Top News:
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Wainwright scratched from start against Washington — WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. • Veteran Adam Wainwright has been scratched from his scheduled start for the Cardinals' last Grapefruit League game Sunday and will be replaced by 21-year-old Jordan Hicks, one of the Cardinals' top prospects.
Discussion:
Sporting News and MLB Trade Rumors
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Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Ailing Wainwright (hamstring) to go on DL; Flaherty called up — WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. • _ Veteran starter Adam Wainwright, like veteran reliever Luke Gregerson, suffering a left hamstring injury running sprints in the last week, was placed on the 10-day disabled list Sunday …
Tampa Bay Times:
20 years of the Rays: Recounting the 20 most memorable injuries — With the Rays planning a year-long celebration of their 20th anniversary, the Times is taking a look back - with 20 lists of 20 things about those first 20 seasons.Being a Rays fan over the yea
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Connor Byrne / MLB Trade Rumors:
Phillies Designate Cameron Rupp — The Phillies have designated catcher Cameron Rupp for assignment, per a team announcement. The club selected right-hander Drew Hutchison's contract in a corresponding move. — The 29-year-old Rupp has been a member of the Phillies since they chose …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and The Good Phight
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Bob Brookover / Philly.com:
Cameron Rupp sent out to make room for Drew Hutchison on Phillies roster
Cameron Rupp sent out to make room for Drew Hutchison on Phillies roster
Discussion:
Phillies Nation
Detroit Free Press:
Detroit Tigers vs. Atlanta Braves in exhibition: Scoring updates — The beginning of the Major League Baseball season brings a new round of predictions. The Detroit Free Press' Anthony Fenech and George Sipple give their prognostications for the 2018 season. Wochit — CONNECT
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ESPN:
Michael Conforto to start on DL after shoulder surgery — New York Mets outfielder Michael Conforto was informed Sunday morning that he will start the season on the disabled list as he continues to recover from shoulder surgery. — Mets manager Mickey Callaway delivered the news to Conforto, according to the New York Daily News.
Discussion:
Amazin' Avenue
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Jeff Gordon / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
National League capsules: 2017 division champs should repeat — • Outfielder Bryce Harper is headed toward free agency and a record-shattering contract. This is his chance to prove he is worth epic money. Can the Nationals keep him? If not, can they win a title before he leaves?
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Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Beating up on Reds, Pirates might be key to winning NL Central
Tom Haudricourt / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:
5 teams to watch in the National League and American League in 2018
5 teams to watch in the National League and American League in 2018
Discussion:
AZ Snake Pit
Connor Byrne / MLB Trade Rumors:
Phillies Sign Scott Kingery To Long-Term Deal — The Phillies have signed second base prospect Scott Kingery to a six-year contract through the 2023 campaign, according to a team announcement. The pact also features club options for the 2024, '25 and '26 seasons, meaning it could cancel out three of Kingery's free-agent years.
Discussion:
The Good Phight and MLB Daily Dish
Tom Kuebel / Arizona Sports:
Diamondbacks option Yasmany Tomas to Triple-A Reno — Yasmany Tomas was optioned to Triple-A Reno by the Arizona Diamondbacks on Sunday morning, reducing the roster to 33 players. — The Cuban outfielder/third baseman signed a six-year, $68-million dollar contract with the Diamondbacks …
Discussion:
AZ Snake Pit
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs pick Victor Caratini as backup catcher over Chris Gimenez — Chicago Tribune — The Cubs believe 24-year-old Victor Caratini will benefit more as a major-league backup catcher than he would in the minor leagues. — That was a big factor in the team's decision to select Caratini for the job …
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Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Pedro Strop passes test, but Cubs will wait before finalizing opening day roster
Pedro Strop passes test, but Cubs will wait before finalizing opening day roster
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
White Sox reserving the right to dream big in Year 2 of the rebuild — Chicago Tribune — Ten years ago the Rays were coming off a 96-loss season and predicted by most to finish last again the American League East. — It didn't turn out that way, as starter James Shields pointed out at the start of White Sox spring training.
Discussion:
South Side Sox
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Ozuna brings the thump to end the slump — St. Louis Cardinals left fielder Marcell Ozuna takes batting practice during St. Louis Cardinals spring training on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2018, in Jupiter, Fla. Photo by Chris Lee, clee@post-dispatch.com — St. Louis Cardinals left fielder Marcell Ozuna …
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Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Outfield: Cards have a new look for 2018
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Second base: Cards need Wong on the field — WHAT NEEDS TO BE PROVEN — That Kolten Wong, the unquestioned starter at the position, can play more than two-thirds of a season. He played in exactly two-thirds of last season's games at 108, and that isn't enough.
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Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Gyorko needs to show endurance
John Fay / Cincinnati.com:
Cincinnati Reds set the Opening Day roster — kind of, sort of, maybe — GOODYEAR, Ariz. - The Reds finalized their Opening Day roster — sort of, almost, maybe. — “The thing is there is always the caveat,” Reds Manager Bryan Price said. — Price was referring to waivers claims.
Chelsea Janes / Chicago Tribune:
Miguel Montero on Nationals: Excited to be on team ‘that has a chance to win it all’ — The Washington Post — From the moment the Nationals signed catcher Miguel Montero in early February, he seemed likely to win a spot on their Opening Day roster. No one would say that, of course.
Associated Press:
Braves release veteran left-hander Scott Kazmir — ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Braves have released Scott Kazmir after the left-hander fell short in his bid to win the No. 5 spot in the team's rotation. — The 34-year-old Kazmir was acquired with Brandon McCarthy and infielder Charlie Culberson …
ESPN:
Ty Blach to start opener with Madison Bumgarner out — Left-hander Ty Blach will start on Opening Day for the San Francisco Giants on Thursday against the Los Angeles Dodgers, manager Bruce Bochy announced Sunday. — The announcement comes a day after Giants ace Madison Bumgarner had surgery …
Mike Mazzeo / New York Daily News:
Aaron Boone trying to remain optimistic about Greg Bird, but knows Yankees have quality depth if needed — PORT CHARLOTTE — Greg Bird is heading to New York on Sunday, and the Yankees will find out the severity of his right foot injury on Monday, when the 25-year-old first baseman visits with specialist Dr. Martin O'Malley.
Jeff Wilson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
He batted .193 in Rangers spring training. Odor, though, says, 'I'm ready to go' — Spring wins and losses don't matter, or so it is said, and neither do springtime stats. — That alone should give the Texas Rangers a boost as they charge toward Opening Day.
Todd Rosiak / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:
Brent Suter and Brandon Woodruff win the Brewers' final two rotation spots — PHOENIX - The Milwaukee Brewers had a few different ways they could have constructed their 2018 starting rotation. — In the end, youth and potential won out. — Manager Craig Counsell announced Saturday …
Discussion:
Minor League Ball, MLB Trade Rumors and MLB Daily Dish
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ESPN:
Michael Brantley won't break camp with Indians — Cleveland Indians outfielder Michael Brantley will start the season on the disabled list as he continues to recover from ankle surgery. — The Indians announced the decision Sunday, four days after Brantley made his spring training debut.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …