MLB News Blog

Randy Ruiz had bounced around the minors for 10 years before getting his first taste of the majors. This year he hopes to stick with one club: the Toronto Blue Jays. He knows from experience, though, not to get his hopes up too high. “I put no pressure on myself,” Ruiz said Saturday. “I would [...]

When word first started spreading that veteran pitcher Jose Contreras was joining the Philadelphia Phillies last month, no one was happier than Danys Baez. This was no ordinary new teammate for Baez. Hardly. Contreras’ signing with the Phillies completed a remarkable reunion of two men who escaped Cuba and found success in the major leagues.

The top of the New York Mets’ rotation is in good hands again, with Johan Santana looking healthy this spring after season-ending elbow surgery last year. After Santana, well, there’s a lot of ifs, maybes and question marks. Mike Pelfrey regressed last year after a promising 2008 season. John Maine has struggled to stay on [...]

When Pat Burrell finally had an opportunity to sit down and reflect on one the least productive years of his career, the Tampa Bay Rays slugger concluded he had no one to blame but himself. Sure, a “slight herniation” of two discs in his neck contributed to a slow start in 2009, but the 33-year-old [...]

Felipe Lopez bounded into the St. Louis Cardinals clubhouse following his early morning physical Saturday prepared to work in the batting cage before the rest of the squad took to the fields. He’s just that happy to be back with the Cardinals. Lopez signed a one-year, $1 million contract with the Cardinals, returning him to [...]

When most sports fans talk about Jeff Samardzija, they mention the agile receiver who used to catch Brady Quinn’s touchdown passes at Notre Dame. Then, as an afterthought: “Oh, and isn’t he trying to pitch for the Chicago Cubs?” As much as he loves a good football conversation, Samardzija wants this to be the year [...]

Washington Nationals first baseman Adam Dunn has lost track of how many groundballs have been hit his way this spring. Quick reaction shots, backhanders in the hole, line-huggers that draw him toward the base and the runner. No matter the situation, he’s worked on it. And for good reason: Dunn is focused on proving he [...]

An offseason of reflection hasn’t softened Chipper Jones’ stance. The Atlanta Braves’ third baseman still says he will walk away from the game if he can’t bounce back from a disappointing 2008 season. Jones, who will turn 38 in April, said this week he won’t hang around just to collect a paycheck if he’s no [...]

Detroit Tigers third baseman Brandon Inge says he’s ahead of schedule in his return from offseason knee surgery and expects to be completely healthy by the time the regular season begins. After revamping his swing a year ago, Inge earned a spot in the All-Star game with a terrific first half, but he was hampered [...]

Hall of Famer Rickey Henderson arrived at the Oakland Athletics’ spring training facilities Saturday and many of the A’s are looking forward to working with him on stealing bases. A’s manager Bob Geren said Henderson’s primary focus will be on stealing bases, but he won’t be limited.