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ESPN:
Sources: MLB, union agree to use dugout signal for intentional walk — As part of its initiative to improve pace-of-game play, Major League Baseball has approved a change to the intentional walk rule, going from the traditional four-pitch walk to a dugout signal, team and union sources told ESPN's Howard Bryant.
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Reuters, USA Today, Yahoo Sports, Bleed Cubbie Blue, Gaslamp Ball and Sportsnet.ca
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Connor Byrne / MLB Trade Rumors:
Latest On Potential MLB Rule Changes — 6:54pm: It now appears there will be one big change in 2017: MLB will switch to a dugout signal for intentional walks, team and union sources informed Howard Bryant of ESPN The Magazine (Twitter link). — 6:12pm: Clark has responded to Manfred's comments (via FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal):
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NBCSports.com, Bluebird Banter, Over the Monster, Bleacher Nation, Cubs Insider, MLB Daily Dish, Bleed Cubbie Blue and Yahoo Sports
Associated Press:
MLB players' union agrees to pitchless intentional walks — NEW YORK (AP) - The players' association has agreed to Major League Baseball's proposal to have intentional walks without pitches this year. — While the union has resisted many of MLB's proposed innovations, players are willing to accept the intentional walk change.
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baseballmusings.com, McCovey Chronicles and CBS Chicago
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Manfred gets confrontational over MLB union's resistance to pace-of-play changes — PHOENIX — I get the players' perspective. They worry about the game on the field changing too radically due to pace-of-play improvements. They worry, as one told me, that, “If you try to control the game, you turn us into robots.”
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Minor League Ball
Jeff Passan / Yahoo Sports:
How baseball players are trying stem cells to avoid Tommy John — TEMPE, Ariz. - On the day he hoped would save his elbow, Garrett Richards laid face down on a table with his back exposed. A doctor guided a needle into the iliac crest of his pelvic bone and began to extract bone marrow.
Discussion:
CBSSports.com, Deadspin, Halos Heaven and BBTF's Baseball Primer …
Washington Post:
Nationals to sign Matt Wieters to one-year deal with 2018 option — WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — The Washington Nationals agreed to terms on a deal with free agent catcher Matt Wieters on Tuesday, according to people with direct knowledge of the situation. The deal is for one year with a 2018 option …
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ESPN, Camden Chat, The Nats Blog, Yahoo Sports, Federal Baseball and baseballmusings.com
Vince Lara-Cinisomo / Baseball America:
Umpires Hirschbeck, Davidson, Joyce, Welke Retire — Four longtime umpires—Bob Davidson, John Hirschbeck, Jim Joyce and Tim Welke—have retired, Major League Baseball announced Tuesday. — In their places, Adam Hamari, Pat Hoberg, Gabe Morales and Carlos Torres have been named to the full-time Major League Umpiring staff.
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Bless You Boys
Yonhap News Agency:
Fine sought for Pirates' Kang Jung-ho over DUI charges — South Korean prosecutors on Wednesday sought a 15 million won (US$13,117) fine against the Pittsburgh Pirates infielder Kang Jung-ho for driving under the influence of alcohol. — The Seoul Central District Court held a hearing …
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CBS Pittsburgh
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Orioles Acquire Richard Bleier, Designate Christian Walker — The Orioles have acquired lefty Richard Bleier from the Yankees, per a club announcement, with cash or a player to be named later heading back in return. Baltimore designated first baseman/outfielder Christian Walker for assignment to create roster space.
Discussion:
Camden Chat and Yahoo Sports
Matt Breen / Philly.com:
Phillies prospect Victor Arano shut down for spring training with elbow injury — CLEARWATER, Fla. - Victor Arano, a Phillies pitching prospect with an electric arm, will likely miss the remainder of major-league spring training after suffering an elbow injury.
Discussion:
Phillies Nation
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Sergio Romo finds himself at home in Dodgers blue — GLENDALE, Az. — Sergio Romo remembers a game early in his career when 30 of his friends and relatives showed up in the Giants' family section wearing Dodgers gear. — Giants manager Bruce Bochy called Romo into his office the next day and admonished him, half-jokingly.
Discussion:
McCovey Chronicles
Josh Katzenstein / New Orleans Times-Picayune:
Sean Payton ‘absolutely’ expects Brandin Cooks to be with Saints in 2017 — Cooks 86-yd TD: Panthers at Saints 2016 — New Orleans Saints wide receiver Brandin Cooks (10) scores on an 86-yard catch in the first quarter during the game between the Carolina Panthers and New Orleans Saints at the Superdome on Sunday, October 16, 2016.
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ProFootballTalk and FanRag Sports
Tyler Kepner / New York Times:
Brewers Hope Eric Thames, Ruthian in South Korea, Has Crossover Power — PHOENIX — A package arrived recently for Eric Thames at Maryvale Baseball Park, the spring training home of the Milwaukee Brewers. It was a fungo bat, thin-handled and light, a tool to help make his hands quicker.
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Sports on Earth Writers and Bleed Cubbie Blue
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Charlie Wilmoth / MLB Trade Rumors:
Central Notes: Thames, Turner, Tigers
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Red Reporter and MLive.com
Marc Carig / Newsday:
Neil Walker contract talks with Mets hit a snag, sources say — PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Despite recent meetings between Mets general manager Sandy Alderson and representatives for second baseman Neil Walker — talks that stoked optimism for getting a deal done — sources said on Monday morning …
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FanRag Sports, MLB Trade Rumors, CBS New York and Amazin' Avenue
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Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
Mets Insider: Neil Walker, club still talking a new three-year deal
Discussion:
NBCSports.com and Amazin' Avenue
