Top News:
George A. King III / New York Post:
Yankees give Cuban phenom Moncada secret 2nd workout — TAMPA — The Yankees took a second look at Yoan Moncada early Wednesday evening during a George M. Steinbrenner Field workout, The Post has learned. — Two people with knowledge of the situation confirmed the 19-year-old free agent …
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Baseball Essential, Pinstripe Alley, The LoHud Yankees Blog and MLB Trade Rumors
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Jon Heyman / CBSSports.com:
Cuban wunderkind Yoan Moncada, whose free agency is about the most interesting thing in baseball right now that doesn't involve Alex Rodriguez, has moved into the “contract phase” of the process, according to Moncada's agent David Hastings. — That means Moncada and his representative are done …
Discussion:
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MLB.com:
Chicago Cubs To Honor Ernie Banks During Spring Training, Opening Night At Wrigley Field And Throughout The 2015 Season — CHICAGO - Following the passing of “Mr. Cub” Ernie Banks, the Chicago Cubs have announced plans to pay tribute to the Hall of Famer during Spring Training …
Discussion:
HardballTalk
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Bryan Hoch / MLB.com:
After injury last year, starter expected to follow regular program through Spring Training — Yankees pitcher Masahiro Tanaka threw a short bullpen session at the team's Minor League complex during Spring Training — TAMPA, Fla. — A crowd of about a dozen coaches and other observers clustered behind …
Discussion:
HardballTalk
T.R. Sullivan / Postcards From Elysian Fields:
Jurickson Profar to have surgery — Jurickson Profar had been throwing out to 105 feet with no major discomfort. He has been having MRIs every 3 weeks to monitor his situation. The MRI taken on Tuesday in Arlington showed increased strain on the subscapularis muscle in his right shoulder from the previous MRI.
Discussion:
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Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Jurickson Profar To Undergo Shoulder Surgery — 3:17pm: The specific reason for Profar's surgery will be to repair a torn labrum, tweets Andro. — 2:58pm: Rangers top prospect Jurickson Profar, who missed the entire 2014 season after twice tearing a muscle in his shoulder …
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
Andy McCulloughthe / Kansas City Star:
The K Zone — The key to the composition of the Royals bullpen is both a familiar face and an unknown commodity. They retained Luke Hochevar because they trusted his potential for dominance as a reliever, but his readiness on Opening Day as he returns from Tommy John surgery is still a mystery.
Discussion:
Royals Review, MLB Trade Rumors, HardballTalk and Fox Sports
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Lackey aiming for World Series trifecta — JUPITER, Fla. • Cardinals veteran John Lackey posted a double-figure win total last year for the 12th consecutive season in which he has been healthy at the big-league level. — Excluding the 2012 season, which he missed for Boston …
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors and HardballTalk
Joe Frisaro / Associated Press:
Member of 2003 World Series title team holds MLB record for pinch-hits — Lenny Harris was a .269 hitter over the course of his 18-year Major League career. — MIAMI — Another part of the Marlins' 2003 World Series championship squad is joining Miami's big league coaching staff.
Discussion:
HardballTalk, Dodger Insider and MLB.com
Matthew Leach / MLB.com:
To be up front about it, top hitter in 2-hole a smart play — 3/24/13: Joe Mauer blasts a towering three-run homer in the bottom of the first inning to give the Twins a 3-0 lead — It's far from a full-blown trend, but an interesting little blip has appeared in some Major League lineups in the first week of the season.
Discussion:
HardballTalk
Bob Nightengale / Associated Press:
Cole Hamels on Phillies: Winning ‘not going to happen here’ — TAMPA - The words flow out of Cole Hamels' mouth without hesitation, equivocation, or the slightest tinge of remorse. — He wants to be traded from the Philadelphia Phillies. — This is not a threat. — He is not demanding a trade.
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Todd Zolecki / MLB.com:
Return to form could benefit slugger, club; health status of Lee also a big factor
Return to form could benefit slugger, club; health status of Lee also a big factor
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish
Justin Breen / DNAinfo Chicago:
Danny Almonte Defends Jackie Robinson West: Everybody Does the ‘Same Thing’ — CHICAGO — The player at the center of the last Little League scandal 14 years ago said Jackie Robinson West shouldn't have been stripped of its Little League U.S. title and suspects race might have been a factor in the outcome.
Discussion:
USA Today, Sporting News Feed RSS, CBS Chicago and SBNation.com
Mike Foltynewicz / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Position battles, compelling storylines at Braves spring training — STORY HIGHLIGHTS — Braves pitchers and catchers report to spring training on Friday. — Platoons figure to be utilized far more extensively by the Braves than in recent years. — The Braves traded away three …
Discussion:
Talking Chop