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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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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.
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs field veteran lineup vs. Rangers
Jerry CrasnickESPN Senior / ESPN:
Rockies prospect, Parkland native gets to wear alma mater's ‘SD’ cap in spring training tilt
Rockies prospect, Parkland native gets to wear alma mater's ‘SD’ cap in spring training tilt
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Sporting News
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Column: Chill factor greets Cubs in Cactus League opener
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Valera to perform double duty for Cardinals — PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. • Utilityman Breyvic Valera, one of the few players these days who actually can walk more than he strikes out, will get a look at second base Saturday for the Cardinals. But manager Mike Matheny said Valera …
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Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Van Slyke shows off shortened swing with long homers against Cardinals — JUPITER, Fla. • When Scott Van Slyke stepped into the cage in St. Louis this winter, the swing his father had suggested, the swing he needed to retool, the swing he needed to return to the majors found him without a search.
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.
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Two Van Slyke homers give Marlins 6-4 win over Cardinals
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:
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'
Elder Felix Hernandez ready to return to throne as Mariners ace: 'I'm still King Felix'
Discussion:
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 …
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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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 …
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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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.
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.
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.
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.