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Mike Napoli didn't participate in Thursday's doubleheader against Boston College and Northeastern, nor is he going to play in the first round of Grapefruit League action. While his hip has been cleared by multiple MRI scans, he's behind on the whole pre-game preparation portion of spring training. However, Napoli is scheduled to participate in baserunning drills on Sunday, so, like with David Ortiz, his presence in exhibition contests shouldn't be all that far away.
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When the Red Sox play split-squad contests, they need both manager John Farrell and a stand-in manager to run the two games. Farrell has chosen to go up against his former squad, the Blue Jays, in Monday's split-squad affair. While that's not really newsworthy on its own, it is an opportunity to share this wonderful old-school RPG simulation of the Blue Jays and their 2013 story, complete with Farrell as final boss.
It's difficult to pick one favorite thing about this, as it just hits pretty much every note it attempts. Nicely done, @CashewMirman.
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Old friend Lars Anderson is without a home once more, as now the White Sox, who claimed him three weeks ago, have designated him for assignment. Let's go over his last few months, shall we?
On July 31, 2012, Anderson was sent to the Cleveland Indians in exchange for knuckler and current 40-man resident Steven Wright. The Indians then dealt Anderson to the Diamondbacks on December 1 in the three-team trade that brought Trevor Bauer, Drew Stubbs, and another old friend in Matt Albers to Cleveland. (Albers, of course, was in Arizona after the Red Sox sent him there in July for Craig Breslow.) Then, the D'backs designated Anderson for assignment in late-January in order to clear room for their Justin Upton return from the Braves. Anderson was scooped up by the White Sox, but alas, he has now been set adrift once more.
I'll have to check the math to be sure, but something like two-thirds of all transactions this off-season have involved Anderson, Russ Canzler, and Sandy Rosario. Any bets on who is going to claim Anderson next? I'll go with the Brewers, who will hold on to him until they acquire Lyle Overbay, forcing yet another DFA for poor Lars.