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11:35 AM ET, February 23, 2018

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 Top News: 
Rotoworld.com:
ST Daily: Dickerson Gets Dealt  —  Follow @nate_grimm and @Rotoworld_BB on Twitter.  —  When Corey Dickerson was designated for assignment by the Rays, there was likely a small bit of relief in getting out of an organization that has all but given up on contending in 2018.
RELATED:
Marc Topkin / Tampa Bay Times:
Brent Honeywell injury could be worst Rays news yet  —  PORT CHARLOTTE — It might have seemed that things couldn't get worse for the Rays after an opening week of spring training that included the dumping of two veterans to harshly negative reviews, including from their own players …
Discussion: DRaysBay and FanRag Sports
USA Today:
Rays' Brent Honeywell has torn UCL, Tommy John surgery recommended  —  Tampa Bay hit a major setback on Friday, when the Rays host the Pittsburgh Pirates in the Grapefruit opener.  —  Rays top pitching prospect Brent Honeywell has been diagnosed with a torn UCL and Tommy John elbow surgery has been recommended.
Tampa Bay Times:   Rays Honeywell has torn UCL, headed for Tommy John surgery
Associated Press:   Rays deal Dickerson to Pirates for Hudson and minor leaguer
Jerry CrasnickESPN Senior / ESPN:
While the rest of MLB goes young, the Giants are doubling down on players in their 30s  —  SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — The San Francisco Giants sold out 530 straight games before their streak ended in July, and they feel obliged to put a competitive product on the field for all those die-hard ticket holders by the bay.
RELATED:
Bill Madden / New York Daily News:   Rays, Marlins disorder is unfair to fans and other small-market teams that are trying to win
Bob McManaman / Arizona Republic:
Arizona Diamondbacks spring training - 2018
Discussion: Lone Star Ball
Associated Press:   Steven Souza Jr. filling big shoes in J.D. Martinez's No. 28
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Ozuna to DH against former team in Cardinals' spring opener  —  JUPITER, Fla.  • Former Miami Marlins star Marcell Ozuna is playing, sort of, against his former teammates as the Cardinals open their exhibition baseball season Friday here against the Marlins.
RELATED:
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cardinals in no hurry to label closers  —  JUPITER, Fla.  • The Cardinals' bullpen this year likely will be comprised of seven relievers at the start of the season but could have eight at any moment, if manager Mike Matheny and pitching coach Mike Maddux deem the concept worthy.
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:   Possibilities aplenty for Cardinals' infielder Wisdom
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:   Almost a year after frightening injury, Poncedeleon readies for ‘just another game’
Detroit News:
Next Slide  —  Lakeland, Fla. — Tigers manager Ron Gardenhire did something after the game Thursday that he would very rarely do in the regular season.  He made a point of personally complimenting the home-plate umpire.  —  “Helluva job, very nice,” he said to Jen Pawol, one of two women umpiring in professional baseball.
Discussion: Sporting News
RELATED:
Shawn Windsor / Detroit Free Press:   How umpire at Detroit Tigers game is ready to break gender barrier
R.J. Anderson / CBSSports.com:
Jen Pawol, one of two women umpires in professional baseball, calls first MLB action
Discussion: Detroit News
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Kyle Schwarber starts as Cubs open exhibition season  —  Chicago Tribune  —  With little time to practice, the Cubs and the other 29 major league teams aren't required to field lineups with more than four starters for the first week of exhibition games.  —  But manager Joe Maddon …
RELATED:
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:   Cubs believe Justin Wilson stepping toward a rebound season
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:   Few roster spots in play as Cubs begin Cactus League schedule
ESPN:
Angels' Shohei Ohtani to make spring debut as pitcher Saturday  —  Multitalented Japanese pitcher/hitter Shohei Ohtani will make his spring training debut for the Los Angeles Angels on the mound against the Milwaukee Brewers on Saturday.  —  “I feel that this is a big step forward,” Ohtani told reporters Thursday, via an interpreter.
Discussion: Halos Heaven
RELATED:
Arizona Republic:
Next Slide  —  Good seats are still available for the most …
Discussion: Halos Heaven
Associated Press:
With Cozart joining Angels infield, the defense never rests
Discussion: Halos Heaven and Los Angeles Times
Yahoo Sports:
Exclusive: Federal documents detail sweeping potential NCAA violations involving high-profile players, schools  —  Documents and bank records obtained in discovery during the federal investigation into the underbelly of college basketball detail in meticulous fashion the expenditures …
Scott LauberESPN / ESPN:
J.D. Martinez continuing physical at Red Sox spring training camp  —  FORT MYERS, Fla. — Considering it took four months for the Boston Red Sox and J.D. Martinez to get together, what's another day before they make things official?  —  Martinez arrived at the Red Sox's spring training facility Wednesday …
Kevin Kernan / New York Post:
Mets pitching coach hypes and cautions: This is MLB's best staff  —  PORT ST. LUCIE — Dave Eiland has been around the pitching block.  He's a straight shooter who tells it like it is, and that's the way he's been since the first time we crossed paths 26 years ago.
RELATED:
Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
5 young pitchers to watch early in Mets camp
Discussion: Amazin' Avenue
Dan Mann / Chicago Tribune:
What does a top-5 payroll buy you in baseball?  —  Chicago Tribune  —  With the signing of right-hander Yu Darvish, the Cubs moved into elite company: They now have the fifth-highest payroll in baseball, according to Spotrac.  The last time the Cubs had a top-five payroll, in 2016, they won it all.
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Ranking the spring training ballparks in Arizona  —  Chicago Tribune  —  Ten stadiums.  Fifteen teams.  Ranking the ballparks (and facilities) in Arizona's Cactus League.  —  The Diamondbacks and Rockies got everything they needed — and then some — in this spacious 11,000-seat facility.
Tampa Bay Times:
Live blog: Rays open spring training season against Pirates, Orioles  —  The Rays open the exhibition season with not one, but two games today.Non-roster pitcher Vidal Nuno will start against the Pirates at 1:05 p.m. in Port Charlotte.  Denard Span, Matt Duffy, Kevin Kierm
 
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 More News: 
Matt Breen / Philly.com:
Rhys Hoskins and the Phillies seek value at the margins
Ronnie Kohrt / Mile High Sports:
Taking aim at their first NL West title, Rockies will go as pitching goes
Discussion: Purple Row, Rox Pile and Denver Post
Luke Broadwater / Baltimore Sun:
A group is trying to get the grounded Baltimore police surveillance airplane flying again.
Discussion: CBS Baltimore
Matthew Florjancic / WKYC-TV:
Cleveland Indians OF Brandon Guyer will restart progression after aggravating wrist injury
Kevin Skiver / CBSSports.com:
LOOK: Troy Tulowitzki had some fun with photographer who mistook him for a pitcher
Discussion: CBS Denver
Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
How much stock should you put into Braves' spring games? Listen
Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
Mets slugger Yoenis Cespedes made decision to sacrifice golf with focus on staying healthy: source
Mike Mazzeo / New York Daily News:
Aaron Boone to use Yankees' spring games for player evaluation, managerial experience
 Earlier Picks: 
Chris Kuc / Chicago Tribune:
Dylan Covey draws starting nod for White Sox in Friday's spring training opener
Detroit Free Press:
Next Slide  —  LAKELAND, Fla. — It was weird, Alex Wilson admitted.
Discussion: Bless You Boys
John Fay / Cincinnati.com:
Analytically speaking, Cincinnati Reds Tucker Barnhart was golden
Discussion: Red Reporter
Matt Ehalt / Daily Record:
Mets shortstop Amed Rosario uses tracking drills to help improve plate discipline
Matt Breen / Philly.com:
Phillies blank University of Tampa as the spring games begin
Discussion: Phillies Nation
Mike Mazzeo / New York Daily News:
Brandon Drury says he grew up a Yankees fan, calls being in pinstripes ‘a dream come true’
Discussion: Pinstripe Alley
Associated Press:
Mariners catcher Mike Zunino grows into major role with team
 

 
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Tamantha Ryan / Page Six:
50 Cent's ex Daphne Joy accuses him of rape, physical abuse amid Diddy lawsuit drama — but he denies it

People:
Gypsy Rose Blanchard Announces Separation from Husband 3 Months After Prison Release

Jeff Conway / Forbes:
Olivia Colman Reflects On Her Beloved Career: ‘I Have Been Very Lucky’

 
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