Top News:
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Mayers impressive at start, Leone at end as Cards win 8-7 — JUPITER, Fla. • In their final home exhibition game, the Cardinals trotted out nine pitchers in nine innings. Some were minor leaguers and righthander Mike Mayers, who started the game, came to camp with that designation.
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Ben Frederickson / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cardinals closer candidate Luke Gregerson to start season on DL
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Motte declines Cards' offer; Mayers, Martinez to pitch Saturday
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Vision is a concern for Pham; meanwhile, Gregerson is ailing
Vision is a concern for Pham; meanwhile, Gregerson is ailing
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
John Cherwa / Los Angeles Times:
Expectations are sky-high for Yankees newcomers Giancarlo Stanton and Aaron Boone … Giancarlo Stanton was among the last to arrive at his locker on a recent spring training day. — Twelve carefully placed bats protruded from the top of his locker near a corner of the clubhouse …
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Anthony Rieber / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Mets send Zack Wheeler to Triple-A Las Vegas — PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — The Mets informed Zack Wheeler on Saturday that he did not make the team and will begin the season at Triple-A Las Vegas. — The demotion was a bitter pill for Wheeler, who hasn't been a minor leaguer since 2013.
Discussion:
Associated Press
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Marc Topkin / Tampa Bay Times:
Top 10 most impactful events from Rays spring training — PORT CHARLOTTE — Of all the topics covered in our special section reviewing the first 20 seasons in Rays history, we didn't spend much time on spring trainings. Just as well, because the just-about-completed 21st would be by far the most eventful.
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Marc Topkin / Tampa Bay Times:
20 years of Rays: Best signings, trades and deals
Pete Caldera / Daily Record:
Brandon Drury says he'll be ready for Yankees' opening day — TAMPA, Fla. - Brandon Drury has a knot on his left elbow, but “I'll be ready Thursday, for sure,” he said of the Yankees' opener at Toronto. — During Friday's game against Boston, the Yankees' third baseman was drilled …
Discussion:
NorthJersey.com
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George Sipple / Detroit Free Press:
Detroit Tigers release utility man Alexi Amarista; 27 players remain — Detroit Tigers owner Chris Ilitch spoke to reporters on Saturday, March 3, 2018, in Lakeland, Fla. Video by George Sipple/DFP — LAKELAND, Fla. — It appears that Niko Goodrum and JaCoby Jones are going to make the Detroit Tigers' Opening Day roster.
Discussion:
Bless You Boys
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George Sipple / Detroit Free Press:
Jordan Zimmermann likes his nine-hit outing; Detroit Tigers fall, 4-1 … CONNECT — At Publix Field, Lakeland, Fla. — What happened: The Detroit Tigers lost to the Phillies, 4-1. ... Andrew Knapp drove in a run on a bunt single in the first. The Phillies went ahead, 3-0 …
Discussion:
Bless You Boys
Associated Press:
Giants' Madison Bumgarner breaks pitching hand on line drive in final spring start — San Francisco Giants left-hander Madison Bumgarner is hurt for the second straight year, breaking a bone in his pitching hand when hit by a line drive off the bat of Kansas City's Whit Merrifield during a spring training game on Friday.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and McCovey Chronicles
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Jorge L. Ortiz / USA Today:
Madison Bumgarner's injury officially closes the book on Giants' title window — SportsPulse: The Dodgers have won their division five years in a row. Are they a lock to do it again? USA TODAY Sports — CONNECT — The window is now shut. — The San Francisco Giants kept trying …
ESPN:
Red Sox sign Christian Vazquez to three-year extension — The Boston Red Sox have signed catcher Christian Vazquez to a three-year extension through the 2021 season, it was announced Saturday. — EDITOR'S PICKS — Boston Red Sox pitcher Steven Wright will not appeal a 15-game suspension for an offseason domestic violence arrest.
Discussion:
ABC News and Over the Monster
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Dakota Randall / NESN.com:
Red Sox Trade Deven Marrero To D-Backs For Player To Be Named Later Or Cash
Red Sox Trade Deven Marrero To D-Backs For Player To Be Named Later Or Cash
Discussion:
AZ Snake Pit
Pete Caldera / Daily Record:
Greg Bird scratched from Yankees spring training start with sore foot, will see doctor — TAMPA, Fla. - Greg Bird has been scratched from Saturday's split-squad game at Disney World due to a sore right foot. — The Yankees first baseman is headed back to Tampa and due to be examined on Saturday afternoon.
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley
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Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
Michael Conforto's shoulder passes latest test, but DL to start season still the likely plan for Mets — JUPITER - Michael Conforto dove and slid Saturday without a thought about his surgically reconstructed shoulder. The All-Star played five innings in center field and drew two walks …
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ESPN:
Rangers release Bartolo Colon from minor league deal — The Texas Rangers have released 44-year-old pitcher Bartolo Colon from his minor league contract Saturday. — The Rangers had brought the right-hander Colon into camp with a guarantee of $1.75 million if he made the major leaguer roster.
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Jeff Wilson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
Surprise Five: Rangers might have found their opening for ‘Big Sexy’
Surprise Five: Rangers might have found their opening for ‘Big Sexy’
Discussion:
Sporting News, MLB Baseball News … and Lone Star Ball
Associated Press:
Brewers ship 2017 Opening Day starter Junior Guerra to minors — PHOENIX — The Milwaukee Brewers have optioned Junior Guerra, their Opening Day starter a year ago, to Triple-A Colorado Springs. — Guerra has made five spring starts and is scheduled to pitch Sunday's Cactus League finale against the Chicago White Sox.
Jay Cohen / Associated Press:
Mets' David Wright is baseball's lone captain in 2018 — Anthony Rizzo is a three-time All-Star and the 2017 winner of the Roberto Clemente Award, baseball's biggest honor for sportsmanship and community involvement. Jon Lester is a three-time World Series champion, and Jason Heyward organized …
ESPN:
Phillies release reliever Francisco Rodriguez — The Philadelphia Phillies released reliever Francisco Rodriguez on Saturday. — Rodriguez, 36, posted a 5.40 ERA in eight appearances this spring. — He was guaranteed $2.5 million if he made the Phillies' Opening Day roster.
Discussion:
Sporting News and MLB Baseball News …
Bob Brookover / Philly.com:
Jake Arrieta to make Phillies debut April 8 against Miami — LAKELAND, Fla. - The day started with Jake Arrieta's scheduled side session on a mound back at the Phillies' spring-training home in Clearwater. It ended with manager Gabe Kapler revealing the plan that will get the prized free-agent pitcher …
Associated Press:
Giants fans to pay more for parking at Bay Bridge rivalry games in Oakland unless they yell “Go A's!” — Hey, Giants fans. It's gonna cost ya to motor up to the Coliseum. — The Oakland Athletics announced on Saturday a playful pricing plan for parking at their stadium for games against the Bay Bridge rivals.