Top News:
Yahoo Sports:
Sources: MLB to tighten mound-visit rules, update slide rules — It's not just players who need spring training to get in shape. Managers and pitching coaches better work on their speed, because they're about to be timed. — Starting this season, mound visits from managers and pitching coaches …
Discussion:
NBCSports.com, True Blue LA, AZ Snake Pit, Federal Baseball, redsminorleagues.com, Talking Chop, Bleacher Report and NESN.com
RELATED:
Nick Groke / Denver Post:
The changes came in response to two serious injuries last season — The Denver Post — Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Corey Seager reaches for the ball as Colorado Rockies shortstop Jose Reyes slides into second with a steal, after the ball bounced off the back of Reyes on a throwing error …
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
Associated Press:
Baseball Bans Rolling Block Slides in Wake of Utley Play — NEW YORK — Baseball made its call on the Chase Utley slide: out. — Major League Baseball and the players' union have banned rolling block slides to break up potential double plays, hoping to prevent a repeat of the takeout …
Discussion:
Yahoo Sports and The Good Phight
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Orioles, Yovani Gallardo Agree To Restructured Deal — 7:54am: The Orioles have announced the deal. A press conference is scheduled for 1:45pm. In a related move, Baltimore has designated Efren Navarro for assignment. — FEB 24, 6:24pm: Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports tweets that the option …
RELATED:
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Yovani Gallardo had little choice but to take Baltimore's revised deal
Yovani Gallardo had little choice but to take Baltimore's revised deal
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
Peter Gammons / GammonsDaily.com:
Gallardo, the Orioles, and what Showalter and Belichick have in common
Gallardo, the Orioles, and what Showalter and Belichick have in common
Discussion:
Camden Chat, Steve Melewski, PressBox Baltimore and Cards Conclave
Brad Johnson / MLB Trade Rumors:
Athletics Acquire Chris Coghlan From Cubs For Aaron Brooks — The Cubs have traded outfielder Chris Coghlan to the Athletics for pitcher Aaron Brooks, the Cubs announced via press release. — Coghlan, 30, won the Rookie of the Year award in 2009. Last season, he hit .250/.341/.443 in 503 plate appearances.
Discussion:
Athletics Nation, Baseball Essential and MLB Daily Dish
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Dexter Fowler back with Cubs: ‘This is where my heart is’ — Photos of the Cubs at spring training. — Chicago Tribune — Center fielder Dexter Fowler is back with the Cubs on a one-year deal, with a mutual option for the 2017 season. — “This is where my heart is,” said Fowler …
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com, School of Roch, Chicago Tribune and Wrigleyville
Brad Johnson / MLB Trade Rumors:
Blue Jays Sign Domonic Brown To Minors Deal — The Blue Jays have agreed to a minor league deal with former Phillies top prospect Domonic Brown, tweets Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca. The Scott Boras client will receive an invitation to Spring Training.
Discussion:
Bluebird Banter, Baseball Essential, Yahoo Sports, The Good Phight, Blue Jays Plus and Philliedelphia
Ian BegleyESPN / ESPN:
Sources: Celtics expressed interest in Carmelo Anthony before deadline — Any flicker of hope the New York Knicks had of making a playoff run has been extinguished over the past few weeks. — New York has lost 13 of its past 15 games and will enter play Thursday 6½ games out of eighth place in the Eastern Conference.
Discussion:
Bleacher Report, Hoops Rumors and NESN.com
Maria Arcega-Dunn / FOX5 San Diego:
Girl pushes other child to safety before being hit by runaway car — LAKESIDE, Calif. — A 10-year-old girl was fatally struck by a runaway vehicle on a Lakeside-area driveway while pushing a second child out of its path, authorities said Tuesday. — The girl was identified by family members as Kiera Larsen.
Discussion:
KTLA
Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
David Ortiz: ‘I was never trying to be a role model’ — FORT MYERS, Fla. — Boston Red Sox DH David Ortiz, who reiterated Tuesday that he will retire after the season, says that he considered his conduct, particularly off the field, as perhaps his most proud achievement. — No incidents.
Discussion:
Yahoo Sports, NBCSports.com, Washington Post, It's About The Money, Over the Monster and Boston Globe
Nick Cafardo / BostonGlobe.com:
John Henry says Red Sox will rely less on analytics — FORT MYERS, Fla. — Red Sox principal owner John Henry revealed a major shift in organizational philosophy Wednesday when he said the team was de-emphasizing its reliance on analytics in making major decisions.
Discussion:
Over the Monster, CBSSports.com and Jays From The Couch
RELATED:
Steven Mann / Times Argus:
Police: Child's farm tale turns out to be pot — WHITE RIVER JUNCTION — A second-grader's tales of how he was helping a “farmer” grow “special medicine” plants led to the bust of a large indoor marijuana growing operation in Windsor last week. — Steven Mann, 54, pleaded innocent Monday …
Discussion:
Associated Press
ESPN:
Rangers hope Josh Hamilton (knee) can return to lineup in early May — The Texas Rangers hope outfielder Josh Hamilton will be ready to return to lineup by early May after getting stem cell and platelet rich plasma injections in his sore left knee, the team announced Wednesday.
Discussion:
Fish Stripes and Dallas Morning News