Top News:
Bobby Nightengale / Cincinnati.com:
José Peraza homers in Cincinnati Reds' 8-3 spring training loss to the Kansas City Royals — SURPRISE, Arizona - Home-plate umpire Mark Ripperger issued warnings to both dugouts after four players were hit by pitches in the Cincinnati Reds' 8-3 loss to the Kansas City Royals on Friday at Surprise Ballpark.
RELATED:
Bobby Nightengale / Cincinnati.com:
Cincinnati Reds prospect Taylor Trammell survives trade rumors, is focused on improving — GOODYEAR, Arizona - For baseball players, there isn't any easy way to prepare for seeing their name appear in trade rumors. Usually, they contact their agents and try to find out as much information as possible.
Bobby Nightengale / Cincinnati.com:
Catcher and shortstop, Kyle Farmer's versatility may help him make Cincinnati Reds roster — GOODYEAR, Arizona - Kyle Farmer resisted the idea of playing catcher for as long as he could. He set defensive fielding records playing shortstop at the University of Georgia, but Major League teams wanted to draft him as a catcher.
Dave Clark / Cincinnati.com:
Reds Opening Day: Eric Davis to throw ceremonial first pitch to Johnny Bench — The Cincinnati Reds announced Friday that Reds Hall of Famer Eric Davis will throw out the first pitch on Opening Day on March 28, and National Baseball Hall of Famer Johnny Bench will receive it.
Bobby Nightengale / Cincinnati.com:
Cincinnati Reds pitchers hit around in 11-3 spring training loss to Seattle Mariners
Discussion:
Red Reporter
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
With plenty of time left in spring, switch-hitting Fowler trying to get right when possible — JUPITER, Fla. • If he wants to get some extra swings from his second side of the plate, Dexter Fowler doesn't have to go far for those at-bats. — There's bound to be a live batting practice …
RELATED:
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Molina to DH Friday, catch Saturday; Gyorko hurt; C. Martinez still out
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
With eight baseballs and a homework assignment, Ozuna eyes left field start Monday
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Armed with advice from Brock and Furcal, Wong aims for more bunts and steals
Discussion:
Viva El Birdos
Coley Harvey / ESPN:
Tanaka? Paxton? Happ? Keuchel?! Handicapping the Yankees' Opening Day starter — TAMPA, Fla. — All winter, it was practically a foregone conclusion who'd be starting Opening Day for the New York Yankees. — Then, about 15 minutes prior to Tuesday's spring training game against the Braves …
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley
RELATED:
Daily Record:
Masahiro Tanaka a prime candidate to be Yankees opening day starter — TAMPA, Fla. - Masahiro Tanaka is lined up to be the Yankees' opening day starter, and manager Aaron Boone has “started informing” pitchers of his decision. — He just hasn't yet made his choice public.
Chris Cotillo / Union-News:
Boston Red Sox's Alex Cora on legal sports gambling: ‘We all have concerns’ — FORT MYERS, Fla. — In his second year as Red Sox manager, Alex Cora will see a slight change to his daily pregame routine. — As first reported by Peter Gammons of The Athletic on Wednesday …
Discussion:
NBCSports.com, Over the Monster and NESN.com
RELATED:
Deesha Thosar / New York Daily News:
Mets past and present show love for Tom Terrific — WEST PALM - Mets manager Mickey Callaway stepped into the media huddle and began his daily postgame press conference with a somber statement. — Hall of Fame pitcher and legendary Met Tom Seaver has been diagnosed with dementia, the Seaver family announced on Thursday.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
RELATED:
Kevin Kernan / New York Post:
Inside Mets' Tom Seaver plans that started years ago
Discussion:
Forbes and Sporting News
ESPN:
Astros to roll with Verlander on Opening Day — Ace Justin Verlander will be the starting pitcher for the Houston Astros on Opening Day against the Tampa Bay Rays, manager AJ Hinch said Friday. — It will be the 11th Opening Day start for Verlander, who has a 3-1 record with a 4.03 ERA …
RELATED:
Chandler Rome / Houston Chronicle:
Marlins offer challenge during Justin Verlander's third spring start for Astros
Discussion:
Fish Stripes
Jeff Passan / ESPN:
Robot umps, shift ban coming to Atlantic League — Baseball's potential future will be showcased in the independent Atlantic League this year, and it includes robot umpires, a 62-foot, 6-inch distance between the pitcher's mound and home plate, and no infield shifting.
Discussion:
SNY, Bleacher Report, MLB Baseball News … and MLB Trade Rumors
ESPN:
Cooking too long gives Dodgers' Kelly sore back — Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said hard-throwing right-hander Joe Kelly, who was scratched from his scheduled appearance Wednesday night, will throw lightly on Friday and hopes to get in a game in a couple of days.
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Orioles Acquire Dwight Smith, Designate Josh Osich — The Orioles have acquired outfielder Dwight Smith Jr. from the Blue Jays, the Baltimore organization announced. International pool money will go to Toronto in return, with Scott Mitchell of TSN Sports tweeting the Jays will pick up half a million dollars in spending capacity.
Discussion:
Bluebird Banter
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Column: White Sox outfield was among baseball's least productive last year — and its future looks shaky until Eloy Jimenez and Luis Robert arrive — Photos of Eloy Jimenez, the White Sox outfielder and No. 4-ranked prospect by Baseball America. — Chicago Tribune
Bob Raissman / New York Daily News:
Brodie Van Wagenen made a slick move naming Jessica Medoza and Al Leiter ‘special advisors’ — Ultimately, Brodie Van Wagenen cannot control what the Mets do on the field, but has already showed the ability to manage the message surrounding his team. — Is anyone in the media …
