Top News:
Shi Davidi / Sportsnet.ca:
Blue Jays expect Saunders back early in season — DUNEDIN, Fla. - Michael Saunders should be ready to rejoin the Toronto Blue Jays by mid-April rather than around the all-star break after the left-fielder had 60 percent of the meniscus removed from his left knee during surgery Friday.
Discussion:
Bluebird Banter, HardballTalk, Athletics Nation and CBSSports.com
RELATED:
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Blue Jays, Athletics Talking With Dayan Viciedo — 6:11pm: With Saunders now expected to return much sooner than had been anticipated, the Jays' impetus to add Viciedo seems to have diminished significantly. Indeed, GM Alex Anthopoulos indicated that the team will likely stick with its internal options …
Discussion:
Oakland Athletics, HardballTalk, Bluebird Banter and Yahoo Sports
NY Daily News:
A-Rod circus taking pressure off Gregorius at Yankees camp — TAMPA — On a back field at the Yankees' spring complex Thursday, far from the Alex Rodriguez show in the main stadium, Didi Gregorius quietly fielded ground balls and worked on turning double plays.
Discussion:
Yahoo Sports and HardballTalk
RELATED:
Anthony Rieber / Newsday:
Jose Reyes critical of Ruben Tejada not earning Mets' everyday shortstop job … Baseball — Projecting all 15 AL teams' lineups
Discussion:
New Jersey Online
Plain Dealer:
Mike Pettine and Ray Farmer called Brian Hoyer about Josh McCown signing, and it likely means good-bye — Mary Kay Cabot, Northeast Ohio Media Group By Mary Kay Cabot, Northeast Ohio Media Group — CLEVELAND, Ohio — Browns coach Mike Pettine and general manager Ray Farmer each called Brian Hoyer …
Discussion:
ProFootballTalk and Sporting News Feed RSS
Gordon Wittenmyer / Chicago Sun Times:
Players union sees potential bargaining issue with Cubs-like spending restrictions — MESA, Ariz. - Some of the banking restrictions that have limited the Cubs' baseball spending under Ricketts family ownership also are built into debt structures of many other clubs, said a major league source close …
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
Sky News:
First Photo Of ‘Jihadi John’ As Adult Revealed — The first known photograph has emerged of Mohammed Emwazi - the Islamic State militant known as “Jihadi John” - as an adult. — Showing him with a goatee beard and wearing a Pittsburgh Pirates baseball cap, the image is revealed …
Discussion:
MLB.com, Reuters, Associated Press, Sporting News Feed RSS, Yahoo Sports and HardballTalk
Paul Casella / MLB.com:
New technology delivers one-of-a kind analysis — 10/12/14: As Tony Cruz loses track of the pitch, Matt Duffy races home from second base to tie the game at 4 in the 9th inning — Statcast tracking technology has provided a whole new way of analyzing the postseason, and Game 2 …
Discussion:
Giants Extra
Adam McCalvy / MLB.com:
Brewers will look at all angles to find Ramirez's replacement — Jim Callis discusses the acquisitions of Luis Sardinas, Corey Knebel and Marcos Diplan by the Brewers in exchange for Yovani Gallardo — PHOENIX — Brewers officials weren't surprised Friday when Aramis Ramirez announced he intends to retire after this season.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors and Al's Ramblings
Fox Sports:
Sources: Hamilton faces suspension, though MLB trying to be lenient — FOX Sports … Major League Baseball officials are weighing how to penalize Josh Hamilton for a breach of the sport's drug policy while showing compassion for a former MVP who until recently had abided by the terms …
Discussion:
CBSSports.com, MLB Trade Rumors, HardballTalk and NESN.com
Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Braves center fielder Upton (foot) likely out at least 2 months — LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - Melvin Upton Jr. will likely miss all of spring training after being diagnosed with inflammation of a bone in his left foot, and the Braves suddenly have another opening-day spot up for grabs.
Globe and Mail:
Orioles' Machado says he's healthy, hopes to play full season — Six months after his second knee surgery in two years, Baltimore Orioles third baseman Manny Machado reported to spring training happy, and so far healthy. — Machado has yet to play a full major league season, and he's confident that 2015 is going to be the year.
Discussion:
Camden Chat and Athletics Nation
Associated Press:
Cardinals' Wainwright has abdominal strain — JUPITER, Fla. — Adam Wainwright has been diagnosed with an abdominal strain but the St. Louis ace could be available to pitch the Cardinals' opener at Wrigley Field on April 5. — Wainwright strained the muscle on Monday while putting a 45-pound weight back on a rack.
Discussion:
Yahoo Sports
RELATED:
Jenifer Langosch / MLB.com:
Ace will take it easy while abdomen heals, should make Opening Day