Top News:
Peter Botte / New York Daily News:
Aaron Boone feeling relaxed despite enormous expectations as his first season as Yankees manager begins — TORONTO — Aaron Boone believes he is ready to embark on being only the third manager to hold that title for the Yankees over the past 23 seasons, after they'd infamously gone through 20 dugout changes …
Discussion:
USA Today
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John Healy / New York Daily News:
Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner says Aaron Judge could be even better, ‘disappointed’ in Greg Bird injury
David SchoenfieldESPN Senior / ESPN:
The Evil Empire Strikes Back! Why the Yankees being good is great for baseball
The Evil Empire Strikes Back! Why the Yankees being good is great for baseball
Discussion:
Associated Press, Pinstripe Alley and Bleed Cubbie Blue
Daniel Popper / New York Daily News:
Yankees in brew-haha over beer foam fiasco
Yankees in brew-haha over beer foam fiasco
Discussion:
Boston Globe, ESPN and MarketWatch
Steven Marcus / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Yankees run afoul of MLB over player images on beer at Yankee Stadium
Yankees run afoul of MLB over player images on beer at Yankee Stadium
Discussion:
The Comeback, NESN.com, Sporting News and Pinstripe Alley
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 …
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Jorge L. Ortiz / USA Today:
10 notable players still unsigned at MLB's Opening Day — While Jayson Werth found a new home just before the season started by signing Tuesday with the Seattle Mariners, several accomplished veterans will watch Opening Day from their couches instead of partaking in the action.
Coley HarveyESPN / ESPN:
Despite lofty expectations, Aaron Judge says he feels no pressure
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
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Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Recharged Cubs have eyes on World Series prize: ‘I see a lot of hunger’ — Chicago Tribune — The batteries are recharged, thanks in part to falling short of a second consecutive World Series title. — For the 14 holdovers from the Cubs' 2016 championship team, the chance for redemption …
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.
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Katherine TerrellESPN / ESPN:
Reds push back opener against Nationals to Friday because of weather
Reds push back opener against Nationals to Friday because of weather
Discussion:
Associated Press
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:
ESPN:
Tim Tebow starting season with Mets' Double-A team — Tim Tebow will start the season with the New York Met's Double-A affiliate in Binghamton, the team announced Wednesday. — Tebow, who is entering his second season in the Mets' organization, said in a statement that he is “excited” about the assignment to Binghamton.
Shotgun Spratling / Los Angeles Times:
Mets promote Tim Tebow to Double-A despite poor spring
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, Philly.com and Phillies Nation
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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
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
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Thomas Boswell / Washington Post:
Enjoy the ride, because these Nationals may be as good as they're going to get
Enjoy the ride, because these Nationals may be as good as they're going to get
Discussion:
Federal Baseball
Jerry CrasnickESPN Senior / ESPN:
Opening Day survey: $400 million for Harper? A Yankees letdown? MLB execs size up 2018
Opening Day survey: $400 million for Harper? A Yankees letdown? MLB execs size up 2018
Discussion:
Washington Post, Bleacher Nation, Let's Go Tribe and Halos Heaven
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 …
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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 Baseball News … and MLB Daily Dish
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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 …
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Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
Mets catcher Kevin Plawecki isn't done proving doubters wrong despite receiving Opening Day start — Kevin Plawecki has a chip on his shoulder. The Mets catcher took issue with the people who said the team should sign a veteran catcher. He let that motivate him and took a strong finish …
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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
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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:
Bluebird Banter
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Nick Stellini / Sporting News:
Why the Blue Jays could be a factor in the 2018 playoff race
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.
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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 …
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Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
Last Slide — The last time the Diamondbacks played a game that mattered, J.D. Martinez was hitting cleanup. He is gone, having departed as a free agent. His replacement, Steven Souza Jr., is gone, as well, placed on the disabled list to open the year. — Manager Torey Lovullo …