Official MLB Spring Training News

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The boys of summer are shaking off that winter dust and warming up for the start of a new season! Be sure to check back here for important news and updates as well as scores from your favorite teams! Each day I'll be finding little gems from across the web and the MLB to share with you here in this thread. Feel free to post your local team's news as well!

Find everything you need to know about Spring Training here: Spring Training Online

[The Cardboard Fan]

I have been counting down... now just a little over 10 days until the Braves first Grapefruit League game

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From Yahoo Sports

Griffey arrives at Mariners spring training

PEORIA, Ariz. (AP)—Sporting a bucket hat with sunglasses, Ken Griffey Jr. arrived at the Mariners’ spring training complex Friday with the kind of reception reserved for a veteran and clubhouse leader.
Griffey embraced manager Don Wakamatsu and general manager Jack Zduriencik, and bellowed greetings to teammates from across the clubhouse.

Slated to be the Mariners’ designated hitter, Griffey flew overnight from Florida after watching his daughter’s basketball game. He took his physical Friday after proclaiming that he’d lost seven pounds through dieting and exercise.
Griffey talked to most everyone in sight, even fans. He held court outside the complex with a group of fans following his physical.
“Good to see him,” Wakamatsu said. “It got real loud in there. It’s amazing how one guy can change the karma of the room.”
Other Mariners position players arrived in camp Friday, including third baseman Chone Figgins and outfielders Franklin Gutierrez and Ryan Langerhans.
Mike Sweeney, another team leader from last season, is expected Sunday after signing a minor-league deal last week.
“When you get Griff in here, it kind of puts pressure on everyone else,” Wakamatsu said. “I just called (Sweeney). I said ‘Griff’s here, where you at?’ He said, ‘I got a late invitation. It wasn’t my fault.”’
Cliff Lee, who is coming off foot surgery, is scheduled to take part in pitchers’ fielding practice as early as Saturday. It will be his first baseball drill of spring training, with a bullpen session slated for Wednesday.
“I feel good now. I feel like I could do it now,” Lee said. “But it’s kind of ‘Take it easy, better safe than sorry’ type of stuff at this point. Foot feels fine. It’s a little sore from time to time but it’s nothing that’s major at all.”
In other news, Erik Bedard played catch for about 12 minutes Friday as he rehabs his surgically repaired left shoulder.
Catcher Rob Johnson, who had offseason hip and wrist surgery, caught a bullpen session Friday morning, took batting practice and ran without any noticeable hitch in this stride in conditioning drills.
“He wanted to catch more than one guy and we kind of had to hold him back a little bit,” Wakamatsu said.

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Red Sox Ellsbury's all right in left


By Sean McAdam
CSNNE.com

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- At first, Jacoby Ellsbury was caught off guard by the Red Sox' decision to switch him from center field to left field this season. But now that the surprise has worn off and spring training has arrived, Ellsbury is ready to embrace the challenge.

Mike Cameron will, for the time being, supplant Ellsbury in center.

More Here!

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Beltre ready to rebound


By Joe Haggerty
CSNNE.com
FORT MYERS, Fla. – It can't be the easiest of transitions for Adrian Beltre.

Here are the no-brainer facts: The silky-smooth third baseman is headed to a better team, and a much ballpark that will answer his every offensive hope and dream.

But he's also heading to a team that has a veteran third baseman, Mike Lowell, still lingering on the scene.

Beltre arrived in camp early Monday morning with duffel bags in tow, and promptly proceeded to shake hands with each of the players getting dressed in the clubhouse. He even quickly stepped over to Daisuke Matsuzaka's locker stall, greeted him with a quick "Arigato" and shook the hurler's hand while making his introductions.

See the rest of the story here

[The Cardboard Fan]

Hank Aaron has flown in with some of the Braves execs to watch Heyward first hand tomorrow in the first day of team workouts

I hope he lives up to the hype

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Hank Aaron has flown in with some of the Braves execs to watch Heyward first hand tomorrow in the first day of team workouts

I hope he lives up to the hype

It'll be interesting to see what ole Hammerin' Hank has to say!

[The Cardboard Fan]

For the Braves fans from gondeee at talkingchop.com

"If you're like me and you can't wait until that very first hint of spring, then you're in luck as you won't have to wait longer than the very first Braves game of Spring Training. Between the MLB Network, Fox Sports South, and ESPN, there will be tons of Braves games on TV this spring. Here is a rundown:

Tuesday, March 2nd @ 1pm - Braves vs. Mets on MLB
Tuesday, March 9th @ 7pm - Phillies vs. Braves on CSS (Comcast?) and MLB
Thursday, March 11th @ 7pm - Braves vs. Yankees on CSS and MLB
Tuesday, March 16th @ 1pm - Marlins vs. Braves on FSS and MLB
Wednesday, March 17th @ 1pm - Braves vs. Marlins on FSS and MLB
Tuesday, March 23rd @ 1pm - Braves vs. Mets on ESPN
Wednesday, March 24th @ 1pm - Phillies vs. Braves on ESPN
Friday, March 26th @ 1pm - Tigers vs. Braves on ESPN
Tuesday, March 30th @ 1pm - Yankees vs. Braves on CSS
Wednesday, March 31st @ 1pm - Astros vs. Braves on CSS and MLB

That's an impressive slate of games -- at least two each week. The last two games back in Atlanta will also be televised on Fox Sports South, the 2nd and 3rd of April.

The only downside to this spring television schedule is that there are no weekend games. I suppose I'll be pushing the limits of my DVR or playing a lot of hookie from work."

[The Cardboard Fan]

http://www.mlb.com/mlb/schedule/#date=03/02/2010

Use the master link above for both the Cactus League and Grapefruit League team schedules

[The Cardboard Fan]

Anyone watching their team today?

Braves and Mets at 1:10 today baby, Yes!!!