Top News:
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Notebook: Norris ‘honored’ to be with Cardinals — • The Philadelphia Phillies had a lefthanded pitcher named Tommy Underwood in the 1970s, and he had beaten the Cardinals five times in a row in 1975-76. That's when general manager Bing Devine decided to acquire him at the trading deadline in 1977 …
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Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
New pitching coach, new philosophies at front and center for Cards in spring training — St. Louis Cardinals pitching coach Mike Maddux (center) talks with pitcher Daniel Poncedeleon as manager Mike Matheny observes during St. Louis Cardinals spring training on Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2018 …
Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
Matt den Dekker returns to Mets with minor-league deal — Matt den Dekker is back. The Mets signed their former outfield prospect to a minor-league deal on Thursday morning with an invite to major-league spring training. — Den Dekker, 30, played in 80 games with the Mets from 2013-2014.
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Mark Polishuk / MLB Trade Rumors:
Brewers To Sign Wade Miley — The Brewers have signed southpaw Wade Miley to a minor league contract, USA Today's Bob Nightengale reports (Twitter link). Miley will earn $2.5MM in guaranteed money if he cracks Milwaukee's MLB roster, and could earn as much as $5.7MM if he makes 29 starts in 2018.
Discussion:
Camden Chat …, Brew Crew Ball, Bleacher Nation, FanRag Sports, MLB Daily Dish and Al's Ramblings
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 …
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Shawn Windsor / Detroit Free Press:
No expectations for Detroit Tigers? It might make them easier to watch — 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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Associated Press:
Ohtani draws attention as Angels begin workouts — Shohei Ohtani emerged from the clubhouse and tipped his cap to the swarm of Japanese countrymen capturing his every move, cameras clicking a mile a minute. — He offered that signature smile, something Angels manager Mike Scioscia noticed right away …
Discussion:
miamiherald, Halos Heaven … and ESPN
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Jerry CrasnickESPN Senior / ESPN:
Shohei Ohtani impresses with bat, demeanor at Angels workout
Discussion:
Halos Heaven and USA Today
Matt Ehalt / Daily Record:
Mets pitching coach Dave Eiland will attempt to fix Matt Harvey — PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Of all the members of the Mets' rotation, there are the most questions about Matt Harvey. Once an ace, Harvey is now an unknown after back-to-back disappointing seasons and a string of surgeries and injuries.
Discussion:
NorthJersey.com
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Matt Ehalt / NorthJersey.com:
Mets pitching coach Dave Eiland looking to win in New York again — PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Dave Eiland knows what it's like to win in New York having won a World Series with the Yankees in 2009. — He's hungry to be a part of a Big Apple winner again. — “I've been here before.
Chris Kuc / Chicago Tribune:
No lack of optimism as White Sox open spring training camp — Chicago Tribune — Tucked away in a secluded area of Camelback Ranch, general manager Rick Hahn spoke openly about the progress of the White Sox's rebuild during his annual media session on the opening day of training camp.
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Blair Kerkhoff / Kansas City Star:
Kansas City got a second chance at the majors, and made it work — When the 2018 season concludes, the Royals will have closed the book on 50 years of competitive existence with an overall record under .500. — We'll get 'em in the next half-century. — But although they've posted …
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Rustin Dodd / Kansas City Star:
The Royals are waiting on Eric Hosmer. Here's their contingency plan at first base
Discussion:
Royals Review and MLB Daily Dish
Matt Breen / Philly.com:
Phillies to scout Tim Lincecum on Thursday — CLEARWATER, Fla. - The Phillies already have one reclamation project in camp and will take a look at another on Thursday when they scout Tim Lincecum in Arizona. — The Phillies will be among at least 15 teams to attend the two-time Cy Young winner's showcase …
Discussion:
Los Angeles Times and 1500 ESPN Twin Cities
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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.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors and MLB Daily Dish
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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 …
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Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
Diamondbacks at spring-training practice
Discussion:
AZ Snake Pit and NBCSports.com
Mike Mazzeo / New York Daily News:
Yankees need Masahiro Tanaka to return to ace-like form after missing out on free agent and trade options — TAMPA — At exactly this time last year, Masahiro Tanaka already knew he was the Opening Day starter. — Tanaka was supposed to be the surest thing in the starting rotation in 2017, but it turned out he was far from it.
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
As far as backup catchers go, Joe Maddon gives ‘edge’ to David Ross over Chris Gimenez — Chicago Tribune — David Ross and Chris Gimenez have made livings as backup catchers who attended college and are follicly challenged. — In fact, both are currently present in the Cubs' spring training camp …
ESPN:
Put me in, Coach! How much embarrassment would you be willing to endure to play major league baseball? — IF, BECAUSE OF an unintended loophole in the collective bargaining agreement, the Miami Marlins discovered they could save $1 million by letting you play an entire major league game …
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.
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