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 …
Discussion:
Viva El Birdos
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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.
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.
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.
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Bill Madden / New York Daily News:
Think Pete Rose has something to say about baseball jumping in bed with gamblers? You bet he does — CLEARWATER, Fla. - You may have heard - or maybe you didn't since Major League Baseball dropped this little bombshell late last Wednesday with little fanfare.
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.
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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
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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Dave Clark / Cincinnati.com:
Reds Opening Day: Eric Davis to throw ceremonial first pitch to Johnny Bench
Bobby Nightengale / Cincinnati.com:
Cincinnati Reds prospect Taylor Trammell survives trade rumors, is focused on improving
Bobby Nightengale / Cincinnati.com:
Catcher and shortstop, Kyle Farmer's versatility may help him make Cincinnati Reds roster
Discussion:
Red Reporter
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
Gabriel Burns / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Ranking the Braves' fifth-starter battle — As the Braves continue through spring training, the race for a fifth starter behind Mike Foltynewicz, Sean Newcomb, Kevin Gausman and Julio Teheran is under way. Braves beat reporter Gabriel Burns will provide a daily handicap of the race for the final spot.
Gabriel Burns / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Braves confident in bullpen despite ailments — The Braves would welcome any good news regarding their arsenal of ailing relievers, but they'll settle for “should be good by opening day.” — A.J. Minter, Darren O'Day and Dan Winkler have dealt with some variety of soreness through camp.
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 …
TC Zencka / MLB Trade Rumors:
Royals Reach Agreement With Martin Maldonado On One-Year Deal — The Royals are in agreement with free agent catcher Martin Maldonado on a one-year, $2.5MM contract, per the Athletic's Ken Rosenthal (via Twitter). Maldonado can earn up to $1.4MM in incentives. The deal is pending a physical.
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish
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, MLB Trade Rumors and Twinkie Town
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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 …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
