Top News:
NBC News:
Kalamazoo Shootings: 6 Dead, 2 Wounded After ‘Random’ Shootings in Michigan — Picking targets seemingly at random, a gunman went on a hours-long rampage in Kalamazoo, Michigan, Saturday night, driving around the city and opening fire on unsuspecting victims at an apartment complex, a car dealership and a Cracker Barrel restaurant.
RELATED:
WOOD-TV:
6 dead, 2 wounded in Kalamazoo area; suspect ID'd — TEXAS TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) — Six people are dead and two more seriously wounded after a shooter opened fire at three different locations in the Kalamazoo area over the course of nearly five hours Saturday night.
Discussion:
WSPA-TV, Associated Press, CBS Baltimore, WATE-TV and WGN-TV, more at WeSmirch »
Rick Morrissey / Chicago:
Less could be more for Jake Arrieta and the Cubs in 2016 — MESA, Ariz. - Here in the land of outsized hopes and sun-stroked dreams, anything is possible. Well, almost anything. The 2015 Jake Arrieta is not possible again. The Big Bang happened only once. — That's not being negative.
RELATED:
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs' Jake Arrieta content with innings limit — Cubs pitcher Jake Arrieta discusses his innings limit for early this season, as well as benefitting from his 2015 workload. — Chicago Tribune — Jake Arrieta admitted last year that his goal was to pitch the eighth and ninth innings …
Discussion:
Bleacher Report
Carrie Muskat / MLB.com:
Maddon wants club to ‘embrace the target’ this season — MESA, Ariz. — The theme for 2016, Cubs manager Joe Maddon said, is “embrace the target,” and he'll deliver that message on Saturday prior to the first workout by pitchers and catchers. Of course, anyone not in Cubs camp by now got a directive from Jon Lester.
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue
Mark Feinsand / New York Daily News:
Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman could face spring training ban if suspended for alleged domestic violence incident — TAMPA - When the Yankees acquired Aroldis Chapman in December, they knew there was a possibility the closer would be unavailable at the beginning of the season due …
Discussion:
New York Post, NBCSports.com and MLB Trade Rumors
RELATED:
Susan Slusser / San Francisco Chronicle:
Tony Phillips, former A's infielder, dies of apparent heart attack — Infielder Tony Phillips, a member of the A's 1989 title team, died of an apparent heart attack at the age of 56, according to former Oakland starter Dave Stewart. — “T.P. was like my little brother,” said Stewart …
RELATED:
James Jahnke / Detroit Free Press:
Former Tigers 2B Tony Phillips dead at 56
Discussion:
Jeff Passan, Bless You Boys, FanGraphs Baseball and Bleacher Report
Charlie Wilmoth / MLB Trade Rumors:
Padres Sign Casey Janssen To Minor League Deal — 10:09am: The Padres have officially announced that they've signed Janssen to a minor league deal with a Spring Training invite. — 9:36am: It appears possible the Padres have agreed to terms with veteran righty Casey Janssen, perhaps on a minor league deal.
Discussion:
Gaslamp Ball and MLB Daily Dish
Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
Barry Bonds arrives with Marlins, ready to once again chase the unknown — JUPITER, Fla. — Barry Bonds pulled his white Cadillac SUV into the Miami Marlins parking lot at 9:45 Thursday morning, and drove around. — And around. — And around. — He finally gave up …
Discussion:
Yahoo Sports and Bleacher Report
Chelsea Janes / Washington Post:
The Nationals took a chance on Bronson Arroyo, and he took a chance on them — PROGRAMMING NOTE: After months of hibernation, Morning Brushback returns. — VIERA — The Cincinnati Reds wanted Bronson Arroyo back. They were willing to take a chance on their soon-to-be 39-year-old former starter …
Discussion:
Federal Baseball
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
In Jim Benedict, the Marlins have added a pitcher whisperer to their front office — The Marlins picked up relief pitcher Bryan Morris in a midseason trade with the Pirates in 2014. He'd had success in Pittsburgh during Jim Benedict's tenure. — Steve Mitchell — JUPITER, Fla. — Edwin Jackson, bounce-back candidate?
Discussion:
Greensburg Tribune-Review and MLB Trade Rumors
ESPN:
Jung Ho Kang (leg) unsure if he'll be ready for Opening Day — Pittsburgh Pirates infielder Jung Ho Kang, who had surgery after suffering a serious leg injury in September, is still unsure whether he'll be ready for Opening Day. — Five months after having surgery to repair a broken bone …
Discussion:
Bleacher Report
New York Post:
Islanders, Barclays eye escape clause to get team out of Brooklyn — The Islanders' relationship with Barclays Center has been on such thin ice during the club's first season in Brooklyn that both sides are secretly exploring ways to cut ties or modify the existing terms of their lease, The Post has learned.
