Top News:
Associated Press:
Former MLB pitcher Jack Hamilton dies at 79 — BRANSON, Mo. — Jack Hamilton, whose errant inside pitch damaged the eyesight of Boston's Tony Conigliaro in 1967 and caused a premature end to the career of the Red Sox star, has died. He was 79. — Hamilton died Thursday at the Shepherd …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and baseballmusings.com
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Joe Belock / New York Daily News:
Former Mets pitcher Jack Hamilton, whose errant pitch derailed career of Tony Conigliaro, dead at 79 — Jack Hamilton, who pitched for the Mets but gained baseball infamy as a member of the California Angels when his errant inside pitch damaged the eyesight of Boston star Tony Conigliaro in 1967, has died.
Coley HarveyESPN / ESPN:
Alex Rodriguez returns to role as Yankees' special adviser — TAMPA, Fla. — Former New York Yankees star and new ESPN Sunday Night Baseball analyst Alex Rodriguez was named a special adviser to his former team on Sunday. — Rodriguez will join past Yankees Hideki Matsui …
Discussion:
Associated Press and MLB Baseball News …
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Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cards' Mikolas has rough debut, gives up six runs in 7-3 loss — JUPITER, Fla. • Miles Mikolas, a Jupiter, Fla., native signed for $15.5 million for two years after pitching three seasons in Japan, had a rough Cardinals debut Sunday, giving up six runs and seven hits in 1 2/3 innings in a 7-3 loss to Houston.
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Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Fowler, Pham to make first starts
Gabe Lacques / USA Today:
Decline fears: Can Joey Votto, Robinson Cano fight off the aging curve? — GOODYEAR, Ariz. - Joey Votto was 27 years old, a reigning National League Most Valuable Player and ostensibly at the height of his powers when he first felt the symptoms of decline. — In 2010, he dominated the NL …
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Mike Berardino / Twin Cities:
Twins reportedly sign slugging first baseman Logan Morrison — FORT MYERS, Fla. — Jake Odorizzi has only been a member of the Twins for a week or so, but he's already doing his part to recruit some of his former high-profile Tampa Bay Rays teammates to the Upper Midwest.
Discussion:
Baseball Prospectus, MLB Trade Rumors and Twinkie Town
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Steve Gardner / USA Today:
Eric Hosmer bids classy farewell to Kansas City fans with newspaper ad — Although he's now a member of the San Diego Padres after signing an eight-year, $144 million contract as a free agent, Eric Hosmer has already built up a career worth of fond memories with the Kansas City Royals.
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Associated Press:
Springer's energy propels World Series champion Astros — JUPITER, Fla. (AP) — A.J. Hinch was attempting to answer a question about what he likes best about George Springer when the Houston Astros manager was drowned out by a faraway but exuberant bellow. — The sound was the World Series MVP …
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Ted Berg / USA Today:
Astros offseason report: Club loaded, eyeing a repeat
Astros offseason report: Club loaded, eyeing a repeat
Discussion:
The Crawfish Boxes
Associated Press:
Matt Belisle agrees to minor league contract with Indians — GOODYEAR, Ariz. — Free agent reliever Matt Belisle has agreed to a minor league contract with the Cleveland Indians and would get a $1.5 million, one-year deal if added to the 40-man big league roster.
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Marc Topkin / Tampa Bay Times:
Rays Journal: A key step back for Venters, sharp day for Snell, big blast by Cron — FORT MYERS - The big heartwarming story will be when - and thus if - LHP Jonny Venters makes it back to the majors for the first time since 2012, having battled through three elbow surgeries.
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John Harper / New York Daily News:
After Amed Rosario was hyped up, Mets quietly wondering if shortstop will ever live up to high expectations — PORT ST. LUCIE — After all the hype that came with being evaluated at the top of the various prospect lists, Amed Rosario wasn't the instant sensation the Mets had hoped last summer …
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Matt Ehalt / Daily Record:
Mets' Dominic Smith to go for MRI while Jay Bruce, Tim Tebow dealing with minor injuries — PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — The Mets could only go so long without any injuries. — First baseman Dominic Smith is slated to undergo an MRI on Monday for a strained right quad, while Jay Bruce …
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Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
Mets first baseman Dominic Smith to have MRI on strained right quad
Mets first baseman Dominic Smith to have MRI on strained right quad
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
Bill Plunkett / Orange County Register:
‘Lost season’ brings Trayce Thompson to an uncertain future with Dodgers — GLENDALE, Ariz. — Trayce Thompson's future is uncertain. But at least it's not his recent past. — “He's probably one of the happiest to turn the page on 2017,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts says of Thompson's difficult year.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
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Associated Press:
Phillies infielder Will Middlebrooks broke leg in spring game — Philadelphia Phillies infielder Will Middlebrooks broke his leg during a collision with teammate Andrew Pullin during a spring training game. — Phillies manager Gave Kapler said Sunday that Middlebrooks broke his left fibula.
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Gerry Fraley / Dallas Morning News:
Whomever the Rangers choose as their No. 2 catcher, they will get more reps than expected — MESA, Ariz. — The Rangers need a backup catcher. — Big yawn. — The search will not dominate the spring-training storylines. The backup catcher is never famous. — He will be significant for this team.
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Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs President Theo Epstein to attend memorial service for former Padres executive Kevin Towers — Chicago Tribune — Cubs President Theo Epstein, general manager Jed Hoyer and spring training instructor Rick Sutcliffe were among at least 100 major-league officials scheduled to attend a memorial service Sunday for Kevin Towers.
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs starter Kyle Hendricks comfortable being young veteran — Chicago Tribune — Kyle Hendricks joked that he's been sporting facial hair for sixth months. — But the Cubs' starting pitcher, 28, joked Sunday morning that it feels “kind of weird” being a young veteran as he enters his fifth season.
Bob McManaman / Arizona Republic:
Arizona Diamondbacks spring training - 2018 … The Diamondbacks might say they haven't settled on their starting shortstop yet, and maybe they haven't - on the record - but when manager Torey Lovullo was recently asked about how his the middle infield might shake out this spring, he sounded very much like a man with a plan.
Steve Buffery / Toronto Sun:
Bittersweet return for Sanchez — DUNEDIN - The box score looked a bit rough, but Blue Jays right-hander Aaron Sanchez was satisfied with his first appearance in a game since July 19. — Sanchez came in relief of starter J.A. Happ in the second inning of a Grapefruit League game …
Anthony Fenech / Detroit Free Press:
Nick Castellanos HRs, Alex Faedo debuts for Detroit Tigers in 8-8 tie — At Joker Marchant Stadium, Lakeland, Fla. — What happened — The Detroit Tigers and the Pittsburgh Pirates tied, 8-8, in a split-squad game. ... Nick Castellanos hit a home run. ...