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9:40 PM ET, February 14, 2018

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 Top News: 
Fox Sports:
Stars back on the field as pitchers, catchers begin workouts  —  Justin Verlander is looking forward to a full season with the Houston Astros, while the New York Mets are hoping for a healthier year for their starting staff.  —  The New York Yankees?  Well, this season may not be about their pitchers …
Discussion: MLB Baseball News …
RELATED:
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.
Fox Sports:
Astros start workouts with an unfamiliar ring - as champions  —  WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) Amid the long tossing, sprinting and bullpen sessions that comprised Houston's first spring workout, the Astros also informally dedicated time to a balancing act.  —  Never in the Astros' previous 55 seasons …
Fox Sports:
NL champion Dodgers getting started again with familiar 5  —  GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) All-Star closer Kenley Jansen likes the way the defending National League champion Los Angeles Dodgers are getting started again - with a very familiar rotation.  —  Even with Yu Darvish already in a different NL blue …
Fox Sports:
White Sox have high expectations after 67-win season  —  GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) Coming off a 67-win season, the Chicago White Sox have high expectations.  —  “It's a good group of young men, and we're looking forward to seeing how it plays itself out,” manager Rick Renteria said Wednesday …
RELATED:
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:   White Sox Sign Hector Santiago
Phil Rosenthal / Chicago Tribune:   WGN-AM named new radio home of the White Sox
Chris Kuc / Chicago Tribune:   Reliever Joakim Soria arrives at White Sox camp ‘to do what I do’
Colleen Kane / Chicago Tribune:
Baseball's back! Here's what Cubs and White Sox players did while they were away
Discussion: MLB Daily Dish
Jerry CrasnickESPN Senior / ESPN:
Shohei Ohtani impresses with bat, demeanor at Angels workout  —  TEMPE, Ariz. — Shohei Ohtani walked up the dugout steps at 10:30 a.m. local time Wednesday, paused to tip his cap to the wall of photographers in his path, then headed off to a back field at Los Angeles Angels' spring camp to begin the grandest of baseball adventures.
Discussion: USA Today
RELATED:
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.
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 …
Discussion: 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.
RELATED:
Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
Diamondbacks at spring-training practice … Manager Torey Lovullo suggested Wednesday another position that will be open to competition in Diamondbacks' camp this spring: a corner outfield spot.  —  With A.J. Pollock entrenched in center and David Peralta holding down one of the corners …
Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:   Diamondbacks at spring-training practice
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 …
RELATED:
ESPN:
Bulked up Tim Lincecum working out for teams Thursday
Jorge L. Ortiz / USA Today:   MLB spring training: Five issues to watch as pitchers and catchers report
Fox Sports:
Braves newcomer McCarthy hopes to improve wayward slider  —  KISSIMMEE, Fla. (AP) Brandon McCarthy figures his slider needs some work this spring.  The last one he threw didn't end up where he expected.  —  “I gave up a game-winning home run in the World Series on it,” …
RELATED:
Fox Sports:   Stewart agrees to $575,000, 1-year deal with Braves
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Braves To Sign Chris Stewart
Bob Brookover / Philly.com:
Phillies starting pitchers share a fleeting benchmark: 200 innings |  Bob Brookover  —  CLEARWATER, Fla. - Go to the lockers of the Phillies' starting pitchers on the first day of spring training and they will all tell you the same thing.  Their goal for the 2018 season is to pitch 200 innings.
RELATED:
Matt Breen / Philly.com:   Spring training: Phillies trying prospect Roman Quinn at shortstop
Fox Sports:
Reds open camp with only 1 open spot in the rotation  —  GOODYEAR, Ariz. (AP) The Reds opened camp on Wednesday with one unclaimed spot in the rotation, a major improvement over last year.  The question is whether their three veteran starters can make it to opening day without any setbacks.
RELATED:
John Fay / Cincinnati.com:   Cincinnati Reds Notes: Reed's role in bullpen wouldn't be permanent or inconsequential
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
‘Chuck’ Norris gets a kick out of joining Cardinals  —  JUPITER, Fla.  • Even though the Cardinals more or less evened the score with righthander Bud Norris as the years went on, the diehard fans won't forget the start of Norris' career with the Houston Astros.
RELATED:
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Mozeliak confident Cards have done enough
Discussion: MLB Baseball News …
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 …
RELATED:
Mike Mazzeo / New York Daily News:   Yankees' Aaron Judge on recovery from offseason shoulder surgery, Giancarlo Stanton
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Column: Joe Maddon melds baseball, art in surrealistic day at Cubs camp  —  Chicago Tribune  —  When asked last month to speculate on Joe Maddon's theme for the 2018 season, Ben Zobrist asked what his manager had been reading of late.  —  Informed Maddon had read Walter Issacson's best-selling biography …
RELATED:
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:   Column: Is Joe Maddon changing his hair style?
Fox Sports:
Twins spring training brings rotation questions, openings  —  FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) On the first day of spring training for the Minnesota Twins, it was difficult to watch the drills on the field without thinking about the potential starting pitchers who weren't there.
Anthony Fenech / Detroit Free Press:
Tigers' Derek Norris peppered with questions about domestic violence suspension  —  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
Rustin Dodd / Kansas City Star:
The Royals are waiting on Eric Hosmer.  Here's their contingency plan at first base  —  SURPRISE, ARIZ.  —  At the front of the clubhouse here, a row of locker stalls that once belonged to stars has been re-assigned to younger players.  This is where Eric Hosmer made his home each spring …
Discussion: MLB Daily Dish
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
Anthony Fenech / Detroit Free Press:
Tigers manager Ron Gardenhire stressing fun, fundamentals in Lakeland  —  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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 More News: 
David Murphy / Philly.com:
From top-tier closer to roster hopeful: K-Rod looks to the Phillies for rebirth | David Murphy
Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
Mets want Giants second baseman Joe Panik but aren't willing to trade Juan Lagares: source
Peter Botte / New York Daily News:
Dominic Smith leaves unhealthy diet behind as Mets' first baseman feels ‘more like an athlete’
Paul Sancya / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Outfielder that once hit .295 for Braves has died
Scott LauberESPN / ESPN:
Red Sox's Steven Wright being investigated by MLB
Discussion: Boston Globe
 Earlier Picks: 
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Mike Montgomery wants to protect his arm: ‘I just want to make sure my arm is healthy’
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Chris Gimenez marvels at Yu Darvish's mix of business and fun
Discussion: Chicago Tribune
Steve Buffery / Toronto Sun:
Sad day for Blue Jays' fans, players as Jerry Howarth announces retirement
Discussion: Ballpark Digest
ESPN:
Marlins CEO Derek Jeter says he's fine with ‘well-groomed’ facial hair
 

 
From WeSmirch:

Eileen Reslen / Page Six:
Christine Quinn alleges ‘abusive’ husband Christian Richard threw dog poop at her, peed on her floor in violent outburst

Tom Bryant / The Mirror:
Paul O'Grady's beloved dog nuzzled star's shoulder as devoted husband battled to save him

Leah Bitsky / Page Six:
Leonardo DiCaprio, 49, and Vittoria Ceretti, 25, spark engagement rumors as she flaunts new ring

 
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