Support Autism Awareness By Wearing Blue Friday

As part of International Autism Awareness Day, do a small/big thing by wearing blue on Friday to show your support.

The Biz Of Baseball

Cardinals Minor League Spring Training Notebook 4-1-10

Highlights from Thursday’s St. Louis Cardinals minor league spring training games in Florida.

On Thursday, the Cardinals’ five squads remained home as the Marlins walked across from their side of the complex. As always, Cardinals director of minor league operations John Vuch shares game highlights. The raw data is his, with the comments mine.

The Cardinal Nation Blog

Former Cardinals Not Sad To See Metrodome Gone

The Cardinals will help open new Target Field in Minneapolis with exhibition games Friday night and Saturday against the Twins, an occasion that no doubt will cause many former Cardinals to pause and reflect.

STL Globe-Democrat

Red Sox Reassign Joe Nelson To Minors

As expected, LHP Scott Schoeneweis got the nod over RHP Joe Nelson for the final spot in the bullpen. Every indication was such this afternoon and a team source just confirmed it to the Globe.

Boston Globe

Chris Narveson Headed To Brewers Bullpen

Brewers manager Ken Macha said Thursday that he had virtually set the club's 25-man roster and that Chris Narveson and Manny Parra have been told they would start the season in the bullpen.

Brewers Official Site

Brad Thompson Won't Be On Royals Opening Day Roster

Hillman said that players who have been informed they likely won't be on the Opening Day roster include pitchers Brad Thompson and Matt Herges; outfielders Brian Anderson, Scott Thorman and Buck Coats; catchers Edwin Bellorin and Vance Wilson, and infielder Irving Falu.

Royals Official Site

Mark McGwire Entertains Fans By Taking BP

Mark McGwire said he was "just wasting time" before the Cardinals' final Grapefruit League game in Florida on Thursday. But the St. Louis hitting coach put on a little bit of a show for the spectators on the main field at the Roger Dean Stadium complex.
Cardinals Official Site

In a blast from the past, hitting coach Mark McGwire jumped into the batting cage during the Cardinals’ batting practice today. He didn’t rain balls onto the roof of the Florida Marlins’ complex behind the left-field wall, as he used to do when he was playing with the Cardinals. He did hit a half dozen or so balls over the left-field wall and impressed bystanders, even if he didn’t impress himself.
Cardinal Beat

Brad Penny Powers Up In Last Spring Start

Brad Penny admitted that he may have been a bit too amped up for his final Spring Training start on Thursday, but it still ended with good results, as the Cardinals' starter gave up two runs on seven hits while striking out three and walking one in six innings.

Cardinals Official Site

Nick Stavinoha, Allen Craig, Joe Mather All Make Roster

Tony La Russa knew he was facing a tough decision if he had to choose among Nick Stavinoha, Allen Craig and Joe Mather for the final two roster spots. So, general manager John Mozeliak made it for him, when he dealt Julio Lugo to the Orioles for a player to be named or cash considerations on Thursday.
Cardinals Official Site

When Cardinals manager Tony La Russa told Nick Stavinoha, Allen Craig and Joe Mather one by one following Wednesday’s game against Washington that they had earned a spot on the opening day roster, the manager simply told them they had made the team and asked them to keep quiet until Thursday morning.
STL Globe-Democrat

Blake Hawksworth Set To Return Saturday

Cardinals right-hander Blake Hawksworth said he felt good after throwing about 25 pitches in the bullpen Thursday morning. The plan now is for him to get an inning of work against the Twins at Target Field in Minneapolis on Saturday.
Cardinals Official Site

Cardinals righthanded reliever Blake Hawksworth, who has been limited to just five innings in five appearances this spring, largely due to a strained right groin, threw some 35 pitches in a bullpen session today under the watchful eye of pitching coach Dave Duncan. And Duncan said he was satisfied with what he saw. So far.
Cardinal Beat

Mark McGwire Makes Comeback, Will Baseball Embrace Him?

Shrouded in shadows, obscured by fencing, the batting cages at the St. Louis Cardinals' spring training complex were made for working, not watching.

AP/Fox Sports

Memphis Holds Off New Orleans

Tyler Norrick ended the game on the mound as the Redbirds outlasted the Zephyrs 7-5 despite a late three-run rally. Norrick entered the final inning with the 'Birds leading 7-2 until New Orleans came out with a vengeance by capitalizing on Norrick's two walks and adding two more hits to score their three runs, but ultimately fell a couple of runs short.

Memphis Redbirds

Jason Marquis Has Nice Ending To Spring training

Right-hander Jason Marquis pitched his final game of the spring, giving up three runs in five innings as the Nationals defeated the Mets, 9-3, on Thursday afternoon.

All Nats All The Time

Brian Barden Makes Marlins Roster, Hector Luna Reassigned

Barden is getting the nod over Donnie Murphy and Hector Luna. Murphy is expected to go to New Orleans, and Luna is taking a couple of days to decide whether he will accept a Triple-A assignment or pursue options with another team.

Marlins Official Site

106-Year Old Jupiter Resident Throws Out First Pitch At Roger Dean Stadium

On her 106th birthday, Maude Newkirk kept her pitching streak alive Thursday at Roger Dean Stadium.

Palm Beach Post

Mark Grudzielanek Makes Indians Roster

Non-roster invitee Mark Grudzielanek landed the middle infield utility spot, while Andy Marte grabbed the corner infield utility spot.

Indians Official Site

Jamey Wright Wins Place In Tribe's Bullpen

Jamey Wright came to Indians Spring Training camp with no guarantee of making the roster. He'll leave with a bullpen spot but no guarantee of a prominent role.

Indians Official Site

Giants Sign Reiner Roibal, Rays Sign Sergio Espinoza

Jorge Ebro Twitter

Marlins Beat Cardinals 3-1: David Freese 1 RBI; Ryan Ludwick Doubles & Scores; Brad Penny Allows 2 Runs Over 6 Innings

Individual Highlights:
Skip Schumaker 1-for-2 and assisted in two double plays.
Ryan Ludwick 1-for-2 with one double, one run, and one stolen base.
David Freese 1-for-3 with one RBI, one stolen base, and assisted in one double play.
Brad Penny started and pitched six innings. He allowed seven hits, two earned runs, one walk, threw one wild pitch, and struck out three for the losing decision (2-1). 0-for-1 with one strikeout at the plate. (g/f:11-3)
Kyle McClellan entered in the eight and pitched one inning. He allowed two hits, no runs, and struck out one. (g/f:2-0)
Ryan Franklin entered in the ninth and pitched one inning. He allowed no hits or runs. (g/f:0-2)

Rough Outing:
Rest Of The Team

Boxscore
Cardinals Official Site Post Game
Cardinal Beat: Brad Penny Holds Marlins To Two Runs In Six Innings
Cardinal Beat: Cardinals Lose Florida Finale, 3-1
STL Globe-Democrat Post Game

Cardinals End Smooth Spring & Start Thinking About October Dreams

St. Louis won the National League Central as an underdog last season, surprising Chicago and Milwaukee.

Palm Beach Post

John Mozeliak On The Bernie Miklasz Show 4-1-10

Cardinals GM John Mozeliak joins the show and says he had promised Lugo he would deal him if a better opportunity for the shortstop arose. He also says he’s comfortable going into the season with Ryan Franklin as the closer but that the team has other internal options if he falters. Lastly, he wasn’t surprised by Jaime Garcia’s spring and says he believes Garcia has the talent to succeed at the major league level.

101 ESPN

Round Two: What Is Cardinals Biggest Concern Coming Out Of Spring Training?

THE WATERCOOLER:

What is the Cardinals biggest concern coming out of spring training? Bullpen? Depth? Health? Other?

STL Today

Bruce Benedict Still A Brave At Heart

Former Braves catcher Bruce Benedict, now a scout with the Cardinals, looks back on the early days of Bobby Cox as the Braves manager.

The Braves Show/The Cardinal Nation

Julio Lugo Dealt From Cardinals To Orioles For A Player To Be Named Later

The Cardinals parted ways on Thursday with a veteran infielder who recently became expendable when they traded Julio Lugo to the Orioles for a player to be named.
Cardinals Official Site

The Cardinals have traded infielder Julio Lugo to the Baltimore Orioles for a player to be named, pending approval by the Commissioner’s Office.
Cardinals Beat

The Cardinals kept themselves from having to decide between three players for two roster spots Thursday by trading infielder Julio Lugo to the Baltimore Orioles.
STL Globe-Democrat

Infielder Julio Lugo told reporters this morning that he has been traded.
Inside STL

2010 National League Central favorite deals reserve shortstop to the Baltimore Orioles.
The Cardinal Nation

Good Baseball Weather In Minnesota? April Fools!

Early April weather can be unpredictable in Minneapolis, the St. Louis Cardinals’ destination this weekend.

The Cardinal Nation

B.J. Rains & Ken Rosenthal On The ITD Morning After

FoxSports' Ken Rosenthal Joins the Show to Talk About Being a Fan of Rick Astley, Talk About Lugo's Trade to the Orioles, Orioles Need Help Because of Brian Roberts' Injury Problems, Don't Expect the Cardinals to Get a Lot in Return for a Utility Infielder, Deal Is Pending the Commishs Approval, What Is the Deal with Lugo and Getting the Reputation of a Bad Guy, and Assessing the Cardinals in 2010

Inside STL

Manufactured Runs: When Subjective Overrules Objective

Former Astros third baseman Morgan Ensberg wrote his take on baseball stats recently. It’s actually a pretty interesting read. I don’t want to dwell on it, but there is one little comment in particular I’d like to talk about:

Baseball Prospectus

Tough Decisions Facing Cardinals With Final Bench Spots

With just four days remaining until the Cardinals start the regular season in Cincinnati on Monday, they still have two decisions to make with their roster.

Inside STL

Cardinals Lineup 4-1-10: Lingering Suspense As Camp Breaks

The Cardinals complete the Grapefruit portion of their exhibition schedule this afternoon (actually, this morning CST) by taking on the Florida Marlins and their newest pitching acquisition, Nate Robertson. Afterward, manager Tony La Russa or GM John Mozeliak is expected to formalize the final pieces of the roster.

Cardinals Beat

Future Shock: Grapefruit League Scouting Notebook, Part One

With camps wrapping up as teams prepare for their cash-grab exhibition games, it has been a good week to catch up with scouts about what they've seen over the past six weeks. Here are some of the best revelations from the Grapefruit League.

Baseball Prospectus

Pledge Drive Ends

On Wednesday, five people donated $125, bringing the Baseball Musings Pledge Drive total to $1990. Thank you so much for your support!

Baseball Musings

How Matt Pagnozzi Earned His Stripes

There was a time when Matt Pagnozzi's claim to fame was that his ex-big-league uncle played for the St. Louis Cardinals, his career ranging from Whitey Herzog's teams of the late 1980s to Tony La Russa's early managerial tenure in the late 1990s.

Springfield News-Leader

Matt Pagnozzi: Backstop Stopgap

The St. Louis Cardinals' final two roster spots have narrowed to a trio of former Springfield standouts.

That has been a given the past few days.

Unexpectedly, however, another Springfield alum has emerged in the conversation as a potential Opening Day solution to a pair of injury problems.

Springfield News-Leader

Springfield Cardinals Report 4-1-10: Memphis Vs. Springfield Wednesday Results; Shelby Miller Dominates; Scott Bittle Throws Batting Practice

Game Today

Jacksonville (Marlins) vs. Springfield Cardinals, 1 p.m., Jupiter, Fla.

Springfield News-Leader

Business Of Sports Network Launches Autism Awareness Campaign

This year marks the third annual Autism Awareness Campaign launched by the Business of Sports Network. Each year, we reach out and ask that for a few moments sports is set aside in favor of spreading the word about the Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), as it is developmental disorder that is reaching alarm levels bordering on epidemic.

The Biz Of Baseball

Memphis Redbirds Release 2010 Promotional Schedule

As Opening Day approaches, the Memphis Redbirds are eager to introduce their 2010 promotional schedule.
Memphis Redbirds

The Memphis Redbirds will kick off the home portion of their 2010 season with a bang -- literally.
Memphis Commercial Appeal

Industriales Knock Off Villa Clara In Game Seven To Win Cuban League Championship

Industriales vence a Villa Clara en la serie 4-3. Industriales es el nuevo campeón de Cuba

Baseball Cuba

Athletics Rumored To Have Signed Taiwan Infielder Chih-Fang Pan

The Oakland A's are rumored to have reached an agreement with IF Chih-Fang Pan, a fundamentally sound, undersized second baseman (without power - he did hit the only HR in the 2008 HS wood bat tourney, albeit it was an inside-the-park job).

Taiwan Baseball Blogspot

Yu Darvish Staying In Japan For Now

The always insightful passerby left a comment latest Yu Darvish post, pointing us to the heralded pitcher’s unfiltered thoughts on the latest round of MLB speculation. In a blog post titled “A Certain Sports Paper“, Darvish himself has responded to what Sponichi published.

NPB Tracker

Comparison Of Hitters & Pitchers On The DL

Someone asked me for this data, so since I had it available, I decided to create some pretty graphs. Here are how pitchers and hitters compare in trips to DL, days on DL and salary lost due to time on DL:

Beyond The Boxscore

Injuries To Yadier Molina, Jason LaRue Leave Roster In Flux

The Cardinals will play their final Grapefruit League game today, but they are no closer to the makeup of their opening day roster than they were before they lost 9-6 to Washington on Wednesday, and possibly they're further away.

STL Today

Cardinals Catch A Break With Jason LaRue Injury; Blake Hawksworth Improving; Matt Pagnozzi Gets Attention; Adam Wainwright Not So Bueno

Catchers are known for having the highest threshold for pain among baseball players and the Cardinals' Jason LaRue, who suffered a deep bone bruise, but not a broken left hand, in a home-plate collision on Tuesday, immediately will put himself to the test.

STL Today