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 …
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New York Post, MLB Daily Dish, Yahoo Sports, baseballmusings.com and NESN.com
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Marc Carig / Newsday:
Mets closer Jeurys Familia suspended 15 games for violating MLB domestic violence policy — Jeurys Familia has been suspended 15 games for violating baseball's policy on domestic violence, Major League Baseball announced Wednesday. — Familia, the Mets' All-Star closer …
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:
Forbes and FanRag Sports
Tampa Bay Times:
Saving the day? Rays go with catchers Derek Norris and Jesus Sucre — PORT CHARLOTTE — The Rays went into the offseason seeking to improve a catching corps that has seemed perpetually in need of an upgrade since — save for a brief flash from Dioner Navarro — the halcyon days of Toby Hall and John Flaherty.
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
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, Bleed Cubbie Blue and FanRag Sports
Matt Gelb / Philly.com:
Phillies' Edubray Ramos: ‘Great arm’ but a work in progress — LAKELAND, Fla. - A group of pitchers walked to a back field last month, at the beginning of this protracted spring training, and a 24-year-old Venezuelan asked a 39-year-old Dominican if he wanted to have a catch.
Discussion:
Phillies Nation
Roger Mooney / Tampa Bay Times:
Peter Bourjos debuts with a bang for Rays — PORT CHARLOTTE — On his first day as a Ray, OF Peter Bourjos made a leaping catch at the centerfield wall, had three hits — including a two-run homer — and three RBIs. — “You always want to make a good first impression,” Bourjos said.
John Mullin / CSN Chicago:
Why the Bears finally feel like they're in striking distance of a winning team — PHOENIX - Where the relationship between Bears GM Ryan Pace and coach John Fox goes beyond 2017 remains to play out with their third season together. At this point, however, despite a combined total of nine wins …
Discussion:
ProFootballTalk, Chicago Tribune and Fox Sports
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:
FanRag Sports and ProFootballTalk
Chris Bradford / Beaver County Times & Allegheny Times:
Martavis Bryant's reinstatement to Steelers imminent, per league source — Steelers wide receiver Martavis Bryant (10) stretches out for the ball but fails to pull in a pass from quarterback Ben Roethlisberger during the second half of Sunday's game against the Ravens in Baltimore.
Discussion:
FanRag Sports and ProFootballTalk
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, NESN.com and The Big Lead
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