Top News:
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
When rain clears, Reyes ready for an appearance years in the making vs. Phillies — CLEARWATER, Fla. • As he has pushed, elbow, and thrown his way into the mix for the opening day roster, Cardinals prospect Alex Reyes has also been clear about the difference between throwing …
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Gabe Lacques / USA Today:
MLB win totals: How we see the 2019 season unfolding — What I'm Hearing: Bob Nightengale was in attendance for Bryce Harper's introductory press conference for the Philadelphia Phillies. He says it was made clear what the expectations are for this year and beyond. — CONNECT
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cardinals notes: ‘Big target’ Wieters begins bid to be Molina's backup — LAKELAND, Fla. • A few times in his first week with the Cardinals, veteran catcher Matt Wieters has mentioned how he despises being late. Ask his wife, he has said. Ask his family, he insisted.
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Only 20, Cardinals prospect Dylan Carlson draws attention with outfield defense — LAKELAND, Fla. • By showing off his range at multiple positions, rising prospect Dylan Carlson has started to expand how the Cardinals' major-league staff would like to see him utilized this coming season.
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Waino going old school: He'll rely on precision, not power, to get hitters out — LAKELAND, Fla. • In what had to be the longest game-planning session in Matt Wieters' career and maybe a record for a spring training game, he and Adam Wainwright spent the 2 ½-hour drive …
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cardinals' dandy defensive plays steal outs, keep Wainwright tidy vs. Tigers
Associated Press:
Dodgers ace Kershaw could miss opening day start — Clayton Kershaw might not be on the mound when the two-time NL champion Los Angeles Dodgers start the season. — The lefty ace is working his way back from shoulder soreness that caused him to shut down his spring training.
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Alden Gonzalez / ESPN:
Kershaw might not be ready for Opening Day
Discussion:
True Blue LA and Associated Press
Mike DiGiovanna / Los Angeles Times:
Clayton Kershaw may not be ready to pitch in Dodgers' season opener
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors, MLB Baseball News … and True Blue LA
Kyle Goon / Orange County Register:
Clippers knock out Lakers, likely ending their playoff dreams — LOS ANGELES — Just over a month ago, LeBron James made a triumphant return against the Clippers - the franchise that's so often played second fiddle in their own town. — Monday night, the Clippers paid him back …
Discussion:
Whittier Daily News and USA Today
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Marc Stein / New York Times:
Playoff Mode? LeBron James and the Lakers Are Failing to Activate
Discussion:
Orange County Register, New York Post and NESN.com
Kevin O'Connor / The Ringer:
What's Really the Matter With the Celtics?
Discussion:
NESN.com, Celtics Wire, CBS Boston, The Big Lead, New York Post and Arizona Sports
Scott Lauber / Kansas City Star:
Bryce Harper and Mike Trout together with the Phillies? Why it isn't such a crazy thought — Of all the things that have been said since Bryce Harper signed with the Phillies, 52 words that were uttered by the star right fielder in the midst of his 35-minute news conference …
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Matthew Florjancic / WKYC-TV:
All Hand's on deck! Indians pitchers, coaches marvel at closer Brad Hand's calm demeanor — Cleveland Indians closer Brad Hand has marvelled teammates and coaches alike with his calm demeanor in tough situations. — CLEVELAND — Major League Baseball relievers, and more specifically …
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Deesha Thosar / New York Daily News:
Mets notes: Steven Matz is finally ‘growing up’ — Steven Matz looked like a pro in his second start of spring Monday, but his final pitching line wouldn't show it. Matz allowed four earned runs on five hits (one home run) with two walks and two strikeouts over 2.2 innings during the Mets' 9-3 loss to Boston.
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Jesse Rogers / ESPN:
Extensions are MLB's new normal. Are Bryant, other Cubs next? — MESA, Ariz. — Has there been a change in strategy around baseball? What used to be the goal of nearly every player — earning the right to choose which team he plays for — might now be less appealing.
Associated Press:
Twins tap All-Star Berrios to start on opening day — FORT MYERS, Fla. — Jose Berrios will be Minnesota's Opening Day starter, the first such assignment for the 24-year-old right-hander. — Twins manager Rocco Baldelli announced the decision to reporters on Monday, a natural honor for the team's only All-Star last season.
Discussion:
Let's Go Tribe
ESPN:
Yankees' Sabathia to serve as ESPN analyst — New York Yankees left-hander CC Sabathia is joining ESPN as a baseball analyst this season, the network announced Tuesday. — Sabathia, who confirmed last month that 2019 will be his final season in the majors, is set to appear on a number of ESPN shows …
Teddy Greenstein / Chicago Tribune:
Who is White Sox prospect Nick Madrigal? — The White Sox drafted Nick Madrigal with the No. 4 pick in the 2018 draft. — Chicago Tribune — Tim Anderson handled the question as easily as a routine two-hopper. — Asked which player had most impressed him during spring training, the White Sox shortstop replied: “Nick Madrigal.
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Ben Zobrist leads off as Kyle Hendricks and the Cubs take on the Angels in Tempe — Photos of the Cubs at spring training at Sloan Park in Mesa, Ariz., before the 2019 season. — Chicago Tribune — Ben Zobrist is back in the leadoff spot Tuesday as the Cubs travel to Tempe Diablo Stadium to take on the Angels.
Bradford Doolittle / ESPN:
Projecting win-loss record for all 30 teams now that Bryce has signed — With the Phillies' signing of Bryce Harper last week, we can start to turn our full focus on spring training, as the time-honored baseball calendar dictates. Most of what Scott Boras would call the “steak” of the free-agent market has been served.
