MLB Bullets Has Gone To The Dogs

Spring is here, games are being played and every team is still in first place. Good times.

• The big news today is that the Phillies have made a big decision to change the grass at Citizen's Bank Park from Bermuda grass to Kentucky bluegrass. Phillies infielders didn't like the Bermuda grass much. Isn't it great when that's the big news story?
• Except it's not the big story. The big story is that the Brewers have called a press conference today to address the Hank the Dog conspiracy rumors. They're better produce Hank's long form birth certificate or I'm not going to believe a word they say.
• OK, there is actually bigger news stories than those. But there are no trades, firings or free agent signings. But there are injuries and Dodgers pitcher Brett Anderson will miss 3 to 5 months after back surgery.
• Anthony Castrovince thinks that the Dodgers pitching depth will be tested this season and the injury to Anderson is the first question on the exam, so to speak.
• There was a link last time to Dodgers reliever Josh Ravin's injury to his arm after a car accident. The adjusters have made their estimate and Ravin is going to miss 8 to 12 weeks.
• In his first at-bat of the spring, Tigers outfielder Cameron Maybin fractured his wrist and will miss 4 to 6 weeks.
• Marlins pitcher Carter Capps heard the words that no pitcher ever wants to hear: Go see Dr. James Andrews.
• The Cardinals signed Kolten Wong to a five-year, $24.5 million extension.
• Craig Edwards thinks this was a good, although not great, deal for both sides.
• Manager Mike Matheny is going to give Wong every chance to be the Cardinals leadoff hitter this year.
• With the Royals tearing up their previous deal with Salvador Perez and signing him to a new one, there was some thought that the Astros would do something similar with Jose Altuve. So far, they have not.
• Angels manager Mike Scioscia says he's "pretty committed" to making Yunel Escobar his leadoff hitter. Fantasy players take note, I guess.
• To no one's surprise, JP Morosi reports that the qualifying offer situation will be a big topic in the upcoming collective bargaining talks.
• Major League Baseball has made a proposal to the Office of Foreign Assets Control that would allow MLB teams to sign players directly out of Cuba rather than forcing them to leave for Haiti or wherever. It's a political minefield, but hopefully they can get this done. The current situation is good for no one.
• Not every infielder is happy with the new rules designed to protect their safety.
• Will Leitch is starting to rethink how instant replay is impacting the game and wondering if baseball has expanded it too far.
• Jonah Keri has started his list of the players with the highest trade values in baseball. Part one and part two have been published already.
• If you hate parity in baseball, Rob Arthur explains why this could be the year for you. Mostly in the National League, though.
• Curt Schilling thinks he's going to be fired by ESPN. Nah. Nothing that good ever happens to me.
• The Steinbrenner family has no intention of ever selling the Yankees.
• A family in Southern California found seven Ty Cobb baseball cards worth over a total of one million dollars in their late great-grandfather's house.
• The Rockies are raising the height of the fences at Coors Field. Jeff Sullivan estimates how much impact that will have.
• David Schoenfield thinks the Rockies should focus more on improving their team and less on fiddling around with Coors Field.
• Jerry Crasnick asks managers and general managers about the DH in the NL and finds a lot of mixed opinions.
• Ruben Amaro Jr. is adjusting to life as a first base coach for the Red Sox. The number one question his players ask him? "Did you come close to trading for me?"
• Craig Kimbrel says he modeled his game after Jonathan Papelbon. That's one way for the Red Sox to get out of Hanley Ramirez's contract. Just have Kimbrel strangle him.
• Robinson Cano said his feud with Andy Van Slyke started because Van Slyke objected to Cano gaving hitting advice to Brad Miller. If true, then Van Slyke is a jerk and a bad coach who deserved to be fired.
• One guy who doesn't need hitting advice is Miguel Cabrera. Ken Rosenthal talks to several players about what makes Cabrera such a feared hitter.
• The flowing locks of Jacob deGrom are apparently distracting some hitters.
• Paul Casella makes an all-star team out of MLB players who have never made an All-Star team.
• David Schoenfield explains why your team should never use its first-round pick on a first baseman.
• Brewers farmhand David Denson, who last year became the first openly-gay minor leaguer, goes over what the past year has been like and says that being open has made him a better player.
• Yoenis Cespedes had to send his prize-winning hog to a butcher. Wonderful, wonderful bacon.
• And finally, Grant Brisbee classifies all Spring Training photo day photos into 11 different categories. What? No boudoir photos from the bullpen catchers?

And tomorrow will be a better day than today, Buster.