Top News:
Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
MLB salaries 2018: A 3.5% raise for average major leaguer - but future commitments dipping — TORONTO - The free-agent market was a dud this winter, leaving Major League Baseball players and their agents seething. — Ultimately, baseball's average salary compared to 2017 amounted to a cost-of-living bump …
RELATED:
Associated Press:
Judge and Stanton eager to get started as Yankees teammates — TORONTO — After a winter of waiting, the New York Yankees are ready to roll with two of baseball's best sluggers. — Aaron Judge and newcomer Giancarlo Stanton will bat second and third when the Yankees open against the Toronto Blue Jays on Thursday.
Discussion:
ESPN
Jesse Yomtov / USA Today:
Breakout candidates and players who could disappoint in the 2018 MLB season
Coley HarveyESPN / ESPN:
Despite lofty expectations, Aaron Judge says he feels no pressure
Discussion:
Washington Post
J.P. Hoornstra / Orange County Register:
Freeway Series finale leaves a stench as sewer water floods Dodger Stadium — LOS ANGELES — At 8:57 p.m. Tuesday, a small pool of liquid appeared on the dirt warning track just beyond the third-base dugout at Dodger Stadium. The smell of raw sewage began to permeate the air.
Discussion:
Daily News, MLB Baseball News … and Inland Valley Daily Bulletin
RELATED:
Jill Painter Lopez / Associated Press:
Dodgers designate OF Trayce Thompson for assignment — LOS ANGELES (AP) The Dodgers have cut outfielder Trayce Thompson, the brother of Golden State Warriors star Klay Thompson. — Thompson was competing for a spot in a crowded Los Angeles outfield that includes Chris Taylor, Yasiel Puig, Matt Kemp, Joc Pederson and Andrew Toles.
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish
Associated Press:
Ready or not: Mets, rookie manager set to open vs Cardinals — NEW YORK (AP) — No more practice runs for Mickey Callaway. — Opening day has arrived for the rookie manager of the New York Mets, and his heart probably will be pounding at a mile a minute by the time Noah Syndergaard fires …
RELATED:
Daniel Popper / New York Daily News:
Yankees in brew-haha over beer foam fiasco — Looks like the Yankees found themselves in a brew-haha the day before Opening Day. — An overzealous vendor got a little too crafty with the beer foam - imprinting the faces of some of their most popular players (including Giancarlo Stanton and Aaron Judge) …
Discussion:
The Comeback, Newsday and Sporting News
RELATED:
Gerry Fraley / Dallas Morning News:
5 things Rangers fans need to know about the Houston Astros ahead of opening day 2018 — Five things to know about the reigning World Series champion Houston Astros, who open a four-game series against the Rangers on Thursday at Globe Life Park: — 1. The Astros won the season series with the Rangers at 12-7 last year.
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
RELATED:
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Column: Smooth sailing ahead for the Cubs — at least until October — Chicago Tribune — From Jon Lester's wayward bounce throw to Tommy La Stella's pop-up bounce house, the Cubs got through another spring training with a healthy diet of hard work and comic relief.
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue
RELATED:
Associated Press:
Mets promote Tebow to Double-A after spring training slump — NEW YORK (AP) — Tim Tebow has been promoted to Double-A after going 1 for 18 with 11 strikeouts in big league spring training for the New York Mets. — The Mets said Wednesday that the outfielder has been assigned to start the season at Binghamton of the Eastern League.
RELATED:
Associated Press:
Phillies eager for opening day, Braves hopes on hold — ATLANTA — The Philadelphia Phillies are eager to get started on a new, winning era. — For the Atlanta Braves, opening day still feels like it's a few weeks away. — The NL East rivals begin the season Thursday at 2-year-old SunTrust Park …
Discussion:
ESPN
RELATED:
Associated Press:
Phillies' Jake Arrieta says no soreness after second spring training start — CLEARWATER, Fla. — Jake Arrieta felt fine after his second spring training start with the Philadelphia Phillies, and that was more important than the mediocre results. — Arrieta allowed 4 runs …
Discussion:
Talking Chop, The Good Phight, Amazin' Avenue, Phillies Nation and Philly.com
Evan Grossman / New York Daily News:
Mike Francesa and Chris Russo reunite, take digs at WFAN: 'There'll be nobody on WFAN before you know it' — Mike and the Mad Dog poked fun at their struggling former employer Wednesday. — Mike Francesa and Chris Russo, appearing side-by-side on Russo's “High Heat” show on MLB Network …
RELATED:
Associated Press:
Rays' Eovaldi to have arthroscopic surgery on pitching elbow — ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Tampa Bay pitcher Nathan Eovaldi has loose bodies in his pitching elbow and will undergo arthroscopic surgery. — The 28-year-old right-hander, expected to be part of the Rays rotation after recovering …
RELATED:
Nick Faris / Toronto Sun:
How the bobblehead became a beloved symbol of baseball season — There is probably no better indicator of how surprisingly good Justin Smoak was in 2017 than the fact he was selected to be a bobblehead this year — As he walked to work on a bright, subzero morning in Toronto last week …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and Bluebird Banter
RELATED:
Nick Stellini / Sporting News:
Why the Blue Jays could be a factor in the 2018 playoff race
Discussion:
Over the Monster and Bluebird Banter
Dave Brown / Chicago Tribune:
James Shields hopes to help White Sox surge as he did with Royals — Chicago Tribune — Shooting the breeze in the visitor's dugout with teammates, coaches and staff during a club workout Wednesday afternoon, White Sox right-hander James Shields looked back fondly on his two seasons with the Royals.
RELATED:
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cards remove pitcher, infielder from 40-man roster to add Jordan Hicks, Francisco Pena — NEW YORK • To make room on the 40-man roster for two players who elbowed their way onto the opening day roster, the Cardinals removed one of the few backup lefthanded-hitting infielders …
RELATED:
Chelsea Janes / Chicago Tribune:
Nationals' Bryce Harper is about to step into the storm that's been brewing his entire life — The Washington Post — One Sunday morning a few years ago, in the well-worn clubhouse at Turner Field, Bryce Harper sat on the edge of the black leather rolling chair at his locker and looked around the near-empty room.
Discussion:
Washington Post, Chicago Sun-Times and Bleacher Nation
Kevin Acee / Baltimore Sun:
Winning always goal, but Padres' 2018 season mostly about waiting — Wil Myers says this with the intent of being both optimistic and realistic. — “We're playing in a great division,” Myers said. “We might be picked last, even though the guys we have here are better (than recent seasons).
Peter Botte / New York Daily News:
Luis Severino ready to improve after breakout season, says he's more comfortable in pressure situations — TORONTO - Luis Severino believes there is plenty he can improve upon from his breakout 2017 season, which would mean he'd have to finish first or second in the American League in ERA or in the league's Cy Young voting this year.
Joe Kay / Associated Press:
First rain delay: Reds reschedule opener vs Nationals — CINCINNATI (AP) — The Reds have pushed back their season opener against the Washington Nationals by a day because rain is forecast for all day Thursday. — They'll open on Friday afternoon instead, taking advantage of what was a scheduled day off for both teams.
