Top News:
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Marcus Stroman's choice puts United States' WBC hopes in his hands — LOS ANGELES - The pitcher starting for the United States in the championship game of the World Baseball Classic originally intended to play for Team USA's opponent, Puerto Rico. — In Sept. 2013, Blue Jays right-hander Marcus Stroman tweeted,
Discussion:
Sportsnet.ca and baseballmusings.com
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Doug Miller / MLB.com:
USA ousts Japan, in case you mist it! — LOS ANGELES — Throughout their first three World Baseball Classics, the United States' burly batting order had some of the most prodigious sluggers in the Major Leagues, but that never got the Americans to the tournament's final game.
Discussion:
New York Times, Halos Heaven and Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Kyle Glaser / Baseball America:
Team USA Beats Japan, Advances To WBC Finals For First Time — LOS ANGELES—The United States' pitching staff was derided as second-tier coming into the World Baseball Classic, a group of guys who didn't make up the best their country had to offer, or even the second-best in some circles.
Discussion:
Camden Chat
Marc Carig / Newsday:
Mets will face some tough decisions on Opening Day roster — PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Normalcy is returning here soon, to be followed closely by anticipation. — After Tuesday's off day, just nine spring training games remain on the schedule, including a split-squad game. Opening Day looms less than two weeks away.
Discussion:
Amazin' Avenue
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Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Despite Braves' spring results, manager says team is ready — WEST PALM BEACH - When Chaz Roe gave up two runs in the seventh inning of a previously tied game against the Nationals on Tuesday, the Braves were on their way to an eight consecutive Grapefruit League loss.
Marc Carig / Newsday:
Mets' Matt Harvey delivers encouraging outing
Discussion:
Amazin' Avenue, Bless You Boys and MLB Trade Rumors
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Brewers Release Joba Chamberlain, Ryan Webb — The Brewers have released veteran righties Joba Chamberlain and Ryan Webb, per a club announcement. Both had been signed to minor-league deals over the offseason. — Though he allowed only three runs in his eight spring frames …
Discussion:
Al's Ramblings and MLB Daily Dish
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Martinez to start Opening Night — JUPITER, Fla. • A pitching pairing worthy of Opening Day was going to be the feature of Wednesday's Cardinals exhibition with the Washington Nationals. But, a couple of hours before game time, Cardinals manager Mike Matheny was more specific about Carlos Martinez …
Discussion:
Yahoo Sports
Mark Polishuk / MLB Trade Rumors:
Andre Ethier Doubtful For Opening Day Due To Herniated Disk — Dodgers outfielder Andre Ethier has been diagnosed with a “mild” herniated disk in his lower back, and manager Dave Roberts told reporters (including MLB.com's Ken Gurnick) that “it's going to be tough” for Ethier to be ready for the start of the season.
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish and Al's Ramblings
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:
Notes: First openly gay player David Denson retires from baseball — GLENDALE, Ariz. - Milwaukee Brewers minor-league first baseman/outfielder David Denson unexpectedly retired from baseball Monday but said the decision was unrelated to coming out in 2015 as the first openly gay player in affiliated baseball.
Discussion:
Miller Park Prospects, Brew Crew Ball and Outsports
Hollywood Reporter:
David Ross, Chicago Cubs' World Series Victory to Get Movie Treatment (Exclusive) — Radar Pictures is developing a film based on the catcher's memoir, ‘Teammate: My Journey in Baseball and a World Series for the Ages.’ — The Chicago Cubs' dramatic 2016 World Series victory is headed for a replay on the big screen.
Discussion:
Cubs Insider, FanRag Sports, USA Today, CBS Chicago and Bleed Cubbie Blue
Jeff Passan / Yahoo Sports:
Trade talk: White Sox patiently dangling Jose Quintana — Around this time of year, the best scouts start taking little mental notes about the counterparts they see in their travels from camp to spring camp. The back fields, where minor league players ply their trade in front of friends …
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish, Talking Chop and MLB Trade Rumors
James Wagner / New York Times:
Mets' Bruce Digs In to Data to Find the Right Swing — PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Even though he is moving toward the start of the 2017 season, Mets outfielder Jay Bruce wanted a concrete answer as to why he struggled last August. At the time, he was having what he thought was the most consistent season …
