Top News:
Associated Press:
Maddon Makes Debut With Cubs in Spring Tie With A's — MESA, Ariz. — Manager Joe Maddon made his spring debut with the Chicago Cubs on Thursday, a 2-2 tie against Barry Zito and the Oakland Athletics. — Travis Wood pitched two perfect innings for a split-squad of Cubs, and Mike Olt hit a two-run homer in the second inning.
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Yahoo Sports
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Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Cubs To Sign Phil Coke — 2:15pm: Coke's deal will pay him $2.25MM if he makes the Major League club with the opportunity to earn up to $900K more via incentives, reports MLive.com's Chris Iott (Twitter links). The incentives kick in beginning with his 35th appearance of the season, Iott adds.
Discussion:
HardballTalk, Bless You Boys and Bucs Dugout
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Phil Coke “Very Close” To Deal With Unknown Team — Left-handed reliever Phil Coke is “very close” to signing a deal and getting into camp, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports on Twitter. He is expected to have a contract by tomorrow, per the report.
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish, HardballTalk, Yahoo Sports, Metsblog and Bleed Cubbie Blue
Carrie Muskat / MLB.com:
Ross, Montero and Castillo capable of handling Lester, rotation
Ross, Montero and Castillo capable of handling Lester, rotation
Discussion:
Bleacher Nation
Christina Kahrl / MLB:
Giants fear Hunter Pence broke arm — SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — San Francisco Giants right fielder Hunter Pence was hit on the left forearm near the wrist by a pitch thrown by hard-throwing Chicago Cubs prospect Corey Black in the sixth inning of Thursday's spring training games.
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com, McCovey Chronicles and ESPN
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Associated Press:
Vogelsong Allows Slam in Giants' Win; Hunter Pence Hurt — SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Ryan Vogelsong gave up a grand slam to Kyle Schwarber, the Cubs first pick of last June's draft, but the San Francisco Giants rallied to beat a Chicago split-squad 8-6 on Thursday.
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue
Fox Sports:
MLB's decision on Josh Hamilton could come as early as next week — FOX Sports — An arbitrator will be needed to decide Josh Hamilton's punishment. — A decision by Major League Baseball on discipline for Angels outfielder Josh Hamilton is expected before Opening Day and could come …
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CBSSports.com, MLB Trade Rumors and HardballTalk
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Los Angeles Times:
Josh Hamilton's future rests with arbitrator as panel splits on rehab treatment
Josh Hamilton's future rests with arbitrator as panel splits on rehab treatment
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ESPN, CBSSports.com, The Big Lead, Deadspin, HardballTalk, Sports on Earth Writers, Halos Heaven, Sporting News Feed RSS and MLB Trade Rumors
ESPN:
Report: Arbitrator to make Hamilton rehab call
Report: Arbitrator to make Hamilton rehab call
Discussion:
HardballTalk and baseballmusings.com
Alden Gonzalez / MLB.com:
Regarding outfielder's reported relapse, director talks about ‘life concerns’ vs. baseball ones
Regarding outfielder's reported relapse, director talks about ‘life concerns’ vs. baseball ones
Discussion:
Gonzo and ‘The Show’ and Associated Press
Bill Price / NY Daily News:
Brian Cashman says Derek Jeter should be last Yankees captain — Derek Jeter was the longest tenured captain in the storied history of the Yankees. Brian Cashman thinks he should also be the last. — Speaking on The Mike Lupica Show on ESPN Radio Thursday, the Yankees general manager suggested …
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baseballmusings.com, Red Sox Monster, USA Today, HardballTalk, Deadspin, The LoHud Yankees Blog and CBSSports.com
Yahoo Sports:
Sources: Cuban Hector Olivera could have damaged UCL in throwing arm — Serious concern exists that Cuban infielder Hector Olivera has a damaged ulnar collateral ligament in his throwing arm, potentially hindering the market for a free agent who many expected to contribute in the major leagues this season, sources told Yahoo Sports.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors, HardballTalk and Athletics Nation
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Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
‘Boring’ Cardinals know how to win — JUPITER, Fla. — The St. Louis Cardinals are the team the tabloids and shock-jock shows love to hate. — You looking for a juicy quote? Maybe stir up a little controversy? Sorry, wrong camp. — You looking for pizzazz, a little flair, or at least someone to brag about themselves?
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The Good Phight and HardballTalk
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Phil Rogers / MLB.com:
Ethier must prove his worth in crowded outfield — Andre Ethier's offensive production dropped in 2014 and he may have to bounce back in a platoon role because of his struggles with lefties — GLENDALE, Ariz. — Andre Ethier got it right. — He wasn't making waves or creating problems …
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True Blue LA
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Jon Heyman / CBSSports.com:
GLENDALE, Ariz. — The Dodgers have offered to pay down …
GLENDALE, Ariz. — The Dodgers have offered to pay down …
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CBSSports.com, NBCSports.com, MLB Trade Rumors and Sporting News Feed RSS
Patrick Saunders / On the Rox:
Rockies right-handers Chacin, Butler up and down vs. D-Backs — TOPICS — Scottsdale, Ariz. — Their lines didn't look particularly good, but there was incremental progress for Rockies right-handers Jhoulys Chacin and Eddie Butler in their Cactus League debuts Thursday afternoon against the Diamondbacks at Salt River Fields.
Ken Davidoff / New York Post:
‘I thought the bat looked slow’: Scouts on A-Rod — The Yankees' Alex Rodriguez at bat in the 6th inning Wednesday. — TAMPA — If this were opening night of a Broadway play, it might not reach a second show. — “I thought the bat looked slow,” a scout in attendance said.
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Sporting News Feed RSS
Associated Press:
Hosmer, Morales, Rios Power Royals to 13-2 Win Over Rangers — SURPRISE, Ariz. — Eric Hosmer and Royals newcomers Kendrys Morales and Alex Rios hit consecutive first-inning homers, and AL champion Kansas City routed the Texas Rangers 13-2 on Wednesday in the spring training opener for both teams.
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Andy McCulloughthe / Kansas City Star:
Royals pitcher Tim Collins to undergo MRI after leaving game with elbow injury
Royals pitcher Tim Collins to undergo MRI after leaving game with elbow injury
Discussion:
Royals Review