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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, Deadspin, Yahoo Sports, Bleed Cubbie Blue 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, Bleacher Nation, Cubs Insider, MLB Daily Dish, Over the Monster, 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.
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com, Sportsnet.ca and McCovey Chronicles
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, Halos Heaven, Deadspin and BBTF's Baseball Primer …
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs close door on possibility of Sammy Sosa return — Photos of former Cubs and White Sox slugger Sammy Sosa. — Chicago Tribune — Whatever chance Sammy Sosa had of reconciling with the Cubs apparently is over. — According to multiple sources, Sosa's comments in an interview …
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FanRag Sports
Tampa Bay Times:
Bucs QB Jameis Winston: ‘I would love to have DeSean’ — ESPN's Josina Anderson reported Tuesday that the Bucs were a “possible destination” for free-agent receiver DeSean Jackson, citing an “existing rapport” that he has with Bucs quarterback Jameis Winston.
Discussion:
ProFootballTalk and FanRag Sports
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
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
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
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.
Discussion:
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
