Top News:
Coley Harvey / ESPN:
Injuries may force Yanks to use ‘opener’ in '19 — TAMPA, Fla. — The “opener,” the phenomenon that swept through major league pitching staffs last season, might finally take hold in the Bronx later this spring. — With injuries already ravaging the upper echelon of his starting rotation …
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Bobby Nightengale / Cincinnati.com:
Cincinnati Reds center fielder Nick Senzel sidelined with tight left hamstring — Nick Senzel on his first start in center — GOODYEAR, Ariz - The Reds want to see top prospect Nick Senzel in center field as much as they can during spring training, but Senzel missed his second straight game …
Discussion:
Red Reporter
Pete Caldera / Daily Record:
Aaron Hicks still delayed, Jacoby Ellsbury scheduled to return to Yankees spring training — Yankees outfielders Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, Aaron Hicks working out on Tuesday, the club's first official full-squad workout day — TAMPA, Fla. - There's still no date for Aaron Hicks' return to the Yankees lineup.
Discussion:
New Jersey Online, MLB Baseball News … and New York Post
Bobby Nightengale / Cincinnati.com:
Cincinnati Reds reliever David Hernandez continues to learn from last season — GOODYEAR, Ariz. - Learning from last year, Reds reliever David Hernandez decided to press pause on his pitching schedule after he felt some soreness in his shoulder. — Hernandez was supposed to start pitching …
Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
Yankees desperately need Luis Severino, who is hopeful for quick return
ESPN:
Royals' Perez undergoes successful TJ surgery — SURPRISE, Ariz. — Kansas City Royals catcher Salvador Perez underwent successful Tommy John surgery to repair a torn ligament in his right elbow Wednesday, keeping the six-time All-Star off the field for the entire 2019 season.
Discussion:
Associated Press
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Nick Friar / WEEI:
Porcello's two key outs in ALDS set tone for entire postseason, Cora says — FORT MYERS—The Red Sox had several pivotal moments throughout the 2018 postseason, especially from their pitchers. Joe Kelly re-emerged as a bullpen weapon when it seemed Boston had next to no options entering the playoffs.
Discussion:
NESN.com
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Buster Olney / ESPN:
Expect a monster year from Red Sox third baseman Rafael Devers
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, MLB Trade Rumors and MLB Daily Dish
Maria Torres / Los Angeles Times:
Angels contact MLB regarding Bryce Harper's possible tampering with Mike Trout — The Angels have contacted Major League Baseball regarding Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Bryce Harper's public recruitment of Angels star Mike Trout, a possible violation of tampering rules.
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Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
Diamondbacks prospect Jazz Chisholm trying to refine his plate discipline — Diamondbacks prospect Jazz Chisholm is known for his smooth left-handed swing, a swing he's usually not shy about unleashing early in his at-bats. But so far in spring training he has taken a different approach to his trips to the plate.
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Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
Jake Lamb's education at first base for Diamondbacks continuing in spring — Jake Lamb stood at first base as a coach smashed ground ball after ground ball at him. These were not low-intensity, go-through-the-motions fungos. These were rockets, hard one-hoppers, balls that felt as close to the real thing as possible.
Jeff Passan / ESPN:
Sources: MLB All-Star ‘Election Day’ planned — The first Tuesday in November isn't going to be the only annual Election Day in the United States. — As part of sweeping changes to the collective bargaining agreement, which is increasingly likely to be ratified by Major League Baseball …
Discussion:
Bless You Boys, NESN.com, Bleacher Nation, MLB Baseball News … and Associated Press
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Associated Press:
Roberts: Kershaw's Opening Day status still in air — GLENDALE, Ariz. — Clayton Kershaw has not yet been ruled out for Opening Day by the Los Angeles Dodgers despite all the time he has missed at spring training with a sore left shoulder. — Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Wednesday that …
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cards catcher Pena to miss only one week; Molina guns down 3 runners in squad game — JUPITER, Fla. • The forecast of Francisco Pena being out at least 10 to 15 days because of a strained left oblique has been shortened to only a week, according to a Cardinals official …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
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Rob Longley / Toronto Sun:
Morales proud to return the father figure favour to Vlad Guerrero Jr. — DUNEDIN — Kendrys Morales will never forget when he first met the Guerrero family and the profound and lasting effect the encounter would have on his baseball life. — The year was 2004 and Morales had just defected …
Associated Press:
Blue Jays finalize minors deal with Bud Norris — DUNEDIN, Fla. — Right-hander Bud Norris and the Toronto Blue Jays have finalized a minor league contract, and he will report to major league spring training. — Norris, who turned 34 on Saturday, had 47 saves over the past two seasons …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and Bluebird Banter
ESPN:
Sources: Heimlich signs with Mexican league — Former Oregon State pitcher Luke Heimlich, who was not selected in the Major League Baseball draft last summer, has signed a contract with a team in Mexico's summer league, multiple sources told ESPN's Jeff Passan.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Column: No karaoke. No animals. No bounce house. Is it the end of an era at Cubs spring training camp? — Photos of the Cubs at spring training at Sloan Park in Mesa, Ariz., before the 2019 season. — Chicago Tribune — If it seems like the Cubs have toned down their spring antics, it's probably because they have.
Anthony Fenech / Detroit Free Press:
Detroit Tigers: Tyson Ross' struggles could be concerning. Here's why — KISSIMMEE, Fla. — Tyson Ross sat in his locker, mixing a post-game recovery shake on the floor, when reporters approached with questions about his latest start. — “Just trying not to make a mess,” he said.
