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2:50 PM ET, February 24, 2018

Ballbug

 Top News: 
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:
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
Jason Bristol / KHOU-TV:   Astros honor Stoneman Douglas HS at Spring Training
Jerry CrasnickESPN Senior / ESPN:
Rockies prospect, Parkland native gets to wear alma mater's ‘SD’ cap in spring training tilt
Discussion: 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 …
RELATED:
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
Discussion: Bleed Cubbie Blue and Fish Stripes
Associated Press:   Back tightness delays Carpenter's spring debut for Cards
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 …
Discussion: MLB Baseball News …
RELATED:
Associated Press:   Twins sign veteran SS Erick Aybar to minor league contract
Bob Raissman / New York Daily News:
In afternoon drive war, Aaron Boone's non-exclusive WFAN deal gives ESPN radio an opening  —  When it comes to this battle for local sportstalk supremacy, everyone is a potential soldier.  —  Even Aaron Boone.  —  When WFAN's new afternoon crew revealed the Yankees rookie manager …
RELATED:
Mike Mazzeo / New York Daily News:
Giancarlo Stanton after one spring training game with Yankees: ‘This is better’ than playing with Marlins
Discussion: Pinstripe Alley
Coley HarveyESPN / ESPN:
Giancarlo Stanton makes spring training debut for Yankees
Discussion: Pinstripe Alley
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 …
RELATED:
Associated Press:   Rasmus makes new start with Orioles after baseball break
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 …
RELATED:
Jorge L. Ortiz / Chillicothe Gazette:
Elder Felix Hernandez ready to return to throne as Mariners ace: 'I'm still King Felix'
Ryan Divish / The Seattle Times:
Mariners morning notes: Mitch Haniger's hand is hurting, Daniel Vogelbach in a walking boot  —  Haniger won't take batting practice or play in Cactus League games for next few days.  Vogelbach will get more tests on the swollen foot.  —  PEORIA, Ariz. — Two days into Cactus League play …
Discussion: U.S.S. Mariner and Lookout Landing
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 …
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 …
Kyle Downing / MLB Trade Rumors:
Reds Sign Oliver Perez To Minor-League Deal  —  11:17am: Sheldon tweets that Perez will earn $1.25MM if he makes the MLB roster, and has $500K available performance bonuses.  He'll be able to opt out of the contract at the end of camp if he isn't added to the roster by then.
Discussion: MLB Baseball News …
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 …
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.
 
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 More News: 
Travis Sawchik / FanGraphs Baseball:
Where Defensive Opportunities Have Declined Most
Tampa Bay Times:
For starters: Back to back starts for Duffy as Rays face Red Sox, 1:05
Alex Butler / UPI:
Chicago Cubs' Kyle Schwarber looks lean ahead of spring training
Paul Hoynes / Plain Dealer:
Do the Cleveland Indians really have the worst outfield in the big leagues? Hey, Hoynsie
Nick Groke / Denver Post:
David Dahl is finally back in with the Rockies — with a lot to prove to manager Bud Black
Brett Cyrgalis / New York Post:
Rangers look like they just want this all to end
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Column: White Sox's Welington Castillo returns to Chicago with newfound respect
Discussion: South Side Sox
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs infielder Javier Baez sets sights on winning Gold Glove
 Earlier Picks: 
Associated Press:
Callaway scratches Smith for Mets' opener
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
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:
Notes: Christian Yelich, Lorenzo Cain get to stop talking about being Brewers and go play
Discussion: Bleed Cubbie Blue
Matt Breen / Philly.com:
Phillies pitcher Francisco Rodriguez still has the desire to return to the once-great K-Rod form
Bob McManaman / Arizona Republic:
Arizona Diamondbacks slugger Christian Walker keeps running into walls at first base
Associated Press:
Oakland found closer in Treinen, part of bullpen revamp
 

 
From WeSmirch:

BBC:
Bernard Hill: Titanic and Lord of the Rings actor dies

TMZ.com:
Gypsy Rose Gave Wedding Ring Back to Estranged Husband, Family Heirloom

Escher Walcott / People:
Channing Tatum Denies Ex Jenna Dewan's Claims He's Hiding Assets as She Maintains ‘Facts Are on Her Side’

 
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