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8:05 PM ET, March 9, 2019

Ballbug

 Top News: 
ESPN:
Harper walks twice in 1st spring ABs with Phillies  —  CLEARWATER, Fla. — Bryce Harper drew two five-pitch walks on Saturday in his first two spring training plate appearances since signing a record contract with the Philadelphia Phillies.  —  The six-time All-Star outfielder signed a $330 million …
RELATED:
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.
Discussion: MLB Baseball News …
Bill Madden / New York Daily News:   Think Pete Rose has something to say about baseball jumping in bed with gamblers? You bet he does
Bobby Nightengale / Cincinnati.com:
Billy Hamilton has no hard feelings toward the Cincinnati Reds: ‘I still want them to do well’  —  SURPRISE, Ariz. - Playing against many of his former teammates Friday, Billy Hamilton couldn't stop smiling throughout the afternoon.  —  When players were stretching before the game …
RELATED:
Toronto Sun:   Royals sign catcher Martin Maldonado to one-year deal: Source
Jeff Wilson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
He's been all over bases this spring.  Now, Pence ready for only place he hasn't been yet  —  Hunter Pence didn't play Friday for the Texas Rangers and wasn't in the lineup Saturday either, but it seems like he has played nearly every game this spring and played a lot when more than the average veteran.
Discussion: Lone Star Ball
RELATED:
Stefan Stevenson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:   It was a good day for Rangers' right-hander Lance Lynn
Stefan Stevenson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:   Why Rougned Odor's hitless game has Chris Woodward thrilled
Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
Yankees unafraid of Masahiro Tanaka's ugly Opening Day history  —  SARASOTA, Fla. — Masahiro Tanaka has been a big-game pitcher for the Yankees.  —  Last year, he was on the mound for the only game the Bombers took from the Red Sox in the American League Division Series.
RELATED:
Associated Press:
Tanaka named Yankees' Opening Day starter  —  SARASOTA, Fla. — Masahiro Tanaka will be the New York Yankees' Opening Day starter March 28 against Baltimore, taking the spot left open by Luis Severino's shoulder trouble.  —  Yankees manager Aaron Boone announced the decision …
Discussion: ESPN
Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:   The Yankees should hand the ball to Masahiro Tanaka on Opening Day
Tommy Birch / Des Moines Register:
Cubs prospect Adbert Alzolay headed back to Iowa  —  One of the biggest prospects in the Chicago Cubs' system is headed back to Des Moines this summer.  —  Right-handed pitcher Adbert Alzolay was among 14 players assigned to Chicago's minor league camp on Saturday.
RELATED:
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
A different breed: Cubs are chasing the Brewers in the homegrown-pitching department too  —  Chicago Tribune  —  As the Cubs try to bounce back from last year's second-place finish in the NL Central, there's other ground they need to gain to overtake the Brewers.
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Unable to reach agreements, Cardinals renew contracts for Hicks, Flaherty  —  JUPITER, Fla.  • Unable to reach an agreement with two of their youngest and most prominent pitchers, the Cardinals imposed salaries on starter Jack Flaherty and reliever Jordan Hicks as part of finalizing contracts with 20 players Saturday.
RELATED:
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Fowler has another ‘encouraging’ hit
Discussion: Viva El Birdos
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:   With stability and Goldschmidt, Cardinals, Carpenter out to strong-arm better infield defense
Anthony Fenech / Detroit Free Press:
Detroit Tigers observations: Michael Fulmer's velocity still down  —  LAKELAND, Fla. — As far as Michael Fulmer's three Grapefruit League starts have gone, this one was the most worrisome.  —  Not just because of his fastball velocity - which sat between 88-92 m.p.h. …
Discussion: MLB Trade Rumors
RELATED:
Chris McCosky / Detroit News:   Next phase for Tigers Michael Fulmer — rebuild explosiveness, ramp up velocity
Jorge Castillo / Los Angeles Times:
Kenta Maeda shines in Dodgers' 2-0 exhibition win over Mariners … The Dodgers beat the Seattle Mariners 2-0 Saturday in a spring training game.  They are 8-6-1 in Cactus League games.  —  ON THE MOUND: Kenta Maeda struck out four batters in three perfect innings in his third start …
Discussion: True Blue LA
RELATED:
Marly Rivera / ESPN:   King Felix won't start Opening Day for Mariners
Bobby Nightengale / Cincinnati.com:
Cincinnati Reds lefty Alex Wood suffers setback with more back tightness  —  GOODYEAR, Ariz. - For the second time this spring, Alex Wood felt his back tighten up after pitching on a mound.  He made his Cactus League debut on Feb. 25 and it could be another week before he makes his next appearance.
Discussion: Red Reporter
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs' Cole Hamels to face Giants; Nico Hoerner starts at shortstop vs. Angels  —  Chicago Tribune  —  The Cubs will feature many twists Saturday when they face the Giants in Scottsdale and play host to the Angels at Sloan Park in split-squad games.  —  Left-hander Cole Hamels …
Discussion: Bleed Cubbie Blue
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cards cut 10, including SS Sosa, who had shown pop  —  JUPITER, Fla.  • The Cardinals cut their number of players in camp from 65 to 55 Saturday by optioning five players to Class AAA Memphis and sending five non-roster players to the minor-league complex.
Chandler Rome / Houston Chronicle:
Astros' Jose Altuve scratched from lineup again with continued left side soreness  —  JUPITER, Fla. — For the second time in three days, Jose Altuve was scratched from the Astros' Grapefruit League lineup on Saturday with continued left side soreness.  —  “It's the same, tightness I'd say …
 
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 More News: 
Kurt Snibbe / Orange County Register:
Will California get rid of daylight saving? Only time will tell
Discussion: Whittier Daily News
Jorge Castillo / Los Angeles Times:
Dodgers pitcher Walker Buehler faces hitters for first time this spring
Discussion: DodgerBlue.com
Keith Matheny / Detroit Free Press:
Cover-up: Lake Superior 90% ice-covered for just 5th time in past 20 years
Discussion: Associated Press
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Column: ‘I believe in myself’: Javier Baez is getting overlooked again — and that's just the way he likes it
Gabriel Burns / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Takeaways from Braves' road win over Tigers on Saturday
Ben Frederickson / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
BenFred: A press-box discussion stirs - what would you rather do than wear a Hicks heater?
Nick Friar / WEEI:
Alex Cora envisions more right field in J.D. Martinez's future this season
Discussion: NESN.com
Matt Ehalt / Daily Record:
With plenty of infield options, Mets decide to part ways with TJ Rivera
 Earlier Picks: 
Ty Bradley / MLB Trade Rumors:
Nationals Release Sammy Solis
Discussion: Federal Baseball
Gabriel Burns / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Braves confident in bullpen despite ailments
Gabriel Burns / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Ranking the Braves' fifth-starter battle
NorthJersey.com:
Eliminating base stealers a priority for Noah Syndergaard's improvement
Joe Noga / Plain Dealer:
Cleveland Indians bats go silent against San Francisco left-handers in 2-0 spring training loss to Giants
Marc Topkin / Tampa Bay Times:
Why Cy Young winner Blake Snell won't get much of a raise from the Rays
Don Brennan / Toronto Sun:
Blue Jays' Guerrero looking like a teenager with slow spring start
Discussion: MLB Baseball News …
Associated Press:
Mets utilityman McNeil to get reps at third base
Discussion: Amazin' Avenue
 

 
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TMZ.com:
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Terry Zeller / Daily Mail:
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Clemmie Moodie / The Sun:
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