May 2013 - Baseball Wiretap

Pirates Sign Contreras To Minor League Deal
Jose Contreras is recovering from surgery on his right elbow and will be doing rehabilitation work during spring training.

Associated Press

Schilling's Bloody Sock Sells For $92,612
The bloody sock that Curt Schilling wore in Game 2 of the 2004 World Series, not against the Yankees in the ALCS, sold for $92,612 at auction this weekend.

Mark Townsend/Big League Stew

Giants Discussing Extensions For Bochy, Sabean
Larry Baer said the short timetable between the World Series and spring training held up the talks.

Henry Schulman/San Francisco Chronicle

Weaver Unconcerned About Money Left On Table
Jered Weaver left millions of dollars on the table when he signed a five-year, $85 million extension with the Angels in 2011.

Bill Shaikin/Los Angeles Times

Marlins Lose Mathis To Broken Collarbone
Jeff Mathis broke his right collarbone in Miami's spring training opener and is expected to be out six weeks.

Associated Press

Braun Homers In First Spring At-Bat
Ryan Braun hit only two home runs during spring training last year.

Associated Press

Strasburg Allows Two Runs In Spring Debut
In his first appearance since the Nationals shut him down last September, Stephen Strasburg had a rough outing.

Associated Press

Dodgers Calling Clubs To Gauge Interest In Capuano
Chris Capuano has been available since the Dodgers signed free agents Zack Greinke and Ryu Hyun-jin.

Troy Renck/Denver Post

Rockies Interested In Jeff Niemann
The Rockies continue to search for a starting pitcher and have talked to the Rays about Jeff Niemann, according to a source.

Troy Renck/Denver Post

Nationals Plan To Push Strasburg Later In Spring
Stephen Strasburg could make as many as seven Grapefruit League starts.

Joey Nowak/MLB.com

Orioles Closely Tracking Dylan Bundy, Kevin Gausman
It has been speculated that Dylan Buddy and Kevin Gausman could reach the Major Leagues with the Orioles this season.

Brittany Ghiroli/MLB.com

Jeter Resumes On-Field Running Drills
Derek Jeter practiced on-field running and agility drills for the first time since breaking his ankle last fall on Saturday.

Associated Press

Longoria Returns To Rays After Child's Birth
Evan Longoria has returned to camp with the Rays after missing three days due to the birth of his daughter.

Associated Press

Morneau Downplays Comments About Playing For Blue Jays
After telling a reporter this week that it "would be very cool" to play for the Blue Jays, Justin Morneau is downplaying the comments a bit.

Phil Miller/Star Tribune

Papelbon: Phillies Lacked Leadership In 2012
Jonathan Papelbon signed with the Phillies after a 102-win season, but they went just 81-81 in 2012.

Associated Press

Pedro Feliciano Diagnosed With 'Hole' In Heart
He feels fine, the issue is not life-threatening and surgery was not brought up as an option.

Adam Rubin/ESPN

Gio Gonzalez Says Tests Have Come Back Negative
Gio Gonzalez and others were reported in the Miami New Times as being listed on records of a now-closed anti-aging clinic.

ESPN

Brewers, Twins Each Have 13 Players In WBC
The World Baseball Classic starts next weekend and it will bring different levels of disruption to each Major League team this spring.

Jerry Crasnick/ESPN

Giants Trade Gillaspie To White Sox
The Giants have traded third baseman Conor Gillaspie to the White Sox for minor league pitcher Jeff Soptic.

Associated Press

Verlander Wants To Be First $200M Pitcher
Justin Verlander wants to win, but also wants to be baseball's first $200 million pitcher.

Jeff Passan/Yahoo! Sports

Posada Will Remain Retired
Jorge Posada, who is working as a guest instructor with the Yankees this spring, says he won't following his friend Andy Pettitte and come out of retirement.

Jack Curry/YES Network (via Twitter)

Executives Expect Orioles To Shop Zach Britton
Baltimore has a surplus of starting pitching heading into the season.

Ken Rosenthal/FOX Sports (via Twitter)

Johan Santana's Spring Debut Pushed Back
The Mets claim Johan Santana is not injured, but his first Grapefruit League appearance has been pushed back by as much as two weeks.

Adam Rubin/ESPN

Ryan: Rangers Can Contend Without Hamilton
Ryan added that Hamilton was a critical component to a team that won the AL pennant in 2010 and 2011.

Richard Durrett/ESPN

Torre: Team USA Will Be Focused At WBC
Joe Torre believes he has put together a team worthy of winning the United States their first World Baseball Classic title.

Barry M. Bloom/MLB.com

Hank Aaron: Heyward Could Be 'One Of Greatest Players' In NL
Jason Heyward's stats through his first three seasons include a .261 batting average with 59 homers, a .352 on-base percentage and a .447 slugging percentage.

Mark Bowman/MLB.com

Pujols Approaching 500 HRs, 1,500 RBIs
Albert Pujols needs just 25 home runs and 66 RBI to reach the career milestones.

Alden Gonzalez/MLB.com

Michael Phelps Takes BP With Orioles
Michael Phelps told Buck Showalter he hasn't played baseball since he was 10 or 12.

Mike Oz/Big League Stew

Ankiel Will Earn $750K If He Makes Houston's Roster
Rick Ankiel hit .228 with five home runs and 15 RBIs in 68 games for the Nationals last year as he battled injuries and was eventually released.

Brian McTaggart/MLB.com

Willis Contends He Left Orioles Last Season Because Of Family Issue
There have been numerous reports about a clash between Dontrelle Willis and the Orioles front office last season.

Patrick Mooney/CSN