Top News:
Mark Didtler / Baltimore Sun:
Boone embraces Yankees' expectations as spring training starts — On the day pitchers and catchers reported for his first spring training as New York Yankees manager, Aaron Boone acknowledged the pressure. — “Embrace that expectation,” Boone said Tuesday. “Expect to go out there and be great.
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Jorge L. Ortiz / USA Today:
MLB spring training: Five issues to watch as pitchers and catchers report — The countdown has dwindled to a little over a day before the spring unveiling of Shohei Ohtani, the Japanese two-way star whose quest to pitch and hit regularly in the big leagues represents the most fascinating storyline of the year.
Pete Caldera / Daily Record:
Gary Sanchez vows to improve defensively in 2018 — TAMPA, Fla. - Gary Sanchez's world-class offense at a defensive position sets him apart. — Yet, his No. 1 priority as Yankees catcher this spring training is to improve defensively, following a substandard 2017 season - a reality that exasperated his ex-manager.
John Harper / New York Daily News:
Aaron Boone is already bringing a Joe Torre-like touch to Yankees
Jerry CrasnickESPN Senior / ESPN:
Shohei Ohtani's main impact will come as a pitcher, Mike Scioscia says — TEMPE, Ariz. — Shohei Ohtani is quickly discovering how his every move at Los Angeles Angels' camp will be scrutinized this spring. About 50 Japanese media members gathered at the entrance of the player parking lot …
Discussion:
The Comeback, Los Angeles Times and Halos Heaven
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Mike Axisa / CBSSports.com:
Angels planning to ease Shohei Ohtani into things with a six-man rotation — Ohtani will also get a chance to hit with the Angels — On Tuesday, the Los Angeles Angels opened their spring training camp in Arizona, which means Japanese two-way star Shohei Ohtani reported for his first workout with the organization.
Discussion:
Orange County Register and Halos Heaven
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Joe Maddon puts up defense of 2017 Cubs: 'There's nothing negative about lasy year' — Chicago Tribune — Manager Joe Maddon quips occasionally about bar room banter, but he's willing to put up a fight for his 2017 Cubs team that fell short of reaching the World Series.
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Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Yu Darvish signing limits free-agent flexibility for Cubs next offseason
Jesse RogersESPN / ESPN:
Theo Epstein: World Series issues helped Cubs land Yu Darvish
Associated Press:
Notebook: Gausman, Orioles avoid arbitration — Orioles, starter Gausman avoid arbitration hearing — The Orioles avoided an arbitration hearing with starting pitcher Kevin Gausman, agreeing to a $5.6 million, one-year contract. — Gausman's hearing had been scheduled for Wednesday.
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Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
As Cardinals camp opens, Gregerson relishes opportunity to finish where he started — JUPITER, Fla. • There were times, way back in 2006 as a late-round reliever marooned at Class A, that Luke Gregerson was certain the next call coming to the bullpen for him wouldn't send him into the game but home, back to school.
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Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Molina moves up on Musial, Gibson
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Gregerson sees closing as an opportunity, not a promise given him
Gregerson sees closing as an opportunity, not a promise given him
Discussion:
MLB on Yahoo! Sports
Matt Breen / Philly.com:
Phillies like their pitchers, but could still add — CLEARWATER, Fla. — There will not be much drama as the Phillies finalize their roster after six weeks of spring training as the major decision will be choosing a fifth starter from the handful of arms in the race.
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Matt Breen / Philly.com:
Phillies to wear powder blue uniforms at times this season
Phillies to wear powder blue uniforms at times this season
Discussion:
The Good Phight
Anthony Fenech / Detroit Free Press:
Detroit Tigers' Daniel Stumpf favorite for lefty role, never satisfied — Watch as the Detroit Tigers' pitchers and catchers warm up with a game of catch on the first day of spring training on Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2018, in Lakeland, Fla. Video by Anthony Fenech/DFP
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Anthony Fenech / Detroit Free Press:
Starless Detroit Tigers report to spring training with less fanfare
Starless Detroit Tigers report to spring training with less fanfare
Discussion:
Bless You Boys
Associated Press:
New manager Mickey Callaway has big ideas for Mets — PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — For a first-time manager, Mickey Callaway was mighty bold about his own expectations with the New York Mets. — “The front office has gotten us the players. The coaching staff is the best coaching staff in the big leagues,” he said Tuesday.
Discussion:
MLB on Yahoo! Sports
Colleen Kane / Chicago Tribune:
Baseball's back! Here's what Cubs and White Sox players did while they were away — Chicago Tribune — Cubs and White Sox pitchers and catchers report to spring training this week after three-plus months of downtime. — Certainly, the players spent some of the offseason whipping themselves into the best shape of their lives.
Mike Mazzeo / New York Daily News:
Yankees' free agent infield, pitching options as spring training begins — TAMPA — At this juncture, it feels like the Yankees are doing a balancing act, weighing the potential risks and rewards of adding to their roster while also having to stay under the $197 million luxury-tax threshold.
Susan Slusser / San Francisco Chronicle:
Ex-A's right-hander Jarrod Parker retires after career derailed by injuries — A%E2%80%99s+Chris+Bassitt+discusses+ rotation+ — Chris+Bassitt+on+competing+for+ A%E2%80%99s+rotation+spot+ — Pitcher Chris Bassitt talks about competing for a starting job with the Oakland Athletics.
Discussion:
NBCSports.com, FanRag Sports and MLB Trade Rumors
Chris Kuc / Chicago Tribune:
White Sox reliever Nate Jones says he's healthy, ready to contend for closer role — Chicago Tribune — Nate Jones was on the mound when Matt Davidson stepped into the batter's box to track pitches for the veteran White Sox reliever. — “I was warning him: 'Hey, man …
Discussion:
South Side Sox
Mike Chappell / FOX59:
Head coach Frank Reich discusses plan for Indianapolis Colts — INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. - The Indianapolis Colts' brain trust admitted to a temporary case of brain freeze. — It was Frank Reich Day at Lucas Lucas Oil Stadium Tuesday, but let's not kid ourselves. That never was the plan. — Never.
Discussion:
FanRag Sports and ProFootballTalk
Tom Haudricourt / JSOnline:
Starting pitching: With Jimmy Nelson on the mend, Brewers rotation up for grabs entering camp — Milwaukee Brewers manager Craig Counsell has pitching concerns to address. He talked about some of his options at the 2017 Winter Meetings. Milwaukee Brewers video — CONNECT
Discussion:
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Braves' top prospect Acuna arrives in camp early — Braves' top prospect Ronald Acuna reported to spring training Wednesday, four days before position players were due to report. — Acuna, 20, is the consensus top prospect in baseball and will compete for the starting left-field job at spring training.