McCann Ccores $27.8 Million Contract Extension

Brian McCann agreed to the terms of a six-year $27.8 million contract late Thursday morning. With this contract, McCann will be playing for the Atlanta Braves through the year 2012 with the option of playing through 2013. B.B. Abbott, McCann's agent, said there were escalators that could not take the value of the contract to $29.8 million. With that, the Braves presented the 23-year-old catcher the most money ever included in a contract extention given to a player with less then two years of service.

Lee Starts Season of DL

Left-hander, Cliff Lee, will begin the '07 season on the Indians Disabled List. Head athletic trainer Lonnie Soloff said it should take four to six weeks for Lee to be able to get back on the mound. The strained right abdominal muscle that has kept Lee off the mound the past week and a half has not eased up enough for him to resume throwing. Right-handers Fausto Carmona, Adam Miller and Brian Slocum will be evaluated as potential fifth starters for the remainder of camp.

On to lighter things, Spring training is JUST around the corner! Make sure you get your tickets fast!

Daisuke Matsuzaka's first pitch for the Red Sox

Tonight, around 6:05pm ET, Matsuzaka will make the first pitch for the Boston Red Sox. The game between the Sox and Boston College will take place at City of Palms Park. Even thought the pitch is an unofficial pitch and the game doesn't even count in the Grapefruit League standings, it has seemed to get many people hyped up.

There has been so much talk since December of '06 about how good Matsuzaka really is and tonight everyone will get to see a glimpse into what he holds for the Red Sox's future.