Alex Rodriguez Off To Dominican Team

Alex Rodriguez met with MLB investigators last night in Tampa for two hours. He was cooperative according to a MLB press release. He was expected in Jupiter last night and will work out with the Dominican team today in preparation for the start of the WBC. The WBC is starting on thursday and will be covered on the MLB network.

Mets Defeat Houston

The New York Mets had a field day today with the Houston Astros defeating them 13-1. Carlos Delgado went 2-3 with 3rbis, Wright went 2-3 and Beltran went 2-4 with an rbi. John Maine went 2 innings giving up a run on 1 hit and 2 walks. JJ Putz and Feliciano followed with scoreless innings as well as Sean Green and Duaner Sanchez who also had 2 ks. The big news of the day for the Mets was that now Johan Santana will not go to NY for an MRI as was originally scheduled, Mets GM Omar Minaya said he felt good during and after his bullpen and also the storm in NY had a small role in the decision. He will be checked out by Mets doctors in Port St. Lucie when they get there. The Mets are off tomorrow.

Yanks Lose Again

The Yankees lost 13-11 to the Reds today in Sarasota. It was not a day for the pitchers. Brett Gardner continued his quest for the CF job with 2 more hits, Jeter went 3-3, Tex had 2 hits and Arod had a couple of doubles. None of the Yankees pitchers are worth talking about as they all got hit around, Mark Melancon gave up a run in 1 inning but it was on a passed ball and had 2ks so i guess he did the best job. Alfredo Aceves got knocked around as well as Marte,Abaladejo,Bruney,Cox. A couple of notes from the game Jesus Montero left with a strained groin but it doesn't seem to be serious but because he is their #2 prospect and is so young im sure they will bring him along slowly. Abaladejo left when he got hit on the leg by a ball, it is just a bruise and he will be day to day. Arod met with reporters after the game and only took baseball questions then he left with Cano and Tex headed back to Tampa. He will meet with MLB investigators tonight in Tampa and then he will be in Jupiter at some point tonight to join the Dominican team tomorrow, so the Yankees and PR man Jason Zillo will get a break for a little while. A couple other notes via Peter Abraham of the Journal News and http://yankees.lhblogs.com CC simulated game was canceled today because of weather and it will be tomorrow instead. Jorge was feeling better today and could DH tomorrow or if not then Tuesday. Jason Johnson was cleared to start throwing outside and will have a 35 pitch bullpen tomorrow. This is a good story as he comes back from retinal cancer, i hope he hooks on with someone if not the Yankees. Kanekoa Texiera has the flu. The Yankees will play at Houston tomorrow in Kissimee. I am sure we will hear more later on the Arod meeting but that may be all the blogging I do with the Yankees for today.

New York Mets/Houston Astros

The New York Mets take on the Houston Astros today in Port St. Lucie. Before I get to the linups and pitchers I have to talk about the other news. The Mets lost yesterday to the Tigers 7-2. Jon Niese trying to win the fifth starter job gave up two runs on two hits with two walks. Daniel Murphy played the whole game in leftfield and went 1-5. The only other big news is Johan Santana will be heading to NY tomorrow for what the team is calling a precautionary exam. There is word going around that he may not be ready for opening day but he said today he will not miss any regular season starts so we will see. He did throw in the bullpen today but only 30 pitches saying he feels fine. The key for him though is does his elbow stiffen up again after throwing the bullpen. Ok now on to the lineups and pitchers. 1. Luis Castillo(2b) 2. John Maine(P) 3.Jose Reyes(ss) 4. Carlos Delgado(1b) 5. David Wright(3b) 6. Carlos Beltran(cf) 7. Ryan Church(rf) 8. Daniel Murphy(lf) 9. Brian Schneider(c) The pitchers are John Maine starting followed by Pedro Feliciano, JJ Putz, Duaner Sanchez, Sean Green, Darren O' Day, Carolos Muniz, Nelson Figueroa, Tom Martin, Kyle Snyder, Conner Robertson. The game is on CW 11, enjoy the game Mets fans, I am actually watching it since the yankees aren't on and will be back later with more news and notes.

Yanks at Reds

The New York Yankees travel to Sarasota today to face the Cincinatti Reds. I am going to post the lineups and the pitchers but first I want to get to a few notes from yesterday. Hideki Matsui was running the bases yesterday and it is believed that he will get into a game as DH next week at some point. Joba wasn't too worried about giving up two rockets yesterday in his 1 inning. He threw 21 pitches and only three were not 4 seam fastballs. He was just working on his arm strength, you have to remember that spring training is longer this year and the pitchers don't have to go all out just yet. CC will throw a simulated game today, he already may have and make his first start on Friday. Arod was supposed to meet with the MLB investigators but that is being delayed. He will play today then head off to be with the Dominican team, maybe he will meet with them Monday or Tuesday. Jeter,Cano and Marte will also be leaving for the WBC after the game today. You have to feel bad for Big Tex who is losing his whole infield for what can be up to 3 weeks. Joe Girardi im sure will be crossing his fingers that everyone comes back in one piece. The lineups and pitchers for today are: 1. Gardner(CF) 2. Jeter(SS) 3. Tex(1b) 4. Arod(3b) 5. Cano(2b) 6. Nady(Rf) 7. J. Rodriguez(Lf) 8. Ransom(DH) 9. Cash(C) Alfredo Aceves gets the start followed by Damaso Marte, Brian Bruney, Jon Albaladejo, Christian Garcia, Mark Melancon and J.B. Cox. The game is not on TV or radio today, you can check out the Yankees lohud blog for updates or mlb.com for the boxscores. I will have updates after the game. This is the last game that the big boys will be together for a while, so after today you will see more of the Ransom,Berroa, etc in the lineup daily.