The Pirates sent OF Steve Pearce to AAA. He should be one of the most anticipated recalls of the 1st half of the season. My guess is his presence made the Pirates trade position too weak so the team hoped potential Xavier Nady suitors will forget Pearce exists if he can't be seen like a baby forgets her daddy when he plays peek-a-boo with her.
SS Cesar Izturis hit 2nd today in front of Albert Pujols. Can anyone think of another fool-proof way to keep Pujols' RBIs down this season than hitting Cesar Izturis ahead of him? But I guess LaRussa has to figure out a way to separate the three automatic outs in the line-up (Cesar, Molina and the pitcher).
CF Corey Paterson went 2-3 today. With CP's 9-19 beginning, there is no reason to think Jay Bruce will be the CF. What is more amazing about Patterson's start, the AVG, 1 K or zero walks?
Today was a day of firsts for Marlins' CF Cameron Maybin. In 35 plate appearances prior to today, he had not walked. He did it today!
The Astro's Reggie Ambercrombie stole three bases today and has 8 this Spring. Watching for the `stros to run a lot this season is one thing I'll be following this year.
Mariners' rookie OF Wladimir Balentien hit his 3rd Grapefruit League HR. I wonder how long before Brad Wilkerson finds himself getting more ABs at DH and 1B. If the Mariners' had no chance to complete, this situation would draw parallels to the Steve Pearce/Xavier Nady one in Pittsburgh.