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 …
RELATED:
New York Daily News:
Mets manager Terry Collins says new MLB rule dangerous for infielders — PORT ST. LUCIE — Terry Collins, an old middle infielder, was just hearing about Major League Baseball's new slide rule at second base, and with it what amounts to an abolishment of the neighborhood play.
Discussion:
Halos Heaven and baseballmusings.com
Nick Groke / Denver Post:
The changes came in response to two serious injuries last season
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs sign Shane Victorino to minor league deal — The Cubs have signed veteran outfielder Shane Victorino to a minor league contract with a invitation to spring training. — Victorino, 35, has a lifetime .275 major league batting average in 10 seasons. Victorino batted .294 in 122 games …
Discussion:
Phillies Nation, Yahoo Sports and Associated Press
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Associated Press:
Jays sign ex-All-Star Domonic Brown to minor league deal — DUNEDIN, Fla. — Former NL All-Star outfielder Domonic Brown has signed a minor league contract with the Toronto Blue Jays. — Brown signed Thursday and was invited to big league spring training.
Discussion:
Phillies Nation
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Dexter Fowler's fiasco with the the Orioles raises a lot of questions — Anyone who blames the Orioles' failure to complete a deal with Dexter Fowler on his desire for an opt-out clause misses the point. — If the Orioles would not give Fowler an opt-out, then they had no agreement with him.
Discussion:
School of Roch and Camden Chat
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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:
Baltimore Sun, School of Roch, MLB Daily Dish, Yahoo Sports, Bleacher Report, Wrigleyville and baseballmusings.com
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Indians' Abraham Almonte Suspended 80 Games For Failed PED Test — The Indians announced today that center fielder Abraham Almonte has received an 80-game suspension from Major League Baseball after testing positive for a banned substance (Boldenone, per a statement from MLB).
Discussion:
Yahoo Sports
RELATED:
Plain Dealer:
Cleveland Indians to sign outfielder Will Venable, Mike Chernoff's college teammate, to minor league deal — Zack Meisel, cleveland.com By Zack Meisel, cleveland.com — CLEVELAND, Ohio — Will Venable and Mike Chernoff played together at Princeton more than a decade ago. — Now, the two are reunited.
Discussion:
CBS Cleveland, Let's Go Tribe, MLB Daily Dish and MLB Trade Rumors
Kevin White / KSNG-TV:
Shooting reported at Excel Industries in Hesston — HESSTON, Kan. - Law enforcement officers are responding to the scene of a workplace shooting at Excel Industries in Hesston with reports of multiple fatalities and others wounded. — KSN has confirmed there are two individuals who were pronounced dead …
RELATED:
Ksn Tv / KSNG-TV:
1 dead, “up to 20 injured” in shooting at Excel Industries in Hesston
Discussion:
WHTM-TV
Heidi Hemmat / FOX31 Denver:
Teacher files lawsuit, saying 13-year-old student beat, bullied her … LOVELAND, Colo. — A Colorado teacher is speaking out after she says she was beaten and bullied by her own student, and prohibited by her superiors from reporting the abuse. — “I was told that was my job …
Discussion:
KFOR-TV
John Manuel / Baseball America:
Organization Talent Rankings Prioritize Impact — The Jays should have ranked higher in our 2013 talent rankings with Noah Syndergaard (Photo by Mike Janes) — The issue that went to press Thursday features Baseball America's Organization Talent Rankings, a fitting conclusion to our prospect coverage.
Benjamin Hochman / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Gruff Lilliquist has sparked Cardinals' pitching renaissance — JUPITER, Fla. • There he was, the old sage, wandering around in his underwear. — It was after a fall game at Busch, and he looked like he needed one. Derek Lilliquist, the pitching coach, needed to chat up a Cardinal.
