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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 …
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MLB Baseball News …
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Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs field veteran lineup vs. Rangers — Chicago Tribune — The Cubs will field a veteran lineup Saturday when they open the home portion of their exhibition season against the Rangers at Sloan Park. — Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo, Willson Contreras, Jason Heyward, Addison Russell and Javier Baez will make their spring debuts.
Matt Breen / Philly.com:
Phillies want Nick Pivetta to pitch like Justin Verlander — DUNEDIN, Fla. — The Phillies asked each pitcher to try something new this spring. Throw your change-up to lefthanders or rely on your slider more. For Nick Pivetta, it was simple: elevate your fastball.
Jerry CrasnickESPN Senior / ESPN:
Rockies prospect, Parkland native gets to wear alma mater's ‘SD’ cap in spring training tilt
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Sporting News
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Three young Cardinals stand out against Marlins — JUPITER, Fla. • The loudest statement, by far, was St. Louisan Scott Van Slyle's two-homer, five RBI performance for the Miami Marlins, who beat the Cardinals 6-4 in the baseball exhibition opener Friday.
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Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Van Slyke shows off shortened swing with long homers against Cardinals
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Two Van Slyke homers give Marlins 6-4 win over Cardinals
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Bleed Cubbie Blue and Fish Stripes
Associated Press:
Twins sign veteran SS Erick Aybar to minor league contract — FORT MYERS, Fla. — The Minnesota Twins signed 12-year veteran shortstop Erick Aybar to a minor league contract Saturday with an invitation to spring training. — Aybar made his debut with the Los Angeles Angels in 2006 and was their everyday shortstop for seven seasons.
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Associated Press:
Kevin Siegrist agrees to minor league deal with Pirates — BRADENTON, Fla. (AP) — Left-hander Kevin Siegrist agreed to a minor league contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates and will report to big league spring training. — The 28-year-old was 1-1 with one save and a 4.81 ERA in 46 games …
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MLB Baseball News …
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 …
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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 …
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Over the Monster and MLB Baseball News …
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Jorge L. Ortiz / Chillicothe Gazette:
Elder Felix Hernandez ready to return to throne as Mariners ace: 'I'm still King Felix'
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USA Today
ESPN:
Orioles 2B Jonathan Schoop scratched with elbow bursitis — Jonathan Schoop, the starting second baseman for the Baltimore Orioles, has bursitis in his left elbow and is expected to miss some time, manager Buck Showalter said Friday. — Schoop, who agreed to an $8.5 million deal earlier …
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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 …
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Steve Buffery / Toronto Sun:
Alford anxious to prove his worth in the bigs — DUNEDIN - Anthony Alford is the third-ranked prospect in the Blue Jays system, and 47th on the 2018 Top 100 MLB prospects list. — With that and $5.75, you can buy a pretzel at Dunedin Stadium. — The laid-back outfielder appears …
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:
Notes: Christian Yelich, Lorenzo Cain get to stop talking about being Brewers and go play — PHOENIX - Lorenzo Cain and Christian Yelich weren't on the same field Friday but made their debuts as the Milwaukee Brewers played split-squad games to open Cactus League play.
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Bleed Cubbie Blue
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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.
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Pinstripe Alley
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Chris Kuc / Chicago Tribune:
Hector Santiago gets start for White Sox against Mariners — Chicago Tribune — Veteran Hector Santiago will get the start when the White Sox take on the Mariners as Cactus League play continues Saturday in Peoria, Ariz. — Santiago is one of the handful of veterans that general manager Rick Hahn …
Matt Breen / Philly.com:
Phillies pitcher Francisco Rodriguez still has the desire to return to the once-great K-Rod form — DUNEDIN, Fla. - The career of Francisco Rodriguez should have ended last July when he was released by Washington. The Nationals were the second team to dump him in three week.
Matt Breen / Philly.com:
Today's Phillies lineup, three things, and how to watch — CLEARWATER, Fla. - Rhys Hoskins and Carlos Santana will make their spring-training debuts on Saturday as the Phillies host the Orioles at Spectrum Field. — The game, which begins at 1:05 p.m., will be broadcasted by NBC Sports Philadelphia and WIP-FM.
Associated Press:
Hometown reliever Chris Martin takes winding road to Rangers — SURPRISE, Ariz. — Texas Rangers reliever Chris Martin won't need help finding his home ballpark. It is home. — The right-hander went to Arlington High School, not far from Globe Life Park.
Tom Jones / Tampa Bay Times:
The truth about the Tampa Bay Rays' reset — The Tampa Bay Rays are not going to be very good this year. — We already knew that. — They have gutted a team that won 80 games last season. Among those sent packing: Evan Longoria, Corey Dickerson, Jake Odorizzi and team MVP Steven Souza Jr.
