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:
Day 2 sends Wainwright, most of rotation to the mounds — JUPITER, Fla. • From the moment the schedule was pinned to the corkboard in the Cardinals' clubhouse, there was something different about it from previous years. As detailed in Thursday's Post-Dispatch, there is a heavy Mike Maddux influence …
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 …
Zach Buchanan / Cincinnati.com:
Cincinnati Reds notes: Catcher Devin Mesoraco is a realist — GOODYEAR, Ariz. - Every time Devin Mesoraco got hurt, there always was next year. — He had the security of the four-year, $28 million deal he signed with the Reds before the 2015 season. Injuries claimed each of his first three seasons …
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John Fay / Cincinnati.com:
Cincinnati Reds' pitcher Homer Bailey hoping to put frustration behind him — GOODYEAR, Ariz. — Homer Bailey's look answers the question. And the answer is: — “What the blank do you think?” — The question was about how frustrating the last 3 1/2 years have been. — “It gets very frustrating,” he says.
David Haugh / Chicago Tribune:
Column: Joe Maddon is Chicago's most colorful and confident manager — Chicago Tribune — Baseball history always will laud manager Joe Maddon for changing the culture with the Cubs. — Now Maddon supplies it. — Creating a bizarre backdrop for the start of spring training in Mesa …
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Chicago Tribune
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John Harper / New York Daily News:
CC Sabathia on how Yankees will handle the hype — and the hate — of being must-see attraction in baseball — TAMPA — Let's start with the obvious: Justin Verlander is right. — The Yankees may have that Evil Empire feel to them again, adding Giancarlo Stanton to a lineup that led …
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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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Dave Sheinin / Chicago Tribune:
Facing a brimming free agent pool at spring training's start, MLBPA boss decries owners' ‘excuses’ — The Washington Post — Tony Clark never envisioned his annual tour of spring training camps beginning where it did this week: Inside the gates of the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, at a camp without a name.
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
Mets pitching coach Dave Eiland looking to win in New York again
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish
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 …, Let's Go Tribe and ESPN
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Jerry CrasnickESPN Senior / ESPN:
Shohei Ohtani impresses with bat, demeanor at Angels workout
Shohei Ohtani impresses with bat, demeanor at Angels workout
Discussion:
Halos Heaven and USA Today
ESPN:
Ryon Healy has surgery on hand, out 4-6 weeks — Seattle Mariners first baseman Ryon Healy is expected to be sidelined four to six weeks after undergoing surgery to remove a bone spur in his right hand. — The Mariners made the announcement Thursday. Healy had the surgery in Philadelphia on Wednesday.
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Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Mariners' Ryon Healy Out Four To Six Weeks Following Hand Surgery
Mariners' Ryon Healy Out Four To Six Weeks Following Hand Surgery
Discussion:
Lookout Landing
David Furones / Sun-Sentinel:
Stoneman Douglas assistant football coach Aaron Feis killed responding to shooting: ‘That is not firecrackers’ — Sun Sentinel — Aaron Feis, an assistant football coach and security guard at Marjory Stoneman Douglas, was among the 17 people shot and killed Wednesday at the Parkland high school.
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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Phil Thompson / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs' bullpen dancing among new Chicago-related features in ‘MLB The Show 18’ — Chicago Tribune — If your digital Cubs bullpen can't do the Running Man, what's the point of even playing the video game? — Sony's team thought as much, and added the bullpen pitchers' signature dance moves …
Mike Mazzeo / New York Daily News:
Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman looking to rebound from disappointing 2017 season — TAMPA — Aroldis Chapman is looking to rebound from last season, when he didn't come close to living up to his $86 million deal. — Chapman, who signed his five-year contract last offseason …
Evan Grant / Dallas Morning News:
Rangers' Matt Bush: ‘There is no doubt in my mind’ that I'm a starting pitcher — SURPRISE, Ariz. — The biggest question about the Rangers' planned six-man rotation is whether Matt Bush can transition to the role. — Bush, who has already thrown as many as 55 pitches in a bullpen session this winter, said he is certain he can.
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
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 …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
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Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
Diamondbacks at spring-training practice
Diamondbacks at spring-training practice
Discussion:
AZ Snake Pit and NBCSports.com