Top News:
Associated Press:
Cardinals sign OF Jose Martinez to $3.25 million, 2-year contract — Jose Martinez's teammates with the St. Louis Cardinals applauded his new contract Saturday, and the deal gave his family reason to cheer, too. — The outfielder/first baseman signed a $3.25 million …
Discussion:
Fish Stripes
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Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Knizner to start behind the plate for Cardinals in spring opener — JUPITER, Fla. • As nine-time All-Star and Gold Glover Yadier Molina works his way into playing trim following off-season knee surgery, Andrew Knizner, the Cardinals' top catching prospect, will start behind …
Discussion:
Viva El Birdos
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cards blast Miami with 20-hit attack; Layne, Helsley star on mound — JUPITER, Fla. • Miles Mikolas, the Cardinals' announced opening-day starter, tossed two perfect innings in the first exhibition game Saturday. But non-roster lefthander Tommy Layne, a Fort Zumwalt South High product …
ESPN:
Mets' Jed Lowrie has knee sprain, unsure of Opening Day status — New York Mets infielder Jed Lowrie on Saturday said he's unsure of when he'll be able to resume baseball activities after being diagnosed with a left knee capsule sprain. — “I want to be out there with the guys on Opening Day …
Discussion:
Associated Press
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Deesha Thosar / New York Daily News:
Pete Alonso's hunt for Mets job off to torrid start — PORT ST. LUCIE - Pete Alonso is not wasting time forcing the Mets hand. — On the first pitch he saw, Alonso blasted a two-run homer to the deepest part of First Data Field in the Mets' 4-3 win over the Braves in their Saturday spring opener.
Matt Ehalt / Daily Record:
No timetable yet for Jed Lowrie's return to Mets from left knee sprain — PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. - Mets infielder Jed Lowrie has been diagnosed with a left knee capsule sprain, but there is still no timetable for when he will return. — Team officials have repeatedly said they are not concerned …
Coley Harvey / ESPN:
Yankees' Aaron Hicks on ALDS defeat: 'I'm still not over it' — FORT MYERS, Fla. - Four months have passed but one New York Yankees outfielder is still bugged by the playoff-round loss that sent his team to an early exit last fall. — “I'm still not over it,” Yankees center fielder Aaron Hicks said Saturday.
Discussion:
Bleacher Report
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Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
Yankees open spring the same way they ended last season ... talking about the Red Sox — FORT MYERS - About five minutes after Aaron Boone arrived at JetBlue Park for the Yankees' first spring training game, the question was just thrown out there. After battling the Red Sox all last season …
Associated Press:
MLB notes: Ervin Santana agrees to minor-league deal with White Sox — The Chicago White Sox have finalized minor league deals with right-hander Ervin Santana and outfielder Preston Tucker. — The 36-year-old Santana made five starts with Minnesota last season after having surgery …
Discussion:
True Blue LA
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Jesse Rogers / ESPN:
Cubs' Kris Bryant motivated by criticism entering 2019 season — MESA, Ariz. — Chicago Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant says he's motivated heading into the new season and to bring on the naysayers. — Bryant, who went 2-for-2 with a home run in the Cubs' Cactus League opener Saturday …
Discussion:
Associated Press
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Kevin Acee / The Charlotte Observer:
Padres ready to follow Machado to edge — Since the Manny Machado news broke Tuesday, Padres players have had the wide eyes and giddy hop-steps of kids told on Christmas Eve that Santa and his reindeer were spotted flying low over the rooftops. — And these Padres kids are ready to become men.
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Associated Press:
'It's finally over': Manny Machado calls the Padres a perfect fit
Discussion:
Sporting News and ESPN
Weston DeWitt / Associated Press:
With Machado at third, Kinsler can focus on second for Pads
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
Jeff Fletcher / Daily News:
Angels' Shohei Ohtani excited for next step in rehab — Ohtani said he's swinging at 100 percent after his second day hitting off a tee — TEMPE, Ariz. — Two days into the next step of his rehab, Shohei Ohtani was already looking ahead. — After he hit off a tee for the second consecutive …
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
Rob Longley / Toronto Sun:
Blue Jays encouraging Guerrero to ‘dive into’ learning to speak English — DUNEDIN - His bat will speak loud enough for most and that broad smile underneath his blonde-tipped dreadlocks will win over many Blue Jays fans as well. — But among the checklist of things the Blue Jays expect …
Chandler Rome / Houston Chronicle:
Astros' Jake Marisnick to compete for final bench spot — WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — When Grapefruit League games begin on Saturday, the Astros can begin to explore their two roster questions in earnest. — Competitors for the fifth starter spot will finally face live opponents.
Discussion:
Fish Stripes, Federal Baseball and Houston Chronicle
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Gabriel Burns / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Touki Toussaint ready to win spot in Braves' rotation — The Braves are hosting a pitchers' free-for-all to determine their lone open rotation spot. The front-runner, in most eyes, is electric righty Touki Toussaint. — But that contest isn't on the 22-year-old's mind. Just ask him.
Associated Press:
Baseball notebook: Dodgers ace Kershaw sidelined for now — Los Angeles Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw has been sidelined indefinitely after telling manager Dave Roberts that he “didn't feel right” after two discouraging outings on the mound. — Kershaw worked out indoors at Camelback Ranch …
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