Top News:
Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
Yankees still taking conservative approach with Aaron Hicks — CLEARWATER — Aaron Hicks was expected to start baseball activities — including hitting — on Thursday. The Yankees center fielder had been shut down since Saturday with a sore, stiff lower right back.
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Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
Didi Gregorius almost ready to take a big step forward in his rehab from Tommy John surgery — CLEARWATER — Didi Gregorius has been anxious to get going since he arrived in Tampa. — The shortstop is set to take the next big step in his rehab from October Tommy John surgery soon.
ESPN:
Highlights from Red Sox All-Access — We're going behind the scenes with the champs. Follow along for live updates and in-game interviews from spring training as part of a special “All-Access” presentation and tune in for Twins-Red Sox at 1 p.m. ET on ESPN. — play
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David Schoenfield / ESPN:
From water boy to MVP: Mookie Betts is amazing at everything — FORT MYERS, Fla. — My ESPN colleague Tim Kurkjian likes to say that baseball players are the best athletes in the world — or at least the most underrated. I agree. Of course, Tim and I are baseball fans and absolutely biased in this regard, but we are also right.
Discussion:
NESN.com
Nick Friar / WEEI:
Porcello's two key outs in ALDS set tone for entire postseason, Cora says
Discussion:
NESN.com and Over the Monster
Gabe Lacques / USA Today:
‘Adapt or die’: MLB staffs have new look as coaches go from lab to dugout — Wes Johnson did not run from the labels. — Weirdo. Iconoclast. Voodoo coach. — Johnson heard some variation of them all over the past decade, when he first set up shop as the pitching coach …
Matthew Florjancic / WKYC-TV:
Terry Francona: Cleveland Indians want ‘to see the best’ of Hanley Ramirez — Manager Terry Francona and the Cleveland Indians want ‘to see the best’ of Hanley Ramirez in spring training. — CLEVELAND — When the Cleveland Indians traded away designated hitter Edwin Encarnacion …
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Paul Hoynes / Plain Dealer:
Cleveland Indians outfielder Bradley Zimmer is doing, ‘really, really well’
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
Kevin Kernan / New York Post:
Inside Mets' quiet hires — like scout who helped land MLB's best prospect — PORT ST. LUCIE — A longer runway must be built. — In a week when the Phillies made Bryce Harper the centerpiece of their organization for the next 13 years, the Mets made some news with the hiring of advisers Jessica Mendoza …
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Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
Greg Bird vs. Luke Voit: Who wins the battle to play first base for the Yanks? Cashman weighs in — TAMPA — The battle for first base has been going on here since day one. It's a friendly fight between Luke Voit and Greg Bird, but both know that only one of them can be the Yankees first baseman this season.
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 …
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Gant stares down the Bronx ‘bullies’ as he searches for changeup, efficiency — • A quick scan of the Yankees lineup he'd face Wednesday at George M. Steinbrenner Field told John Gant about the test awaiting him. — “They sent the bullies out,” he said.
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The Ringer:
We Got Our Hands on 73,000 Never-Before-Seen MLB Scouting Reports. Here's What We Learned. — All this week, The Ringer will break down its findings from the massive database of reports spanning 1991 to 2003 given to us by a former member of the Cincinnati Reds front office.
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Bob Nightengale / Daily Record:
Paul Goldschmidt, MLB's most underpaid player, is about to hit paydirt — TAMPA, Fla. — Reggie Jackson, Mr. October himself, walked over Wednesday towards the St. Louis Cardinals dugout, had a simple request. — He wanted to meet their newest star, first baseman Paul Goldschmidt.
Neil Greenberg / Chicago Tribune:
MLB teams have a need for speed on the mound — and that's bad for Dallas Keuchel — The Washington Post — Opening day is a few weeks away and Dallas Keuchel, the two-time all-star and 2015 American League Cy Young winner, remains unsigned. The 31-year-old left-hander turned …
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
3 takeways from Cubs spring training, including Ben Zobrist defying age and Jose Quintana's strong start — Cubs manager Joe Maddon discusses how he adjusts playing time during the season for veteran Ben Zobrist on March 6, 2019, at spring training in Mesa, Ariz. — Chicago Tribune
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Teddy Greenstein / Chicago Tribune:
Who is White Sox prospect Blake Rutherford? — White Sox outfielder Blake Rutherford at spring training on Feb. 14, 2019. (Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune) — Chicago Tribune — Fantasy rankings are based in reality. And in the case of White Sox outfielders, they tell a story.
Discussion:
South Side Sox
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.
Associated Press:
Phils' Harper homers again in simulated game — CLEARWATER, Fla. — Bryce Harper homered for the second straight day in a simulated game against Philadelphia Phillies minor leaguers. — Harper had an opposite-field homer to left in the first of 12 plate appearances Thursday at the team's minor league complex.
Discussion:
ESPN
Phil Rosenthal / Chicago Tribune:
Ozzie Guillen exits ESPN. Might an NBC Sports Chicago gig be next? — Chicago Tribune — NBC Sports Chicago would be smart to snap up Ozzie Guillen, who's apparently a TV free agent. — The former White Sox star shortstop and manager of the 2005 World Series champs disclosed his divorce …
