Top News:
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Poncedeleon, Flaherty to get starts for Cardinals — JUPITER, Fla. • Daniel Poncedeleon and Jack Flaherty will be the seventh and eighth Cardinals pitchers to start a spring game, beginning on Sunday when Poncedeleon, who has allowed three runs in 2/3 inning of relief work, faces the New York Mets here.
RELATED:
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.
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 …
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
RELATED:
Bill Madden / New York Daily News:
Be grateful the Yankees, Mets weren't suckers for Bryce Harper — CLEARWATER, Fla. - Now that the deed is done and Bryce Harper is officially a $330 million Phillie, it's worth examining just what happened here, how it happened, and why it may not have near the impact it's cracked up to be.
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 …
RELATED:
San Francisco Chronicle:
Video shows Giants CEO Larry Baer dragging wife to ground in San Francisco plaza
Video shows Giants CEO Larry Baer dragging wife to ground in San Francisco plaza
Discussion:
Forbes, MLB Baseball News … and MLB Trade Rumors
Craig Calcaterra / NBCSports.com:
Giants CEO Larry Baer caught on video dragging his wife to the ground
Giants CEO Larry Baer caught on video dragging his wife to the ground
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
Joel Sherman / New York Post:
What could be a sticking point in Mets, deGrom contract talks — PORT ST. LUCIE — Jacob deGrom will throw his first regular-season pitch on March 28, and by then the Mets will have had to make their final pitch to him until winter. — So the sides have nearly a month to reach agreement …
Discussion:
Amazin' Avenue and MLB Trade Rumors
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.
RELATED:
Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
CC Sabathia stuck catching up to fellow Yankees after hectic offseason
CC Sabathia stuck catching up to fellow Yankees after hectic offseason
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley
Kevin Acee / Baltimore Sun:
Manny Machado to make Padres spring training debut Saturday — Manny Machado signs autographs after a spring training workout. (K.C. Alfred / San Diego Union-Tribune) — On the day the Padres agreed to terms on a 10-year, $300 million contract with Manny Machado, Giants manager Bruce Bochy saw …
RELATED:
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.
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 Royals Review
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 …
Discussion:
Bluebird Banter
Jeff Wilson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
Rangers have unexpected visitor Saturday, but don't think Adrian Beltre is itching to play — For someone who hated spring training, it didn't take Adrian Beltre all that long to come back to Texas Rangers camp. — The retired third baseman made a surprise appearance Saturday morning …
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.
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
Kunj Shah / Pinstripe Alley:
It's possible to love the Yankees and want more from them — Why shouldn't I want something I love to be the best possible version of itself? — We're all here for the same reason — we love the New York Yankees. When all is said and done, the reason we keep drifting back to this site …
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
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
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.