Top News:
Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
For ESPN announcers on MLB's Korea series, pandemic memories come flooding back — It was just four years ago, but it feels like a lifetime ago. — It was the time of the coronavirus pandemic, a period that changed our lives forever. — We were introduced to Zoom.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors, New Jersey Online, The Athletic and Dodgers Nation
Benjamin Mullin / New York Times:
A New Chapter for Sports Illustrated, With Plans to Keep Print — Minute Media, owner of The Players' Tribune, has struck a deal to operate Sports Illustrated for at least 10 years. — The owner of Sports Illustrated said it had chosen a new company to publish the magazine …
Discussion:
New York Daily News, Awful Announcing, The Athletic and New York Post
Associated Press:
Joey Votto homers on 1st pitch of Jays spring training debut — Joey Votto sure knows how to make an instant impression, going deep on the first pitch he faced as a member of his hometown Toronto Blue Jays. — The veteran first baseman lined a 392-foot homer to left-center off Philadelphia …
Discussion:
MLB.com, Sportsnet.ca and baseballmusings.com
ESPN:
Reds lose CF TJ Friedl indefinitely due to broken wrist — The Cincinnati Reds have no timeline for the return of center fielder TJ Friedl, who fractured his right wrist while trying to make a diving catch in a game on Saturday in Goodyear, Arizona. — Friedl, who established himself …
Discussion:
Cincinnati.com, Just Baseball, Red Reporter, The Athletic and baseballmusings.com
Anthony Rieber / Newsday:
New York's catcher cousins: Omar and Carlos Narvaez have each other's backs — WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — This is a tale of two catchers, both with the last name of Narvaez, one who probably would be better off if he left New York and one who can't wait to get there.
The Athletic:
Astros are pursuing Blake Snell: Sources — The Houston Astros are at it again. — In January, they signed closer Josh Hader, the best closer on the free-agent market. Now, according to sources briefed on their discussions, they are engaged in a serious pursuit of left-hander Blake Snell, the best starter on the market.
RELATED:
Chandler Rome / The Athletic:
Blake Snell to Astros? Why the reigning Cy Young Award winner could fit well — WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Astros owner Jim Crane coveted Blake Snell and Josh Hader during last season's trade deadline, but lamented afterward that the duo “never got on the board.”
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors, Lone Star Ball, The Athletic, Sportsnet.ca and Bleacher Nation
Adam Himmelsbach / The Boston Globe:
Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla explains why he has shifted the rotations and responsibilities of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown recently — The substitution patterns of Celtics stars Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown have been consistent and familiar for most of this season.
Discussion:
Boston Herald and masslive.com
Associated Press:
Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol earns 2-year extension — JUPITER, Fla. — Coming off a last-place finish in the NL Central, the St. Louis Cardinals displayed confidence in manager Oliver Marmol and announced a two-year contract extension through 2026. — “The most important thing for Oli …
Discussion:
The Athletic, St. Louis Post-Dispatch and KSDK-TV
Evan Rawal / Colorado Hockey Now:
REPORT: Avalanche Players Knew They'd Lose Byram Eventually — When Devon Toews signed his extension with the Colorado Avalanche at the start of the regular season, it essentially put a ceiling on how high Bowen Byram could go on the depth chart in Colorado.
Discussion:
Chicago Hockey Now, New Jersey Hockey Now, Montreal Hockey Now and Detroit Hockey Now
Jorge Castillo / ESPN:
Yankees' Gerrit Cole won't need Tommy John surgery, source says — The New York Yankees received positive news Thursday: Gerrit Cole was informed he will not need Tommy John surgery, at least for now, after visiting Dr. Neal ElAttrache in Los Angeles for a second opinion on his right elbow …
Discussion:
New York Post, Associated Press, Sportsnet.ca, Yahoo Sports, New Jersey Online and baseballmusings.com