Top News:
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Ozuna feeling ‘no pain’ as throwing improves — WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. • Left fielder Marcell Ozuna, who was chicken-winging his throws — short throws — in camp, was throwing at a much longer distance and with extension during a drill Friday before the Cardinals came here Friday for a night exhibition game.
RELATED:
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Reyes ready for a return to Cardinals game action — WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. • Alex Reyes' batting practice is over. His next appearance will be on a mound as early as Tuesday at Clearwater, Fla., in what will be his first spring training game since 2016. — “I'm thrilled,” manager Mike Shildt said.
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cardinals' Andrew Miller is a presence away from the mound, too — WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. • An inning or so before his first game appearance with the Cardinals went sideways Friday night, veteran reliever Andrew Miller sat in the bullpen and did what he has anywhere and anytime possible …
TMZ.com:
S.F. Giants CEO Larry Baer In Physical Altercation with Wife on Video — S.F. Giants CEO Larry Baer — Physical Altercation with Wife — EXCLUSIVE — 7:30 PM PT — Larry Baer has released a new statement ... saying, “I am truly sorry for the pain that I have brought to my wife, children and to the organization.
RELATED:
San Francisco Chronicle:
Video shows Giants CEO Larry Baer dragging wife to ground in San Francisco plaza — Giants CEO Larry Baer dragged his wife out of a chair and caused her to fall to the ground in a San Francisco plaza on Friday morning, an incident that was captured on video by a witness and is under investigation by city police.
Discussion:
Forbes, MLB Baseball News … and MLB Trade Rumors
Bobby Nightengale / Cincinnati.com:
Jesse Winker, Phillip Ervin homer in Cincinnati Reds spring loss to San Francisco Giants — Reds pitcher Tyler Mahle talks about his strong spring start against the Giants and competing for a spot in the rotation — SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. - Jesse Winker and Phillip Ervin hit a pair of solo home runs …
Craig Calcaterra / NBCSports.com:
Giants CEO Larry Baer caught on video dragging his wife to the ground
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
Matt Ehalt / NorthJersey.com:
Jacob deGrom's change-up makes NY Mets starter's arsenal lethal — Jacob deGrom discusses his start against the Tigers — LAKELAND, Fla. - When facing an elite pitcher like Jacob deGrom, there's only so much a hitter can do to give himself a fighting chance.
RELATED:
Deesha Thosar / New York Daily News:
Jacob deGrom offers scary proposition for opposing Mets batters
Anthony Fenech / Detroit Free Press:
Detroit Tigers: Inside Tyson Ross' wild spring start vs. New York Mets
Joel Sherman / New York Post:
What could be a sticking point in Mets, deGrom contract talks
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
Marlowe Alter / Detroit Free Press:
Detroit Tigers' Tyson Ross erratic vs. Mets, but may have found solution
Discussion:
Amazin' Avenue and Bless You Boys
Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
CC Sabathia stuck catching up to fellow Yankees after hectic offseason — TAMPA — For a short bullpen session, CC Sabathia had a lot of people carefully watching. The 38-year old took the mound in the bullpen Friday afternoon at George M. Steinbrenner Field with the coaching and player development staffs, alongside reporters.
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley
RELATED:
Associated Press:
Sabathia, Sanchez making progress for Yanks — TAMPA, Fla. — CC Sabathia and Gary Sanchez took big steps forward for the New York Yankees on Friday. — Sabathia threw his first bullpen since having a heart procedure in December, and Sanchez played in his initial spring training game following a left shoulder injury.
Discussion:
ESPN
Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
Gary Sanchez gets to know the Yankees' top offseason addition — TAMPA — Gary Sanchez went 0-for-2 with a strikeout and caught four innings in his spring training debut Friday night. After a rough 2018 and offseason surgery to “clean out” his left shoulder, the Yankees' catcher started spring slow.
J.P. Hoornstra / Orange County Register:
Angels' Mike Trout believes spring training is no time for contract negotiations — TEMPE, Ariz. >> If the Angels are able to negotiate a contract extension with star center fielder Mike Trout, it appears unlikely to happen during spring training - this year or next year.
RELATED:
Associated Press:
Trout: 'Haven't even thought about' contract
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and ESPN
Jack Etkin / Forbes:
The Rockies-Padres Rivalry Should Be More Compelling With San Diego Adding Machado
Discussion:
Purple Row
Steve Gardner / Arizona Republic:
Royals catcher Salvador Perez has ligament damage in his elbow — Bryce Harper is officially off the market. The former MVP will become a member of the Philadelphia Phillies. — CONNECT — TEMPE, Ariz. - All-Star catcher Salvador Perez could miss a significant chunk of the Kansas City Royals' season with an elbow injury.
Discussion:
Sports Illustrated, MLB Baseball News … and USA Today
RELATED:
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Salvador Perez Diagnosed With UCL Damage
Discussion:
Bless You Boys, Royals Review and MLB Baseball News …
Bob Brookover / Kansas City Star:
Bryce Harper, Phillies need a few World Series rings to call this contract a success come 2031 — The nice thing about being a player and an agent is that when you sign a 13-year contract worth $330 million you are absolutely, positively sure that it is a good deal.
Discussion:
The Good Phight
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
A snowy start to the Cactus League was a 1st for Roger Bossard — but it didn't faze ‘The Sodfather’ — White Sox groundskeeper Roger Bossard waters the field before a spring game at Camelback Ranch on Feb. 26, 2018. (Nancy Stone / Chicago Tribune) — Chicago Tribune — It's hard to shock the Sodfather.
RELATED:
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Ivan Nova is solid in his White Sox spring debut, giving up 1 run on 1 hit against the Rangers
Discussion:
South Side Sox
John Fay / Cincinnati.com:
Cincinnati Reds leadoff question remains, well, a question — GOODYEAR, Arizona - In the Cincinnati Reds' first six spring training games, six different players hit leadoff. That is not a ruse to throw fans off the trail of who is going to be the leadoff man.
RELATED:
Bobby Nightengale / Cincinnati.com:
Pitch framing is a big emphasis for Cincinnati Reds catchers this spring
David Schoenfield / ESPN:
Welcome to MLB The Show: Ballplayers on making their video game debut — PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. — There are three milestones in a player's career when he knows he has made it to the majors: the phone call telling you you've been called up; that first hit or strikeout; and when you finally appear in the MLB The Show video game.
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
There have been a lot of Cubs hitting coaches recently. So what makes Anthony Iapoce's approach different? — Cubs hitting coach Anthony Iapoce with Javier Baez and Albert Almora on Feb. 17, 2019, at spring training. (Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune) — Chicago Tribune
Associated Press:
Kershaw still not throwing, but shoulder better — GLENDALE, Ariz. — Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander Clayton Kershaw has not resumed throwing since he stopped Monday while feeling shoulder discomfort. — Kershaw, who felt discomfort while playing catch, told manager Dave Roberts that his shoulder feels better.
Gerry Fraley / Dallas-Fort Worth Sports News:
First turn through the starting rotation reveals one big positive to Rangers' Tommy John ‘support group’ — SURPRISE, Ariz. — The Rangers on Friday completed the first round for their starting pitchers returning from Tommy John surgery. — The judges scored it as Pitchers 3, Tommy John 0.
Discussion:
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
RELATED:
Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
Diamondbacks shortstop Nick Ahmed: Free agency still flawed despite monster deals — Even after outfielder Bryce Harper and infielder Manny Machado each landed $300 million contracts — with Harper's $330 million deal with the Phillies the largest in the game's history …
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
Rob Longley / Toronto Sun:
Sanchez sharp and satisfied in spring training debut for Jays — DUNEDIN — As the member of the Blue Jays coaching staff responsible for developing and working with catchers, John Schneider has a unique view of every pitcher in camp. — And when it comes to Aaron Sanchez …
