This is the February 17, 2013 news archive. View today's NL Central news and rumors.

NL Central News and Rumors

Cubs' Garza suffers mild lat strain during BP

Jesse Rogers, ESPN.com

Chicago Cubs pitcher Matt Garza left the practice field with a mild lat strain in his left side Sunday, but the injury isn't expected to be serious

CNNSI.com

Chipper Jones was lingering beyond the left-field wall, signing as many autographs as he could, when someone asked the obvious question.

MLB.com

About halfway through Cubs manager Dale Sveum's speech prior to the first full squad workout on Sunday, the players started to take off their jackets to reveal bright orange hunting gear tops. Then, they put on the orange caps.

Adam McCalvy, MLB.com

Both Weeks brothers are back for 2013, Rickie having further cemented his role as the Brewers' starting second baseman with a strong finish to 2012, and Jemile back in A's camp trying to win back his old job.

CNNSI.com

HOUSTON (AP) -- Roger Clemens shrugged off Mike Piazza's comments in his autobiography that he took karate lessons after he was beaned by the pitcher, just in case they had another confrontation.

Brian McTaggart, MLB.com

Astros owner Jim Crane was thrilled Sunday to have an opportunity to play golf with President Barack Obama and golf legend Tiger Woods, both of whom were guests of Crane at his Floridian National Golf Club in Palm City.

Associated Press, ESPN.com

With ace Chris Carpenter sidelined, possibly for the season, the Cardinals are hoping for more wins and innings from Jaime Garcia.

MLB.com

Right-hander Kyle Lohse remains a free agent, despite pitching effectively the previous two seasons with the Cardinals. The Phillies' rotation includes Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee and Cole Hamels, but a pitcher like Lohse certainly would make their pitching…

Tom Singer, MLB.com

If there truly is such a thing as clubhouse chemistry, the Pirates' master chemist is Scott Bonnett. He is the one who mixes and matches team elements, and affects whether the final blend flows smoothly or perhaps blows up into a mess.

Brian McTaggart, MLB.com

Roger Clemens arrived Sunday at Astros Spring Training camp for the first of about four days he'll spend there this week as a special instructor. He'll also go back and forth between Florida and Houston two more times this spring.