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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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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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Sportsnet.ca, McCovey Chronicles and baseballmusings.com
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, MLB Daily Dish, Bleacher Nation, Cubs Insider, Bluebird Banter, Over the Monster, Bleed Cubbie Blue and Yahoo Sports
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Manfred gets confrontational over MLB union's resistance to pace-of-play changes
Manfred gets confrontational over MLB union's resistance to pace-of-play changes
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Minor League Ball
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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Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Cubs Insider, Pirates Breakdown and CBS Pittsburgh
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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Bleacher Nation, CBS Chicago, All My Stories and FanRag Sports
ESPN:
For Jake Peavy, baseball must take a back seat — SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — After 17 professional spring trainings, Jake Peavy's instincts point him toward the comfort of a baseball diamond. He should be arriving bleary-eyed at the clubhouse with a cup of coffee at 7 a.m. and getting ready …
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MLB Trade Rumors
Dan Woike / sandiegouniontribune.com:
Chargers' Lynn secure with veteran coaches around him — Chargers head coach Anthony Lynn (right) stands with his top assistants (from left), offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt, special teams coordinator George Stewart and defensive coordinator Gus Bradley, at a news conference in Carson.
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FanRag Sports and ProFootballTalk
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.
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CBSSports.com, Halos Heaven, Deadspin and BBTF's Baseball Primer …
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
Adam Berry / MLB.com:
Hanrahan to serve as coach for Class A club — BRADENTON, Fla. — Joel Hanrahan is back with the Pirates. — Hanrahan, a former Bucs closer, will serve as an assistant pitching coach for the short-season Class A West Virginia Black Bears. Hanrahan announced his retirement in November …
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MLB Trade Rumors
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:
FanRag Sports and ProFootballTalk
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Next stop on Ian Desmond's journey is first base for the Rockies — SCOTTSDALE, Az. - It's 7:45 a.m. on Field R8 at the Rockies' spring-training complex, nearly two hours before the team's workout will begin. — Field R8 actually is a half-field, designed for infield practice.
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com and MLB Trade Rumors