Top News:
Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
Mets' Jeurys Familia suspended 15 games for domestic violence incident — New York Mets closer Jeurys Familia was suspended for 15 games by Major League Baseball after an off-season domestic violence incident, it was announced Wednesday. — Familia, 27, was charged with simple assault …
Discussion:
Yahoo Sports, MLB Daily Dish and NESN.com
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Billy Witz / New York Times:
Mets' Jeurys Familia Is Suspended for 15 Games — Mets relief pitcher Jeurys Familia was suspended on Wednesday for the first 15 games of the 2017 season in connection with a domestic violence incident last year involving his wife. — The suspension was handed down by Commissioner Rob Manfred, and Familia will not appeal.
Discussion:
FanRag Sports
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Nationals Release Vance Worley — The Nationals have announced the release of veteran righty Vance Worley. With several other pitchers re-assigned to minor-league camp, fellow righty Jeremy Guthrie is left as the only non-roster hurler in MLB camp, Chelsea Janes of the Washington Post notes (Twitter links).
Discussion:
Federal Baseball
Brent Schrotenboer / USA Today:
Oakland Coliseum stadium authority doesn't want Raiders to return in 2019 — The landlord of the Oakland Coliseum has been losing money on Raiders games and might force the team out of its current facility before its new, $1.9 billion Las Vegas stadium is ready in 2020.
Discussion:
Mercury News, KNBR-AM, East Bay Times, Raiders Wire and Fox Sports
Jeff Howe / Boston Herald:
Patriots will steer clear of controversial Oklahoma running back Joe Mixon — PHOENIX — Patriots owner Robert Kraft is continuing to maintain his strong stance against domestic violence abusers. — That's why the Patriots absolutely will not even consider drafting Oklahoma running back Joe Mixon next month, according to a source.
Discussion:
FanRag Sports, ProFootballTalk, The Big Lead and NESN.com
Josh WeinfussESPN / ESPN:
Bruce Arians wants David Johnson to average 30 touches per game in 2017 — PHOENIX - David Johnson's 23 touches per game last season weren't enough for Arizona Cardinals coach Bruce Arians. — Arians wants more from the third-year running back in 2017. — “I want to have 30 touches out of him …
Discussion:
ProFootballTalk and FanRag Sports
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Reds Claim Scooter Gennett — The Reds have claimed second baseman Scooter Gennett off waivers from the Brewers, C. Trent Rosecrans of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports on Twitter. It's not yet clear what the corresponding 40-man roster move will be. — Gennett, 26, agreed to a $2.525MM contract …
Discussion:
Red Reporter, Brew Crew Ball, Al's Ramblings, Redleg Nation and Yahoo Sports
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Tom Haudricourt / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:
Scooter Gennett waived by Brewers, claimed by Reds
Scooter Gennett waived by Brewers, claimed by Reds
Discussion:
Brew Crew Ball
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Pirates Release Jared Hughes — The Pirates have requested release waivers on righty Jared Hughes, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports (via Twitter). Pittsburgh had previously agreed to a $2.825MM arbitration with Hughes and will remain responsible for at least a portion (roughly one-sixth) …
Discussion:
Bucs Dugout and Pirates Breakdown
Nate Taylor / Indianapolis Star:
Insider: Paul George after disappointing loss to Minnesota: 'There's no urgency.' — Pacers playoff position takes a hit with a loss to the lowly Minnesota Timberwolves in the closing seconds Clark Wade/IndyStar — INDIANAPOLIS — Monta Ellis clapped his hands in frustration.
Discussion:
NESN.com, Hoops Rumors and Fox Sports
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs' final roster spot coming down to Matt Szczur or Tommy La Stella — Cubs manager Joe Maddon on Addison Russell and Munenori Kawasaki on March 27, 2017. (Mark Gonzales/Chicago Tribune) — Chicago Tribune — The truck transporting the Cubs equipment and personal belongings …
Discussion:
CBS Chicago and FanRag Sports
Anthony Fenech / Detroit Free Press:
Source: Detroit Tigers' Anibal Sanchez to start season in long relief — In this week's episode, Anthony Fenech says why JaCoby Jones is looking like the Detroit Tigers' Opening Day centerfielder and analyzes Anibal Sanchez's re-emergence. Subscribe to “Talkin' Tigers” in iTunes or Google Play.
Discussion:
Cubs Insider, Bless You Boys, MLB Trade Rumors and MLB Daily Dish
Tim Healey / Sun-Sentinel:
Good news for Conley, Wittgren as Marlins make more cuts and final roster decisions near — Marlins manager Don Mattingly details the thought process behind sending lefty Justin Nicolino to Triple-A New Orleans, as opposed to using him in the major league rotation or bullpen. — Sun Sentinel
Discussion:
Fish Stripes
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Ben Lindbergh / The Ringer:
It Might Be Miller Time at a Ballpark Near You — Andrew Miller's unconventional usage gave Cleveland an enviable edge last season and left numerous MLB teams searching for their own Miller-type. How many clubs intend to deploy a flexible facsimile this spring? We asked.
Discussion:
Sun-Sentinel and FanRag Sports
Connor Byrne / MLB Trade Rumors:
Cubs Return Rule 5 Pick Caleb Smith To Yankees — The Cubs are returning left-hander Caleb Smith to the Yankees, reports Patrick Mooney of CSN Chicago (Twitter link). Chicago selected Smith in the Rule 5 draft in December. — The 25-year-old Smith potentially could have made the Cubs' bullpen …
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue