Price to start at Vero Beach

Pitcher David Price, the No. 1 pick in last year's draft, will start his pro career at high-Class A Vero Beach, according to the Tampa Tribune, St. Petersburg Times and MLB.com. The Rays sent him to minor-league camp earlier this week and assigned him to Vero on Thursday, according to those reports.

Single-game tickets on sale March 22

The ticket office at Riverwalk Stadium will open at 9 a.m. March 22 to sell single-game ducats for the 2008 season.

Biscuits, Rays to extend PDC

The Biscuits and Rays have verbally agreed to an extension of their player-development contract. Biscuits owner Tom Dickson and general manager Greg Rauch said the sides made the agreement after Wednesday's ring ceremony -- and negotiations didn't take long. The PDC was due to run out after this year and the extension will cover the 2009 and 2010 seasons.

The Biscuits also have some new jewelry.

Mason sent to minor-league camp

The Rays dropped right-hander Chris Mason, the Southern League's top pitcher last year, to their minor-league camp today, Mason said. Mason allowed four hits and three runs in three innings this spring.

Rays, Yanks have spring brawl

The Rays and Yankees had a bench-clearing brawl today after New York's Shelley Duncan slid into Tampa Bay second baseman Akinori Iwamura. It's a spillover from last weekend when former Biscuit Elliot Johnson ran over a Yankees minor-league catcher Francisco Cervelli and broke Cervelli's wrist (VIDEO HERE).

(AP photos by Gene J. Puskar)

Below left, umpire Charlie Reliford ejects Duncan for his slide. Below right, Rays outfielder Jonny Gomes shoves Duncan.



Yankees pitcher Heath Phillips was ejected in the first inning after he hit Evan Longoria with a pitch, though neither said it was intentional.

St. Petersburg Times and Tampa Tribune: Maddon calls slide 'borderline criminal'

New York Daily News: Rivalry ramps up

New York Post: Duncan's slide possible payback