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.
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John Fay / Cincinnati.com:
Los Angeles Angels rough up Luis Castillo, Cody Reed as Cincinnati Reds fall 11-2 — GOODYEAR, Ariz. — The Reds lost their third straight, and it was an ugly one — 11-2 to the Los Angeles Angels — before a crowd of 5,341 at Goodyear Ballpark. — Injury report
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Associated Press:
Machado has quiet Padres debut in spring game — PEORIA, Ariz. — Manny Machado's debut in a San Diego Padres uniform was a lot less eventful than his free agency. — The four-time All-Star spent the offseason being courted by every club with money to burn, and he wound up signing a $300 million …
Kevin Acee / Baltimore Sun:
Manny Machado to make Padres spring training debut Saturday
Manny Machado to make Padres spring training debut Saturday
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and Gaslamp Ball
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:
MLB Baseball News …, The Good Phight and Phillies Nation
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Ken Rosenthal / The Athletic:
Trout's value? Far more than Harper or Machado; Nats pondering next move; A's not giving up on Murray — In recent weeks, the Los Angeles Angels at least considered offering Mike Trout a 10-year, $350 million extension, though it is unclear whether they followed through with an actual proposal …
Discussion:
SNY, MLB Trade Rumors, Athletics Nation and Halos Heaven
ESPN:
Rangers RHP Farrell struck on jaw by line drive — Texas Rangers pitcher Luke Farrell was taken to a hospital Saturday after being struck on his jaw by a line drive. — Farrell was hit by a shot from San Francisco Giants prospect Jalen Miller in the ninth inning in Scottsdale, Arizona.
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Jeff Wilson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
How popular is Rangers' Hunter Pence with Giants fans? Allow Derek Holland to explain — Derek Holland, the former Texas Rangers pitcher who still makes his home in the Metroplex, made a perfect pitch in the first inning and was rewarded for it as the umpire signaled Strike 3.
Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
Zack Greinke says he's learned it's best not to force adjustments — Diamondbacks right-hander Zack Greinke has made a career out of adjusting. Some years, his slider has been his best pitch. Other years, it's the change-up. Last year, he started using a pitch - his slow curve - far more than he had in the recent past.
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Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
Diamondbacks shortstop Nick Ahmed: Free agency still flawed despite monster deals
Diamondbacks shortstop Nick Ahmed: Free agency still flawed despite monster deals
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
Bill Plunkett / Orange County Register:
Dodgers prospect Alex Verdugo still waiting for his opportunity — GLENDALE, Ariz. — There are a number of things you're looking for in a young prospect. Longevity is not one of them. — Outfielder Alex Verdugo enters the 2019 season in Baseball America's list of the top 100 prospects …
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
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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.
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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.
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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.
Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
Luis Cessa isn't stressing over cracking the Yankees roster — BRADENTON, Fla. — The last two springs, Luis Cessa put too much pressure on himself. The right hander was worried about making the Yankees' 25-man roster out of camp. — This year, however, Cessa isn't focused on that.
Matt Ehalt / Daily Record:
With Edwin Diaz now serving as closer, Mets no longer considering unconventional tactics — PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. - In the months leading up to his managerial debut last year, Mickey Callaway stressed he would embrace unconventional bullpen ideas. If a game could be won or lost in the seventh …
Matthew Moreno / DodgerBlue.com:
Spring Training Recap: Cody Bellinger, Yimi Garcia Add To Impressive Showings But Dodgers Lose To Diamondbacks — The Los Angeles Dodgers saw more signs of a promising 2019 season lying ahead for Cody Bellinger, albeit in a 6-5 loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick.
Discussion:
AZ Snake Pit
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.
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Kevin Acee / sandiegouniontribune.com:
Padres sign Adam Warren, lose Jose Castillo for at least two months
Padres sign Adam Warren, lose Jose Castillo for at least two months
Discussion:
NBCSports.com and MLB Trade Rumors
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.
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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
Deesha Thosar / New York Daily News:
Mets' Noah Syndergaard finds silver lining in erratic second spring start — PORT ST. LUCIE - There's not much Noah Syndergaard dislikes about the game of baseball. He even found a silver lining after his erratic second start of spring training. — “I always think it's great to struggle.
Anthony Fenech / Detroit Free Press:
Detroit Tigers observations: Good days for Jordan Zimmermann, Miguel Cabrera — LAKELAND, Fla. — If Jordan Zimmermann knows he's starting on Opening Day, he's good at keeping secrets. — Zimmermann made his second Grapefruit League start Sunday afternoon, throwing three innings …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …