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11:45 PM ET, February 23, 2018

Ballbug

 Top News: 
Jorge L. Ortiz / Chillicothe Gazette:
Elder Felix Hernandez ready to return to throne as Mariners ace: 'I'm still King Felix'  —  SportsPulse: The Houston Astros looked primed to repeat as World Series champs.  Recent history suggests otherwise.  USA TODAY Sports  —  CONNECT  —  PEORIA, Ariz. - Felix Hernandez …
RELATED:
Coley HarveyESPN / ESPN:
Giancarlo Stanton makes spring training debut for Yankees  —  TAMPA, Fla. — Giancarlo Stanton had every reason to feel a little nervous Friday afternoon as he made his highly anticipated spring training debut with a new team that's full of lofty expectations.
Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
Giancarlo Stanton, Yankees hyped on his debut: ‘There was definitely a buzz’  —  TAMPA - It was just a meaningless exhibition game, the first of 32 for the New York Yankees in a long spring training, but then again, this one felt different.  —  This day, on a gorgeous Friday afternoon …
Mike Mazzeo / New York Daily News:   Giancarlo Stanton after one spring training game with Yankees: ‘This is better’ than playing with Marlins
Mike Mazzeo / New York Daily News:   Aaron Boone's time to shine like he did during interview process — managerial debut was the first step
Pete Caldera / Daily Record:   Gleyber Torres thrilled to be back on the field, in Yankees 2B competition
Pete Caldera / Daily Record:   Yankees win spring training opener as Aaron Boone, Giancarlo Stanton debut in pinstripes
ESPN:
MLB teams wear hats to honor high school shooting victims  —  Spring training got off to a solemn start as MLB teams wore hats to honor Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, where 17 people were fatally shot nine days ago.  —  Stoneman Douglas baseball coach Todd Fitz-Gerald …
Discussion: MLB Baseball News …
RELATED:
Jerry CrasnickESPN Senior / ESPN:   Rockies prospect, Parkland native gets to wear alma mater's ‘SD’ cap in spring training tilt
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:   Column: Chill factor greets Cubs in Cactus League opener
Jorge L. Ortiz / USA Today:   Florida shootings ‘hit home’ for many MLB players, some more direct than others
Associated Press:
Callaway scratches Smith for Mets' opener  —  PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (AP) — Mickey Callaway had his first big managerial decision Friday, and it came down way before the New York Mets' first pitch was delivered by starting pitcher Zack Wheeler.  —  A day before when the Mets announced …
RELATED:
Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
Dominic Smith scratched from Mets lineup before first spring training game
Discussion: Talking Chop
Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:   Mets' Zack Wheeler sets good example for tardy first baseman Dominic Smith on how to fight for your job
Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:   Mickey Callaway ‘shocked’ Dominic Smith was late to first Mets spring training game
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 …
RELATED:
Associated Press:
Francisco Liriano agrees to 1-year, $4 million deal with Tigers  —  TAMPA, Fla. — Detroit agreed to a $4 million, one-year contract with left-hander Francisco Liriano, giving the Tigers added pitching depth.  —  The 34-year-old was 6-7 with a 4.62 ERA in 18 starts last season with Toronto …
RELATED:
Detroit Free Press:
Next Slide  —  TAMPA — With the addition of left-hander …
Discussion: MLB Trade Rumors
Detroit Free Press:   At George M. Steinbrenner Field, Tampa, Fla.
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Two Van Slyke homers give Marlins 6-4 win over Cardinals  —  JUPITER, Fla.  • Outfielder Oscar Mercado, in his first game wearing a Cardinals uniform, singled twice, scored a run and made a strong catch in right field Friday although the Cardinals lost their exhibition baseball opener to the Miami Marlins 6-4.
Discussion: Fish Stripes
RELATED:
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.
Discussion: Fish Stripes
Associated Press:
Yelich makes spring debut in left field for Brewers  —  PHOENIX (AP) — New Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Christian Yelich struck out twice in his spring training debut Friday when the Brewers hosted the Chicago Cubs in a split-squad game.  —  He also singled before departing after the fourth inning.
RELATED:
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:
Notes: Christian Yelich, Lorenzo Cain get to stop talking about being Brewers and go play
Discussion: Bleed Cubbie Blue
Associated Press:
Alex Cora ‘not concerned’ Red Sox deal with J.D. Martinez not yet done  —  FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) — The Boston Red Sox have still yet to finalize their contract with prized free agent J.D. Martinez.  —  Manager Alex Cora said after Boston's Grapefruit League exhibition opener against Minnesota …
Discussion: MLB Baseball News …
Associated Press:
Rasmus makes new start with Orioles after baseball break  —  SARASOTA, Fla. (AP) — Colby Rasmus is making a new start with the Baltimore Orioles after taking an eight-month break from baseball.  —  Rasmus signed a minor league contract with the Orioles this week, after abruptly leaving the Tampa Bay Rays in midseason.
Toronto Sun:
MLB pulls plug on runner-on-second rule for spring games  —  TAMPA, Fla. — A proposal collapsed that would have put a runner on second base to start the 10th inning of spring training games, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press.
Associated Press:
Oakland found closer in Treinen, part of bullpen revamp  —  MESA, Ariz. (AP) — Oakland found its closer in Blake Treinen last summer, and its bullpen transformation continued when it acquired offseason targets Yusmeiro Petit and Ryan Buchter this winter.  —  For a team that had 25 blown saves …
Bob McManaman / Arizona Republic:
Arizona Diamondbacks slugger Christian Walker keeps running into walls at first base … CONNECT  —  Behind every door of Christian Walker's wild walk through the major leagues thus far, there has been a wall.  Considering the position he plays and the four different organizations that …
Associated Press:
Back tightness delays Carpenter's spring debut for Cards  —  JUPITER, Fla. (AP) — Cardinals manager Mike Matheny isn't sure when first baseman Matt Carpenter will make his Grapefruit League debut.  —  Carpenter is battling back tightness.  For the time being, he is in the hands …
 
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 More News: 
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Column: White Sox's Welington Castillo returns to Chicago with newfound respect
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs infielder Javier Baez sets sights on winning Gold Glove
John Woolfolk / Mercury News:
Child porn bust: How twin brothers, both San Jose coaches, ended up behind bars
Discussion: WNEP-TV
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Peter Bourjos eager to fulfill long shot dream with Cubs
Associated Press:
Two minor leaguers suspended 50 games for drug violations
Matt Breen / Philly.com:
Phillies pitcher Francisco Rodriguez still has the desire to return to the once-great K-Rod form
John Fay / Cincinnati.com:
Reds 6, Indians 4  —  GOODYEAR, Ariz. — The Reds beat Cleveland …
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cardinals eager to see Martinez take ‘Bull’ by the horns
 Earlier Picks: 
Steve Buffery / Toronto Sun:
Lighter, stronger Morales craves bounce-back year with Blue Jays
Discussion: Bluebird Banter
Chris Kuc / Chicago Tribune:
White Sox injury news: Micker Adolfo out at least 6 weeks, Carlos Rodon won't pitch in any spring training games
Mike Berardino / Twin Cities:
Once-touted reliever J.T. Chargois claimed off waivers by Dodgers
Discussion: MLB Trade Rumors and True Blue LA
David Haugh / Chicago Tribune:
Column: Hope still shines for Corey Ray after disappointing year in Brewers system
Bill Shaikin / Los Angeles Times:
Dodgers put 5 games on KTLA; no DirecTV deal expected this season
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs say keeping core of young position players intact ‘a big part of our identity’
Jerry CrasnickESPN Senior / ESPN:
While the rest of MLB goes young, the Giants are doubling down on players in their 30s
Discussion: Brew Crew Ball
 

 
From WeSmirch:

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

Beth Harris / Associated Press:
Louis Gossett Jr., 1st Black man to win supporting actor Oscar, dies at 87

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

 
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