Ballbug: Jose Abreu testifies he ate fake passport on way to U.S. to cover up his part in smuggling operation (Associated Press)

2:45 PM ET, March 2, 2017

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Scott LauberESPN / ESPN:

Red Sox lefty David Price to get second opinion on sore elbow — Boston Red Sox left-hander David Price underwent an MRI exam on Wednesday and intends to get a second opinion, manager John Farrell said Thursday. — Price has been experiencing soreness in his left elbow and forearm, Farrell said.

Discussion: baseballmusings.com

Scott Boeck / USA Today:

AL grades: Which team had the best offseason? — With baseball's offseason dealings all but complete, USA TODAY Sports examines the moves of all 30 teams. The grades for the American League: — A+ — Cleveland Indians: The defending AL champions signed this winter's biggest prized free agent — DH Edwin Encarnacion.

Discussion: Over the Monster, Twinkie Town and DRaysBay

ESPN:

‘Price Rule’ helps umps ID pitching delivery with runner on third base — Some of David Price's peers have copied his unusual minimalist delivery in recent seasons, with the small steps seemingly designed to reduce extraneous movement and improve his command.

Discussion: DRaysBay, Over the Monster, Purple Row, MLB Daily Dish, MLB Trade Rumors, Lone Star Ball and Full Count

Liz Roscher / Yahoo Sports:

MLB announces seven rule changes for 2017, officially kills four-pitch intentional walk — By this point, the news that Major League Baseball is doing away with the four-pitch intentional walk is old. Everyone already knows it's happening. But that's not the only change that MLB is making for the 2017 season.

Discussion: New York Daily News and Halos Heaven

Associated Press:

Jose Abreu testifies he ate fake passport on way to U.S. to cover up his part in smuggling operation — MIAMI — Chicago White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu told a Miami federal jury Wednesday that he ate a chunk of a fake passport while flying to the U.S. to cover up his illegal travel as part of a Cuban ballplayer smuggling operation.

Discussion: Chicago Tribune, Yahoo Sports, Hit & Run, MLB Trade Rumors, Bless You Boys and Deadspin

Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:

Mariners Acquire Chase De Jong, Designate Mike Freeman — The Mariners announced that they've acquired minor league right-hander Chase De Jong from the Dodgers in exchange for minor league infielder Drew Jackson and minor league right-hander Aneurys Zabala.

Discussion: Minor League Ball, Baseball America, True Blue LA, MLB Daily Dish and Lookout Landing

Richard Goldstein / New York Times:

Ned Garver, 20-Game Winner for the 102-Loss Browns, Dies at 91 — Ned Garver, the only pitcher in American League history to win at least 20 games in a season for a ball club that lost at least 100 times, achieving the feat for the 1951 St. Louis Browns, died on Sunday in Bryan, Ohio. He was 91.

Discussion: baseballmusings.com

Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:

Inside the complete overhaul of Jason Heyward's struggling swing — MESA, Az. — Dec. 5, that's when he started, less than five weeks after the Cubs won the World Series. Jason Heyward was not messing around. He had moved to the Phoenix area so he could be closer to the Cubs' training facility, and focus on remaking his swing.

Discussion: baseballmusings.com

Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:

Theo Epstein connects off Ryan Dempster in an epic showdown — Chicago Tribune — While David Ross was practicing his footwork for “Dancing with the Stars,” Cubs President Theo Epstein was moonlighting as a major league hitter this week at Cubs spring training.

Discussion: CBS Chicago

John Harper / New York Daily News:

Greg Bird making impact with bat and leadership at Yankees spring training — TAMPA - For two days this week Greg Bird hit nothing but ropes, a pair of doubles on Monday, then two home runs on Tuesday, and you could practically hear the sigh of relief from the Yankees' front office.

Rustin Dodd / Kansas City Star:

Royals' Peter O'Brien leaves teammates in awe with ‘freaky’ power — SURPRISE, ARIZ. — Stand inside the batter's box of George Brett Field, the main practice field at Royals spring training, and you can see a collection of trees sitting beyond the right-center field wall.

Discussion: Kings of Kauffman, Minor League Ball, Royals Review and Kansas City

myajc:

Liberty Media: Braves lost money in 2016 despite revenue gain — ATLANTA-BRAVES By Tim Tucker - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution — Braves owner Liberty Media disclosed the team's financial results for 2016 on Tuesday, showing a large operating loss despite an increase in revenue.

Discussion: MLB Trade Rumors and FanRag Sports

Chris Bahr / Fox Sports:

Mets get bad news as the injury bug bites David Wright again — The Mets just can't stay healthy, as David Wright is back on the shelf. — General manager Sandy Alderson told reporters Tuesday that the third baseman flew back to New York to have his sore right shoulder examined Monday …

Discussion: baseballmusings.com and FanRag Sports