Top News:
Jen McCaffrey / New York Times:
Rafael Devers says he's OK to be DH on Opening Day; Lucas Giolito to start on IL — FORT MYER, Fla. — Roughly one month after Rafael Devers was adamant he did not want to serve as designated hitter for the Boston Red Sox, he has changed his stance. — On Thursday with the Red Sox playing …
Discussion:
NBC Sports Boston, ESPN, masslive.com, MLB Trade Rumors, Boston.com, NESN.com, MLB.com, Sportsnet.ca and Sports Illustrated
RELATED:
Associated Press:
Red Sox pitcher Lucas Giolito to open season on injured list with strained left hamstring — The Boston Red Sox will open the season with three starting pitchers on the injured list after right-hander Lucas Giolito strained his left hamstring. Giolito left his first spring training start …
Discussion:
Reuters, Chicago Tribune, Last Word On Baseball, MLB Trade Rumors, 98.5 The Sports Hub, NESN.com and Sports Illustrated
Jen McCaffrey / New York Times:
Brayan Bello to start season on Red Sox IL; Rafael Devers' debut pushed back, again — FORT MYERS, Fla. — The Boston Red Sox begin the regular season in just over two weeks and the roster still has plenty of questions. — On Tuesday, manager Alex Cora announced right-hander Brayan Bello …
Sean McAdam / masslive.com:
Red Sox' Lucas Giolito waited year to return from injury, hurt on 1st pitch
Discussion:
The Boston Globe, MLB.com, Yahoo Sports, Boston Herald and NESN.com
John Feinstein / Washington Post:
Tom Izzo is having too much fun to stop coaching now — As his peers step aside, Michigan State's Tom Izzo is still coaching — and still winning basketball games. — Just now — Tom Izzo did it again. — Just when you thought his era of Big Ten dominance might be coming to an end …
Discussion:
Chicago Tribune and WFAA-TV, more at WeSmirch »
Associated Press:
Tampa Bay Rays withdraw from planned $1.3 billion ballpark in St. Petersburg, citing storms, delays — The Tampa Bay Rays withdrew Thursday from a $1.3 billion project to construct a new ballpark adjacent to Tropicana Field, citing a hurricane and delays that likely drove up the proposal's cost.
Discussion:
USA Today, Tampa Bay Times, New York Times, Associated Press, Front Office Sports and MLB Trade Rumors
RELATED:
ESPN:
Tampa Bay Rays not moving forward with new stadium plans — The Tampa Bay Rays, citing hurricanes and costly delays, will not proceed with the development of a $1.3 billion baseball stadium in St. Petersburg, Florida, principal owner Stuart Sternberg said Thursday.
Discussion:
New York Post, Yahoo Sports, Field of Schemes, Associated Press and Front Office Sports
New York Post:
Blue Jays' offer to Vladimir Guerrero Jr. revealed after superstar halted contract talks — The Toronto Blue Jays offered superstar first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. a deal for about $500 million before negotiations were halted last month — although significant deferrals put an estimate …
Discussion:
New York Times, Sportsnet.ca, MLB Trade Rumors, Yahoo Sports and Last Word On Baseball
Associated Press:
Dillon Tate and Blue Jays agree to a 1-year contract paying $1.4 million while in major leagues — DUNEDIN, Fla. — Right-hander Dillon Tate and the Toronto Blue Jays agreed Wednesday to a one-year contract that pays $1.4 million while in the major leagues and $500,000 while in the minors.
Discussion:
Sportsnet.ca
Associated Press:
Phil Maton agrees to 1-year contract with Cardinals — JUPITER, Fla. — Right-handed reliever Phil Maton and the St. Louis Cardinals agreed to a one-year contract, the team announced. — Maton was traded from Tampa Bay to the Mets on July 9 and finished 3-3 with a 3.66 ERA in 71 appearances …
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors and Wausau
Associated Press:
Mets' Jeff McNeil to open season on injured list with oblique strain — New York Mets All-Star infielder Jeff McNeil will open the season on the injured list because of a strained right oblique. Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said Thursday that the 2022 big league batting champion has a low grade strain.
Discussion:
New Jersey Online, Associated Press, MLB Trade Rumors, Newsday, Last Word On Baseball, New York Post and Wausau
Associated Press:
X-rays negative on Bobby Witt Jr. after the Royals' All-Star shortstop is hit on forearm by a pitch — PEORIA, Ariz. — Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. was hit on the forearm by a pitch and left a spring training game against Seattle, but X-rays came back negative and the club …
Discussion:
Yahoo Sports, MLB Trade Rumors, ESPN, Last Word On Baseball, Sportsnet.ca and Royals Review
Evan Petzold / Detroit Free Press:
Parker Meadows injury update: Detroit Tigers center fielder ‘not close to games right now’ — LAKELAND, Fla. — Detroit Tigers center fielder Parker Meadows has been shut down from baseball activities for nearly three weeks with a right upper arm nerve issue.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors and Bless You Boys
