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4:00 PM ET, February 21, 2019

Ballbug

 Top News: 
Coley Harvey / ESPN:
Gary Sanchez: Comeback player of the year or bust?  —  TAMPA, Fla. — For the bulk of the 12-minute interview session Gary Sanchez had at his locker as New York Yankees pitchers and catchers arrived to spring training, he was asked about one topic.  —  How will he rebound from his abysmal 2018?
RELATED:
Pete Caldera / Daily Record:
DJ LeMahieu, without a set position, viewed as one of the Yankees' regulars  —  TAMPA, Fla. - DJ LeMahieu might appear blocked on the Yankees' infield, but the manager sees him as a regular player on the 2019 club.  —  “Even with everybody healthy, it's not hard to imagine him pretty much playing every day,” Aaron Boone said.
Discussion: Pinstripe Alley
Pete Caldera / Daily Record:
Adam Ottavino, Greg Bird stand out in simulated play at Yankees camp  —  TAMPA, Florida — Adam Ottavino came out firing on Thursday morning.  —  On a back field at Yankees camp, the right-handed reliever struck out all four batters he faced in a simulated setting — getting Gleyber Torres, Tyler Wade (twice) and Luke Voit swinging.
Pete Caldera / Daily Record:   For Miguel Andujar, defense is a priority at Yankees spring training
Ryan Ford / Detroit Free Press:
Detroit Tigers giveaways: Here's what fans can get for free this summer  —  Single-game tickets for the Detroit Tigers' 2019 season don't go on sale until Saturday morning, but the Tigers released their promotions and giveaways schedule on Wednesday.  In addition to the usual fireworks shows …
RELATED:
Anthony Fenech / Detroit Free Press:
Detroit Tigers spring training observations: ‘Big 3’ prospects stand out  —  LAKELAND, Fla. — The Detroit Tigers' final spring training workout ended in the rain on Thursday morning, tears of joy from Mother Nature, who couldn't stand to watch any more pitchers fielding practice.
Anthony Fenech / Detroit Free Press:   Detroit Tigers' JaCoby Jones wants to hit leadoff; can he get on base?
Associated Press:   AP source: Harrison has 1-year agreement with Tigers
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Column: Cubs' millennial players are digging Joe Maddon's message  —  Cubs manager Joe Maddon discusses coaching millennials at spring training on Feb. 20, 2019, in Mesa, Ariz. (Mark Gonzales/Chicago Tribune)  —  Chicago Tribune  —  Joe Maddon's quest to communicate with his millennial players …
RELATED:
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:   5 takeaways from Cubs spring training, including candidates for the leadoff spot and an eventful workout for Javier Baez
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
David Bote standing tall after fine rookie season
Discussion: Bleed Cubbie Blue
Associated Press:
Dodgers to honor Don Newcombe with uniform patch, bobblehead  —  LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Dodgers will honor pitching great Don Newcombe by adding a commemorative No. 36 patch to their uniforms this season.  —  EDITOR'S PICKS  —  Newcombe died Tuesday at 92.
Discussion: ESPN
RELATED:
J.P. Hoornstra / Orange County Register:   Dodgers great Don Newcombe dies at 92; trailblazing pitcher was mentor to many
Matt Breen / Philly.com:
Phillies confident they will sign Bryce Harper as negotiations pick up  —  CLEARWATER, Fla. — The Phillies, according to a source, are confident they will sign Bryce Harper as they have ramped up their negotiations with the outfielder after being motivated by losing out on Manny Machado.
RELATED:
Zach Gelb / CBS Sports Radio:
Lidge: Nationals Could Be Better Without Harper
Discussion: Washington Post
Associated Press:
Indians, reliever Tyler Clippard agree to terms on minor contract  —  Clippard went 4-3 with a 3.67 ERA in 73 games for the Toronto Blue Jays in 2018.  —  GOODYEAR, Ariz. (AP) — The Cleveland Indians and two-time All-Star reliever Tyler Clippard have agreed to a minor league contract.
Discussion: Daily Journal
Jesse Rogers / ESPN:
Last place?  Cubs laugh off formula that has them finishing under .500  —  MESA, Ariz. — It was hidden in plain sight.  And everyone in the locker room saw it.  At the bottom of the daily schedule, on Day 1 of full-squad workouts for the Chicago Cubs, was a prediction for their season.
Discussion: Bleacher Nation
Jeff Wilson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
Padres' addition of Machado while Rangers stand pat is a tale of two windows  —  Their spring homes are separated by 9.6 miles, and last season on the field they were separated by one game.  —  The Texas Rangers went 67-95 in 2018, and the San Diego Padres finished at 66-96.
Associated Press:
Column: Players finding payoffs are changing in baseball  —  Manny Machado's new $300 million contract put a stop — at least temporarily — to a growing chorus of player complaints that major league teams were conspiring to do deep damage to the free agent market.
RELATED:
Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
As Arizona Diamondbacks stand pat, rival Padres ramp up with Manny Machado
Discussion: 101Sports.com
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Birds of a feather: Motte and Wainwright reunite  —  JUPITER, Fla.  • A little bit of history — well, a lot of Cardinals history —was in evidence Thursday morning in the clubhouse.  The last two Cardinals pitchers to throw the final out for a World Series champion had a long chat.
Bobby Nightengale / Cincinnati.com:
Spring Training report: 3 observations from Cincinnati Reds' fielding drills  —  Editor's note: The Cincinnati Reds are underway at spring training in Goodyear, Arizona, until March 24.  Check back here for news and updates from Enquirer beat writers Bobby Nightengale and John Fay.
RELATED:
Bobby Nightengale / Cincinnati.com:   Coach Puig: How Cincinnati Reds outfielder Yasiel Puig became a mentor for younger teammates
Gabriel Burns / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Andruw Jones arrives at Braves camp  —  Andruw Jones came to Braves camp as a guest instructor on Thursday.  His arrival came on the first day of full-squad workouts, and he's expected to help for a couple of weeks, according to manager Brian Snitker.  —  Hall of Fame manager Bobby Cox is already in Central Florida.
WKYC-TV:
WATCH |  Betsy Kling catches up with ‘Voice of the Indians’ Tom Hamilton at Spring Training  —  What does Tom think about the upcoming season?  —  Baseball is almost here, and the Indians are set to begin Cactus League exhibition play in Arizona in a matter of days.
RELATED:
Betsy Kling / WKYC-TV:   Major League dreams: Indians pitcher Rob Kaminsky
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Giants Sign Nick Vincent  —  The Giants have agreed to a contract with right-hander Nick Vincent, Andrew Baggarly of The Athletic tweets.  Vincent will join the MLB side of camp, but on a minor-league deal, per Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area (Twitter link).
Discussion: McCovey Chronicles
 
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 More News: 
Sports Illustrated:
50. NOAH SYNDERGAARD  —  Noah Syndergaard has done the impossible.
Discussion: Arizona Sports
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Preparation — and good posture — keeps Cole Hamels in prime pitching shape
Thomas Bassinger / Tampa Bay Times:
Baseball Prospectus previews the 2019 Rays: Here's what's ahead for Blake Snell, Kevin Kiermaier and Tommy Pham
Dan Schlossberg / Forbes:
A Fond Farewell To Bartolo Colon
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cardinals aren't flinching at possibility Reyes could be in rotation
 Earlier Picks: 
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Robinson, Munoz vie for utility role on Cardinals
Mirjam Swanson / Orange County Register:
LeBron James plans to be ‘a little bit different’ as the Lakers make a playoff push
Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
Christian Walker says he's strong again after last year's broken jaw
Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
How to follow Braves' spring training on social media
Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
Miguel Andujar reacts to Manny Machado coming off the board and explains plan for fixing his defense
Carrie Muskat / Associated Press:
A's looking at Robbie Grossman as potential leadoff man
 

 
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