March 4, 1996, 5:45am ET
Cincinnati's pen seeing red
Economic cutbacks followed by a key injury have left the Cincinnati Reds bullpen in shambles. Having lost Mike Jackson to free agency and choosing not to spend money on other arms, a broken foot to closer Jeff Brantley 
has the Reds looking for answers. One logical solution would be Dave Burba (pictured), but manager Ray Knight doesn't want to take him out of the starting rotation. ``You don't want to put a man in the bullpen who can throw 125 pitches at 95 mph,'' Knight said.
Roundup: Reds lose closer Brantley for 5-8 weeks
Mimbs brothers have fans seeing double
Rebuilding Padres lock up Bochy through 1997
Spring training '96
Schedule of games |
Rosters
Comings and Goings
The one-stop source for off-season movement.
Free agents
Only the Zone can help you keep track of the off-season signings.
Championship odds
Championship odds from Sands Hotel oddsmaker Bob Gregorka.
NL West: Dodger farmhand has star quality
Young Karim Garcia is in line to be the next great Los Angeles rookie. Some have told Zone columnist Bob Nightengale he might be even better than that.
NL Central: Rijo takes his best Schott
Jose Rijo has battled back from arm surgery, but he tells Zone columnist Jeff Horrigan he's not ready to battle Reds owner Marge Schott any more.
Rotisserie report: Day 7
Rain delay. The weather spoils Mets-Dodgers pitching showdown, so Rotisserie columnist Peter Kreutzer spends the day in other important ways.
A Gross season
After leading the AL in losses last year, Kevin Gross is hoping year two with the Texas Rangers is an improvement.
Ready to explode
The Florida Marlins are happy to have Kevin Brown and his temper on the mound this season.
NL East: A foot in the door
Rookie Paul Wilson tells the Zone's Paul Hagen he'll do virtually anything -- anything -- to be in the Mets rotation.
Vincent: A matter of Pride
The Zone's Charlie Vincent says Tigers outfielder Curtis Pride wants to be known as a major-league ballplayer -- not a deaf major-league ballplayer.
Deford: Training -- not hope -- springs eternal
Frank Deford says free agency was the final, telling blow to baseball's once-wondrous spring training.
