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
Baseball's back! Here's what Cubs and White Sox players did while they were away
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'
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 — 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 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
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Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo preaches competition on eve of camp
Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo preaches competition on eve of camp
Discussion:
AZ Snake Pit
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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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
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.
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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.
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