Baseball

After weeks of positive reviews, free agent to be Brandon Webb has experienced a set back:

Webb initially was going to throw to hitters Sunday or Monday, but that session was pushed back a couple of days. Manager A.J. Hinch said Webb might throw a bullpen session next instead of live batting practice, but did not set a date.

While watching those Spring Training games minutely on a work computer or catching them here and there on the MLB Network, some Red Sox fans may wish the commentary focused more on who these non-roster players are.

Who's that guy pinch running for Jacoby Ellsbury?

He can't possibly get the starting job, so why is he there?

As with my previous article on non-roster invitee infielders, now I offer you a little run down on those young outfielders interloping at Red Sox camp.

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According to George King of the New York Post , after seeing the team doctor yesterday, Yankees backup catcher Francisco Cervelli plans to meet with a neurologist this afternoon.

Cervelli is recovering from a concussion he sustained after being hit by a pitch in the head the other day.

The Yankees drafted Ian Kennedy in the first round of the 2006 draft, and by the end of the 2007 season he was not only pitching in the majors, but over three starts he was pitching brilliantly.

He pitched so well, in fact, that it earned him a spot in the 2008 rotation coming out of spring training. Kennedy struggled in the big leagues that year though and was sent back down to the minors.

According to Nick Cafardo, the contract talks seem to be progressing:

Javier Vazquez struck out 239 batters in 2010, second in the National League. Vazquez actually struck out more batters than the number of grounders he forced, 237.

Javier was the definition of a big-time strikeout pitcher last year, and this takes a lot of pressure off a defense.

The man replacing him in the rotation this year, Tim Hudson, is a notorious ground ball pitcher. Hudson has had four seasons in which he forced 400 or more ground balls, and his season high for strikeouts with the Braves is 141.

Geoff Britches remembers when his St. Louis Cardinals acquired the services of Roger Maris prior to the 1967 season.

He responds to a recent article whose position is that the New York Yankees should not traded Roger.

Roger Maris Would Not Play for the Yankees

Roger Maris would not have returned to the New York Yankees after the 1966 season.

The NL West is the home of the National League's defending two-time Cy Young Award winner. The division lost one of its marquee aces with the departure of Jake Peavy, but the NL West is still loaded with young pitchers. The NL West possesses aces which are the top of the game despite being in a division that captures little media attention in comparison to the rest of the league.

That being said, the National League West in recent years has been decided by strong pitching down the stretch and that will unlikely change in 2010.

How do you truly measure defense in Major League Baseball?

Some of the greatest defensive players to play the game have taken home numerous Rawlings Gold Gloves. Ozzie Smith didn’t get the nickname “The Wizard” because it was cool, his glove was simply magical.

Omar Vizquel will one day get into the Hall of Fame and it will not be largely due to his offense. Ivan Rodriguez is arguably one of the greatest catchers in the history of the game, thanks to the 13 Gold Gloves stashed away on his mantle.

The New York Yankees lost a spring training game to the Minnesota Twins yesterday, 11-0.

Brett Gardner started and got one hit in three times at bat.

His hit came on a bunt. The bunt was fielded by the pitcher, whose throw pulled the first baseman off the bag.

Gardner's speed was the critical element in the play because the pitcher had no time to make an accurate throw with Gardner speeding down the line.