the historic venue's favourite sons.

The 34-year-old Sydney AFL great was recognised with this year's Australian of the Year award for his prominent involvement in Indigenous and anti-racism issues.

The dual-Brownlow Medalist, two-time premiership player, four-time All-Australian and member of the Indigenous Team of the Century, is set to write his name into the MLB history books.

Goodes, and fellow Moore Park-based sporting superstars Sonny Bill Williams and Alessandro Del Piero were getting together on Wednesday to welcome Dodgers $238-million pitcher Clayton Kershaw and Diamondbacks slugger Paul Goldschmidt to the SCG, posing for a photo in front of the historic Members Pavilion.




Adam Goodes tipped to throw opening pitch of MLB season at LA Dodgers v Arizona Diamondbacks SCG match - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

Ervin Santana remained on the free agent market for much of the winter before signing with the Braves last week, and the former All-Star is scheduled to make his highly anticipated Grapefruit League debut on Thursday afternoon.

Santana will start against the Mets at 1:10 p.m. ET on MLB.TV in a matchup of National League East rivals. Santana, who posted a 3.24 ERA last season with the Royals, should bolster an Atlanta rotation that has been thinned by elbow injuries to Kris Medlen and Brandon Beachy. Braves stars Jason Heyward, B.J. Upton and Justin Upton are all expected make the trip and be in the lineup. Zack Wheeler will start for the Mets and first baseman Lucas Duda could return from a hamstring injury.

Meanwhile, in the Cactus League, Padres third baseman Chase Headley is scheduled to see his first Major League action of the spring against the Giants at 7:05 PT on MLB.TV . Headley, who strained his right calf during an infield drill on Feb. 22, has been getting at-bats in Minor League contests and will play the field on Thursday. Andrew Cashner will start for San Diego, which had an off-day on Wednesday. The Giants are also coming back from a day off and will give the ball to left-hander Madison Bumgarner, who has not allowed a run in 10 innings this spring.

There are seven additional games on MLB.TV , including a 7:05 ET contest between the Red Sox and Yankees in a matchup of American League East rivals. Mark Teixeira, Ichiro Suzuki, Francisco Cervelli and Eduardo Nunez are among the Yankees travel squad and David Phelps will get the start. Clay Buchholz will take the mound for the Red Sox and Grady Sizemore will start in center field.

The Phillies are looking for someone to assume Cole Hamels' spot in their rotation while Hamels recovers from a left shoulder issue, and two candidates will be on the mound during the club's final split-squad action of the spring. David Buchanan gets the start against the visiting Blue Jays, while Jeff Manship faces the Astros on the road. Both games begin at 1:05 ET on MLB.TV .

Marlins Opening Day starter Jose Fernandez gets the ball against the visiting Cardinals in a 1:05 ET game on MLB.TV . Fernandez is expected to make at least 70 pitches. Lance Lynn will start for St. Louis, with closer Trevor Rosenthal and left-handed setup man Kevin Siegrist also scheduled for action.

Jered Weaver is a candidate to start for the Angels on Opening Day, and the right-hander will take the mound on the road against the Royals at 4:05 PT on MLB.TV . Weaver has a 3.86 ERA over 16 1/3 innings in the Cactus League and will have one more exhibition start next week. If Josh Hamilton plays for the Angels, it would be the outfielder's first time playing back-to-back games this spring. Left-hander Bruce Chen will start for the Royals.

With Mariners ace Felix Hernandez scheduled to start a Minor League game, Erasmo Ramirez will get the ball for the Seattle on the road against the Cubs at 1:05 PT on MLB.TV . Ramirez has a 1.42 ERA in four Cactus League appearances and appears to have earned a spot in the rotation. Opening Day starter Jeff Samardzija will be on the mound for the Cubs.

The Brewers will give the ball to Rule 5 Draft pick Wei-Chung Wang against the Rockies in a 3:10 CT game on MLB.TV . Wang is making a strong case to be on the Opening Day roster and has allowed just one unearned run over 8 1/3 innings in the Cactus League. Juan Nicasio gets the start for the Rockies.



Ervin Santana makes Grapefruit League debut with Braves Thursday | MLB-com: News

For roughly a century, the Cincinnati Reds kicked off the Major League Baseball season by hosting a festive afternoon game that inspired hopeful fans of teams everywhere to think in terms of blank slates, renewal and World Series possibilities.

Baseball’s oldest team still opens at home, facing the Cardinals on March 31, but gone is the traditional opening day, replaced by a Sunday evening “Opening Night” affair pitting two high-profile teams on ESPN.

For the last 15 years, MLB has played its first games even earlier and further away from Cincinnati. Since 1999, when the Colorado Rockies and San Diego Padres met in Monterrey, Mexico, baseball has opened in Tokyo four times (2000, 2004, 2008, 2012) and San Juan, P.R., once (2001).

This year, the Arizona Diamondbacks and Los Angeles Dodgers will square off at the historic Sydney Cricket Ground in Australia on Saturday and Sunday, marking the earliest start to an MLB regular season and the first games played in the Southern Hemisphere.

The two-game series, part of baseball’s ongoing global marketing efforts, will draw attention to how the sport has grown steadily over the last generation in the “Land Down Under.” Just as an influx of Japanese players in the majors in the late 1990s boosted interest in the sport there, Australia appears to be on a similar timeline today.

“The globalization of our game continues to be paramount to Major League Baseball, and Australia is an essential part of our long-term efforts to grow the sport,” MLB commissioner Bud Selig says.

Cricket and rugby still attract more interest than baseball in Australia, which trails nations such as Japan, Venezuela and the Dominican Republic when it comes to fan interest and producing big leaguers.

But since 1986, when Craig Shipley became the first Aussie in the modern era to reach the majors, the country has transformed from baseball start-up to emerging world power. The 2000 Olympics in Sydney featured a dramatic upset win by Team USA over Cuba for the gold medal. An Australian Academy was established by MLB a year later. In 2004, Australia won a silver medal at the Athens Olympic Games, and last year marked the inaugural appearance of an Australian team at the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pa.

Then there’s Grant Balfour, the fiery Sydney native who last season notched a career-high 38 saves with the Oakland A’s. Balfour once entered games to the 1980s hit “Down Under” by Australian rock group Men at Work before switching to “One” by Metallica and becoming an All-Star and fan favorite in the Bay Area.

Along with MLB’s 75-percent investment in a new Australian Baseball League in 2010, the steady flow of Aussies into the majors and appearances by the country in the World Baseball Classic, have allowed America’s pastime to carve a sizable niche in Australian sports.

“It’s a sport that’s on the verge of booming over there,” says Damian Moss, the Sydney native who pitched for the Atlanta Braves and three other MLB teams from 2001-04. “It’s still battling against cricket and other sports, but it’s definitely on the map now. I don’t know if you could say that 20 years ago.”

Australia has produced 31 major league players all-time, led by 19th century infielder Joe Quinn. Other Aussie standouts include former Milwaukee Brewers catcher David Nilsson, a 1999 National League All-Star; Shipley, an infielder for five teams over 11 seasons; former lefty reliever Graeme Lloyd, a two-time World Series champion with the New York Yankees; Balfour, the 10-year veteran who last year became the second All-Star from Australia; and side-winding reliever Peter Moylan, who joined the Dodgers last year after seven seasons with the Braves.

“Given Australia’s population (22 million) and the competition for athletes with other sports, the country has done pretty well,” says Shipley, now an assistant to Diamondbacks general manager Kevin Towers. “But there’s still a lot of room for the sport to grow.”

Major League Baseball’s history at the Sydney Cricket Ground dates to December 1888, when Spalding’s World Tourists played a series of exhibition games, including a Dec. 15, 1888 contest that attracted 5,500 spectators. The Sydney Cricket Ground will be fully renovated to a baseball configuration and MLB standards in order to host the Opening Series.

Baseball still flew under the radar in Australia when the 2000 Olympics began in Sydney, which had built two new venues for the Games. Still, the sport became one of the more popular tickets in Australia, which had hosted a crowd of 114,000 at the 1956 Melbourne Olympics when baseball was a demonstration sport and the U.S. defeated Australia 11-5.

In 2000, baseball was a medal sport for just the third time and professionals were eligible for only the second Olympiad. But since the late-September games coincided with the end of the MLB season, the only household name on the U.S. roster was catcher and former World Series MVP Pat Borders, who at 37 had been playing for the Tampa Bay Rays’ Triple-A affiliate.

Borders mentored a talented staff of pitching prospects that included Ben Sheets, Roy Oswalt and Jon Rauch. With Tommy Lasorda as manager, the team upset a heavily favored Cuban squad to win Team USA’s first and only Olympic gold medal in baseball.

“It was a great atmosphere,” recalls David Fanucchi, who served as Team USA’s public relations director and authored a book on the team called Miracle on Grass. “Sydney is a thriving metropolitan city that, like the rest of the country, appreciates baseball.”

After the Olympics, Major League Baseball and the Australian Baseball Federation established the MLB Australian Academy Program (MLBAAP), which has served as a model for ensuing international MLB academies.

Hosted at Palm Meadows Baseball Complex in Gold Coast, Queensland, since 2001, the Academy Program enables MLB clubs to sign and develop young Australian players in their native coun

The Los Angeles Dodgers v the Arizona Diamondbacks in an historic Major League Baseball season opener at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

Some Diamondbacks players had to walk the last kilometre to the SCG on Saturday night when one of the team buses had a flat tyre.

Despite the mishap and threatening skies overhead, the game is going ahead as planned.