Top News:
Ben Frederickson / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cardinals notebook: Pitcher Gant keeps impressing — LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. • The Cardinals' pitching plans are coming into focus as the season opener nears, and for now they project spring standout John Gant as quality insurance for the rotation. He's headed for starts at Class AAA Memphis …
RELATED:
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Carp at third, Gyorko at second against Nationals — JUPITER, Fla. • Cardinals manager Mike Matheny is deploying his infield Sunday as to what it will look when second baseman Kolten Wong has an off day. — Jedd Gyorko will move from third to second for the first time this spring …
John Harper / The Charlotte Observer:
Signing Dallas Keuchel might be better Yankees option than Manny Machado — Since Aaron Judge brought it up... Just kidding. I have to admit I was rather stunned that Judge shared with reporters his “You'd-look-good-in-pinstripes” line to Manny Machado last week, considering how carefully he measures his every word.
RELATED:
ESPN:
Mets left-hander Jason Vargas has broken right hand — New York Mets left-hander Jason Vargas has a broken bone in his non-pitching hand and will visit a specialist later Sunday, the team announced. — Vargas suffered a non-displaced fracture of the hamate bone in his right hand Saturday …
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Matt Ehalt / NorthJersey.com:
Mets could trade Rafael Montero before the season starts — WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — With teams finalizing rosters soon, the Mets have started preparations for a possible trade with Rafael Montero a candidate to be dealt, according to sources. Montero is out of options and is not a lock to make the roster.
Discussion:
Newsday and MLB Trade Rumors
Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
Mickey Callaway: Wilmer Flores playing left field can be ‘huge’ for Mets lineup
Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
Mets think Jason Vargas will be ready for start of season despite hand injury
Mets think Jason Vargas will be ready for start of season despite hand injury
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
Associated Press:
Notebook: A's starter Cotton to have Tommy John surgery — Oakland Athletics pitcher Jharel Cotton will undergo season-ending surgery on his right elbow. — Cotton had been diagnosed with a sprain and had a second scan taken on his elbow on Friday, then was told he would need Tommy John surgery.
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
Detroit Free Press:
Next Slide — LAKELAND, Fla. — After three hours and 26 minutes of spring training baseball on Saturday afternoon, after offering reporters some insight as to how the Tigers' roster might look come Opening Day by detailing how wide open the team's bullpen competition remains …
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Joel Colomby / Toronto Sun:
Fantasy Fare: On humidors and an outfield wall — A couple of stadium-related items to keep in the back of your mind when taking part in your league's draft or auction: — 1) Chase Field in Arizona, home of the Diamondbacks, will store its baseballs in a moisture-absorbing humidor, in effect deadening the balls and reducing offence.
RELATED:
Tim Healey / Newsday:
Yoenis Cespedes says he's healthy, ready for Opening Day — PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Yoenis Cespedes declared himself fully healthy and ready for Opening Day after his first baseball action of the week Saturday. — The Mets leftfielder went 1-for-6 in a minor-league intra- squad game …
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Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Kyle Schwarber's improvements evident in spring training — Chicago Tribune — Cubs manager Joe Maddon often uses information to supplement what he witnesses with his own eyes. — And his observations appear accurate after watching a svelte Kyle Schwarber double, triple and run the bases …
Mike Berardino / Twin Cities:
Ervin Santana still can't make a fist or grip a baseball post-surgery — FORT MYERS, Fla. — Tuesday will mark six weeks since Ervin Santana's surgery on his right middle finger, but he still has yet to resume gripping a baseball, much less throwing it. — “It's just exercise right now …
Mike Lupica / New York Daily News:
Mets fans are right to have hope entering this season, no matter how many ifs surround team — PORT ST. LUCIE — This was the other day in spring training, at the point when the spring training days start to run together in the run-up to the season. Mickey Callaway, the new Mets manager …
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Pena's play, catching depth have created competition for Kelly at backup — St. Louis Cardinals catcher Francisco Pena blocks a ball while catching a bullpen session during St. Louis Cardinals spring training on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2018, in Jupiter, Fla. Photo by Chris Lee, clee@post-dispatch.com
Carlos Monarrez / Detroit Free Press:
Detroit Tigers' Alan Trammell took unconventional route to Hall of Fame — COOPERSTOWN, N.Y. — When he was 11 years old, Alan Trammell would walk two miles through a canyon — past coyotes and dairy land — in order to sneak into San Diego Stadium and watch the Padres, one of Major League Baseball's four new expansion teams.