Top News:
Phil Rosenthal / Chicago Tribune:
WGN-AM named new radio home of the White Sox — Chicago Tribune — Baseball is coming back to WGN-AM 720, named the new radio flagship of the White Sox on Wednesday. — “Get ready kids, the sweet sounds of the ball yard return to 720 on Friday February 23rd live from Arizona,” …
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Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
White Sox Sign Hector Santiago — The White Sox have agreed to a minor-league deal with lefty Hector Santiago, GM Rick Hahn told reporters including Chris Kuc of the Chicago Tribune (via Twitter). Terms of the deal are not yet known. — It's a homecoming for Santiago, who's now thirty years of age.
Chris Kuc / Chicago Tribune:
Reliever Joakim Soria arrives at White Sox camp ‘to do what I do’ — Chicago Tribune — Pitchers and catchers drifted in and out of the White Sox clubhouse on the official reporting date to spring training, many of them sporting cotton balls taped to their arms after giving blood during physicals.
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.
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish
ESPN:
Justin Verlander tweets ‘I can think of reason’ why Yankees aren't team to beat in AL — The New York Yankees have been widely projected this offseason as a World Series contender, but Justin Verlander has offered a subtle reminder that the Houston Astros are still a force to be reckoned with.
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David SchoenfieldESPN Senior / ESPN:
Aaron Judge won't use injured shoulder as excuse for midseason slump — TAMPA, Fla. — For the first time, Aaron Judge admitted that the left shoulder he had arthroscopic surgery on in November started bothering him around the All-Star break last season — right about the time the New York …
Mike Mazzeo / New York Daily News:
Yankees' Aaron Judge on recovery from offseason shoulder surgery, Giancarlo Stanton
Mark Didtler / Baltimore Sun:
Boone embraces Yankees' expectations as spring training starts
Boone embraces Yankees' expectations as spring training starts
Discussion:
CBS New York
Pete Caldera / Daily Record:
Gary Sanchez vows to improve defensively in 2018
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Chris Gimenez marvels at Yu Darvish's mix of business and fun — Chicago Tribune — After taking a playful hit Tuesday from Yu Darvish, Cubs catcher Chris Gimenez replied quickly. — “I like Jon Lester,” Gimenez joked Wednesday in reference to Darvish's quip that he liked catcher Willson Contreras …
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Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Joe Maddon puts up defense of 2017 Cubs: 'There's nothing negative about lasy year'
Joe Maddon puts up defense of 2017 Cubs: 'There's nothing negative about lasy year'
Discussion:
MLB on Yahoo! Sports
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Jake Arrieta not forgotten by Cubs
Jake Arrieta not forgotten by Cubs
Discussion:
Chicago Tribune and Beyond the Box Score
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Yu Darvish signing limits free-agent flexibility for Cubs next offseason
Yu Darvish signing limits free-agent flexibility for Cubs next offseason
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue
ESPN:
First look: Japanese star Shohei Ohtani arrives at Angels camp — Shohei Ohtani's arrival at the Los Angeles Angels' spring training facility Tuesday consisted of a rush of media attention followed by a light toss. — Wednesday should offer fans a better look at the 23-year-old two-way player from Japan …
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Jerry CrasnickESPN Senior / ESPN:
Shohei Ohtani's main impact will come as a pitcher, Mike Scioscia says
Shohei Ohtani's main impact will come as a pitcher, Mike Scioscia says
Discussion:
The Comeback and Los Angeles Times
Mike Axisa / CBSSports.com:
Angels planning to ease Shohei Ohtani into things with a six-man rotation
Angels planning to ease Shohei Ohtani into things with a six-man rotation
Discussion:
Orange County Register and Halos Heaven
Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
Diamondbacks on track to unveil humidor in 2018 — Japanese right-handed pitcher Yoshihisa Hirano speaks at an introductory press conference at Salt River Fields on Feb. 12, 2018. David Wallace/azcentral sports — Chase Field's standing as one of baseball's most hitter-friendly ballparks is subject to change.
Discussion:
MLB on Yahoo! Sports, AZ Snake Pit and NBCSports.com
RELATED:
ESPN:
Marlins CEO Derek Jeter says he's fine with ‘well-groomed’ facial hair — Though he was clean-shaven during his playing career for the New York Yankees, an organization noted for its strict policy on facial hair, Derek Jeter says he's fine if members of the Miami Marlins want to sport a mustache or beard.
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R.J. Anderson / CBSSports.com:
Jeter says he's still a Yankees fan, hopes to build sustainable winner with Marlins
Jeter says he's still a Yankees fan, hopes to build sustainable winner with Marlins
Discussion:
NESN.com
Fox Sports:
After offseason ranching, Cueto back with new-look Giants — SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) Johnny Cueto's offseason included time tending to cows, chickens and goats on his 500-acre ranch back home in the Dominican Republic. And it included a decision to stay with the San Francisco Giants rather …
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Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Mozeliak confident Cards have done enough — JUPITER, Fla. • The Cardinals opened their batterymen phase of camp Wednesday with 32 pitchers to be observed, excluding lefthander Brett Cecil, who will be absent until Monday for personal reasons. Quite a few position players also were on hand …
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Jeff Wilson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
Rangers' Perez expects to enter season kicking — SURPRISE, ARIZ. — Don't waste time trying to tell Martin Perez that he won't be ready for Opening Day. — “I'll be ready for kicking ass,” the left-hander said Wednesday at Texas Rangers pitchers and catchers reported for spring training.
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
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.
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Jon Heyman / FanRag Sports:
Yankees keeping in touch with long-shot Moustakas
Yankees keeping in touch with long-shot Moustakas
Discussion:
New Jersey Online, CBS New York, Pinstripe Alley and MLB Trade Rumors
Paul Sancya / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Outfielder that once hit .295 for Braves has died — Former Braves outfielder John “Tito” Francona has died. — The Cleveland Indians said Francona died unexpectedly at his home in New Brighton, Pennsylvania on Tuesday night. He was 84. — Francona played three seasons for the Braves, from 1967 to 1969.
Scott LauberESPN / ESPN:
Red Sox's Steven Wright being investigated by MLB — FORT MYERS, Fla. — Steven Wright, speaking after Boston Red Sox pitchers and catchers completed their first workout of spring training, reiterated that he never made physical contact with his wife, Shannon, on the night of Dec. 8 …
Discussion:
Boston Globe