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 …
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Fish Stripes
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Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cards pound Miami with 20-hit attack; Layne, Helsley star on mound — JUPITER, Fla. • In the last game they had played, Tommy Edman, Lane Thomas, Max Schrock, Andrew Knizner, Rangel Ravelo and Ramon Urias had been part of a 17-hit attack as Memphis clinched the Class AAA championship by drubbing Durham 14-4 last Sept. 18.
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 …
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Viva El Birdos
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cards blast Miami with 20-hit attack; Layne, Helsley star on mound
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 …
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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.
Pete Caldera / Daily Record:
Greg Bird comes out swinging in New York Yankees' first exhibition game — Yankees manager Aaron Boone on renewing the rivalry with the Red Sox — FORT MYERS, Fla. - Yankees first baseman Greg Bird has looked like an MVP in past springs, but there was an added measure of satisfaction in getting off to a good start on Saturday.
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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.
Discussion:
Bleacher Report
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 …
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True Blue LA
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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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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 …
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Associated Press
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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 …
Rob Longley / Toronto Sun:
Blue Jays' Borucki pushes past early nerves in decent spring debut — DUNEDIN - Ryan Borucki added about five pounds of weight during the off-season, some welcome meat the Blue Jays left-handed starter hopes will help him be as strong in September as he is in April. — And the bulk came with an added bonus.
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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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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