Top News:
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.
RELATED:
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
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.
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.
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.
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:
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.
Dave Clark / Cincinnati.com:
Reds Opening Day: Eric Davis to throw ceremonial first pitch to Johnny Bench
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
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 …
RELATED:
Anthony Fenech / Detroit Free Press:
Detroit Tigers' Drew VerHagen getting checked out, battling ‘dead arm’
Discussion:
Bless You Boys
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.
Kevin Kernan / New York Post:
Inside Mets' Tom Seaver plans that started years ago … PORT ST. LUCIE — Tom Seaver will be honored in multiple ways by the Mets, and one of those ways under consideration is a statue of Hall of Famer Tom Terrific. — The Mets have had conversations with the Seaver family and the Hall of Fame pitcher dating back a couple years.
Discussion:
Forbes and Sporting News
RELATED:
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
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.
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.
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.
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:
Bleacher Report, SNY, MLB Baseball News … and MLB Trade Rumors
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:
Over the Monster, NBCSports.com, NESN.com and Associated Press
