Top News:
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
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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 …
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 …
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cards' Carpenter looks forward to having entire spring to prepare — JUPITER, Fla. • Matt Carpenter won't be playing in the first spring training game Saturday for the Cardinals. But he will be appearing in the second one Sunday, which puts him about three weeks ahead of his schedule …
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cardinals agree to two-year contract with Jose Martinez — JUPITER, Fla. • The comfort and enthusiasm that Jose Martinez has expressed since it became clear the Cardinals would not trade him this winter has been rewarded with a new contract. — Martinez, still years away from free agency …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
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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Bill Madden / New York Daily News:
Why did teams shy from Manny Machado and Bryce Harper? They aren't baseball's best — In the end, Manny Machado got his record-breaking contract, and sometime soon — maybe by the All-Star break? — Bryce Harper will get his as well. For that you must give their respective agents …
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
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:
Jed Lowrie's availability for Opening Day could be in doubt, Mets third baseman frustrated by knee injury — PORT ST. LUCIE - Jed Lowrie could be doubtful for Opening Day after learning he has a capsule sprain in his left knee. — The official diagnosis came three days after the Mets revealed …
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 …
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Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
White Sox sign outfielder Preston Tucker to minor-league deal — Chicago Tribune — The White Sox added another outfielder to the mix Saturday, signing 28-year-old Preston Tucker to a minor-league deal. — The Sox also made the signing of Ervin Santana to a minor-league deal official.
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Yoan Moncada begins transition to third base in White Sox's Cactus League opener vs. A's
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Column: White Sox prospects Eloy Jimenez, Nick Madrigal and Dylan Cease take the spotlight …
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors and South Side Sox
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
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.
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Gabriel Burns / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Braves bringing Camargo, Culberson on first spring trip
Discussion:
Talking Chop
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Kris Bryant, Javier Baez start in Cubs' spring opener — Chicago Tribune — Kris Bryant and Javier Baez will start Saturday when the Cubs open the exhibition season against the Brewers at Sloan Park. — Bryant and Baez are two of four regular position players in the lineup.
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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.
Anthony Fenech / Detroit Free Press:
Detroit Tigers observations vs. Blue Jays: Matt Moore makes 1st case for rotation — DUNEDIN, Fla. — Matt Moore made his first case in the Detroit Tigers pitching rotation competition. — In his Tigers spring training debut, he allowed hard contact early, but settled in …
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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Toronto Sun:
Red Sox manager Cora on death of reporter: 'That's real. Life is real.' — FORT MYERS, Fla. — Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora addressed the team on Friday morning about the death of longtime Boston Globe baseball writer Nick Cafardo. — Cora said he told the players to enjoy themselves …
Discussion:
Over the Monster, Pinstripe Alley and MLB Baseball News …
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