Around the Horn

The mouth that roared, Curt Schilling reported to Red Sox camp yesterday, and quickly threw management under the team bus. Schitbag is upset that the team is forcing him to choose rehab over surgery on his balky shoulder.

"I don't have any choice. If their course of action doesn't work I don't pitch this year, and I may never pitch again," Schilling said. "I have to mentally get behind it and do everything I can do to make it work."

Schilling had earlier sent this email to the AP.- "When you understand the depths of the different diagnosis, the incredible variations in potential treatments and timetables you should be able to understand to some degree why I might be upset at being forced to take this course of action," Schilling said. "That being said, that process is over and right now I am focused on trying to find out as quickly as possible whether or not this course of action will work."

Miguel Tejada reported to his new team, the Houston Astros today, but refused to comment on being named in the Mitchell Report. Tejada's attorneys advised him to keep a lid on things. The FBI has already launched an investigation to determine if Tejada lied during an interview in 2005.

Odalis Perez has reportedly joined the free-for-all to make the Nationals pitching staff, by inking a minor league deal.

The Angels can't find this to be good news. Vlad Guerrero is still bothered by elbow problems that forced him to DH down the stretch of last season.

Lou Piniella has made Bobby Howry the front-runner to be the Cubs new closer. Last year's closer, Ryan Dempster, was moved back to the starting rotation.



Ownership is now 5-0 in arbitration cases after defeating Mark Loretta.

Talk about a sophomore jinx. Hunter Pence has gotten off to a rough start in '08, suffering cuts to his hands and knees after walking into a sliding glass door.

Ian Kinsler has joined the recent group of young players to receive long-term contracts. The Rangers and Kinsler agreed to a 5-yr, $22 million deal.

Andy Pettitte wasn't the only one offering up apologies yesterday. Eric Gagne said his sorrys for being a distraction to his new Milwaukee Brewers club.

In what has to be a simple case of nepotism, the Nationals have inked Brett Boone to a minor league deal. The 39-yr old hasn't played in a major league game in over 2-1/2 years. His younger brother Aaron is also in Nats camp and his Dad, Bob, is an assistant to GM Jim Bowden.