Top News:
Evan Drellich / Houston Chronicle:
Recent hernia surgery to limit Astros' Evan Gattis this spring — One of the Astros' big bats won't be taking hacks when the Astros hold their first full workout on Feb. 23. — Astros designated hitter Evan Gattis recently underwent surgery to repair a hernia, the Chronicle has learned …
Discussion:
The Crawfish Boxes, NBCSports.com and MLB Trade Rumors
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ESPN:
Astros' Evan Gattis out 4-6 weeks after undergoing hernia surgery — Houston Astros slugger Evan Gattis will miss the start of spring training after undergoing hernia surgery Tuesday, according to multiple reports. — Gattis, 29, is expected to be sidelined four to six weeks.
Discussion:
Associated Press and baseballmusings.com
Jeremy Tanner / New York's PIX11:
Rapper DMX found lying ‘lifeless’ in Yonkers hotel parking lot — YONKERS, New York - Rapper DMX is recovering after first responders found his lifeless body Monday night and managed to revive him. — DMX, whose legal name is Earl Simmons, stopped breathing after collapsing in the parking lot …
Discussion:
FOX31 Denver, fox8.com, FOX6Now.com, Fox 59 and WQAD-TV, more at WeSmirch »
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
White Sox Sign Mat Latos — The White Sox have officially added free agent righty Mat Latos on a one-year, $3MM pact. It's a straight guaranteed deal with no incentives or options. — Latos has long appeared to be one of the better bounceback options on this year's market …
Discussion:
ESPN, FanGraphs Baseball, Talking Chop, South Side Sox, Bucs Dugout and Camden Chat
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
White Sox, Travis Ishikawa Agree To Minor League Deal — 4:22pm: SB Nation's Chris Cotillo tweets that Ishikawa's deal comes with a $900K base salary in the Majors — the same figure he'd received on the Mariners deal that ultimately fell apart. — 3:54pm: The White Sox and first baseman Travis Ishikawa …
Discussion:
KRON4.com
Shi Davidi / Sportsnet.ca:
Blue Jays agree to two-year deal with Donaldson — TORONTO — The Toronto Blue Jays and Josh Donaldson have reached an agreement on a two-year deal worth nearly $29 million to avoid arbitration, according to a source. — The teams were set for a hearing Feb. 15.
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Diamondbacks, A.J. Pollock Agree To Two-Year Extension — TODAY: Pollock will receive annual salaries of $3.5MM and $6.75MM, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports tweets. — YESTERDAY: The Diamondbacks have struck a two-year deal to avoid arbitration with outfielder A.J. Pollock, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports on Twitter.
Discussion:
Baseball Essential, NBCSports.com and AZ Snake Pit
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Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Tigers, J.D. Martinez Agree To Two-Year Extension
Tigers, J.D. Martinez Agree To Two-Year Extension
Discussion:
Bless You Boys, NBCSports.com, MLB Daily Dish and Yahoo Sports
ESPN:
Sources: MLB, union closer to rule change for slides into second base — Progress has been made in Major League Baseball's effort to change the rules about slides into second base, sources told ESPN. — Such slides drew more attention late the past season after devastating leg injuries …
Discussion:
Union-News, ESPN, The Good Phight, Bleacher Nation, SBNation.com, Amazin' Avenue, Viva El Birdos, NBCSports.com and Fan Interference
Ben Badler / Baseball America:
Why The Gurriel Brothers Might Not Play Until 2017 — SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic—There was a buzz across the island Monday upon news that Yulieski Gurriel and younger brother Lourdes Jr. had fled the Cuban team at the Caribbean Series so they could each pursue a contract with a major league team.
Discussion:
ESPN, McCovey Chronicles, Bless You Boys, Bluebird Banter and MLB Daily Dish
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Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Astros Win Arbitration Hearing Against Jason Castro — The Astros have defeated catcher Jason Castro in their arbitration hearing, Jon Heyman reports on Twitter. He'll earn $5MM for the coming season after filing at $5.25MM. — This dispute seemed to be one of principle …
Discussion:
The Crawfish Boxes and Lone Star Ball
Jeff Wilson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
Rangers nearing arbitration hearing with Mitch Moreland — First baseman is seeking $6 million after big 2015 — Club made initially offer of $4,675,000 last month — Hearing would be team's first since 2000 — First baseman Mitch Moreland will likely take the Texas Rangers …
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors, Yahoo Sports and Lone Star Ball
Dennis Dodd / CBSSports.com:
Kyle Allen: Texas A&M dysfunction stems from Manziel-led culture — HOUSTON — Kyle Allen says a frustrating “culture” left over from the Johnny Manziel era is partly to blame for Allen's recent departure from Texas A&M. — Aggies' coach Kevin Sumlin saw both Allen and Kyler Murray …
Discussion:
Dallas Morning News, CollegeFootballTalk and ProFootballTalk
Russell A. Carleton / Baseball Prospectus:
The Crack in the Defensive Spectrum — I'm guessing that many of the people reading this will have come to appreciate the game of baseball the way I did, through the magic of baseball cards. When I was growing up, a baseball card told you three things on the front of the card: the player's name …
ESPN:
Delmon Young charged with battery after allegedly choking valet — Free-agent outfielder Delmon Young was arrested Sunday night and charged with battery after allegedly choking and threatening a valet in Miami. — According to the police report, Young, 30, approached the Viceroy Hotel …
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com and Phillies Nation
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Andy Slater / Slater Scoops:
Cops: Baseball player chokes, threatens to kill valet, unleashes slur-filled tirade
Cops: Baseball player chokes, threatens to kill valet, unleashes slur-filled tirade
Discussion:
NBCSports.com and Slice Miami