Top News:
Associated Press:
Cespedes Gets 1st Hit of Spring, Mets Beat Braves 7-5 — PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Yoenis Cespedes had an RBI infield single and reached base three times to help the New York Mets beat the Atlanta Braves 7-5 on Sunday. — Cespedes went 1 for 2 with a walk and reached on an error.
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Yahoo Sports
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USA Today:
Chase Utley's suspension for vicious slide overturned — Chase Utley's two-game suspension for a takeout slide that resulted in a broken leg, and then a rule change, was overturned on appeal and Utley will be eligible for the start of the 2016 season. — Utley, the Los Angeles Dodgers …
Discussion:
The Big Lead
Associated Press:
Giles Struggles in Houston Debut as Mets Beat Astros 3-1 — KISSIMMEE, Florida — Ken Giles gave up two runs in one inning in his debut with the Houston Astros, who lost 3-1 to the New York Mets on Saturday. — Giles is expected to take over the closer role after he was acquired in an offseason trade with Philadelphia.
Discussion:
Talking Chop and Amazin' Avenue
Associated Press:
Wong Goes 0 for 2 as Cards' Leadoff Man in Loss to Nationals — JUPITER, Fla. — Kolten Wong got a chance to bat leadoff for the St. Louis Cardinals and was hitless in two at-bats Sunday during a 5-2 loss to the Washington Nationals. — Wong vocalized his desire to hit in the top spot during the offseason.
Nick Groke / Denver Post:
The fastball — that faithful, simple pitch — is back en vogue with the Rockies. — The Denver Post — SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — To understand baseball, it helps to hear the game's quirky language, from the obvious ("backdoor breaking ball") to the esoteric ("golden sombrero").
Fox Sports:
What to do when your window of opportunity is closing — Spring training had barely started for the Toronto Blue Jays and manager John Gibbons was already facing questions about next offseason, when sluggers Jose Bautista and Edwin Encarnacion could become free agents.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors, Federal Baseball, Phillies Nation, Yahoo Sports, Bluebird Banter and baseballmusings.com
Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Braves lefty McKirahan (elbow) out for season — Braves left-handed reliever Andrew McKirahan will miss the 2016 season after suffering a torn elbow ligament in his first spring training appearance, general manager John Coppolella said Saturday. — McKirahan left the game Wednesday …
Discussion:
Talking Chop and MLB Trade Rumors
Mike Puma / New York Post:
Mets have high hopes for this not-so-secret bullpen weapon — KISSIMMEE, Fla. — Will it be Hansel Robles, sophomore sensation? — The 25-year-old righty grabbed the Mets' attention last season, when he was thrust into a bullpen in disarray and emerged among manager Terry Collins' most dependable options.
Discussion:
Newsday, New York Daily News and Amazin' Avenue
Associated Press:
Zimmermann Impressive but Nationals Rally to Top Tigers — VIERA, Fla. — Jordan Zimmermann retired eight of his first nine batters in his Detroit debut against his former team, and the Tigers went on to an 8-4 loss to the Washington Nationals on Saturday. — Zimmermann yielded a two-out hit …
Discussion:
Federal Baseball and Yahoo Sports
MLB.com:
This day in MLBPA history: The first Spring Training tours — On March 5, 1966, Marvin Miller was hired as executive director pending a full vote of the membership, and he set off on the Players Association's first camp-to-camp tour of Spring Training to meet with players.
Nick Groke / On the Rox:
Yohan Flande, with a discovered breaking ball, outdoes his Rockies cohorts — ROCKIES 9, PADRES 5 — At Salt River Fields — Scottsdale, Ariz. — Rockies left-hander Yohan Flande turned in the best pitching performance of the young spring schedule Saturday, tossing two perfect innings …
Discussion:
Denver Post and Purple Row
Associated Press:
Cano Homers in Mariners' Spring Loss to Angels — PEORIA, Ariz. — Robinson Cano hit a two-run home run and Franklin Gutierrez added a solo shot for the Seattle Mariners in their 9-7 loss to the Los Angeles Angels in spring training Saturday. — Wade Miley, acquired from the Boston Red Sox …
Discussion:
Lookout Landing
