Top News:
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Fowler has another ‘encouraging’ hit — WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. • One player is hoping to get it back. One player is hoping to be noticed. — Cardinals right fielder Dexter Fowler, getting a rare righthanded at-bat this spring, doubled at Jupiter, Fla., to open Friday's first game …
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Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
With stability and Goldschmidt, Cardinals, Carpenter out to strong-arm better infield defense — WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. • The Cardinals had a big lead when Yadier Molina took over at first base late in a game last year and played a small joke on Matt Carpenter.
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Top draft picks Carlson, Hudson combine to top Astros 6-3 — WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. • Twenty-year-old Dylan Carlson and 24-year-old Dakota Hudson, taken back-to-back at Nos. 33 and 34 by the Cardinals in the supplemental first round in the 2016 amateur draft, combined to help defeat the Houston Astros 6-3 Friday night.
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
With plenty of time left in spring, switch-hitting Fowler trying to get right when possible
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
Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
Yankees Notebook: Luis Severino says pain is gone, Dellin Betances velocity lacking in spring debut — TAMPA — For a day after having his cortisone shot, Luis Severino said he was still very sore. Friday, however, the Yankee ace said the pain he felt in his right shoulder when he tried to lift his arm was gone.
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley
RELATED:
Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
The Yankees should hand the ball to Masahiro Tanaka on Opening Day — TAMPA — Masahiro Tanaka made his case Friday night. The Yankees right hander would seem to be the obvious choice to be the Opening Day starter, with the two other sensible choices now out of the picture.
Coley Harvey / ESPN:
Tanaka? Paxton? Happ? Keuchel?! Handicapping the Yankees' Opening Day starter
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley
Randy Miller / New Jersey Online:
When Yankees will know if Didi Gregorius can make early return from Tommy John surgery
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley
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.
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Bobby Nightengale / Cincinnati.com:
Cincinnati Reds prospect Taylor Trammell survives trade rumors, is focused on improving
Dave Clark / Cincinnati.com:
Reds Opening Day: Eric Davis to throw ceremonial first pitch to Johnny Bench
Bobby Nightengale / Cincinnati.com:
Catcher and shortstop, Kyle Farmer's versatility may help him make Cincinnati Reds roster
Discussion:
Red Reporter
Scott Lauber / The Charlotte Observer:
For Bryce Harper, a Philly survival guide presented by Pete Rose — Pete Rose heard that Bryce Harper wanted to meet him. — It was 2015, and Harper was having the best offensive season of the post-steroid era, one in which he would be crowned MVP of the National League.
Marc Topkin / Tampa Bay Times:
Why Cy Young winner Blake Snell won't get much of a raise from the Rays — The pitcher will get his contract renewed for $573,700 in his final season before arbitration eligibility. — PORT CHARLOTTE — So much was right about Blake Snell winning the Cy Young award for his dazzling 2018 breakout season.
Discussion:
NBCSports.com and MLB Trade Rumors
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Marly Rivera / ESPN:
King Felix won't start Opening Day for Mariners — PEORIA, Arizona - For the first time since 2008, the Seattle Mariners will have a new pitcher on the mound on Opening Day. On Friday afternoon, manager Scott Servais told Felix Hernandez that he would not be the team's 2019 Opening Day starter.
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.
Don Brennan / Toronto Sun:
Blue Jays' Guerrero looking like a teenager with slow spring start — DUNEDIN, Fla. — It's easy to preach patience on a hot, lazy day under the Florida sun, when nobody is rushing to do anything. — That includes Vladimir Guerrero Jr., the top prospect in baseball who, numbers-wise …
Anthony Fenech / Detroit Free Press:
Detroit Tigers spring training observations: Daz Cameron making noise — TAMPA — With the Detroit Tigers' starting rotation seemingly set, it could be all for naught, but Spencer Turnbull is showing out this spring. — Turnbull, who is likely ticketed for Triple-A Toledo …
Discussion:
Bless You Boys
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
From ‘boo’ to ‘Yu’: Darvish wants to win over Cubs fans after rocky 2018 season — Chicago Tribune — Three takeaways from Cubs spring training Friday: — 1. Yu Darvish is looking to be loved. — Darvish wants Cubs fans to embrace him this season and already has begun seeking their approval.
Associated Press:
Mets utilityman McNeil to get reps at third base — PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Jeff McNeil will be exchanging the big glove he's been wearing this spring for the smaller one in his locker. — And soon. — The New York Mets utilityman — an infielder for most of his career …
Joe Noga / Plain Dealer:
Cleveland Indians bats go silent against San Francisco left-handers in 2-0 spring training loss to Giants — CLEVELAND, Ohio — After collecting a combined 29 hits in their last three games, Indians batters managed just four singles Friday against a pair of tough San Francisco left-handers …
