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:
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.
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
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:
Phillies Nation and 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.
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:
Joel Sherman / New York Post:
What could be a sticking point in Mets, deGrom contract talks
What could be a sticking point in Mets, deGrom contract talks
Discussion:
Amazin' Avenue 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 …
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 …
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
White Sox ace Carlos Rodon makes Cactus League debut against Rockies — Chicago Tribune — White Sox left-hander Carlos Rodon, expected to get his first opening day start next month, makes his Cactus League debut Saturday afternoon against the Rockies at Camelback Ranch.
RELATED:
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.
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
Jeff Wilson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
Initial guess at Rangers' Opening Day roster. Calhoun's fate rates biggest question — The choices were pretty thin Saturday morning at Texas Rangers camp before the clubhouse opened an hour later than normal: — Sleep in or work out? Sleeping in won. In an upset, by the way.
Discussion:
Lookout Landing and MLB Baseball News …
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:
Beyond the Box Score, 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
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
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 …
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